Key Points
- An X user asks if YoungBoy can match young Lil Wayne. The post pulls rap fans into instant debate.
- Supporters say YoungBoy’s digital reach beats many big names today. Others say Wayne’s 2000s run changed rap and pop.
- The talk shifts to how to measure “big” across two eras. No side fully wins yet.
A trending X post has rap fans asking how far NBA YoungBoy really ranks. NBA YoungBoy is Kentrell DeSean Gaulden; Lil Wayne is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.
The question came from @ced_jayy on 27 October and spread fast, just like fresh US music drops such as Offset announces Halloween album for 31 October.
How the debate started
The post read, “Is it safe to compare NBA Youngboy to the young Lil Wayne 🤔?” That single line set off replies.
Some users said the question was fair because YoungBoy drops music often. They argued his audience shows up every time.
They also noted he built this base while facing court issues and house arrest. That made the rise look tougher.
Another user, @GhostFreeOr1056, went harder. He wrote, “Nobody loves Wayne more than me but he’s bigger than Wayne ever was.”
That take went viral on its own. Many said the line was bold but not true.
Why fans pushed back
Wayne supporters said the Cash Money era was a different scale. They reminded others that Wayne owned radio, mixtapes and pop features at once.
They pointed to the “Carter” run and 2008 peak. In that window, Wayne even helped other stars chart.
They also said YoungBoy’s numbers lean on YouTube and fast streaming loops. For them, that is strong reach but not the same as Wayne’s chart run.
A few fans added that Wayne shaped how many rappers sound today. They argued influence matters more than raw plays.
Still, YoungBoy defenders said impact can now be digital-first. They claimed his drop-anytime model keeps younger fans locked in, the same way fans track drama around stars like Cardi B reacts to Stefon Diggs twin rumour.
In the end, most users agreed on one point. The two stars rose in very different times.
So the talk moved from “who is bigger” to “how do we compare eras.” For now, the debate stays open.
See screenshots below.
