Lil Wayne’s Sqad Up Mixtape Series: A Blueprint for Hip-Hop Greatness

In the early 2000s, Lil Wayne, alongside his group Sqad Up, released a series of influential mixtapes. These mixtapes showcased his lyrical prowess. They set the stage for his ascent to hip-hop greatness. These mixtapes, known as the “SQ” series, are essential listening for fans and historians of rap alike.

In the early 2000s, the mixtape era was booming. Lil Wayne was sharpening his skills alongside Sqad Up. This collective would leave its mark on hip-hop history. Before Wayne became a GOAT contender, he was lacing raw, unfiltered bars over industry beats with his squad.

The “SQ” mixtape series (SQ1 – SQ7: 10,000 Bars) gave fans an early glimpse of Wayne’s evolution. This was before “Tha Carter” series took off. But what happened to the other members of Sqad Up? Let’s rewind to the rise, fall, and legacy of this legendary mixtape group.

Who Was Sqad Up?

The original Sqad Up lineup consisted of:

Gudda Gudda
Kidd Kidd
T-Streets
Raw Dizzy
Young Yo
Sha Tura
Fee Banks
Supa Blanco

They were all young, hungry, and ready to take over the mixtape game. Let’s look at their careers before, during, and after Sqad Up.

The Rise: How Sqad Up Formed & Their Early Careers

Lil Wayne had already been a Cash Money Records artist since he was a kid. By 2001, he wanted to form his own movement. Inspired by street mixtape culture, he created Sqad Up to showcase raw talent from New Orleans.
Gudda Gudda, Kidd Kidd, T-Streets, and Raw Dizzy were some of the first to link up with Wayne. They all had street credibility and freestyle ability that fit right into the mixtape grind.
Fee Banks and Supa Blanco were business-minded members who helped push the movement forward.

At the time, Cash Money Records was shifting, and Wayne was branching out to do things his way. He wasn’t just a Young Money soldier yet—he was building his own empire.

The “SQ” Mixtapes: 2002 – 2003

Between 2002 and 2003, Sqad Up released seven classic tapes:

SQ1 (2002) – The squad introduces their raw talent.
SQ2 (2002) – The chemistry gets tighter.
SQ3 (2002) – Wayne’s lyrical elevation begins.
SQ4 (2002) – More polished flows and punchlines.
SQ5 (2003) – They start gaining serious buzz.
SQ6 (2003) – The transition into Wayne’s solo dominance.
SQ7: 10,000 Bars (2003) – A legendary tape that set the tone for Wayne’s Dedication mixtape series.

Each project showcased Lil Wayne at his hungriest. It was clear he was on the verge of a major breakthrough. Yet, as Wayne was leveling up, Sqad Up as a group started falling apart.

The Fall: Why Sqad Up Disbanded

By 2004, Lil Wayne was fully focused on “Tha Carter” era and had secured himself as a solo force. His sound was evolving beyond the street mixtape vibe, and internal conflicts within Sqad Up led to their split.

Some members felt like they weren’t getting the recognition they deserved.
Others wanted to sign deals outside of Wayne’s shadow.
Wayne was becoming a superstar, and his vision no longer aligned with the group.

Although Sqad Up disbanded, their impact on Wayne’s career was undeniable.

Where Are They Now? Life After Sqad Up

Gudda Gudda

Closest to Wayne, Gudda Gudda transitioned into Young Money Entertainment and stayed loyal to the squad. He appeared on “We Are Young Money” (2009) and kept dropping solo projects like Guddaville. Still active in music, he occasionally drops verses on YMCMB projects.

Kidd Kidd

After leaving Sqad Up, Kidd Kidd linked up with 50 Cent and joined G-Unit in 2014. He had one of the hottest verses on “Hustler’s Ambition” and continued working on solo projects. He’s still active as an independent artist.

T-Streets

A key player in Young Money, T-Streets stayed down with Wayne after the Sqad Up breakup. He appeared on Young Money projects but later took a step back from the spotlight.

Raw Dizzy

Raw Dizzy pursued his solo career and has been dropping music independently, still representing that New Orleans sound.

Fee Banks & Supa Blanco

Both transitioned into business and management behind the scenes. Fee Banks became Wayne’s official manager, playing a huge role in his career moves.

Sha Tura & Young Yo

These members faded from the industry after the group split, but their contributions to the Sqad Up legacy stay.

The Legacy of Sqad Up & Influence on Tha Carter VI

Even though the Sqad Up era ended, its impact on hip-hop is undeniable:

It helped Lil Wayne master his mixtape flow, which led to classics like Dedication 2 & Da Drought 3.
It was an early version of Young Money, proving Wayne can lead a team.
It introduced future stars like Kidd Kidd and Gudda Gudda.

Now, in 2025, Wayne is preparing for his next chapter. He is working on Tha Carter VI. This album will cement his GOAT status. We can see some Sqad Up reunions on the project? Only time will tell.

What’s Next for Lil Wayne? Tha Carter VI & Beyond

🚨 June 6, 2025 – Tha Carter VI Drops! 🚨

Lil Wayne’s next album is one of the most anticipated projects of the year. Will he return to the gritty, raw energy of his Sqad Up days, or will he bring something entirely new? Either way, fans are READY.

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