The chemistry between Wayne and Drake is surreal. Even though Drake is considered Lil Wayne’s protégé, he has diligently worked his way up to his boss’ level and might have even superseded him. Regardless, when Tune and Drizzy collide on a record, they always produce the best music together. Their catalog is longer than Anthony Davis’ wingspan. They have bangers like “My Darlin Baby,” “Stunt Hard,” "Used To," “Successful,” and “Unstoppable.” While they enjoy churning out goodies like Mr. Softee, they consistently push each other on records, with each MC attempting to outdo the other-- something which formed the basis of their recent tour together, "Drake Vs. Lil Wayne." We'll be asking you just that, like we did with J. Cole vs. Wale. We’re back this week with another edition of “Who Had The Better Verse?”. See our breakdown, and cast your own vote.
Drake Featuring Lil Wayne – “Ransom”
Drake and Wayne basically played ping pong with the flow on “Ransom.” Drake’s bouncy flow and delivery was merely an appetizer to Wayne’s monstrous verse. Now, don’t get it twisted, Drake’s verse wasn’t all devoid of punches. In fact, he landed many a la Floyd. A slightly inebriated Drizzy went off with bars like, “Black Ferrari with the red seats, I call it playing checkers,” and “Add them or subtract me, I will never be your equal.” Though Drake was merely a student to Wayne, he had his big boy pants on and stood toe-to-toe with Weezy. On “Ransom,” Wayne transformed into Doctor Carter and became a lyrical technician. Before he entered the lion’s den, Wayne calmly announced his arrival, these three words: “I’m goin’ in.” Boy, did he! “Drizzy I got us, this is my promise/I’ma bring them barrels to these bitches eyeliners.” Who knew you could rhyme buck buck so many times, and actually make it sound good? Plus, who would have thought rapping the alphabet would sound so good? For a lot us, this was the track that introduced us to Drake and he wowed us by rapping alongside Wayne. But Mixtape Weezy was on the loose here.
Winner: Lil Wayne
Your Vote:
Drake Featuring Lil Wayne – “Ignant Shit”
This track was pure fire. "Ignant Shit" lived off Drake's opus So Far Gone and was a freestyle to the original version featuring Jay Z and Beanie Sigel. On this track, Drake proved why he was on the verge of greatness. He wrote a handful of indelible bars like, "I'm the one twice over, I'm the new eleven,” to "I never get attracted to fans/because an eager beaver could be the collapse of a damn," to "my song is your girl's waking up ringer." Let's be real, what girl didn't have "Best I Ever Had," as their alarm ringer back in 09? Now I would be remiss if I didn't big up Wayne on this track. When Drake coyly elected to "Free Weezy" at 2:27, Wayne broke free from his chains and morphed into Super Saiyan Weezy. The thing about Wayne is when he chooses to go hard, he'll go Usain Bolt on us and run laps around his peers. "I'll take probation/I don't want that T.I./Vick vacation./Private jet, pick location/I'm going to the bank to make a big donation." It wasn't over. Wayne dug deeper and unleashed even more heat with lines like "Stand on my money, head butt Yao Ming," and "Better dig in your pocket and pay homage." This was classic material by both men. With Drake throwing the lob, Wayne simply caught it and obliterated the track. This one's a tough call, it could very well be a tie, but we're going to succeed to Lil Wayne.
Winner: Lil Wayne
Your Vote:
Drake Featuring Lil Wayne & Young Jeezy – “I’m Goin’ In”
This time, Drake bested Wayne on this collaboration. Wayne had several hard lines and his start was something to go crazy over. “Hello motherfucker, hey, hi how you durin’?/It’s Weezy F. Baby come to take a shit and urine/on the toilet bowl bitches, pussy ass n*ggas/stepping on the beat like a motherfuckin sigma.” After hearing those first couple of bars, you would have thought Wayne was gonna go hammer on the beat. Unfortunately, the hotness was only temporary, and Drake elbowed his way in with a tough verse of his own. “Never see me out, cuz I live in my workplace/I’ll give you the business, so button up your shirt straight,” exclaimed Drizzy. You would have thought Wayne – who constantly brags about goin’ in – would have gone even harder. Not this time. Point awarded to Drake.
Winner: Drake
Your Vote:
Drake Featuring Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Eminem – “Forever”
Simplicity can be equally alluring and impactful. Drake’s opening line for “Forever” falls under that bracket. “Last name ever, first name greatest” was a very simple bar, but it resonated with everybody who heard it. With such a star-studded line-up, you wished everyone came harder on the track, with the exception of Sir Shady. Despite Eminem walking in and tearing everything down with his verse, we gotta focus on Drake and Wayne. Wayne’s verse was cool, but he didn’t bring that same fire, especially being that this was a star-laden record.
Winner: Drake
Your Vote:
Drake Featuring Lil Wayne – “Miss Me”
“Drake stands for Do Right And Kill Everything." That one line sealed it for Drake, in all honesty. Drizzy’s single from his debut Thank Me Later, was also Wayne's farewell letter. Granted, Wayne's verse was comical because it pretty much encapsulated what he's about - whimsical one-liners. In case you didn’t know, the original track was supposed to feature Bun B, but because Wayne was heading to Rikers Island, Drake thought that it would be fitting to have his boss on the record. Plus, Wayne's "I'll be gone till November" line was pretty on point, considering his circumstances. All in all though, we're awarding Drake the point on "Miss Me."
Winner: Drake
Your Vote:
Lil Wayne Featuring Drake – “Right Above It”
“Right Above It" served as Wayne's comeback single for I Am Not A Human Being from his prison stint. After sitting in prison for a year, fans clamored for a strong rebirth from Weezy. When Wayne was M.I.A., Drake carried the flag for Young Money. Drake's verse had no wrinkles and no frills. Electing to play the Pippen role for Wayne's welcome back party, Drake's Bollywood flow was something to smile at. His line "don't like my chicks single, I like my chicks in twos," became the line of the summer. Wayne's voice, delivery, and energy were flawless over this Kane Beatz's produced track. The Clark Kent in Wayne emerged when he entered the booth because "Right Above It" had superhero music written all over it.
Winner: Lil Wayne
Your Vote:
Drake Featuring Lil Wayne – “The Motto”
“The Motto” served as the second collaboration between Drake and Tune on Drizzy’s Take Care. Drake dished out some great lines on the Bay-inspired tune. One that caught the eye of many was when he said, “My team good, we don’t really need a mascot,” which seemed like a shot at Kanye at the time. Regardless, “Mr .25 sitting on 25 mill” produced a very good verse on this poignant club record. Honestly, Tunechi was off tune on this record. His verse was very pedestrian and lacked vigor. Wayne’s lack of energy and inconsistency has been known to leave us disappointed, especially on this record.
Winner: Drake
Your Vote:
Drake Featuring Lil Wayne - "H.Y.F.R"
The chemistry between Drake & Wayne was beyond amazing on "H.Y.F.R." Both ignited the track with fiery flows and memorable quips. Drake and Wayne scripted anecdotal verses about their female counterparts and how vexed they were with the constant questions regarding their dating lives. Drizzy's flow was something to marvel at, considering he vowed to start kicking different flows prior to the release of Take Care. “She asked what I have I learned since getting richer?/I learned working with the negatives can make for better pictures.” Wayne countered back with punches of his own. "So much for being optimistic/They say love is in the air/So I, hold my breath till' my face turn purple/keep a few bitches in my circle/my nuts hang like there ain't no curfew/bitch if you wave, then I will surf you." This could very well be a tossup, but after constant back and forth, Drake narrowly pulled it off. Flows on flows on flows!
Winner: Drake
Your Vote:
Believe Me
Lil Wayne Featuring Drake – “Believe Me”
For a lot of people, “Believe Me” was Wayne’s best work in awhile. For years, many were critical of Wayne because he was coughing up lackluster verses. Well, Wayne heard the rumblings and decided to channel his inner Tunechi. With Drake living on the hook, Wayne’s first single was a smash. Drake penned a strong verse, and, from first listen, it sounded as if it could have originally been his record. But, Wayne erased all of that speculation by stringing together a fiery second verse after Drizzy. “His & Hers’ Ferrari n*gga/one for me, one for my daughter n*gga/waiting for someone to test me like a Harvard n*gga/I tote a .223, two Michael Jordans, n*gga. “Believe Me” helped remind us that Wayne has the ability to go off, when he deems it necessary.
Winner: Lil Wayne
Your Vote:
Lil Wayne Featuring Drake – “Grindin’”
Wayne continued his lyrical tirade on “Grindin,’” after he served us huge doses on “Believe Me.” Wayne wasn’t playing around on “Grindin.’” He showed us why his signature slurry delivery is still one of the best in the game. While many are enamored with Thugger’s delivery, remember who birthed it. Wayne’s impeccable use of it, in addition to his lyrical prowess powered the track. “I got this shit down to a science, I turn in my project, A minus,” and “I got news for the monogamous n*ggas/yo bitches fucked anonymous n*ggas.” In all honesty, Drake’s verse was cool, but this was a track where Wayne just reminded us that Tha Carter V has the potential to be something special.
Winner: Lil Wayne
Your Vote: