(Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images)

Lil’ Wayne has a new passion for skateboarding that’s luring him away from his rap career. The Young Money star has put out nine popular studio albums and numerous mixtapes. Now he’s ready to take a break from the rap game despite being one of the most popular rappers of the moment. In an interview with Atlanta’s Hot 107.9, he talked about his recent decision to make a stronger commitment to skateboarding and step away from rapping.

“I picked up the skateboard and I thought it’d be a hobby and what happened is it’s a lifestyle,” Wayne said. “You have to be fully committed because its super scary. In order to be fully committed you have to live that lifestyle. Like the young kids say, “You have to be about that life.’ It's kind of putting rap on the back burner.”

The hip hop phenomenon is known for putting his all into his music, and his fellow Young Money artists’ careers. However, he feels like it’s time for his fans to get some “peace” from him. He’s ready to fade to the background for a bit.

“I think fans deserve a little-to-no Wayne. I’ve been everywhere. I’ve been out on everybody’s song. I’m still on everybody’s song. My artists have been doing awesome. I believe the fans deserve some peace from me. So I’ll be on my skateboard in the meantime,” he explained.

The rapper plans to spend more time on his ramps and tightening his skateboard skills during his rap hiatus. He’s opening his own “DEWeezy Skatepark” in New Orleans on August 29, and will have a line of skater shoes coming soon.

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