3.5/5
Wayne's World
Get Carter. Because he's back. Lil' Tunechi. Lil' Wayne. Weezy F. Baby. Please say the "baby". And it may be the last time, for the first time since 'The Funeral' of 2020. Or 2023's collaborative album with 2 Chainz ('Welcome 2 Collegrove'). The sinister sixth instalment of 'Tha Carter' series, for the best one since Shawn, is one of the most stellar in a set which hit its peak in its trilogy, highlighted by a 'Lollipop' tour of the Las Vegas strip with the late, great Static Major (rest peacefully). Now for Dwayne Carter's fourteenth album, he brings out the big guns, as the block is hot again with skateboards and guitars for the rock star who is also not a human being. Seven years since 'Tha Carter V', this sixth sense seals the deal for one of the best rap runs for the record.
Since the reunion with Nicki Minaj and Drake and the beef with Birdman, Weezy has been busy. He gave us 'Tha Fix Before Tha VI' as he continued to make monumental mixtapes, and he also reacted to a Superbowl snub in his hometown New Orleans with a commercial for his classic home run. Recently he's been trying to clear Billie Eilish samples, and move on from this album's production partner, Kanye West, due to his own controversies. Even without two of the biggest names in the industry, another one still does the business. BigXthaPlug and Jay Jones show they are 'Hip-Hop' on a track as such. Whilst the grillz jaws of Wayne get their teeth into a monster collaboration, swimming with the 'Sharks' of Jelly Roll and Big Sean. The 'Collegrove' connection with 2 Chainz is back again on the sweet, single made 'Cotton Candy', but there's a real reunion with Hot Boy Mannie Fresh on 'Bein Myself'. Meanwhile, Lil Novi arrives on 'Mula Komin In' and Kameron Carter shows he's one on 'Rari'. Like father, like son.
There may be 'No Love' on another great Eminem collaboration (we can't wait for those two to 'Drop The World' again), however 'Alone In The Studio With My Gun', there is one with MGK and Kodack Black for your snap. Still, from taking the crown as 'King Carter', to rocking the 'Bells' like LL, Wayne shows he is still a part of 'Written History' when it comes to rap's legacy. He doesn't need any help, he can release almost 20 track albums all by himself, like Celine Dion. His response record, 'Banned From NO', helps prove that as he 'Welcome(s) (us) To Tha Carter' once again. The rest is just 'Peanuts 2 N Elephant', as the tattooed child returns for 'Illmatic' like album art, even if ears would have Dumbo on this track. The biggest blockbuster collaborations come from outside the hip-hop sphere, for some of the best records on the LP. U2's Bono is back for 'The Days' after his work on DMX's posthumous album. Whilst Andrea Bocelli gives us the operatic love of 'Maria', along with Wyclef, who did that twice with a 'Supernatural' Santana. The Fugee giving us his best Wayne's world collaboration since the priceless mixtape gem 'Operate On Me'.
"I'm lit off the stove, you ain't gotta reheat it/I been getting dough, I just had to redeem it/I just talked to Hov and he told me he seen me/Funny, heard the same thing when I talked to Stevie, damn," Wayne raps on 'Flex Up' as he pushes rhymes like Ice Cube weight. Going against anybody, whatever the weather. Drizzy or not. The villain gets his 'Loki's Theme' revenge, as the God trickster has plenty of magic up his sleeve. Although a little off-key with his 'Island In The Sun' sample, Weezer F. Baby makes light work of 'Island Holiday's' harmony refrain on a green album classic, asking "What you drinkin', baby (sip, sip)". At this point, the rap God and rock star is playing with us as he ponders, 'If I Played Guitar'. Knowing, damn well ('Rebirth'), that he does. "She be playing mind games and I'm a master minder/I'm a sucker for love, but I ain't pacifier/But I can't deny ya, I'm a man on fire/She's a man-eater and I was just an appetizer/But if s### get out of hand, I keep sanitizer/She said, "I'm too hot for your ass," and now my pants on fire". Keeping those relationship records on point. We hope this isn't the break-up, like Young Thug releasing the name change of 'Barter 6' in his honour. But if this really is it, like 'The Days' being used in the NBA Finals too, Wayne still wins. Hitting big like Tyrese Haliburton. Now, he's the real MVP, OK? TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'Bells', 'The Days (Feat. Bono)', 'Maria (Feat. Wyclef & Andrea Bocelli)'.
Spin This: Lil'Wayne - 'Tha Carter IV'
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