Tha Carter V

Tha Carter V
Studio album by Lil Wayne
Released	2017
Recorded	2012–Present
Label	Young Money, Republic
Producer	Lil Wayne (exec.) Cortez Bryant (exec.) Mannie Fresh A.Jayones Kanye West Boi-1da Da Internz DJ Mustard DVLP Honorable C.N.O.T.E. Infamous London on da Track Travis Scott Calvin Harris David Guetta Swizz Beatz
Lil Wayne chronology
No Ceilings 2 (2015) Tha Carter V Funeral

Tha Carter V is the upcoming twelfth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne. The album is scheduled to be released by Young Money Entertainment and Republic Records. However, due to issues with Cash Money Records, the album currently remains unreleased. However, according to sources, Lil Wayne is in the talks with another record label and is planning to release the album sometime in 2017.

Background

In November 2012, Lil Wayne announced The Carter V would be his final album,^[1][2] who he previously stated he would retire at the age of 35; he explained that he had four kids and he "would feel selfish still going to the studio when it's such a vital point in their lives".^[3] In April 2014, Wayne addressed his Carter V release: "I personally plan on this being my final solo album, yes, and it's definitely the final Carter album. It's the final Carter album. It's stopping at five. I didn't smile when I said it...I plan on it being my final solo album. Whenever I have to pitch in for a Young Money album, a Like Father, Like Son album and something like that and maybe something out the blue, but the way I'm working on this album, it's to me, the way it seems like now, it seems like it'll be impossible for me to work this hard again for anything else."^[4]

In May 2014, when asked about Tha Carter V, Lil Wayne said the album is all about "growth" and that his music is "supposed to be personal": "Tha Carter V is about growth, flat-out. My thoughts are wiser. I still say what I want to say—it just sounds better and makes more sense. That all comes with growth and maturity. I never try to send messages through music. Music is about self. It's supposed to be personal, a reflection of me, unless you have somebody writing it for you, and everybody know I'm not that artist. I'm not sending a message because that message may not get across. Whatever message you take from it is your choice."^[5]

In July 2014, in an interview with XXL, he spoke about the album, saying: "I was feeling the success of Tha Carter I. I felt like people wanted to hear me. I was amped to do that, but then Tha Carter III? I don't know what happened. It was amazing. And then Tha Carter IV was just unexplainable, and now this one here, there's no words. I just hope everyone likes it. I'm always feeling like I ain't done shit. I'm still nervous about Tha Carter V...But I'm confident about what I do, though I'm still nervous about what people think."^[6]

Recording and production

In May 2014, Lil Wayne's longtime record producer, former Cash Money artist Mannie Fresh, announced he would be reuniting with Wayne on Tha Carter V.^[7] The collaboration marks the first time in 10 years that Fresh and Wayne worked together, not since 2004, when Wayne released Tha Carter and Fresh subsequently severed ties with the Cash Money Records.^[8] Also in May 2014, Atlanta-based rapper and producer Soulja Boy, who previously produced "Wowzerz" from I Am Not a Human Being II (2013) for Lil Wayne, announced he was working with Wayne on the fifth installment of Tha Carter series.^[9] In June 2014, Atlanta-based record producer Mike Will Made It, revealed "I got three records with Lil Wayne for Tha Carter V".^[10] In July 2014, Lil Wayne's frequent collaborator DVLP, confirmed he produced songs for Tha Carter V.^[11] While on the red carpet of the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards in California on August 24, West Coast hip hop producer DJ Mustard, confirmed to MTV that Lil Wayne will be rapping over one of his beats on the album.^[12]

Release and promotion

In July 2012, Lil Wayne has said the album would be released in 2013.^[13] On February 10, 2014, Lil Wayne's Young Money signee, Canadian recording artist Drake, tweeted "CARTER V".^[14] On October 18, 2013, Cash Money Records' Vice President of Promotion Mel Smith, tweeted: "Happy Friday!! New YMCMB music coming soon!! Carter 5."^[15] On February 15, 2014, during the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities at Sprite's NBA All-Star concert at the House of Blues in New Orleans, Lil Wayne appeared as a special guest during Drake's set and performed various hits. Wayne and Drake then broke the news that Tha Carter V is set to be released on May 5, 2014.^[16] On March 27, 2014, Wayne's manager Cortez Bryant, would announce that the album had been delayed.^[17][18]

On April 28, 2014, Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant revealed what some speculated would be Tha Carter V album cover, via online photo-sharing and social networking service Instagram.^[4][19] Talking with ESPN, Wayne spoke about using athletes to promote the album, such as Kobe Bryant: "'Carter V Season' was all Kobe," Lil Wayne said when asked about Bryant's contribution. "He came up with it. I saw that and thought, 'That's dope as hell,' so that's what we're calling the [album] campaign. I thanked him. Then we thought about Floyd."^[5][20] In July 2014, in an interview with MTV News, Wayne spoke about when the album would be released, saying: "I'm so not good with that. I think it drops either in September and then we have…ah I can't tell you the sneak thing. Anyway, yeah, I think it drops in September or August."^[21]

From August to September 2014, Lil Wayne embarked on a concert tour alongside Drake, billed Drake Vs. Lil Wayne.^[22][23] On August 14, 2014, Lil Wayne appeared on ESPN's First Take, where he unveiled the cover art for Tha Carter V, which features Wayne's mother: "It's perfect," Wayne said. "I always go with a baby picture. I wanted to go with one with my mama this time...To have my mom on there is more than an accomplishment. It's an achievement."^[24] During the ESPN interview, Wayne also announced that the album would be released on October 28, 2014.^[25] On October 28, 2014, Wayne released a Public Service Announcement (PSA), where he revealed the album was delayed due to the album's tentative tracklist having over 31 songs. During the PSA, he stated that he worked too hard and refuses to cheat his fans and himself, therefore he came up with a way to give his fans every song he has recorded for the album, announcing: "the first part of the Carter V album will be dropping December 9. Stay tuned for the next part of the album".^{[26][27][28][29]}

On December 4, 2014, just five days before the album was due to be released, Wayne issued a statement saying the album would not be released on its expected release date, due to his displeasure with Cash Money Records label-boss Birdman, not wanting to release the album although it had been completed. Wayne also expressed his feelings by stating he felt both he and his creativity were being held "prisoner".^[30][31] On January 20, 2015, Wayne self-released Sorry 4 the Wait 2, a mixtape to compensate for the continued delay of Tha Carter V. It is the sequel to 2011's Sorry 4 the Wait, which served for the same purpose during the delay of his ninth album, Tha Carter IV (2011).^[32][33] Upon Sorry for the Wait 2's release, it was noted Wayne disses Birdman and Cash Money Records, several times throughout the mixtape.^[34][35][36] Birdman was reported to be upset with this.^[37]

Singles

The album's first single, "Believe Me" was serviced to mainstream urban radio in the United States on May 6, 2014. The song features guest vocals from Canadian rapper and Young Money label-mate Drake.^[38][39] On July 2, 2014, the song "Krazy", was released as the album's second single.^[40] On August 11, 2014, the music video was released for "Krazy".^[41] The other collaborative track between Wayne and Drake, titled "Grindin", impacted US rhythmic contemporary radio on August 26, 2014, as the album's third single.^[42][43]

On October 28, 2014, immediately after addressing the album's delay and revealing its new release date. Wayne then released a song, titled "Gotti", which features guest appearances from East Coast hip hop group The Lox.^[44] On November 23, 2014, Lil Wayne premiered a new single, titled "Start a Fire" at the 42nd American Music Awards ceremony, which he performed alongside the song's featured artist and his Cash Money label-mate Christina Milian.^[45] The song was released via digital distribution.^[46][47]

References