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Lil Wayne Explains How Missy Elliott Was His Biggest Influence
Blame it on Joe Budden, but rappers have started to clue in on the expansion potential that podcasting brings to the table. Now, DJ Khaled has officially tossed his hat into the ring with The First One, his brand new Amazon Music-exclusive podcast. And while some may wonder what the affable mogul is set to bring to the table, the debut episode kicked off in an appropriately major way thanks to a clutch appearance from the legendary Lil Wayne.
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While the entire conversation can be heard on Amazon Music, Wayne took a moment to share an interesting bit of insight regarding one of his formative influences. Taking it back to the early Hot Boys days, Khaled asked Wayne who inspired him the most during the creation of “Block Burner” and “Block Is Hot.” Wayne didn’t hesitate to answer. “Missy Elliott,” he says, his tone decisive. “That was my favorite rapper.”
“That would be why I was making so many sounds,” he continues, praising one of Missy’s many influential characteristics. “Missy was into the who — brrrrr — the whole heeheeheeHA. And so when Mannie Fresh would get you in the studio, he gon’ remind you ‘hey, you need to throw that ha ha in there.’ I was like ‘man, he want me to do a sound for every damn line!’ And so the ‘Block Burner’ song was my best favorite song because my favorite artist was Missy Elliott.”
He also explains that “The Block Is Hot” was a direct result of “Block Burner.” “I would say ‘the block is hot, the block is hot,’ and Mannie would remind me, ‘you need that ha ha, to throw that in there.’ That’s Mannie Fresh for real, he get’s it. Plain and simple.”
Artist Spotlight
E.G. Phillips unveils where silence speaks the loudest on new release “Empathy for the Night Fly”
The mood of E.G. PHILLIPS’s “Empathy for the Night Fly” is instantly cinematic, dark, introspective, and frozen in time. The track sounds like a scene from a late-night club where everything slows down just enough for feelings to come out. The arrangement is jazz-like in that it lets each part breathe. The arpeggiating Rhodes piano comes and goes, giving the impression that the music is thinking, as if it’s moving.
The song is really about recognition, which is when you hear something in someone else’s voice that reminds you of your own experience. It’s subtle, almost fragile, but it has a big effect on people. That emotional connection is what holds the piece together.
That choice seems deliberate, even defiant. It asks the listener to pay attention differently, not just passively. Every break is a part of the story. E.G. Phillips doesn’t just make the mood; he keeps it going. In that space, “Empathy for the Night Fly” becomes a quiet, powerful look at memory, connection, and shared feelings.
Connect with E.G. Phillips on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube
Artist Spotlight
Firecamino maintains folk storytelling with new release “Juan The Baptist”
“Juan the Baptist” is a stunning single by Firecamino, blending vivid storytelling with charming melody. The laid-back indie song with folk and country influences sounds like an ancient story told around a campfire after a long night.
The song’s central character is a misguided hero, vulnerable and human. Firecamino emphasizes imperfection over perfection, creating a relatable protagonist. That storytelling gives the song a cinematic, intimate feel.
“Juan the Baptist” handles several musical influences well. Folk-inspired writing and country textures add emotion and familiarity. Meanwhile, the cool indie vibe smooths the edges and lets the track flow naturally without being dramatic.
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