WIN TICKETS: Lil Wayne at Dodge Arena

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Lil’ Wayne is coming to the Rio Grande Valley.

That is perhaps the most important sentence you’ve read in months, if you live here and you like rap. Or at least the most important sentence since Snoop Dogg cancelled last year.

Lil’ Wayne is a huge act. He’s also current and dominates among fans of his genre and the mainstream. His 2008 album Tha Carter III sold tons of copies in an era when nobody sells tons of copies. The New Orleans rapper ranks among the best-selling active artists in popular music. And he has a new album that might come out Dec. 21, five days after he’ll play at the Dodge Arena.

LIL' WAYNE
WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17
WHERE: Dodge Arena, Hidalgo
COST: $60 to $150
BUY TICKETS: www.dodgearena.com
CALL: (956) 843-6688
BRING TOYS: All attendees who donate a toy at the show, will be entered in a raffle to win Lil’ Wayne merchandise. Winners will be announced on stage during the concert.

Yes, you read that right, it might come out. Few people know for sure.

Weezy’s new album Rebirth has been delayed an estimated 3,047 times. That’s an exaggeration, but it has been pushed back a ton this year. Many rock writers openly wonder whether it will come out Dec. 21. The first single off the new disc, “Prom Queen,” hit Wayne’s MySpace in January.

“Prom Queen,” like the rest of Rebirth, blends rap and rock. That’s what Lil’ Wayne says he wants this album to be.

The rapper, who made a name releasing mix tapes loaded with skilled rhymes and word play, now wants to be a rock star. He even busted out an electric guitar at some recent festival appearances. In case you’re wondering, reviews were unkind.

So how likely is this album to come out this month?

Amazon.com’s United Kingdom Web site says it’s for sure. It also has a track list that suggests Lil’ Wayne teams with Eminem on this new album.

The two new tracks that have hit iTunes recently are encouraging, too. “On Fire” sounds like classic, auto-tuned Wayne. The rapper rhymes over a beat that samples heavily from Amy Holland’s “She’s On Fire,” which appeared on the soundtrack of the gangsta-beloved Al Pacino flick Scarface. It’s OK.

“Da Da Da,” however, is pretty awesome. And it’s the most rock-reliant of all the leaked Rebirth tunes. It features an excellent meld of Wayne’s rhymes with thrashing guitars.

Upon first listen, it seems to fit in with great rap-rock collaborations like Run D.M.C. on Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.” So maybe the disc actually will come out, and perhaps it will be very good.

And maybe Wayne will play these songs when he comes to Hidalgo. And he might even flail around on the electric guitar a little bit. All these things could happen. It’s uncertain.

What is certain? Lil’ Wayne will give us something to talk about.

Zack Quaintance covers features and entertainment for Festiva. You can reach him at (956) 683-4447.