Weezy swaps rap for skating

Billboard

AFTER rapping for more than two decades, Lil Wayne is putting his mic aside to spend a little more time on his skateboard.I picked up the skateboard, and I thought itd be a hobby, but its a lifestyle. You have to be fully committed because its super-scary. In order to be fully committed, you have to be about that life, Weezy said. Its kinda putting rap on the backburner. Raps taking a backseat to skateboarding.

Apparently his broken clavicle and numerous stitches havent put a damper on Weezys enthusiasm for skateboarding. He went on to describe a flat-bar and a quarter pipe he has installed in his recording booth, so as soon as I get off the mic, I just drop the board down and skate.

The prolific rapper, who has released nine albums and 17 mix-tapes and appeared as a guest on hundreds of tracks, has been performing since he was eight years old, when most kids would be asking their parents for their first skateboard.

Weezy, who has previously and repeatedly stated he would retire from rap at age 35 to spend more time with his children, will hit that milestone in just five years. With his long history behind a microphone and in front of an audience of millions, perhaps its not surprising that he is stepping back.

Im always looking for the next thing to do. It does get pretty boring when it comes to just the rapping. Ive done so much of it, Wayne explained. Ive been doing it since I was 8; about to be 30 in September, and Im still rapping. I kinda feel like Im getting old.

While the music genre has made him a household name, it just isnt a priority right now, and Weezy thinks fans will appreciate his absence. Lil Wayne is the second hip hop artist to announce a significant life change this week, after Snoop Dogg said he is restyling himself as Snoop Lion and pursuing a new musical career in reggae.

Lil Wayne, who counts US President Barack Obama among his fans, has done time in a New York j! ail in 2 010 for unlawful possession of a firearm.

I feel like the fans deserve a little no Wayne. Ive been everywhere. My artists are doing awesome. I believe my fans deserve some peace from me. Ill be on my skateboard in the meantime, said Wayne, who even skates in the music studio.

Although he may be taking a break soon, Weezy isnt leaving his music fans high and dry. He plans to drop a mix-tape Dedication 4 this month.