Hillary Crosley, N.Y.
Though Lil Wayne has of late railed against the mixtape community for bootlegging his music, the head of his label, Cash Money's Ron "Slim" Williams, says no legal action is forthcoming against DJ Empire, who's released a four-part series of leaked Wayne songs.

"It'll cost more for me to sue him and it's not worth it," Williams tells Billboard of DJ Empire and his multi-part "The Drought Is Over" series. For his part, DJ Empire told XXL this week that Wayne was aware of his mixtapes, and even featured on one, so he doesn't understand the attack.

Williams says Lil Wayne still supports the mixtape community but when his material is leaked it's "frustrating." Now, instead of suing, Cash Money is negotiating with DJ Empire.

"Wayne has spoken to him, so I don't know what's going on with that," says Williams. "I think Empire said he has more music to put out. Most DJs are just local, so they're not making that much money anyway."

With Wayne's "Tha Carter III" album finally due out Tuesday (June 10), Williams insists early leaks won't "affect us too much. People will still buy the record. I've been telling Universal that I don't want nothing under 1 million sold in the first week. We're shipping like 1.6 million copies but if it comes in under, I ain't complaining."


The album's first single, "Lollipop" is No. 1 for a fourth week on the Billboard Hot 100 and a sixth on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

Williams conceded the leaks "prolonged the recording process" but adds, "Wayne likes to have his stuff right. But everything happens for a reason and he deserves every bit of his success. It's been a long road."

A video for the next "Carter III" single, "Got Money" featuring T-Pain, will be shot within the next two weeks, according to Williams. The track is already No. 13 on the Hot 100.

billboard