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{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = 500 Degreez
| name = 500 Degreez
| type = studio
| type = studio
| artist = [[Lil Wayne]]
| artist = [[Lil Wayne]]
| cover = Wayne500degreez.jpg
| cover = Wayne500degreez.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = July 23, 2002
| released = {{Start date|2002|7|23}}
| recorded = 2001–02
| recorded = 2001–2002
| studio = {{hlist|[[PatchWerk Recording Studios|PatchWerk]] ([[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|GA]])|Sony Studios (New York)}}
| venue =
| genre = {{hlist|[[Southern hip hop]]|[[gangsta rap]]}}
| studio =
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| length = {{Duration|h=1|m=10|s=22}}
| label = {{hlist|[[Cash Money Records|Cash Money]]|[[Universal Records (1995−2006)|Universal]]}}
| length = 70:21
| label = {{hlist|[[Cash Money Records|Cash Money]]|[[Universal Records (defunct record label)|Universal]]}}
| producer = {{hlist|[[Mannie Fresh]]|[[Jazze Pha]]}}
| prev_title = [[Lights Out (Lil Wayne album)|Lights Out]]
| producer = [[Mannie Fresh]]
| prev_year = 2000
| prev_title = [[Lights Out (Lil Wayne album)|Lights Out]]
| next_title = [[Tha Carter]]
| prev_year = 2000
| next_year = 2004
| next_title = [[Tha Carter]]
| next_year = 2004
| misc = {{Singles
| misc = {{Singles
| name = 500 Degreez
| name = 500 Degreez
| type = studio
| type = studio
Line 26: Line 25:
}}
}}
}}
}}
'''''500 Degreez''''' is the third solo studio album by American rapper [[Lil Wayne]]. It was released on July 23, 2002, through [[Cash Money Records]] and [[Universal Records (1995−2006)|Universal Records]]. The album was titled in continuation of the naming sequence of successful 1998's ''[[400 Degreez]]'' album by fellow [[Hot Boys]] rapper and ex-labelmate [[Juvenile (rapper)|Juvenile]].


The recording sessions took place at [[PatchWerk Recording Studios]] in [[Atlanta]] and Sony Studios in New York. The album was produced by Cash Money in-house producer [[Mannie Fresh]], except for two tracks that were produced by [[Jazze Pha]]. It features [[guest appearance]]s from [[Big Tymers]], [[TQ (singer)|TQ]], [[Blaque]], Cristale, [[Petey Pablo]], and [[Strings (rapper)|Tateeze]], with cameos from [[Big Tigger]] and Rob Nice.
{{Album ratings

Along with the singles, music videos were released for "[[Way of Life (Lil Wayne song)|Way of Life]]"<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=July 22, 2022 |title=Lil Wayne - Way Of Life (Official Music Video) ft. Big Tymers, TQ |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9k7O1FigE0 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> and "Where You At".<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=June 16, 2009 |title=Lil Wayne - Where You At |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaUlRexKdVc |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

==Background==
A year before the release of his third solo project, Lil' Wayne remained the only member of the [[Hot Boys]] quartet under the [[Cash Money Records]], as his companions [[Turk (rapper)|Turk]], [[B.G. (rapper)|B.G.]] and [[Juvenile (rapper)|Juvenile]] all left the group and the label due to financial disagreements. After the departure of the Cash Money's top-selling artist at that time, Juvenile, Wayne suggested to the head of the label and, concurrently, his mentor, [[Birdman (rapper)|Birdman]], that he call his upcoming solo album ''500 Degreez'' as a nod to Juve's ''400 Degreez'', which by December 19, 2000 had already been sold four million copies. "It was a rebellion album, we was supposed to show that Juvie was gone and we were still here", said Lil' Wayne in an interview with Wild Wayne of [[New Orleans]] radio station Q93 in 2015, "When we did it, we had no problem saying, 'Yeah, we don't need no Juvie. This is ''500 Degreez''{{'}}".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Cherise |date=July 8, 2015 |title=Lil Wayne Explains Link Between Young Thug's "Barter 6" & Juvenile's "400 Degreez" |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.34573/title.lil-wayne-explains-link-between-young-thugs-barter-6-juveniles-400-degreez |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=[[HipHopDX]] |language=en}}</ref> Juvenile, in turn, threatened to release ''600 Degrees'', but the project never materialised.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Van Nguyen |first=Dean |date=November 23, 2018 |title=Juvenile's ‘400 Degreez’ encapsulated Cash Money's first wave of inventiveness |url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/juveniles-400-degreez-encapsulated-cash-moneys-first-wave-of-inventiveness/ |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=[[Crack (magazine)|CRACK]]}}</ref> However, Juvenile's manager Aubrey Francis and Birdman met and negotiated a deal for Juvenile to release one further solo album for Cash Money. Thus, in 2003, ''[[Juve the Great]]'' was released omitting Wayne's participation in it.

A roughly similar situation arose while waiting for the release of Lil' Wayne's ''[[Tha Carter V]]'', when rapper [[Young Thug]] at the end of 2014 announced his plans to release a series of projects entitled ''Carter'' from ''IV'' to ''X'' as an homage to Wayne.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mojica |first=Nicholas |date=April 15, 2015 |title=Young Thug Vs. Lil Wayne: A Timeline Of The Rapper's 'Carter 6' Beef |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710133915/http://www.designntrend.com/articles/47414/20150415/young-thug-vs-lil-wayne-a-timeline-of-the-rappers-carter-6-beef.htm |access-date=July 10, 2015 |website=Design & Trend}}</ref> Subsequently, due to delays of ''Tha Carter V'' release, a feud with Young Thug (since he nevertheless released his mixtape, but under the name ''[[Barter 6]]'', wherein Birdman appeared on two tracks), contractual disputes with the label, personal disputes with Birdman, a lengthy legal battle, Lil' Wayne have been finally released from his Cash Money Records contract in June 2018.

==Critical reception==
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|first=John|last=Bush |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/500-degreez-mw0000660211 |title=500 Degreez - Lil Wayne &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=AllMusic |date=July 5, 2002 |access-date=June 16, 2015}}</ref>
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="AM">{{Cite web |last=Bush |first=John |title=500 Degreez - Lil Wayne {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/500-degreez-mw0000660211 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107183722/http://www.allmusic.com/album/500-degreez-mw0000660211 |archive-date=January 7, 2017 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=[[AllMusic]] |language=en}}</ref>
| rev2 =[[HipHopDX]]
| rev2 = ''[[HipHopDX]]''
| rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|first=DeMarco|last=Williams |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.199/title.lil-wayne-500-degreez |title=Lil' Wayne - 500 Degreez |magazine=HipHopDX |date=August 9, 2002 |access-date=September 6, 2011}}</ref>
| rev2score = 3/5<ref name="HHDX">{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=DeMarco |date=August 8, 2002 |title=Lil' Wayne - 500 Degreez |url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.199/title.lil-wayne-500-degreez |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924135800/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.199/title.lil-wayne-500-degreez |archive-date=September 24, 2012 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=[[HipHopDX]] |language=en}}</ref>
| rev3 = RapReviews
| rev3 = ''RapReviews''
| rev3Score = (6/10)<ref>{{cite web|author=Steve "Flash" Juon |url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2002_07F_500.html |title=Feature for July 23, 2002 - Lil Wayne's "500 Degreez" |publisher=RapReviews.com |date=July 23, 2002 |access-date=September 6, 2011}}</ref>
| rev3score = 6/10<ref name="RR">{{Cite web |last=Juon |first=Steve 'Flash' |date=July 23, 2002 |title=Lil Wayne 500 Degreez |url=https://www.rapreviews.com/2002/07/lil-wayne-500-degreez/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525235746/http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2002_07F_500.html |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=RapReviews |language=en-US}}</ref>
| rev4 = [[Rhapsody (online music service)|Rhapsody]]
| rev4 = ''[[The New Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev4score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite book |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t9eocwUfoSoC&q=Lil+Wayne+500+Degreez&pg=PA394 |title={The New} Rolling Stone Album Guide |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster|Simon and Schuster]] |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-7432-0169-8 |editor-last=Brackett |editor-first=Nathan |editor-link=Nathan Brackett |editor-last2=Hoard |editor-first2=Christian David |editor-link2=Christian Hoard |pages=394–395 |language=en |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>
| rev4Score = favorable<ref>{{cite web|first=Sam|last=Chennault |url=http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/lil-wayne/album/500-degreez |title=500 Degreez : Lil Wayne |publisher=[[Rhapsody (online music service)|Rhapsody]] |access-date=August 28, 2013}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev5 = ''[[USA Today]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|2|4}}<ref name="USA2day">{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Steve |date=July 30, 2002 |title=Lil' Wayne, ''500 Degreez'' (two stars) |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2002-07-29-listen-up_x.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026044746/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2002-07-29-listen-up_x.htm |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |page=D10}}</ref>
| rev5Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite book| last = Brackett | first = Nathan |author2= Christian Hoard | title = The Rolling Stone Album Guide | publisher = Simon and Schuster | year = 2004 | location = New York City, New York | page = [https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/394 394] | isbn = 0-7432-0169-8 | url = https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac| url-access = registration | quote = rolling stone juvenile album guide. }}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[Stylus Magazine|Stylus]]''
| rev6 = ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]''
| rev6Score = favorable<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Brett|last=Berliner |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/pop_playground/october-2002-hip-hop-round-up.htm |title=October 2002 Hip Hop Round-Up - Pop Playground |magazine=[[Stylus Magazine]] |date=November 18, 2002 |access-date=September 6, 2011}}</ref>
| rev6score = 2/5 (M)<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Coolidge |first=Ian |date=September 2002 |title=Critical Breakdown: Lil' Wayne – 500 Degreez |magazine=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |publisher=[[Harris Publications]] |location=New York |page=196 |issue=40}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[USA Today]]''
| rev7Score = {{Rating|2|4}}<ref>{{cite news|first=Steve|last=Jones |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2002-07-29-listen-up_x.htm |title=Lil Wayne, ''500 Degrees'' |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=July 29, 2002 |access-date=August 28, 2013}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[The Village Voice|Village Voice]]''
| rev8Score = mixed<ref>{{cite news|first=Keith|last=Harris |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2002-10-08/music/licensed-to-lil/ |title=Licensed to Lil |newspaper=[[The Village Voice]] |date=October 8, 2002 |access-date=September 6, 2011}}</ref>
}}
}}
''500 Degreez'' received mixed or average reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]].


Together with Mannie Fresh's "smooth, laid-back production" and "top-flight beats", [[AllMusic]]'s John Bush also praised "Wayne's drawling delivery" and Petey Pablo's guest spot on the album.<ref name="AM" /> Brett Berliner of ''[[Stylus Magazine]]'' highlighted the album's [[lead single]] "Way of Life" for its "trademark southern flair".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Berliner |first=Brett |date=November 18, 2002 |title=Pop Playground - October 2002 Hip Hop Round-Up |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510102230/http://stylusmagazine.com/articles/pop_playground/october-2002-hip-hop-round-up.htm |access-date=May 10, 2012 |magazine=[[Stylus Magazine]] |via=[[Wayback Machine]]}}</ref> Sam Chennault of [[Rhapsody (online music service)|Rhapsody]] stated that the album "has a score of killer hooks and infectious Dirty South beats" and found "Fresh's adlibs are among the funniest in all the business and are comic foil to Wayne's party anthems".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chennault |first=Sam |date= |title=500 Degreez : Lil Wayne : Rhapsody |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331220430/http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/lil-wayne/album/500-degreez |access-date=March 31, 2013 |website=[[Rhapsody (online music service)|Rhapsody]] |via=[[Wayback Machine]]}}</ref>
'''''500 Degreez''''' is the third [[studio album]] by American rapper [[Lil Wayne]]. It was released on July 23, 2002, by [[Cash Money Records]] and [[Universal Records (defunct record label)|Universal Records]]. The album's title was inspired by the album ''[[400 Degreez]]'' (1998), by fellow rapper and label-mate [[Juvenile (rapper)|Juvenile]].

In mixed reviews, DeMarco Williams of ''[[HipHopDX]]'' called it "just another average Cash Money Records release".<ref name="HHDX" /> Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews resumed: "the only hot thing about ''500 Degreez'' is the Fresh beats found within".<ref name="RR" /> Steve Jones of ''[[USA Today]]'' wrote: "Wayne covers too much of the same bling-bling and gangsta territory that has been trodden so many times before. The same goes for the fast-forward-fodder skits, which add length but not depth".<ref name="USA2day" /> Keith Harris of ''[[The Village Voice]]'' wrote: "on ''500 Degreez'', Wayne's clipped, slightly nasal chatter shares heartfelt but commonplace observations about the street hustle atop standard-issue Mannie Fresh bump-and-twitch", adding that "Wayne's between-track ad libs are more entertaining than his actual rhymes".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Keith |date=October 8, 2002 |title=Licensed to Lil |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/licensed-to-lil/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205172950/http://www.villagevoice.com/2002-10-08/music/licensed-to-lil/ |archive-date=February 5, 2015 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=[[The Village Voice]] |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Commercial performance==
==Commercial performance==
''500 Degreez'' debuted at number six on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart, selling 141,000 copies in the first week.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/74734/new-keith-album-unleashed-at-no-1|title= New Keith Album 'Unleashed' At No. 1|access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref> This became Wayne's second US top-ten debut.<ref name="debut">{{cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/53512/drake-vs-lil-wayne-comparison/|title=Drake Vs. Lil Wayne: Comparing Their Careers At Age 27|website=VH1|author=Georgette Pierre|date=August 8, 2014|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> The album also debuted at number one on the US [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart, becoming Wayne's second number-one album on that chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2002-08-10|title=TRBHH - 2002-08-10|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> In its second week, the album dropped to number ten on the chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2002-08-17|title=BB200 - 2002-08-17|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> On September 3, 2002, the album was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 copies in the United States.<ref name="RIAA"/>
The album debuted at number six on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and atop the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] charts in the United States, with 141,000 copies sold in the first week.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=August 1, 2002 |title=New Keith Album ‘Unleashed’ At No. 1 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/new-keith-album-unleashed-at-no-1-74734/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122073504/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/74734/new-keith-album-unleashed-at-no-1 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US}}</ref> ''500 Degreez'' marks Wayne's second US top-ten debut as well as his second [[List of Billboard number-one R&B albums of 2002|number-one R&B album]], following 1999's ''[[Tha Block Is Hot]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pierre |first=Georgette |date=August 8, 2014 |title=Drake Vs. Lil Wayne: Comparing Their Careers At Age 27 |url=https://www.vh1.com/news/jqk5d1/drake-vs-lil-wayne-comparison |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201031537/https://www.vh1.com/news/jqk5d1/drake-vs-lil-wayne-comparison |archive-date=December 1, 2023 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=[[VH1]] |language=en-us}}</ref> As of September 3, 2002, the album was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] for sales of over 500,000 copies in the United States alone.<ref name="RIAA"/>

Its lead single, "Way of Life", peaked at number 71 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], number 23 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]], number 26 on the [[Hot Rap Songs]] and number 27 on the [[Rhythmic (chart)|Rhythmic]] charts.


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{Track listing
All songs produced by [[Mannie Fresh]].
| all_writing =
{{tracklist
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 70:21
| title1 = Fly Talkin'
| title1 = Fly Talkin'
| writer1 = {{hlist|[[Birdman (rapper)|Bryan Williams]]|[[Mannie Fresh|Byron Thomas]]}}
| note1 = featuring Big Tymers
| extra1 = [[Mannie Fresh]]
| length1 = 1:36
| length1 = 1:35

| title2 = Look at Me
| title2 = Look at Me
| writer2 = {{hlist|[[Lil Wayne|Dwayne Carter]]|Williams|Thomas}}
| note2 = featuring Mannie Fresh
| length2 = 4:56
| extra2 = Mannie Fresh
| length2 = 4:00

| title3 = [[Way of Life (Lil Wayne song)|Way of Life]]
| title3 = [[Way of Life (Lil Wayne song)|Way of Life]]
| note3 = featuring [[Birdman (rapper)|Baby]] and [[TQ (singer)|TQ]]
| note3 = featuring [[Big Tymers]] and [[TQ (singer)|TQ]]
| writer3 = {{hlist|Carter|Thomas|[[TQ (singer)|Terrence Quaites]]|[[Franne Golde|Francine Vicki Golde]]|[[Dennis Lambert]]|Duane Hitchings}}
| length3 = 4:01
| extra3 = Mannie Fresh

| length3 = 3:59
| title4 = Big Tigger Live on the Radio
| title4 = Big Tigger Live on the Radio
| writer4 = {{hlist|[[Big Tigger|Darian Morgan]]|Thomas}}
| note4 =
| extra4 = Mannie Fresh
| length4 = 1:31
| length4 = 1:31

| title5 = Gangsta and Pimps
| title5 = Gangsta and Pimps
| note5 = featuring [[Birdman (rapper)|Baby]]
| note5 = featuring [[Birdman (rapper)|Baby]]
| writer5 = {{hlist|Williams|Thomas|G. Green}}
| extra5 = Mannie Fresh
| length5 = 4:41
| length5 = 4:41

| title6 = Lovely
| title6 = Lovely
| writer6 = {{hlist|Carter|Thomas}}
| note6 =
| extra6 = Mannie Fresh
| length6 = 4:02
| length6 = 4:02

| title7 = Gangsta Shit
| title7 = Gangsta Shit
| note7 = featuring [[Petey Pablo]]
| note7 = featuring [[Petey Pablo]]
| writer7 = {{hlist|Carter|[[Petey Pablo|Moses Barrett III]]|Thomas}}
| extra7 = Mannie Fresh
| length7 = 3:40
| length7 = 3:40

| title8 = Big Tigger Live on the Radio
| title8 = Big Tigger Live on the Radio
| writer8 = {{hlist|Morgan|Thomas}}
| note8 =
| length8 = 1:02
| extra8 = Mannie Fresh
| length8 = 0:58

| title9 = Bloodline
| title9 = Bloodline
| writer9 = {{hlist|Carter|Thomas}}
| note9 =
| length9 = 4:21
| extra9 = Mannie Fresh
| length9 = 4:21

| title10 = Where You At
| title10 = Where You At
| writer10 = {{hlist|Carter|Thomas}}
| note10 =
| extra10 = Mannie Fresh
| length10 = 3:50
| length10 = 3:50

| title11 = Worry Me
| title11 = Worry Me
| writer11 = {{hlist|Carter|Thomas}}
| note11 =
| extra11 = Mannie Fresh
| length11 = 4:06
| length11 = 4:06

| title12 = 500 Degreez
| title12 = 500 Degreez
| writer12 = {{hlist|Carter|Thomas}}
| note12 =
| extra12 = Mannie Fresh
| length12 = 3:45
| length12 = 3:45

| title13 = Go Hard
| title13 = Go Hard
| writer13 = {{hlist|Carter|Thomas}}
| note13 =
| extra13 = Mannie Fresh
| length13 = 3:30
| length13 = 3:30

| title14 = Young'n Blues
| title14 = Young'n Blues
| writer14 = {{hlist|Carter|Thomas}}
| note14 =
| extra14 = Mannie Fresh
| length14 = 4:32
| length14 = 4:32

| title15 = Believe That
| title15 = Believe That
| note15 = featuring [[Blaque]] and [[Mannie Fresh]]
| note15 = featuring [[Blaque]] and [[Mannie Fresh]]
| writer15 = {{hlist|Carter|Thomas|[[Jazze Pha|Phalon Alexander]]}}
| extra15 = [[Jazze Pha]]
| length15 = 4:12
| length15 = 4:12

| title16 = Rob Nice Live on the Radio
| title16 = Rob Nice Live on the Radio
| writer16 = {{hlist|Rob Nice|Thomas}}
| note16 =
| extra16 = Mannie Fresh
| length16 = 1:14
| length16 = 1:13

| title17 = Fuck You
| title17 = Fuck You
| note17 = featuring Big Tymers
| note17 = featuring Big Tymers
| writer17 = {{hlist|Carter|Thomas|Williams}}
| extra17 = Mannie Fresh
| length17 = 4:20
| length17 = 4:20

| title18 = What Does Life Mean to Me
| title18 = What Does Life Mean to Me
| note18 = featuring TQ and Big Tymers
| note18 = featuring TQ and Big Tymers
| writer18 = {{hlist|Carter|Quaites|Thomas|Williams}}
| length18 = 1:25
| extra18 = Mannie Fresh

| length18 = 1:25
| title19 = Get that Dough
| title19 = Get That Dough
| note19 = featuring Baby, [[Strings (rapper)|Tateeze]] and Cristale
| note19 = featuring Baby, [[Strings (rapper)|Tateeze]] and Cristale
| writer19 = {{hlist|Carter|Williams|Alexander}}
| extra19 = Jazze Pha
| length19 = 3:38
| length19 = 3:38

| title20 = Fo Sheezy
| title20 = Fo Sheezy
| writer20 = {{hlist|Carter|Thomas}}
| note20 =
| extra20 = Mannie Fresh
| length20 = 3:44
| length20 = 3:44

| title21 = Fly Talkin' Go Home
| title21 = Fly Talkin' Go Home
| writer21 = {{hlist|Williams|Thomas}}
| note21 =
| extra21 = Mannie Fresh
| length21 = 3:20
| length21 = 3:20
| total_length = 1:10:22
}}
}}

;Sample credits
*Track 3 contains elements from "[[Don't Look Any Further]]" written by [[Franne Golde|Francine Vicki Golde]], [[Dennis Lambert]] and Duane Hitchings and performed by [[Dennis Edwards]].

==Personnel==
{{div col}}
*Dwayne "[[Lil' Wayne]]" Carter – vocals
*Bryan "[[Birdman (rapper)|Baby]]" Williams – vocals, executive producer
*Byron "[[Mannie Fresh]]" Thomas – vocals, producer
*Terrance "[[TQ (singer)|TQ]]" Quaites – vocals <small>(tracks: 3, 18)</small>
*Darian "[[Big Tigger]]" Morgan – vocals <small>(tracks: 4, 8)</small>
*Moses "[[Petey Pablo]]" Barrett III – vocals <small>(track 7)</small>
*[[Blaque]] – vocals <small>(track 15)</small>
*Rob Nice – vocals <small>(track 16)</small>
*Marinna "[[Tateeze]]" Teal – vocals <small>(track 19)</small>
*Cristale – vocals <small>(track 19)</small>
*Phalon "[[Jazze Pha]]" Alexander – producer <small>(tracks: 15, 19)</small>
*Mark Goodchild – recording <small>(tracks: 1, 4, 6-12, 15-19, 21)</small>, mixing <small>(tracks: 1, 4, 8, 16, 18, 21)</small>
*Mike Wilson – recording <small>(tracks: 2, 3, 5, 11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20)</small>
*Steve Fisher – recording <small>(tracks: 7, 9, 10, 20)</small>, mixing assistant <small>(tracks: 2, 3, 5-7, 9-14, 17)</small>
*Leslie Brathwaite – mixing <small>(tracks: 2, 3, 5-7, 9-15, 17, 19, 20)</small>
*Greg Stewart – engineering assistant <small>(tracks: 1, 4, 8, 15, 16, 18-21)</small>
*Cory Williams – engineering assistant <small>(track 15)</small>, mixing assistant <small>(tracks: 7, 9, 10, 20)</small>
*Ismel "Nino" Ramos – engineering assistant <small>(track 17)</small>, mixing assistant <small>(tracks: 2, 5, 7, 9)</small>
*Aaron Harris – mixing assistant <small>(track 3)</small>
*[[Chris Gehringer]] – mastering
*[[Ronald "Slim" Williams]] – executive producer
*Adrienne Muhammad – A&R
*Dino Delvaille – A&R
{{div col end}}


==Charts==
==Charts==
{{col-start}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


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! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position
! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position
|-
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{{album chart|Billboard200|6|artist=Lil Wayne|rowheader=true|access-date=August 6, 2020}}
{{album chart|Billboard200|6|artist=Lil Wayne|rowheader=true|access-date=September 30, 2024}}
|-
|-
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=Lil Wayne|rowheader=true|access-date=August 6, 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=Lil Wayne|rowheader=true|access-date=September 30, 2024}}
|}
|}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2002)
! scope="col"| Chart (2002)
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col"| Position
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2002/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2002|work=Billboard|access-date=August 6, 2020}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 28, 2002 |title=The Year in Music 2002: Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2002/top-billboard-200-albums/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618025551/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2002/top-billboard-200-albums |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |page=YE-34 |language=en-US |volume=114 |issue=52 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref>
| 198
| 198
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2002/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2002|work=Billboard|access-date=August 6, 2020}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2002 |title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End charts |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2002/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618032649/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2002/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
| 63
| 63
|}
|}
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Discogs master|93036|500 Degreez|type=album}}


{{Lil Wayne}}
{{Lil Wayne}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2002 albums]]
[[Category:2002 albums]]
[[Category:Lil Wayne albums]]
[[Category:Lil Wayne albums]]
[[Category:Universal Records albums]]
[[Category:Cash Money Records albums]]
[[Category:Cash Money Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jazze Pha]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Mannie Fresh]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Mannie Fresh]]

Latest revision as of 10:55, 7 October 2024

500 Degreez
Studio album by
Lil Wayne
ReleasedJuly 23, 2002 (2002-07-23)
Recorded2001–2002
Studio
Genre
Length1:10:22
Label
Producer
Lil Wayne chronology
Lights Out
(2000) 		500 Degreez
(2002) 		Tha Carter
(2004)
Singles from 500 Degreez
  1. "Way of Life"
    Released: May 3, 2002
  2. "Where You At"
    Released: August 15, 2002

500 Degreez is the third solo studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne. It was released on July 23, 2002, through Cash Money Records and Universal Records. The album was titled in continuation of the naming sequence of successful 1998's 400 Degreez album by fellow Hot Boys rapper and ex-labelmate Juvenile.

The recording sessions took place at PatchWerk Recording Studios in Atlanta and Sony Studios in New York. The album was produced by Cash Money in-house producer Mannie Fresh, except for two tracks that were produced by Jazze Pha. It features guest appearances from Big Tymers, TQ, Blaque, Cristale, Petey Pablo, and Tateeze, with cameos from Big Tigger and Rob Nice.

Along with the singles, music videos were released for "Way of Life"[1] and "Where You At".[2]

Background

[edit]

A year before the release of his third solo project, Lil' Wayne remained the only member of the Hot Boys quartet under the Cash Money Records, as his companions Turk, B.G. and Juvenile all left the group and the label due to financial disagreements. After the departure of the Cash Money's top-selling artist at that time, Juvenile, Wayne suggested to the head of the label and, concurrently, his mentor, Birdman, that he call his upcoming solo album 500 Degreez as a nod to Juve's 400 Degreez, which by December 19, 2000 had already been sold four million copies. "It was a rebellion album, we was supposed to show that Juvie was gone and we were still here", said Lil' Wayne in an interview with Wild Wayne of New Orleans radio station Q93 in 2015, "When we did it, we had no problem saying, 'Yeah, we don't need no Juvie. This is 500 Degreez'".[3] Juvenile, in turn, threatened to release 600 Degrees, but the project never materialised.[4] However, Juvenile's manager Aubrey Francis and Birdman met and negotiated a deal for Juvenile to release one further solo album for Cash Money. Thus, in 2003, Juve the Great was released omitting Wayne's participation in it.

A roughly similar situation arose while waiting for the release of Lil' Wayne's Tha Carter V, when rapper Young Thug at the end of 2014 announced his plans to release a series of projects entitled Carter from IV to X as an homage to Wayne.[5] Subsequently, due to delays of Tha Carter V release, a feud with Young Thug (since he nevertheless released his mixtape, but under the name Barter 6, wherein Birdman appeared on two tracks), contractual disputes with the label, personal disputes with Birdman, a lengthy legal battle, Lil' Wayne have been finally released from his Cash Money Records contract in June 2018.

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
HipHopDX3/5[7]
RapReviews6/10[8]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide[9]
USA Today[10]
XXL2/5 (M)[11]

500 Degreez received mixed or average reviews from music critics.

Together with Mannie Fresh's "smooth, laid-back production" and "top-flight beats", AllMusic's John Bush also praised "Wayne's drawling delivery" and Petey Pablo's guest spot on the album.[6] Brett Berliner of Stylus Magazine highlighted the album's lead single "Way of Life" for its "trademark southern flair".[12] Sam Chennault of Rhapsody stated that the album "has a score of killer hooks and infectious Dirty South beats" and found "Fresh's adlibs are among the funniest in all the business and are comic foil to Wayne's party anthems".[13]

In mixed reviews, DeMarco Williams of HipHopDX called it "just another average Cash Money Records release".[7] Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews resumed: "the only hot thing about 500 Degreez is the Fresh beats found within".[8] Steve Jones of USA Today wrote: "Wayne covers too much of the same bling-bling and gangsta territory that has been trodden so many times before. The same goes for the fast-forward-fodder skits, which add length but not depth".[10] Keith Harris of The Village Voice wrote: "on 500 Degreez, Wayne's clipped, slightly nasal chatter shares heartfelt but commonplace observations about the street hustle atop standard-issue Mannie Fresh bump-and-twitch", adding that "Wayne's between-track ad libs are more entertaining than his actual rhymes".[14]

Commercial performance

[edit]

The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 and atop the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts in the United States, with 141,000 copies sold in the first week.[15] 500 Degreez marks Wayne's second US top-ten debut as well as his second number-one R&B album, following 1999's Tha Block Is Hot.[16] As of September 3, 2002, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over 500,000 copies in the United States alone.[17]

Its lead single, "Way of Life", peaked at number 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 23 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, number 26 on the Hot Rap Songs and number 27 on the Rhythmic charts.

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Fly Talkin'"
Mannie Fresh1:35
2."Look at Me"
Mannie Fresh4:00
3."Way of Life" (featuring Big Tymers and TQ)
Mannie Fresh3:59
4."Big Tigger Live on the Radio"
Mannie Fresh1:31
5."Gangsta and Pimps" (featuring Baby)
  • Williams
  • Thomas
  • G. Green
Mannie Fresh4:41
6."Lovely"
  • Carter
  • Thomas
Mannie Fresh4:02
7."Gangsta Shit" (featuring Petey Pablo)
Mannie Fresh3:40
8."Big Tigger Live on the Radio"
  • Morgan
  • Thomas
Mannie Fresh0:58
9."Bloodline"
  • Carter
  • Thomas
Mannie Fresh4:21
10."Where You At"
  • Carter
  • Thomas
Mannie Fresh3:50
11."Worry Me"
  • Carter
  • Thomas
Mannie Fresh4:06
12."500 Degreez"
  • Carter
  • Thomas
Mannie Fresh3:45
13."Go Hard"
  • Carter
  • Thomas
Mannie Fresh3:30
14."Young'n Blues"
  • Carter
  • Thomas
Mannie Fresh4:32
15."Believe That" (featuring Blaque and Mannie Fresh)
Jazze Pha4:12
16."Rob Nice Live on the Radio"
  • Rob Nice
  • Thomas
Mannie Fresh1:13
17."Fuck You" (featuring Big Tymers)
  • Carter
  • Thomas
  • Williams
Mannie Fresh4:20
18."What Does Life Mean to Me" (featuring TQ and Big Tymers)
  • Carter
  • Quaites
  • Thomas
  • Williams
Mannie Fresh1:25
19."Get That Dough" (featuring Baby, Tateeze and Cristale)
  • Carter
  • Williams
  • Alexander
Jazze Pha3:38
20."Fo Sheezy"
  • Carter
  • Thomas
Mannie Fresh3:44
21."Fly Talkin' Go Home"
  • Williams
  • Thomas
Mannie Fresh3:20
Total length:1:10:22
Sample credits

Personnel

[edit]
  • Dwayne "Lil' Wayne" Carter – vocals
  • Bryan "Baby" Williams – vocals, executive producer
  • Byron "Mannie Fresh" Thomas – vocals, producer
  • Terrance "TQ" Quaites – vocals (tracks: 3, 18)
  • Darian "Big Tigger" Morgan – vocals (tracks: 4, 8)
  • Moses "Petey Pablo" Barrett III – vocals (track 7)
  • Blaque – vocals (track 15)
  • Rob Nice – vocals (track 16)
  • Marinna "Tateeze" Teal – vocals (track 19)
  • Cristale – vocals (track 19)
  • Phalon "Jazze Pha" Alexander – producer (tracks: 15, 19)
  • Mark Goodchild – recording (tracks: 1, 4, 6-12, 15-19, 21), mixing (tracks: 1, 4, 8, 16, 18, 21)
  • Mike Wilson – recording (tracks: 2, 3, 5, 11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20)
  • Steve Fisher – recording (tracks: 7, 9, 10, 20), mixing assistant (tracks: 2, 3, 5-7, 9-14, 17)
  • Leslie Brathwaite – mixing (tracks: 2, 3, 5-7, 9-15, 17, 19, 20)
  • Greg Stewart – engineering assistant (tracks: 1, 4, 8, 15, 16, 18-21)
  • Cory Williams – engineering assistant (track 15), mixing assistant (tracks: 7, 9, 10, 20)
  • Ismel "Nino" Ramos – engineering assistant (track 17), mixing assistant (tracks: 2, 5, 7, 9)
  • Aaron Harris – mixing assistant (track 3)
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering
  • Ronald "Slim" Williams – executive producer
  • Adrienne Muhammad – A&R
  • Dino Delvaille – A&R

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[17] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Lil Wayne - Way Of Life (Official Music Video) ft. Big Tymers, TQ". YouTube. July 22, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "Lil Wayne - Where You At". YouTube. June 16, 2009. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  3. ^ Johnson, Cherise (July 8, 2015). "Lil Wayne Explains Link Between Young Thug's "Barter 6" & Juvenile's "400 Degreez"". HipHopDX. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  4. ^ Van Nguyen, Dean (November 23, 2018). "Juvenile's '400 Degreez' encapsulated Cash Money's first wave of inventiveness". CRACK. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  5. ^ Mojica, Nicholas (April 15, 2015). "Young Thug Vs. Lil Wayne: A Timeline Of The Rapper's 'Carter 6' Beef". Design & Trend. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Bush, John. "500 Degreez - Lil Wayne | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Williams, DeMarco (August 8, 2002). "Lil' Wayne - 500 Degreez". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Juon, Steve 'Flash' (July 23, 2002). "Lil Wayne 500 Degreez". RapReviews. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  9. ^ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David, eds. (2004). {The New} Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. pp. 394–395. ISBN 978-0-7432-0169-8 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ a b Jones, Steve (July 30, 2002). "Lil' Wayne, 500 Degreez (two stars)". USA Today. p. D10. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  11. ^ Coolidge, Ian (September 2002). "Critical Breakdown: Lil' Wayne – 500 Degreez". XXL. No. 40. New York: Harris Publications. p. 196.
  12. ^ Berliner, Brett (November 18, 2002). "Pop Playground - October 2002 Hip Hop Round-Up". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved May 10, 2012 – via Wayback Machine.
  13. ^ Chennault, Sam. "500 Degreez : Lil Wayne : Rhapsody". Rhapsody. Retrieved March 31, 2013 – via Wayback Machine.
  14. ^ Harris, Keith (October 8, 2002). "Licensed to Lil". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  15. ^ "New Keith Album 'Unleashed' At No. 1". Billboard. August 1, 2002. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  16. ^ Pierre, Georgette (August 8, 2014). "Drake Vs. Lil Wayne: Comparing Their Careers At Age 27". VH1. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "American album certifications – Lil Wayne – 500 Degreez". Recording Industry Association of America.
  18. ^ "Lil Wayne Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  19. ^ "Lil Wayne Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  20. ^ "The Year in Music 2002: Billboard 200". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 52. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 28, 2002. p. YE-34. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  21. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End charts". Billboard. 2002. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=500_Degreez&oldid=1249889132"