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2006

Chris Gordon, Getty Images

New Orleans native Lil Wayne was nearing his 10th year in the rap industry. He'd built a strong name for himself by the time he released his fifth album, 'The Carter II,' in 2005, but he still only bubbled under the surface. In 2006, Wayne and DJ Drama teamed up for 'Dedication 2' under the 'Gangsta Grillz' banner, and with the majority of tapes moving into the digital age, D2 was widely available to anyone with Wi-Fi. The tape featured verses from a number of spitters, including Juelz Santana and fellow New Orleans rapper Curren$y. It also gave Lil' Wayne a final shove into the spotlight and into the consciousness of the nation.