Top 10 Lil Wayne songs of all time

Not many in hip-hop have stayed at the top as long as Lil Wayne has. His work, spanning over 25 years, shows not just how long he's been at it but also his big mark on rap culture. Starting out in the '90s with Cash Money Records and then with the Hot Boys in 1996, Lil Wayne kept building his name step by step.

From a young star, he grew into a big boss, changing how hip-hop sounds and runs. With over 100 million records sold around the world and more than 15 million in the U.S. alone, his big sales put him in the top group of music sellers ever. Not just in numbers, but his mark goes far through his making of Young Money Entertainment.

This label has put stars such as Drake and Nicki Minaj into the spotlight. Known for mixing music styles, trying new rhythms, and putting out a huge amount of mixtapes, albums, and extra tracks, Lil Wayne has made a large body of music. It's so big and key that new rappers look up to it and see their goals next to his real work.

Lil Wayne's reach goes far past just sales and deals, it's deeply embedded in the core of today's rap. His strong run with mixtapes in the mid-2000s, most of all with Dedication, Da Drought, and No Ceilings, changed how top rap skills were seen beyond just albums. He raised the bar for smart, quick-line rap, brought in new twists in rhythm and style, and mixed the tough underground scene with big-time fame.

His 2008 drop, Tha Carter III, turned into a big deal, locking in his spot not only as a rapper but as a force for his time. Even now, the roots of his style, how he twists his voice, his smart word play, and bold new tries, show up in the music of many new artists. Lil Wayne didn't just adapt to the changing tides of hip-hop; he helped stir the waters.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. The reader's discretion is advised!

Here are the top 10 Lil Wayne songs of all time

Picking just 10 top songs from Lil Wayne's huge list is tough due to the large reach and effect of his work in the last twenty years. From hidden mixtape scenes to big world hits, Lil Wayne has put out a great number of songs that made today's rap sound and look new.

These aren't just songs that fans like or ones that sold well; they mark important times in his growth as a singer. From the bold heat of his early days with Hot Boys, to the cool rhymes of his mixtapes, to the smooth, big hits from Tha Carter albums, these songs show the many sides of his music game.

More than just verses and hooks, they highlight his influence on rap flows, wordplay, and even the way music is distributed and consumed. Each of these songs stands as a reminder of why Lil Wayne remains one of the most important and innovative voices in hip-hop history.

1) Famous

Famous pops out in Lil Wayne's catalog as a song that goes for a lively, almost party-like vibe, moving away from the quiet and dark feel of much of his past music. The beat is sharp and fast, making the song race ahead with a feel that's on the spot and full of life. Yet, while the sound may hint at something light or easy, he stays deep in thought.

His words keep exploring his spot in the world, how he sees fame, and the deep feelings that come with making it big. What draws you in is how he mixes the bright music with his deep thoughts; he doesn't trade meaning for an easy listen.

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There's a mix here of boldness and open feelings, with every word said in a style that is both sure and mindful. He works with the beat not only as a base, but as a tool to make his ideas louder, keeping his speed in line with the music on purpose.

Even in a song that leans to the popular side like this one, he keeps the skill to show true feelings clearly, showing that deep thoughts don't need to be slow or sad.

2) I Feel Like Dying

I Feel Like Dying is one of Lil Wayne's most open, sad songs. It shows a part of him much unlike the strong front and smart lines he usually has. Here, Lil Wayne drops the act and lets us see a weaker side, one full of need, sadness, and being alone.

The song grabs you not just by what he says, but in the way he says it: there's a soft exactness in his words, like he's slowly letting out thoughts he can hardly face himself.

The music is simple and spooky, making sure his voice can ease out and crack when it must, making the hurt feel more real. It doesn't feel like a show; it feels like a truth spill, or even a cry for aid. Yet, even with the gloom, there's a weird, clear feel to it, as if Lil Wayne is using the act of making the song to cast out his dark thoughts.

I Feel Like Dying turns into more than a tune about using drugs or feeling deep sadness, it seems like a true moment, a very personal breakdown that finds some beauty in the wreck.

3) Dr. Carter

Dr. Carter is a cool and new kind of song that brings something different to Tha Carter III. It shows Lil Wayne's daring and open way to try new things in rap music. Not like the big songs of the album, this song acts more like a play.

It shows Lil Wayne as a doctor in a place of care, trying to find out and fix what's wrong with hip-hop. At first, the mix of doctor talk and rap might look odd or funny, but this fresh way is what makes the song stand out so much.

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Some may not think it's the best or most well-done song on the album, but its worth is in the fun and new things Lil Wayne brings. It seems like a time when he's just having fun, not only going for big sales, but also letting himself be a little weird and new. Dr. Carter acts as a fun break among the more serious and popular songs, showing fans that music can be for stories, jokes, and fun, too.

In this way, the song is a cool change and shows another side of Lil Wayne's skill, one that has both fun and new bits, even if it is not as noticeable as the album's top songs.

4) Something You Forgot

Something You Forgot stands out in Lil Wayne's work. It hits hard with deep feelings. This track is not like his other loud or proud songs. It shows a part of Lil Wayne that is open and thoughtful. The mood of the song is heavy and deep, pulling you in close. Many who hear it feel it tug at their heart. It's like the song touches your soul and doesn't let go.

This high power level can make the song harder to take in at once, but it is this very bit that makes it hit us a lot. Even if the one who hears it does not right away feel a strong link, the true power of Something You Forgot still stands out.

It's a song that needs you to wait and look closely, calling you to hear it more to get all the layers of sense Lil Wayne puts in the words, and how he says them. With each time you hear it again, the depth of his emotions and the small bits of the tale grow clear, giving us a strong tale of sorrow, looking back, and missing.

This is why Something You Forgot stands as a compelling piece of Lil Wayne's artistry, one that rewards those willing to engage deeply, making it a song that lingers long after the music stops.

5) Shine

On Shine, Lil Wayne slips back into the raw, day-to-day thoughts that often fill his songs. He doesn't try to make something new but sticks to what he does well, turning small troubles, bad habits, and little annoyances into sharp, memorable lines.

What makes this song stand out isn't just his words, but how easy he makes it look. His way of speaking seems easy, as if he's just thinking out loud, but each word hits right on target. The sound in the back is smooth and grabs you, giving Lil Wayne the right space to play with his ideas without hurry or limit.

No tricks here, just an old hand in the game, smoothly showing everyone why he's ruled hip-hop for so long. Shine isn't out to break new ground, and it doesn't have to; its power is in how easily Lil Wayne slips into his craft, how simple it is for him to spin life’s small annoyances into great sound.

By doing this, he shows that even when he's just letting off steam, he's still playing at a height many rappers find hard to hit.

6) How to Love

Lil Wayne's song How to Love is a big change from his normal, tough rap style. This time, he goes for a simple, raw R&B feel that shows a new side of him. Instead of using bold lyrics or complex wordplay, he leans into raw emotion. He lets the tune take over as his voice, full of sadness, follows the soft guitar beat.

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This track's gentle and thoughtful sound lets him dig into deep feelings of heartache and tough times with real truth. This new side of him surprised many of his fans.

Though it didn't dominate conversations the way some of his other hits did, How to Love stands as one of his most unexpectedly poignant records, a moment where he momentarily shed the swagger to show real tenderness. It's a risk that paid off artistically, even if it didn't receive all the credit it deserved at the time.

7) We Takin' Over

In DJ Khaled's big hit We Takin' Over, Lil Wayne joins big names like Akon and Rick Ross, yet he won't be left in the dark. The song has many strong voices, but it's Lil Wayne's sharp flow and firm belief in himself that cut through.

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Rather than just being loud, he chooses a smart way to use his words, voice, and smooth speed to rise above others. His part feels like he's making a point, not just adding a verse. In the song's big and bold feel, Lil Wayne's role stands out for its clear-cut and strong feel. It shows that charm and being in control can take the lead among loud voices.

8) Hustler Musik

On Hustler Musik, Lil Wayne makes a deep song that rests a lot on the sharp hits of snare drums, giving the music a rough, street feel. Instead of drowning the ear with thick sounds, the beat stays simple and clear, making just enough space for Lil Wayne's lines to flow. This bare style is on purpose, it’s planned, letting the raw feel and weight in his voice shine clear.

Wayne is not just rapping; he's sharing a story, drawing pictures of dreams, hard times, and not giving up. The track doesn't push hope, it stays, asks for deep thought, and lets you sit with his words.

Even if it doesn't shake your core on first listen, its honest lyricism and unvarnished sound leave room for personal connection, especially for anyone who’s ever chased a dream with the odds stacked high.

9) Right Above It

Right Above It is one of Lil Wayne's top and most full-of-life songs. It's not just loud, but also full of sure power and push from the very start. It begins with big trumpets that make it feel like a win, and then jumps right into a strong beat that seems made for big crowds. Lil Wayne goes over the music with easy skill, his words cutting through the beat with a clean, firm sound.

The hook, though, big, bold, and quick, takes the song up to something more than a hit. It's more than just a big song; Right Above It feels like a strong word, setting Lil Wayne's spot at the high point of his work.

10) I'm Me

I'm Me is not just seen as a key point in Wayne's music path, but a strong statement of who he is and how he leads. Instead of following the usual way or aiming to fit in with the big crowd, Wayne makes this song his own show of self, with a bold sureness that almost fights back. With deep samples that give both mood and depth, he lets out words that mix smart jokes and pure strength.

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The music makes room for his voice to shine, and he takes that chance with a forceful flow that keeps pushing on. I'm Me captures Lil Wayne at his most unapologetic, marking a point where he wasn’t just rapping for recognition, he was cementing his place as a force in hip-hop.

Lil Wayne's list of songs is big, cool, and full of changes. From his early Tha Block Is Hot to the great Tha Carter stories and new ways like Rebirth and Funeral, Lil Wayne has kept pushing new lines. He kept his own style and smart words. His growth looks like how 2000s rap grew, from mixtape days to ruling online.

He sets new ways and links old to new styles. He has made a lot, and sometimes it's all over the place, but that's his thing. Wayne is all about new starts, and his work shows not just a job, but a strong drive for free words.