Lil Wayne New 2013 Mixtape: 'Dedication 5' Download, Stream and Review

Lil Wayne’s rollercoaster career has been shrouded in a curious cloud of success and misfortune. His rapid rise to fame, following the release of Tha Carter II, was due much in part to his revolutionary approach to rap music. Instead of putting all his eggs in one basket and focusing on his subsequent studio album, he began recording non stop, rapping over well known beats and showing off his lyrical finesse. And he never looked back. His series of mixtapes including No Ceilings and Da Drought earned him a spot among the most interesting and talented rappers of his generation. He changed the way new rappers made their mark on the scene.

Unfortunately, as is the case with many musicians, Wayne hit a rut. His mixtapes slowly became more generic and his albums distant from the music his fans had learned to love. Additionally, his ongoing problem with drug abuse and the law took a toll on his integrity and projected brilliance. He past his peak, many fans might say, so that’s why it’s encouraging to see him back on his high horse.

His newest mixtape, Dedication 5, features acts such as the Weeknd, Chance the Rapper and T.I. while using beats from Kanye West’s “New Slaves,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe,” Drake’s “Started From the Bottom” and much more. His lyrical genius shines through once again, and he hones in on the raspy, weezy sound of his breath that helped define his unique weirdness that enticed a generation. Instead of a jumbled mass of recycled beats with lazy flows, Wayne has put out something he should be proud of. It’s reminiscent of his earlier days and inspire hope in fans that he’s found redirection.

“Noticed I wasn’t nominated nor involved n da MTV VMA’s nor da BET awards,” he wrote on his Twitter. “I apologize to my fans and I promise 2 work harder if it kills me.”

Well his first efforts are promising, and now we can’t wait to see what’s in store.

Stream and/or download Dedication 5 here, via Livemixtapes.