Lil’ Wayne and Kanye West Build Buzz for Unpopular Grammy’s

Lil’ Wayne will be headlining a group of rap stars, including Kanye West, to help build some buzz for the “barely breathing” Grammy’s:

Ratings were for the annual show decreased last year to its lowest level since 1992 as viewers opted for other ways to spend their time. Lil Wayne will join an eclectic group of musicians who will be featured in the campaign, called “Celebrate The Music That Makes Us. Other participants include R&B/pop vocalist Rihanna, Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz and Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke.

According to a Grammy spokeswoman, the artists were asked to give 10-20 songs that influenced or affected their life and career to the Recording Academy. Song lyrics and titles are featured in the print and television ads.

“This year’s ad campaign brings this idea to life by highlighting the songs that influence and inspire several artists whose music has made a lasting impact on music lovers worldwide — creating even greater anticipation for music’s biggest night,” Recording Academy chief marketing officer Evan Greene said in a statement.

Print ads featuring Lil Wayne show the rapper paying tribute to Jay-Z’s hit single “Can’t Knock the Hustle” as well as former G-Unit member Young Buck’s “Pocket Full of Paper.”

Although he is featured prominently in the campaign, Lil Wayne will not be the only rapper on board for the effort.

Spots for Kanye West and Coldplay are currently being developed as the print ads continue to expand in the days leading up to the Grammys.

Rihanna’s print ad will cite Destiny Child’s “Say My Name” while Wonder’s television ad incorporates his popular single “Superstitious” and lyrical references to Ray Charles and Stephanie Mills.

Despite a message in his ad saying “artist not guaranteed to perform,” Lil Wayne will likely perform at the Grammys.

The 51st annual Grammy Awards will air live at 8 p.m. February 8 on CBS.

Well, go ahead and do the damn thing, Lil’ Weezy. Kanye, you get a cool point as well. Who would have ever thought they would NEED rap to inject some life into such an affair?