Lil Wayne stressed that it is impossible for new artists to make a breakthrough without social media.
While the ‘Lollipop’ singer, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., acknowledged that “real talent” is still essential to getting to the top, he also believes that without an online presence and the attention it brings, it is impossible for aspiring singers and rappers.
When asked what it takes to get new acts noticed, he told Billboard: “These days, you have to know social media. If you don’t, you need a team that knows it.”
“That means the main thing today is the same as yesterday and the day before: you simply have to have real talent. Real, everlasting and undeniable talent.
“That’s still how you finish an artist. If you find that in an artist, use it and highlight it as much as you can, because it’s difficult.
“There are a lot of artists who want to be exactly what they see (and hear) on social media. They just want to be that, instead of being what they can actually be.
“Make them believe in who they are and what they can really be. And even if it’s a challenge, that challenge has always been one of the most fun things ever for me. I love it.”
The 43-year-old rapper believes hip-hop has changed more in recent years than ever before, which he attributes to the rise of social media.
He added: “Right now I see the most change in our genre, because back then I think there was more progress than change; evolution of what was already given to us and also recognition of what was given to us.”
“But it’s not that no one appreciates what came before them anymore – it’s just that the world has changed thanks to social media.
“When I started, there was no social media. But social media changed the genre and opened doors.”
“It definitely helped it go global. (Social media) is good and bad.”
