I like to start my Monday’s by pondering on Lil Wayne since he is essentially the current barometer for the game. I was listening to this track with Ya Boy & Wayne on the hook when the thoughts occurred to me — Does having Wayne on the hook help or hurt your cause? Does it devalue your song? How discerning is Wayne with who he gives a hook to? Will it stop any time soon?

In a weird way, I imagine Weezy F. sitting on his tour bus (because he’s always on tour) and, when he swings through whatever city, rappers hop on prepared to pay the cost to have a feature from the best rapper alive. Said other rapper enters the bus, gives preplanned praise like Luca in The Godfather (“Don Carter, I am honored and grateful…”) before asking Wayne for an Autotuned hook whose content somewhat fits an already prepared song. Dwayne sits there, headed cocked back like Ray & eyes shaded. He’s rubbing a furry bunny rabbit. He ponders for a moment before granting permission out of fellowship (“B’s up!) or asking for a fee. (Sidenote — How do you pay Wayne? Cash? Quarter elbows of dro?)

If having Lil Wayne Autotuned on the hook wasn’t so trite, Ya Boy would have a standout track because it’s still a pretty solid song. It has springtime with the top back written all over it, maybe even strip club-worthy if it were sped up a few bpms. As it is & the timing, this is just another song “featuring Lil Wayne” that will get lost in the shuffle.

Ya Boy Feat. Lil Wayne – “Oh My”

Ya Boy’s Mohawks & Heavy Metal mixtape coming soon.