New Orleans used to know him as Dwayne Michael Carter. Now the world knows him as Lil’ Wayne.
After landing more Grammy nominations than any other artist this year, Lil’ Wayne returned home to New Orleans on Sunday.
“This is my home town,” Lil’ Wayne said. “And it’s just that. It means everything – without it, there’s no me.”
The controversial rapper donated $200,000 to help rebuild the Harrell Playground in Hollygrove, the neighborhood where he grew up.
“I played for this park and I’m gonna do whatever it takes to make sure y’all play for this park,” Lil’ Wayne said.
For more than a year after Hurricane Katrina, the playground became home for Sewerage & Water Board employees. It was gutted to house a FEMA trailer site.
Some of Lil’ Wayne’s donation helped rebuild the basketball court, and the rest will help rebuild the park’s multi purpose center.
Hornets superstar Chris Paul joined in on the ceremony, saying he’s a fan of Lil’ Wayne’s music just like the kids screaming in the crowd.
According to Billboard Magazine, Lil’ Wayne sold the most albums in the United States last year – 2.8 million. And despite two high profile arrests on gun and drug charges last year, his immense success brings with it the ability to influence kids.
It’s why he says he’s helping rebuild harrell playground.
“You can’t really tell them what to do these days,” Lil’ Wayne said. “When you tell them what to do, that’s when they get angry when you tell them be like me because it’s hard to be like me. So, the best thing you can tell them is try to do right.
“It may be hard to do right, but do right.”