Ahhh, mixed opinions about lil Wayne here, you are correct about him "being out for hits" but I can't really judge him on that, as most rappers now are just going for hits, not meaningful music.
I'm more of a rock/post-hardcore kid myself, but I have to admit that I have some rap on my iPod, and he is on there=)
He seems to sample off all other styles, and mix it into something unique, which I give him props on, he is enormously successful, and I think he will continue to be, atleast until something new and "better" comes along.