The Katie Couric Grammy Special premiered on CBS tonight, with special interviews with Katie Perry, Justin Timberlake, Lil' Wayne and Taylor Swift. Earlier today, I heard radio comments and seen blog posts about Lil' Wayne's segment, and most people didn't have anything positive to say. After watching the show tonight, I now understand the opinions and deem them valid....
As I took a Journey through Lil' Wayne's face (Couric's first question), I realized that though Lil' Wayne is a genius at his craft, it was a bit difficult to follow him on this TV special. Maybe because I associate Katie Couric with World News now (and no longer the Today show, which I think his interview would have been more accepted). Not saying that the interview was supposed to shed some light on Wayne's life of misrepresentation, but I do think that the goal of all of these interview was to get an inside look on each musician and perhaps understand their point of view that may not be evident through their music.
One interesting point of the interview was that Lil' Wayne enjoys bowling. Kind of a different turn for one associated with being a product of a society not positively represented in main stream America (although mainstream America loves his music).
Then, however, Couric, in her recent "in your face form" (think Sarah Palin), she goes straight to Lil' Wayne's drug habits. This is where Wayne turns into Bobby Brown circa 2002 in that famous Whitney Houston interview. Weezy was talking about his "former addiction" to Syrup, or "Sizzurp", or codeine and promethazine. He talked about how it caused severe stomach pain, as if he never wanted to take it again. When Couric asked him if he has stopped using it, Wayne answers "I'm not addicted anymore" ...Does this make sense to anyone? How can you once be addicted to something, and still participate in that habit, but say its no longer an addiction?
Then, my fellow UVA alum Couric tried to find a proper way to ask about his marijuana addiction, but she simply said "You really like your weed" Classic! And he goes on to give his Bobby Brown answer of it being for "medicinal" purposes only, due to his severe migraines (which I think come from his continued, "non-addictive" use of syrup).
Again, Wayne is not a politician, nor is he a professor, nor does he claim to be, and I do think that the interview was a REAL interview with the REAL Lil' Wayne. However, I do believe that he should have taken more time to think through his answers, and perhaps give America something that they didn't expect. Best example was his response to Couric's question of Bush. If you are going to have an opinion about politics, then you need to give an educated opinion, especially since you are on CBS and not MTV.
This is what happens when you try to take someone out of their element, and they are already completely comfortable in their own skin.. for that I applaud Lil' Wayne.. I found the interview to be generally interesting, but I hope Weezy stays with music. No politics/espn/news for you!
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