Mona Lisa (Lil Wayne song) explained

"Mona Lisa" is a song by American rapper Lil Wayne featuring fellow American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on September 28, 2018, as the eighth track off of Wayne's album Tha Carter V.

Background

Infamous, the producer of the track, began work on it in 2014.^[1] He considered leaking the track after a few years, but refrained from the action when he heard Tha Carter V was being released.^[2] Former Pharma-CEO and convicted felon Martin Shkreli shared part of the song in 2017 on streaming app Periscope.^[3]

Composition

The track has the longest duration out of any track on the album, with a length of 5:24.^[4] At 0:20 of the track, a sample of Wayne's 2008 hit, "Lollipop," is used.

Lyrics

Lil Wayne's song "Mona Lisa," featuring rapper and songwriter Kendrick Lamar, narrates the story of their interactions with a seductive stranger, "Mona Lisa," otherwise referred to as "Liz."

Kendrick is the first to appear in the song intro to let the listener know a story is about to be told. Wayne's verse followed, and he started sharing his side as a tough gangster and co-conspirator, lured by Liz, a captivating seductress. Wayne's verse depicts what transpires when one becomes allured by a stranger, telling a tale of passion, exploitation, and danger. Kendrick's feature in Verse 3 responds to Wayne's perspective, giving the view of Liz's boyfriend and enumerating his actions to show that he loves and cares about her.

Reception

The track received critical acclaim. Kevin Goddard of HotNewHipHop called the track a "lyrical onslaught", and said that Wayne and Kendrick had "slick flows & witty metaphors".^[5] Israel Daramola of Spin called the track a "fascinating story of deceit and lust".^[6]

Commercial performance

The track debuted at number two behind Maroon 5 and Cardi B's "Girls Like You" on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest-charting song from the album.^[7]

Charts

!Chart (2018)!Peak
position

Australia (ARIA)[8]	42
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9]	7
Lithuania (AGATA)[10]	26
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[11]	39
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[12]	36
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[13]	21
US Billboard Hot 100[14]	2
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15]	1
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[16]	1

Notes and References

1. Web site: 8 October 2018. Infamous Breaks Down the Making of Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar's "Mona Lisa". July 7, 2020. DJBooth.
2. Web site: "Mona Lisa" Producer Considered Leaking Lil Wayne and Kendrick Collab. July 7, 2020. Complex.
3. Web site: Kendrick Lamar & Lil Wayne Spin A Tale Of Robbery & Deceptive Women On "Mona Lisa". July 7, 2020. Genius.
4. Here Are the Lyrics to Lil Wayne's 'Mona Lisa,' Feat. Kendrick Lamar . July 7, 2020. Billboard.
5. Web site: 28 September 2018. Kendrick Lamar Joins Lil Wayne On "Mona Lisa" Off "Tha Carter V". July 7, 2020. HotNewHipHop.
6. Web site: Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar Explore the Art of Storytelling on the Frustrating but Compelling "Mona Lisa". July 7, 2020. Spin.
7. Web site: Lil Wayne Becomes The First Artist In History To Debut Two Songs In The Top 5 Of The Billboard Hot 100 Chart. July 7, 2020. Genius.
8. Web site: ARIA CHART WATCH #493. July 7, 2020. auspOp.
9. Lil Wayne Chart History: Canadian Hot 100. July 7, 2020. Billboard.
10. Web site: 2018 40-os SAVAITĖS (rugsėjo 28 d. – spalio 4 d.) SINGLŲ TOP100. lt. AGATA. October 5, 2018. June 3, 2021. October 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191009222755/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/savaites-klausomiausi-2/. live.
11. Web site: NZ Top 40 Singles Chart. July 7, 2020. The Official New Zealand Music Chart.
12. Web site: Lil Wayne. July 7, 2020. swisscharts.com.
13. Web site: LIL WAYNE full Official Chart History. July 7, 2020. Official Charts Company.
14. Lil Wayne Chart History: Hot 100. July 7, 2020. Billboard.
15. Lil Wayne Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. July 7, 2020. Billboard.
16. Lil Wayne Chart History: Hot Rap Songs. July 7, 2020. Billboard.