Jason Derulo remembers helping Lil Wayne write music in the singer’s early career as a songwriter during a recent appearance on Uproxx’s “Sound Check” series. Speaking with host Jeremy Hecht, the singer revealed he contributed songwriting ideas during sessions connected to Weezy’s landmark album Tha Carter 3.
The conversation began as a friendly clash between two rap staples. Derulo had to choose between “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy” by Lil Wayne and Birdman or Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Although Derulo picked “Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang,” the real surprise came moments later.
“Sheesh, I was on Tha Carter 3,” Derulo said. “Nobody has ever pulled that up in an interview.”
Derulo explained that he worked around Cash Money Records as a teenager and helped craft the hook for “Playing With Fire.” At the time, he was only 16 years old and still developing as a songwriter.
“It was inspiring to see Wayne’s work ethic,” Derulo recalled. “He was always in the studio.”
Singer Jason Derulo Recalls Writing On Rapper Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter 3 At 16
The singer described Cash Money’s creative atmosphere as fluid and competitive. According to Derulo, the label embraced ideas from anyone capable of elevating a record.
“Whoever had the vibes, had the vibes,” he said. “I was just a young 16-year-old bringing the vibes.”
Released in 2008, Tha Carter 3 became a defining hip-hop release of its era. The album launched Lil Wayne into another commercial stratosphere and cemented his influence during rap’s mixtape explosion.
Derulo also revisited his ghostwriting background during a previous livestream with NEON. Reflecting on those early years, he named several artists he once wrote for.
“Lil Wayne, Pitbull, Cassie, Sean Kingston,” Derulo said. “I was really doing it.”