Mona Lisa

About this song

The song was originally recorded in 2014, appearing on a tentative tracklist for Carter V that Wayne previewed in October 2014. A snippet surfaced in 2017 when Martin Shkreli played part of it live on Periscope, and the version he played later leaked in September 2019 along with the rest of the original album. Karrine Steffans, also known as Superhead, confirmed in a BET Digital interview shortly after the release that the lyrics bore similarities to her relationship with Wayne.

What it's about

The song tells the story of Liz, a deceptive woman who sets her boyfriend up for a robbery. Liz is compared to the Mona Lisa because the painting's smile can be read as disingenuous, and Wayne and Kendrick play the two sides of the story as the robber and the boyfriend.

Fun facts

• Samples “Psycho Bitch III by Tech N9ne (Ft. Hopsin)”.
• Sampled in 1 other song, like “Left To Right by Lupe Fiasco”.
• Written by Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Infamous and ONHEL.
• Produced by Infamous.
• Recorded at YM Studios.