Words & Flicks by Far Fetched Future

Last Wednesday STR8NYC stormed the MTV2 pre-screening of UnPlugged: Lil Wayne at the Eventi Hotel to get an exclusive look of the show that dropped this past Sunday, June 12th. While MTV’s UnPlugged usually stays away from hip hop, Lil Wayne blessed the stage for this past Sunday’s airing of the historic show. Performing a well-rounded selection of tracks from Tha Carter II, Tha Carter III, Rebirth and his upcoming album Tha Carter IV, Wayne was the dynamic and energetic performer his fans have come to expect.

Wayne came on to a “+” shaped stage with a back up band and hundreds of fans crowding the venue. He started swagged out in dark shades, a “WOW” shirt and a red fitted, but half way through, his shirt, in typical Wayne fashion, ended up on the floor. He was still donning the shades and cap. Rumor has it he is trying to show off his prison workout routine to market a P90X Lil Wayne Limited Edition set to drop this summer.

Throughout the show he blessed the crowd with different “Wayneisms” that were both comical and insightful. Building up the crowd for I’m Single (I Am Not a Human Being) he spurted, “if you in a relationship make some noise, if you having trouble in a relationship make some noise, but if you like me you not in a relationship.” But the jokes were mixed with serious lines as well – “they say you don’t know what you’re doing till you stop doing it.” Which speaks to the multitudes hustling their own brands, labels and businesses in a broken economy.

Beyond the expected tracks, UnPlugged gave the crowd a nice treat when Wayne performed Nightmares of the Bottom off the up-and-coming Carter IV. But this was the most unique moment of the show. Other than the unreleased track, UnPlugged left the viewer empty as to the details of Wayne’s life. While the show featured an amazing performance, especially for anyone who’s never had the luck of seeing Wayne live, it lacked the depth that viewers demand from digital content in the 21^st century. I wanted to know more about Wayne’s personal life – favorite sneaks, family story, best show – than just concert footage could offer.

Overall, MTV2 did an amazing job in capturing Lil Wayne live, but lacked the personal touch that other UnPlugged shows have featured.

Set list for Lil Wayne’s ‘Unplugged.’

’3 Peat’
‘Mr. Carter;
‘Shoot Me Down’
‘Miss Me’
‘A Milli’
‘Fireman’
‘Hail Mary’
‘Hustler Musik’
‘Drop the World’
‘I’m Single (I Am Not a Human Being)’
‘Lollipop’
‘Nightmares At the Bottom’
’6 Foot, 7 Foot’

UnPlugged: Lil Wayne aired this past Sunday June 12 on MTV2 be sure to catch again on heavy rotation. In the meantime enjoy some the flicks we captured at the screening after party.

S/O to LexAve & Lucas of Str8NYC, Zunnania, KurtWurt, Rae & Gabe of SFPL, Hanif Sumner, Double 0, RapRadar’s Elliot Wilson, SomyaK, Jayson Rodriguez and all the other fabulous people that night…cheers to you!

Check out more pics from the rest of the night with Far Fetched Future

Follow @vivalaskool @Str8NYC