Lil Wayne and Chris Brown are at the center of an investigative report that details how they allegedly misused pandemic grants to pay themselves and fund their lavish lifestyles.
Lil Wayne and Chris Brown Spent Millions of Dollars Using Pandemic Grants
On Wednesday (Dec. 18), Business Insider published an investigative report naming Lil Wayne and Chris Brown as recipients of Shuttered Venue Operations Grant, a government program that was created to aid independent venues and arts groups struggling during the pandemic. In March of this year, the media outlet reported that Weezy and Post Malone were accused of lying to the Feds in order to obtain over $8 million in pandemic-related funds. Post is not included in the new report.
Lil Wayne reportedly received an $8.9 million grant in 2020 while Brown received a $10 million grant. A breakdown is included of what both artists allegedly used the money for by either paying themselves or unrelated expenses. Weezy’s expenses include private-jet flights, designer clothes like Gucci and Balenciaga, luxury hotel rooms for women including a waitress at a “Hooters-type restaurant” and a porn actress, among other things. Breezy’s share includes his birthday party, a celebrity basketball tournament and more.
Here is the breakdown of what Lil Wayne spent the $8.9 million grant on:
Settling a debt owed to former manager Cortez Bryant: $2.14 millionCommissions to then-manager Mack Maine: $1.71 millionPrivate jets: $1.38 millionLawyers at Grubman Shire: $590,700Accountants at NKSFB: $589,700Clothes: $528,000Contractors who worked on Lil Wayne’s shows: $327,300Settling a debt owed to former accountant: $300,000Mystery women: $14,900Everything else: $1.3 million
Here is the breakdown of what Chris Brown spent the $10 million grant on:
Himself: $5.11 millionInsurance: $1.33 millionManager Anthony “Ant” Wilson: $823,000Accountants at NKSFB: $556,700Lawyers at Grubman Shire: $498,000Crew payroll: $383,100Celebrity basketball tournament: $179,400His birthday party: $79,200Everything else: $1 million
XXL has reached out to both Lil Wayne and Chris Brown’s teams for comment.
Lil Wayne and Chris Brown have been making headlines this week for more positive news. Weezy revealed he and Kendrick Lamar had a good conversation about the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show after hip-hop had much to say over K-Dot being picked to perform instead of the Young Money leader. As for Chris, he sold out two consecutive shows in Johannesburg, South Africa this past weekend. Women’s rights activists petitioned to ban the singer from performing at FNB Stadium, which saw over 90,000 attendees each night.
Read More: Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar Have Convo About 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show
See Breezy’s sold-out shows in Johannesburg, South Africa below.