Like it or not, Lil Wayne is easily one of the most talked about artists of today's music industry. With almost one million copies sold in its first week, Weezy's latest offering Tha Carter IV had more than only a couple of eyebrows raising. Obviously, this success comes not without any controversy; especially subliminal shots at none other than Jay-Z that kept people talking. Now, the Young Money honcho has received the cover story of VIBE's latest issue. Below you can read some excerpts where Mr. Carter talks delves into the "old guys" competition.

VIBE: You say competition is for the “old guys,” but it sounds like you’re going at Jay-Z with that line, “I got your baby money/Kidnap your bitch, get that how-much-you-love-your-lady money.” Are we looking at it the wrong way?

LIL WAYNE: I know for a fact, music is about perception. You can’t do anything but perceive what you hear. If I know that for a fact, I can never be upset about someone’s reaction to it. I’m not gonna say I don’t know what will happen before I say it [on record]. I do know what will happen. I am aware of it. It is what it is.

VIBE: So you knew the repercussions of going after Jay before anything even happened?

LIL WAYNE: Well, I'm a man. I believe as a man you should know that. Every man should know the repercussions and consequences behind whatever they do before they do it. And of course, I know there won't be any repercussions behind what I did.

VIBE: You mentioned how humbled you were at the success of “She Will.” Drake, who wrote and performs the song’s chorus, has now become a platinum star in his own right. Do you look at the guy and say, “Wow, I helped create a monster, I have to stay on my toes”?

LIL WAYNE: I don’t look at it like that. Drake is my artist. If he wasn’t my artist, then yeah maybe. But that’s my artist. He’s not [just] a friend. We’re more than friends. It’s business. It would be impossible for it to be a competition. I mean, I’m the guy’s boss.