NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ UniversalMotown Records) - Cash Money/Universal Motown superstar
Lil Wayne dominated rap music at the 2009 Grammy Awards winning four awards including Best Rap Album for his blockbuster multi-platinum release Tha Carter III. With a total of eight nominations � more than any other artist �
Lil Wayne was the standout performer at the most prestigious musical event of the year.
'Lollipop' featuring Static Major earned the title for Best Rap Song and 'A Milli' was voted Best Solo Rap Performance. Lil Wayne also won for his featured performance on 'Swagga Like Us' by T.I. featuring Kanye West, Jay-Z, M.I.A. and Lil Wayne. In the pre-telecast Grammys Lil Wayne took an early lead. These are the New Orleans native's first Grammy awards for his own album.
Lil Wayne ignited the Grammy stage with two powerful showstoppers. He delivered a heart-wrenching tribute to New Orleans with jazz musicians Allen Touissant, Terrence Blanchard and the Dirty Dozen brass band. His cool performance of 'Swagga Like Us,' brought rap�s greatest on the stage together � Lil Wayne with T.I., Jay-Z, Kanye West and M.I.A.
Cash Money Records CEOs Ronald 'Slim' Williams and Bryan 'Baby' Williams issued a statement soon after Lil Wayne received four Grammys. 'The Cash Money family is thrilled with Lil Wayne�s triumph at the Grammys. We are an independent label and this recognition is validation of all of our hard work over the last 20 years. To go from selling records out of our cars more than a decade ago to having the number one selling and Grammy winning artist, it is really hard to express how much pride we feel at this moment.'
"This is a fantastic moment for Wayne, Cash Money, and the Universal Motown family. Wayne delivered a seminal, game-changing album that transcended genres and crossed cultures. He is a true original - a rock star who has raised the bar with brilliant lyrics, compelling music, and a charismatic presence that has captivated millions. Thank you to the Recording Academy voters for recognizing and celebrating Wayne's musical genius and his amazing year,' says Universal Motown President Sylvia Rhone.
"What is so rewarding about Wayne's Grammy nominations is that they are not merely a reflection of commercial success, but of real artistry, achievement, and influence. He delivered a brilliant, original album that defines the state-of-the-art in hip-hop, and it was not only embraced by his fans but by his peers in the industry. Receiving an amazing eight nominations is a wonderful recognition and validation of his creative accomplishments. All of us at Universal Motown congratulate Lil Wayne and his team at Cash Money Records for this landmark career moment," said Universal Motown Records President Sylvia Rhone.
Adds Universal Motown Republic Group�s Chairman and CEO, Mel Lewinter, 'As always we are extremely proud of Cash Money, Lil Wayne and all the rest of our artists.'
Lil Wayne became the first artist since 2005 to sell one million albums in the first week of release when Tha Carter III sold over 1 million units in its debut week. The Carter III is the best-selling album release of 2008, having sold well over 2.7 million copies domestically since its release in June. The album held the No. 1 position on the Billboard�s Top 200 for three weeks and 'Lollipop' topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for five weeks. In August, Lil Wayne set a record for charting 13 tracks as a lead or featured artist on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart simultaneously, including the No. 1s 'Lollipop' and 'A Milli.'
The Grammy accolades wrap up a whirlwind year of career firsts for Lil Wayne. He won the artist-voted MTV Europe Music Awards Artist�s Choice Award, and won seven BET Hip-Hop Awards out of twelve nominations in October. Lil Wayne was also received three American Music Award nominations and one People�s Choice Award nomination, and has won MTV�s Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video, as well as BET�s Viewer�s Choice Award.
Lil Wayne is well on his way to a repeat performance in 2009 as 'Prom Queen,' the first single from his highly anticipated eighth album The Rebirth climbs the charts. With The Rebirth coming this spring, Lil Wayne continues to build momentum of an exceptional career. 'The nominations itself are unbelievable, I�m going to continue doing what I�ve been doing, but I�m going to do it better,' says Lil Wayne.
