Lil Wayne Says Goodbye to Fans on His Way to Prison

Part of me feels sorry for Lil Weezy, also known as Lil Wayne. I am probably too old to understand why my teenage daughters dream of being one of his many baby's mamas, and I admit that it makes me sick. At the same time, there's no point in hating on a man who has achieved volumes of success at a very early age, and shows the genius of a generation in his music. The man spits out hits like a machine, and is clearly one of the great artists of his time.

Weezy recently gave a farewell performance in his hometown of New Orleans, as he prepares to go to prison for what is expected to be one year. This particular charge happens to be related to weapons possession, but he faces several other charges in other states. That is what makes me wonder how the story is going to end for Lil Wayne.

If the drugs don't kill him, the sex or the violence might do the trick. When my mind ventures 20 years into the future, I can see a Vh-1 "Behind the Music" Special about Lil Wayne's life that will feature all of the intrigue of a rock band, with all of the self-destructive elements of modern day hip hop. Wayne embodies all of that, as he represents the lives of the rock star Jim Morrison, Eazy-E and Tupac, all rolled up into one. Besides being amazing talents, these men also happen to have died at an early age.

I don't wish death on Lil Wayne, but it almost seems as if he wishes it upon himself. Eazy-E also ran through women like nobody's business and soon found himself on the wrong side of an HIV test. Every time Weezy's bus is pulled over, it seems that there are drugs on board. I also can't forget the trip through LA where Lil Wayne's caravan was being blocked by angry Crips trying to get him to come out. When you're getting high every day, creating baby's mamas faster than hit records and have gang bangers trying to kill you, you're living a pretty complicated life.

For the sake of his kids, I sincerely hope that Wayne slows his roll. I listen to his music carefully and I don't see the wisdom in his words that is carried by artists like TI, who seem genuinely remorseful for mistakes made in the past. In Wayne I see a boldness that is both admirable and regrettable, presenting the foresight of a man who almost seems to expect that his life will come to an early end. But what I hope is that Wayne understands that a man with children can't live with a death wish. There are too many people depending on him to stay on this earth.

I don't dislike Lil Wayne, but I don't necessarily like him. I certainly don't like the way he's living, or the fact that teenagers are replicating his behavior. For the most part, I simply observe and wonder if I am watching another Tupac/Eazy-E/Jim Morrison combination on his way to a tragic ending. Come on Weezy, get your life right brother. The world and your children need you.