Lil Wayne’s mixtape series Da Drought and Dedication became available on Apple Music for the first time on August 5, 2025. The three Da Drought installments were originally released in 2003, 2004, and 2007, while the Dedication series, hosted by DJ Drama, began in 2005. These projects had not been officially available on streaming platforms until now, surprising many fans since there was no prior announcement from Lil Wayne or his team. It is currently unclear if or when these mixtapes will be added to other major streaming services such as Spotify. Billboard has reached out to Lil Wayne for comment regarding the releases.
This addition allows both longtime listeners and newer fans to access mixtapes that were influential in Lil Wayne’s early career and the broader rap scene during the 2000s. The availability of these projects on Apple Music offers a chance to explore a period of his music that predates the current streaming era, which often focuses more on albums and singles.
Previously, Lil Wayne has made other mixtapes like No Ceilings and Sorry 4 the Wait accessible on digital platforms, showing a gradual move to make his older work more widely available. At present, Lil Wayne is on tour for his latest album, Tha Carter VI, alongside rapper Tyga. The tour included a show on August 6 in Massachusetts and was scheduled to continue with three concerts across New York state.
Tha Carter VI, released in June 2025, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart with 108,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. Lil Wayne also celebrated the album’s release with his first-ever headlining performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City.