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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.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
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.”
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Pete Miller Explores Duality on “The Dazzling Kimberly”
Pete Miller’s ‘The Dazzling Kimberly’ is a profound exploration of the intricacies of human emotion and the complexity of our relationships. Through its narrative, the song delves deep into the heart of love, loss, and the paths we choose in life. The protagonist’s journey of self-reflection and contemplation, sparked by the enigmatic Kimberly, serves as a mirror to our own experiences with love and the often painful lessons that come with it.
“The Dazzling Kimberly” is a poignant song that narrates the story of two twins embroiled in conflict, who are brought together and eventually reconciled by their interactions with a mystical figure named Kimberly. This song, with its rich narrative and allusions, particularly to the biblical story of Jacob and Esau, offers a layered exploration of themes such as rivalry, redemption, and the ephemeral nature of life and relationships.
The song opens with a vivid depiction of one twin’s sense of guilt and moral ambiguity, contrasting his own cunning with his twin’s straightforward approach. This internal conflict sets the stage for the entrance of Kimberly, a figure whose very existence seems otherworldly, serving as a catalyst for change and reflection in the twins’ lives.
Kimberly, characterized by her wisdom and almost supernatural presence, challenges the narrator to reconsider his values, suggesting that victories won through cunning lack the essence of true love and fulfillment. Her influence is profound, guiding the twins towards a reconciliation that seemed impossible before her intervention.
The chorus of the song encapsulates the narrator’s deep yearning and the transformative impact Kimberly has had on his life. It questions the value of freedom and the significance of their bond, highlighting the impermanence of life through the metaphor of fading air and shifting sands.
The resolution of the twins’ conflict, prompted by Kimberly’s disappearance (or passing), symbolizes a newfound maturity and understanding. The once-contentious land becomes a symbol of their shared heritage and reconciliation, underscoring the message that love and unity are more valuable than any material possession or victory.
The allusion to Jacob and Esau provides a biblical backdrop to this tale of rivalry and reconciliation, enriching the narrative with layers of meaning and moral questioning. Just as Jacob and Esau reconcile after years of conflict, so do the twins, guided by the ethereal and loving presence of Kimberly.
The song’s melancholic yet hopeful tone captures the duality of human experience—the longing for what was and the hope for what could be. The moods and themes you’ve described, from melancholy and contemplation to love, regret, and redemption, underscore the universal struggle with fate and the desire for moral clarity and closure.
For further thematic exploration, the works of Leonard Cohen, particularly for their spiritual and existential undertones, or the poetic narratives of Bob Dylan, might resonate with the themes of “The Dazzling Kimberly.” Both artists adeptly weave complex human emotions with broader philosophical and spiritual questions, much like Pete Miller does in this song.
–Ralph Grossman
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Yung Miami Unveils Exciting “Yams” Era in a Dazzling Comeback Trail, Are You Ready for the Yams Revolution
Yung Miami Unveils Exciting “Yams” Era in a Dazzling Comeback Trail, Are You Ready for the Yams Revolution