(The record is billed as a 2 Chainz album likely because of Wayne’s unresolved disputes with Cash Money, making this the ultimate outpouring of gratitude.) And in a way, ColleGrove is itself a dedication, to both Lil Wayne and the era of freaky one-liners he ushered in.
"Dedication" is a "Big Brother"-style narration of the duo’s longstanding friendship, with 2 Chainz paying homage to Wayne’s impact on his career. The intention of ColleGrove is, as the hometown-referencing name suggests, to merge the rappers’ two worlds, and to also display 2 Chainz’s enviable respect for Wayne. 2 Chainz made a name for himself not only by listening to Wayne but also following his lead, so it’s a bit odd that ColleGrove has him spending so much time dragging Wayne behind him. It’s also the first song that comes to mind when 2 Chainz raps, "You said, ‘You can make a million rappin’ ‘bout some pussy,’" on "Dedication," the opener to their new project, ColleGrove, recounting some wizened Wayne advice. On Juicy J's strip club ode "Bandz a Make Her Dance," for instance, 2 Chainz and Wayne deliver sometimes-head-scratching non sequiturs about their favorite pastime, and it’s representative of their combined cheekiness. 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne have been running mates for almost a decade now following their collaborative 2007 hit "Duffle Bag Boy," Wayne has appeared as a featured guest on every 2 Chainz album, and 2 Chainz has often returned the favor on mixtapes and the 2013 single "Rich as Fuck." It’s a naturally absurd pairing: At their best, both rappers’ similarly skewed perspective allows them boil down the universe into an endless supply of WTF punchlines.