BY ABRAHAM SEABROOK
Staff Reporter
After five years, Avril Lavigne and Lil Wayne released new music. Lavigne’s new single, “Head Above Water” and Wayne’s long delayed album, “Tha Carter V.”
Avril Lavigne is a singer, songwriter, and actress from Canada. She has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards, as well as Billboard Music Awards and American Music Awards.
On Sept. 19 she released her new Christian single, “Head Above Water.” Along with her official music video on Sept. 27.
According to Billboard.com, the song, “is a powerful, spiritual epiphany detailing the Canadian singer’s journey through her battle with Lyme disease.” “Lavigne shared both her struggles and creative process.”
Lavigne was diagnosed with Lyme disease three years ago which caused her to take a break from making music.
According to a letter she wrote to fans on her website, “I fought Lyme Disease on antibiotics and herbs for two years. I tried to have a life, but was in bed the majority of the time, and it was very up and down with good days and bad days.”
While dealing with her battle with this disease, there were times where she felt like it was becoming too much for her.
“One night, I thought I was dying, and I had accepted that I was going to die. My mom laid with me in bed and held me. I felt like I was drowning. Under my breath, I prayed ‘God, please help to keep my head above the water.” said Lavigne.
Lavigne began using her faith as inspiration to make this song about how she felt and what she was going through.
“It was like I tapped into something. It was a very spiritual experience. Lyrics flooded through me from that point on,” said Lavigne.
Lil Wayne was another anticipated artist that fans were waiting for new music to be released from. On Sept. 28, he released his new album, “Tha Carter V.”
“It is different but good for its time,” said junior Matthieu Jean-Baptiste. “It was a lot of songs and a lot of variety, it felt like he finally blessed us with what we have been waiting for.”
Lil Wayne born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., is an American rapper from New Orleans. He has won five Grammy Awards and has been nominated for 26.
Wayne has been in legal battles with his record label Cash Money records causing the delay of his album. Over the last five years he was forced to delay his album. He has since voiced his frustrations with the record label since.
“I want off this label and nothing to do with these people but unfortunately it ain’t that easy,” Wayne also adding, “I am a prisoner and so is my creativity,” on his Twitter account.
Complex.com reported in 2015, “Wayne files a $51 million lawsuit against Cash Money. He claims that Birdman is violating the terms of his contract by withholding ‘Tha Carter V.’ The lawsuit, which Wayne is still pursuing to this day, seeks to end his contract with Cash Money and take all of his Young Money signees with him.”
On Jun. 6 2018, Wayne won his legal battle with Cash Money enabling him to release his album.
While also dealing with legal battles with his record label, Wayne has been suffering multiple seizures. This resulting in him being hospitalized, cancelled shows and contributed to the delay of his album.
According to Forbes, “‘Tha Carter V’ now owns the distinction of being the album with the second-most one-week stream count in history.”
