In a September 2008 interview with Shaheem Reid of MTV Mixtape Monday, Lil Wayne revealed that he had begun work on his next official mixtape, Dedication 3 (2008) and also confirmed a sequel to Tha Carter III, titled Tha Carter IV.
The album became the highest selling of the year in the United States.
The album sold 1,005,545 copies in its first week of sales in the United States, and produced three top ten singles in the US, including the number one-hit " Lollipop". In June 2008, after a similarly delayed release, Lil Wayne released his previous album in the Tha Carter series, Tha Carter III (2008). The album received generally mixed reviews from music critics, who were divided in their responses towards the album's production and Wayne's own performances on the album, finding it to be a disappointment compared to his previous work. Tha Carter IV debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week-sales of 964,000 copies in the United States and became Lil Wayne's third album to debut at number one. Appearances on the album include Cory Gunz, Drake, T-Pain, Tech N9ne, Andre 3000, Rick Ross, John Legend, Bruno Mars, Birdman, Kevin Rudolf, Jadakiss, Bun B, Nas, Shyne, and Busta Rhymes.įollowing a heavily delayed release, Tha Carter IV was released to digital retailers at midnight on August 28, 2011, following Wayne's scheduled performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, and physical retailers received the album the following day. The album's largely concerns the themes of sex, violence, drugs and crime, but also love, hurt and emotional conflict. The recording sessions resumed at various locations, involving several record producers including Bangladesh, Detail, T-Minus, Noah "40" Shebib, Polow da Don, Jim Jonsin, Kane Beatz, Boi-1da, Willy Will, Streetrunner, Cool & Dre, Young Ladd, The Smeezingtons, and Kanye West. The latter was reportedly composed from unreleased material from the original Tha Carter IV sessions, as the album was released whilst Wayne served a prison sentence at Rikers Island prison for illegal possession of a weapon, and was thus unable to record any new material: this also meant Tha Carter IV's recording sessions were once more put on hold.įollowing Wayne's release from prison, the album was re-recorded from scratch.
In the interim, Lil Wayne released his two other albums in 2010: the largely rock-themed Rebirth, and I Am Not a Human Being. Recording sessions for the album began in late 2008, shortly after Lil Wayne's sixth studio album, Tha Carter III (2008) was released to strong sales and critical acclaim: however, the sessions were put on hold, as Lil Wayne claimed he did not want to follow an album he held in high regard so quickly with another, potentially inferior release. Nicki Minaj: I fly with the stars in the skies I am no longer trying to survive I believe that life is a prize But to live doesn't mean you're alive Don't worry bout me and who I fire I get what I desire it's my empire And yes I call the shots I am the umpire I sprinkle holy water upon a vampire, vampire And this very moment I'm king This very moment I slay Goliath with a sling This very moment I bring Put it on everything that I will retire with the ring And I will retire with the crown, yes! No I'm not lucky I'm blessed, yes! Clap for the heavyweight champ, me! But I couldn't do it all alone, we! Young Money raised me, grew up out in Paisley Southside Jamaica, Queens and it's crazy Cuz I'm still hood, Hollywood couldn't change me Shout out to my haters, sorry that you couldn't faze me Aint being cocky we just vindicated, best believe that when were done This moment will be syndicated, I don't know this night just reminds me Of everything that they deprived me of, kuhh! Ppppp put ya drinks up, it's a celebration every time we link up We done did everything they can think of Greatness is what we wanna brink up.Tha Carter IV is the ninth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne, released on August 29, 2011, through Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Republic Records.