US rapper Lil' Wayne is recording a new rock album, a fellow hip-hop star has revealed.

Rapper Drake told MuchNews that he was set to appear on the project, which is being seen as a dramatic departure for the star.

"Wayne's coming out with a new album, it's a rock album. A complete rock album. I have a song on there,” he said.

Drake said Lil' Wayne had been inspired to try a different direction by Kanye West's latest album '808s and Heartbreak', which sees West favour singing instead rapping.

"It’s something different in just that whole '808s and Heartbreak', just throwing individuals off,” Drake said.

Lil' Wayne's last album, 2008's 'Tha Carter III', sold one million copies in its opening week last summer.

The rapper, who is currently on a US tour, said recently he hoped to re-release the project with new tracks.

Lil' Wayne live