Lil Wayne's voice reminds me of my 4-packs a day grandmother, but I enjoy some of his material.

I liked Lupe's "Food & Liquor," but the "The Cool" wasn't as good, maybe his new album will rekindle my interest.

Lupe. He actually raps about topics that need to be brought to the public's attention, such as child soldiers in Africa. Listen to "Little Weapon"

Neither because thats not Hip-Hop
want some REAL hip-hop? Try Public Enemy, Black Star, Mos Def, De La Soul, J Dilla, Nas, MIA, Steinski, or A Tribe Called Quest.
Listen to some real music for a change.

Iceray I understand completely were you are coming from, however what you are saying is tantamount to an old Beatles fan saying, "forget led zeppelin, you want some real music? listen to yellow submarine." Its all real music its just a matter of progression. And in my opinion Lil Wayne is essentially the best example of what has happened to the Hip-Hop industry. For as long as I can remember, (about 7-8 years of listening to music consciously, I'm only 17) mainstream Hip-hop has sounded about the same, the only real change being small, going from the more R and B influenced mainstream Hip hop of the early 2000's to the "gangsta" sound of today, but the lyrics, level of development and overal artistic quality of the lost hasn't really gone anywhere. Occasionally there would be an artist who makes some progress, such as Kanye west recently, but upon being successful with that sound they more and more begin to conform to the mainstream sound, and as far as I have heard Lupe is the only largely popular Hip-Hop artist out there that is consistently progressing both stylistically and artistically in quality. De la Soul, Black star and the lot were and still are great, but unfortunately most of them are no longer on the cutting edge and instead are becoming classics, which is in its own way a step up.

Now don't get me wrong Lil Wayne and the lot are great entertainers, but 20 years from now I doubt anyone will remember them, their music is not timeless, and is not particularly artful. Lupe on the other hand appears to be crafting works that will be at least of some interest to future generations. I've come to like Hip-hop, and I am worried that it will go the same way Rock and Roll did, become stagnant overused and repetitive and die out. (Yes yes I know Rock is still around but as far as genre is concerned the only similarity between the Beatles and nickleback is a choice in instruments. Rock 'n Roll died in the 90's and was replaced by nu metal, pop rock, post punk, indie and alternative rock. they're great, I love em but they just aren;t that old school rock 'n roll)

Lil Wayne would sound exactly like the last four years of "mainstream" hip-hop if it wasn't for his disgusting voice. He hasn't done anything for the industry, he's only profited from it.

He does rap about issues and things though, if you listen to what he says. He is from Louisiana and rapped about Katrina, and so on. He has helped the industry in some ways by giving it some its credibility back. I agree that old school is really the best, but I will also continue to listen to the new stuff in hopes that it realizes its potential.

In what way has he brought legitimacy back to the genre? (Not meant to sound hostile I am just curious)