Lil Wayne just nabbed the second diamond plaque in his career, this time for his 2013 Drake and Future collab “Love Me.”
On Monday (September 30), the 11-year-old banger officially hit 10 million units, certifying its diamond status with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The diamond plaque arrives less than two years after Weezy was awarded his first: his 2008 hit “Lollipop” hit the milestone in December 2022.
Living on his 2013 album I Am Not A Human Being II, “Love Me” became Wayne’s 18th top ten hit, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became Future’s first top 10 hit and most successful single until five years later with his 2017 song, “Mask Off.”
The good news arrives amid a bit of a sour moment for Lil Wayne, who expressed his extreme disappointment when he wasn’t chosen as the halftime act for the 2025 Super Bowl in his hometown of New Orleans.
Following outrage from peers and fans alike over the NFL’s decision to book Kendrick Lamar instead of NOLA’s own Weezy to perform at Super Bowl LIX on February 9, the Young Money leader finally addressed the situation in a video posted on Instagram earlier this month.
A solemn-sounding Wayne began by thanking those who have spoken up in his defense, saying: “First of all, I want to say forgive me for the delay. I had to get strength enough to do this without breaking. I’ma say thank you to every voice, every opinion, all the care, love and support out there. Your words turned into arms and held me up when I tried to fall back.”
He then shared his heartbreak and disappointment at the snub and blamed himself for getting his hopes up over the gig, which he had openly coveted prior to last week’s announcement.
“That hurt. It hurt a lot. You know what I’m talking about. It hurt a whole lot,” he continued. “I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown, and for automatically mentally putting myself in that position like somebody told me that was my position. So I blame myself for that.
“But I thought that was nothing better than that spot and that stage and that platform in my city, so it hurt. It hurt a whole lot. But y’all are fucking amazing. It made me feel like shit not getting this opportunity and when I felt like shit, you guys reminded me that I ain’t shit without y’all… and that’s an amazing reality.”
Wayne concluded: “So, like I said, it broke me and I’m just trying to put me back together. But my God, have you all helped me. Thanks to all of my peers, my friends, my family, my homies on the sports television and everybody repping me. I really appreciate that, I really do.
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“I feel like I let all of y’all down by not getting that opportunity, but I’m working on me and I’m working. So thank you.”
Birdman, Juvenile, Master P and Boosie Badazz were among those who expressed disapproval over Lil Wayne not being picked as the 2025 Super Bowl halftime headliner.
Few were as vocal as Young Money disciple Nicki Minaj, though, who slammed the decision in an explosive social media rant.
Lil Wayne recently achieved his second diamond plaque for his 2013 collaboration with Drake and Future on the hit song “Love Me.” This milestone marks a significant achievement in his career, solidifying his impact on the music industry.
Record-Breaking Success
On September 30, the track officially reached 10 million units, earning it diamond status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This recognition comes less than two years after Lil Wayne received his first diamond plaque for his 2008 hit “Lollipop,” which reached the milestone in December 2022.
Chart-Topping Hit
Featured on his 2013 album “I Am Not A Human Being II,” “Love Me” became Lil Wayne’s 18th top ten hit, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also marked Future’s first top 10 hit and remained his most successful single until the release of “Mask Off” in 2017.
Disappointment and Resilience
Despite this achievement, Lil Wayne faced disappointment when he was not selected as the halftime act for the 2025 Super Bowl in his hometown of New Orleans. The decision to book Kendrick Lamar instead sparked outrage among fans and peers, leading Lil Wayne to address the situation in a heartfelt video posted on Instagram.
In the video, Lil Wayne expressed gratitude for the support he received and acknowledged his own disappointment at missing out on the opportunity. He reflected on the emotional impact of the snub and vowed to continue working on himself and his music.
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Notable figures such as Birdman, Juvenile, Master P, and Boosie Badazz expressed disappointment over Lil Wayne’s exclusion from the Super Bowl halftime lineup. Nicki Minaj, a devoted member of Young Money, also voiced her frustration with the decision through a passionate social media post.
Conclusion
Despite the setback, Lil Wayne remains grateful for the support of his fans and peers. He is focused on moving forward and continuing to create music that resonates with his audience. The journey may have its challenges, but Lil Wayne’s resilience and dedication to his craft shine through.
FAQs
Q: How many diamond plaques has Lil Wayne received in his career?
A: Lil Wayne has received two diamond plaques in his career, with “Love Me” being his most recent achievement.
Q: What was Lil Wayne’s reaction to not being chosen as the Super Bowl halftime act?
A: Lil Wayne expressed disappointment but also gratitude for the support he received from fans and peers during this challenging time.
Q: Who were some of the artists who spoke out against Lil Wayne’s exclusion from the Super Bowl halftime lineup?
A: Birdman, Juvenile, Master P, Boosie Badazz, and Nicki Minaj were among those who expressed disapproval over the decision.
Credit: hiphopdx.com
