Season 3 of The Masked Singer: Robot revealed to be Lil Wayne

The first member of The Masked Singer’s supersized season 3 cast has been unmasked and it was a big one. Many were shocked when Robot removed his mask and revealed himself to be none other than rap megastar Lil Wayne.

Season 3 launched following the Superbowl and it didn’t fail to deliver. In a format slightly different from past seasons, the supersized cast of 18 has been broken down into groups that will perform until they have narrowed their numbers and then the surviving members of each group will combine into one group. Group A launched with White Tiger, Llama, Kangaroo, Robot, Turtle, and Miss Monster. Each anonymous singer performed one song and the contestant with the lowest votes was sent packing. This round it was Robot who failed to power up and ultimately was forced to reveal his identity as rapper Lil Wayne.

The panel was more shocked than ever by the reveal. With some wild guesses that turned out to be way off, no one got even close to guessing Lil Wayne. Guest panel member Jamie Fox expressed his embarrassment at not recognizing Lil Wayne’s distinctive voice and his far off guess of Jackass star Steve-O. The most shocked member of the panel was certainly Blurred Lines singer Robin Thicke who noted that he’d collaborated with the rap star at least 5 times in the past. While the panel may have been shocked not all the fans were. Many fans were online during the show adamant that they recognized Lil Wayne’s voice during his performance.

The first time viewers got a glimpse of the Robot costume was in an early promo clip where host Nick Cannon delivered some of the costumes. The robot was delivered to what looked like a country local and someone in cowboy boots. Some think this was a humorous poke at the American Music Awards mix up when they mistakenly sent Lil Wayne several country music awards meant for the country group Little Big Town. Others think it could be a nod to his 2008 CMA Awards performance. But one thing is for sure and that’s they successfully threw fans off who were guessing country music or country cross over stars.

The clues given during the show seemed a little more clearly, to point at the rapper. There were a skateboard and a fire engine. Lil Wayne is an avid skateboarder and had a song called Fireman. The clue package mentioned stunts which pointed to another Lil Wayne hit, Stuntin’ Like My Daddy. Yet a third song was referenced when the Robot said he comes across as inhuman, a nod to Lil Wayne’s song I’m Not Human. A periodic table noting platinum referred to his many platinum albums. But for most who were able to correctly identify the award-winning artist was his distinct voice.

This season has set the bar high when it comes to star power. Lil Wayne is one of the world’s best selling music artists. This has proven that no one is too big to be under one of those masks. While fans were certainly sad to have the five-time Grammy winner leave so soon, it bodes well for things to come. It’s clear The Masked Singer has upped their game and with 18 contestants there is so much left to see. Season 3 premiere was worthy of its post Superbowl slot and they’re just getting started.

The Masked Singer airs Wednesdays at 8pm EST on Fox.