Young Thug has always cited Lil Wayne as his hero, but it hasn't stopped things from getting pretty weird between the two at times. Ever since Thug announced he was naming his album Tha Carter VI (later renamed Barter 6, but we'll get to that) and aligned himself with Birdman, there has been on-and-off tension between the two rappers. Things have certainly cooled down over the last little while, but it's been a wild ride, one that we've attempted to draw up in a timeline for you. Click through the galleries to see some of the main events between Wayne and Thug since 2014. Will they ever do another track together? Read through and let us know what you think.
Young Thug says he want to work with Wayne more than anyone
January 28, 2014: Young Thug says there's no one he would rather work with than Lil Wayne
Especially in his early years, Young Thug earned many comparisons to Lil Wayne, and he was never shy about citing the rapper as his primary influence. In January of 2014, just after his "Stoner" and "Danny Glover" singles had hit their peak popularity, Thug acknowledged just why he looks to Wayne for inspiration.
"Because he has 10-15 years in the game on top and the fact that he knows he can lean back and retire and he still doesn’t," he told Complex. "I hope Wayne is listening, I want to get in the studio with Wayne more than anybody in the world. I’ll get in the studio with Wayne before Michael Jackson right now so I hope he listening."
Young Thug Says he's signed to Cash Money, alligns himself with Birdman
February 15, 2014: Young Thug claims he's signed to Cash Money, aligns himself with Birdman
Young Thug causes some confusion by telling Mass Appeal he's signed to Cash Money. His label situation turns out to be much more complicated, but at this point he begins to align himself closely with Birdman and his Rich Gang collective.
Young Thug Announces His Album Title, "Tha Carter VI"
March 25, 2014: Young Thug announces his album title, "Tha Carter VI"
Young Thug raises eyebrows when he announces that his next project will be titled Tha Carter VI, a reference to Lil Wayne's Tha Carter album series which he planned to finish with Tha Carter V. At this time, Wayne has already experienced delays with his album. “I just feel like I’m that big," Thug told Whoo Kid of the title. "Cause he feel like after Tha Carter V he ain’t gonna make no more music. Cause he feel like can’t nobody make music like that.”
Young Thug Has "A Million" Songs With Wayne
June 30, 2014: Young Thug says he has "a million" songs with Lil Wayne
“I recorded a million tracks with Wayne already,” Thug said in an interview with MTV, where he stood beside Birdman, declared he was Rich Gang forever, and detailed some further collaborations with Nicki Minaj. We have still only heard one official collab between Wayne and Thug.
Young Thug and Lil Wayne collaborate
October 16, 2014: Young Thug and Lil Wayne collaborate on "Take Kare"
Following Thug's promise of collaborations with Wayne, "Take Kare," surfaces online. The song will later open Thug's 2015 release, Slime Season. It is still the only collaborative track we have heard from the two rappers.
Lil Wayne goes public with his Cash Money trouble
December 4, 2014: Lil Wayne reveals Birdman is blocking the release of "Tha Carter V," says he wants off Cash Money
After many delays, Lil Wayne publicly addresses his problems with his label, beginning a battle with Birdman and Cash Money that has continued to this day. At this point, Wayne is distancing himself from Birdman, while Thug is continuing to work closely with him.
To all my fans, I want u to know that my album won't and hasn't been released bekuz Baby & Cash Money Rec. refuse to release it.
I want off this label and nothing to do with these people but unfortunately it ain't that easy
Lil Wayne & Young Thug appear to take shots at each other
January 26, 2015: Young Thug appears to take shots at Lil Wayne
A Lil Wayne tweet discourages fans from attending an event at Miami Club LIV where Birdman is hosting a Rich Gang party. While the tweet seems to be directed at Birdman, Thug posts some videos to Instagram that seem to address Wayne's tweet. "We going to LIV. Whoever don’t like it, pull up, fuck n*gga,” he says in a since-deleted post.
SFTW2 party tomorrow night at da Versace mansion! Fux wit me!! U won't be sorry no u won't be sorry! Go to LIV for what?
Lil Wayne's daughter criticizes Thug
March 17, 2015: Lil Wayne's daughter criticizes Thug
Reginae Carter, daughter of Lil Wayne, decides to speak out after catching wind of Thug's decision to name his album "Tha Carter VI," calling the rapper "childish," and instructing to him to "try again if you're even trying to get on my father's level."
Is he trying to be funny with this Carter6 💩 ? Cause it's pretty childish to me ! #myopinion
Try again if you're even trying to get on my fathers level 😴
Listen . I usually stay in a child's place but that's my father and I'll stick up for him no matter what ! It was not to be disrespectful 😁
But you know what . I don't have to explain myself ! I don't regret anything and I'll repeat myself if I have to 😘
Behind all the cameras and media , there's a real family with real feelings....
YOU CANT SIT WITH US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 10, 2015: Lil Wayne disses Young Thug's album cover, Thug responds with love
At a tour stop, Lil Wayne takes a shot at Young Thug over his decision to pose nude on the cover of his upcoming album, saying, "stop listening to songs of n*ggas who pose naked on their motherfucking album covers."
Thug responded a little while later in a since-deleted Instagram post, sympathizing with Wayne's label situation, and refusing to participate in beef. "I understand that Lil Wayne is frustrated about his career, and I feel him on that, but this is my idol. I wouldn't ever in my life swap words with him or beef with him about nothin'. This is a person that I look up to. Ha ha!"
Young Thug Changes Name Of Album
April 13, 2015: Young Thug changes title of album to "Barter 6," cites lawsuit
In a since-deleted Instagram post, Thug announces that his project will no longer be titled "Tha Carter VI," changing the name to Barter 6, which he claimed was due to a lawsuit. “Can’t name the mixtape Carter VI, cause these fuck ass n*ggas trying to sue…just like some hoes,” he says.
Lil Wayne's Tourbus Shot At In Atlanta
April 26th, 2015: Lil Wayne's tour bus shot at in Atlanta, suspect said to be affiliated with Young Thug
Following a performance by Lil Wayne at Compound nightclub in Atlanta, shots are fired at his tour bus. No one is hurt, but the main suspect, Jimmy Winfrey, is identified as a former tour manager of Thug's. Winfrey is arrested for the crime.
Young Thug Heckled In New Orleans
April 26th, 2015: Young Thug gets heckled by Wayne fans at Louisiana show
Strangely enough, the very same night that Lil Wayne performed in Young Thug's hometown of Atlanta, where his tour bus was shot at, Young Thug performed in Louisiana, Wayne's home state. Here, he experienced heckling from certain members of the crowd, who yelled "Weezy" and "Hollygrove" at the rapper, among other insults. Thug is said to have replied by saying "I still love you."
Young Thug says He's Releasing Carter V Mixtape
May 27th, 2015: Young Thug says he's putting out a mixtape called "Carter V"
On top of releasing his album as Tha Carter VI, Thug suggests that he will also put out a mixtape titled Tha Carter V. “I’ma drop one more mixtape [before my album]. I’ll probably name it Tha Carter V, ’cause the original Carter V still ain’t came out yet. I don’t know what the fuck they doing. So I’ma put that motherfucker out for ’em,” he said, citing Lil Wayne's issues with releasing the album. This is the last we ever hear of the tape.
Lil Wayne
July 8, 2015: Lil Wayne says he appreciates "Barter 6"
Following the announcement of Barter 6, fans began to compare Thug's decision to riff on Weezy's title to Lil Wayne's 2002 album, 500 Degreez, a reference to Cash Money labelmate 1998 breakthrough, 400 Degreez. In an interview with Q93, Wayne describes the difference between the two tributes, at the same time endorsing Thug's title for the first time.
"Here's the difference-- when we did it, we had no problem saying we don't need no Juvie, this is 500 Degreez. [Thug] came out and said 'I'm naming my album such and such because of props, and because I'm such a fan.' That's a totally different approach. I'd have to be some kind of monster to overlook that... I'm not that type of person. My mama ain't raise me [like that]... I'd have to be a monster for me to be like 'I don't believe you'. If he say it's from the heart and he's some kind of fan... I love him, hell, thanks bruh. I appreciate everything about it if he's a fan."
His comments come at 17:30
Young Thug and Birdman named in indictment regarding Lil Wayne bus shooting
July 15, 2015: Young Thug and Birdman named in indictment regarding Lil Wayne bus shooting
An indictment regarding the shooting of Lil Wayne's tourbus, provided by prosecutors of Jimmy Winfrey, names Young Thug and Birdman, alleging the two were involved in a conspiracy to kill Lil Wayne. Lyrics from Thug's song, "Halftime," and Winfrey's presence in the video are also presented as evidence. Thug and Birdman are not charged, only mentioned.
Indictment alleges #YoungThug, #Birdman involved in conspiracy with third man to kill #LilWayne on his tour bus in #CobbCounty. #wsbtv.
More: #YoungThug and #Birdman aren't charged in the indictment, only named by #CobbCounty prosecutors as working with Jimmy Winfrey. #wsbtv.
More: Indictment alleges #YoungThug, #Birdman, #Lilwayne and Jimmy Winfrey are members of the #Bloods street gang. #wsbtv.
More: Prosectors cite #YoungThug music video for #HalfTime showing Winfrey with assault rifle, lyrics about #LilWayne as evidence. #wsbtv.
More: Indictment alleges Jimmy Winfrey "carried out" #YoungThug's threat by shooting at #LilWayne's tour buses in April. #wsbtv.
Young Thug Says He And Wayne Have No Problems
October 9th, 2015: Young Thug denies involvement in tour bus shooting.
In A New York Times profile, Young Thug denies any involvement in the shooting of Lil Wayne's tourbus in Atlanta, suggesting once again that he idolizes Wayne. “I got millions to get, I’m not running around shooting no damn bus," he says. "I’m not just being lame or trying to do something smooth. I told the whole world you my idol, and whenever you stop I’m gonna keep going... Both of us grew up the same thing, the same gang man — Y.M.C.M.B. Why should you ever in your life even feel like we against each other?"
Jimmy Winfrey Sentenced To 20 Years
November 20, 2015: Jimmy Winfrey sentenced to 20 years for Lil Wayne bus shooting
Winfrey is given 10 years in prison and 10 years probation for his involvement in the Lil Wayne bus shooting.
Young Thug Supports Wayne
September 5, 2016: Young Thug shows support for Lil Wayne following his hints at retirement
Lil Wayne had rap fans in a panic when he suggested that he might be giving up rap, suggesting that he feels "defenseless and mentally defeated," likely in reference to the issues with his label that have still yet to be resolved. Following his tweets, many rappers, including YG and Drake, showed support, as did Young Thug, who did his best to smooth things over once and for all in two tweets.
I AM NOW DEFENSELESS AND mentally DEFEATED & I leave gracefully and thankful I luh my fanz but I'm dun
ain't lookin for sympathy, just serenity
@LilTunechi I promise I'm holding u down no matter what… fuck the world and what they thinkfeel I'm with u for life, ur the reason I rap………
I just wish u could love me the way I love u big bro… ur my idol for life and I hope ur sorry for bashing me, not knowing how much I love u…