Lil Wayne - 'Tha Carter III' (Cash Money) Released 09/06/08

On fire is exactly what Lil’ Wayne is right now. He’s the go-to-guy to make your shit tighter. Whether it’s a hook or 16 bars, 2008 has undoubtedly been the year of Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.

Starting his career at the young age of 15, witnessing the evolution of Lil’ Wayne has been both a joy and lesson in lyrical progression. His earlier days as a member of the Hot Boys, alongside Juvenile, BG and Turk, were spent spitting bars about bling bling, selling crack and of course… the hoes. The obvious influences as a member of the Cash Money Millionaires rubbed off on Wayne’s early solo work, to the point in fact that some of his debut music seemed a tad monotonous with the inability to grow with time. Fast forward to 2004, a few years after his lackluster ‘500 Degreez’, and out of nowhere the boy done became a man. His hugely successful 2004 album ‘Tha Carter’ brushed off any uneven creative curves and set the standard upon which Wayne’s future endeavors were to be compared to.
 
Now the King of punchlines, Wayne and his scientific flow have catapulted him to the top of today’s most wanted list. Built up as one of the most anticipated hip-hop records of the past five years, ‘Tha Carter III’ is finally here after numerous release date changes and more than enough internet leaks. Life at the top of the game is sweet for the Cash Money veteran, and he’s still only 26.

While it’s not the classic many hip-hop insiders have been predicting, it comes pretty damn close. Standing at 16 tracks in length, the removal of the dire ‘Get Money’, which features T-Pain and was obviously a stab at commercial dominance, and ‘You Ain’t Got Nuthin’ – backed by some confusing Alchemist production, would have put ‘Tha Carter III’ on top of hip-hop. Apart from the occasional lazy lyric and lightweight production – Wayne was reportedly given at least 20 beats from Kanye West but chose to only use two, there is no other reason not to love this album.

Examining other rappers rhyming styles and swagger, Wayne acts as a doctor trying to resurrect some dying hospital patients on ‘Dr. Carter’. Everything from his cocky advice (“Where is your originality?/ You are so fake so picture me like a gallery/ Capture what I say/ All I need is one mic.”) to the unusually smooth Swizz Beatz production will catch the ear of the true rap fan. Continuing in the direction of realness, “Mr. Carter”, a duet with the other Carter, Jay-Z, hears Wayne and Jay rip through a spine tingling beat as if it were paper. Answering the question, “Where have you been?” lines like, “I got summer hating on me cos I’m hotter than the sun/ Got spring hating on me cos I ain’t never sprung,” bring the concentrative fun back to lyricism.

Lil’ Wayne just has a certain swagger about him that cannot be explained. Even when he’s spitting bars with serious meaning he appears to be a little bit arrogant. But that’s precisely why you can’t help but be a fan of the young rhymer. The Robin Thicke assisted ‘Tie My Hands’ is a perfect example of this. A break down of Wayne’s views on the world’s current state, using Hurricane Katrina as a central talking point, the lyrics contained are beautifully executed with passion and power. Thicke’s touching vocals and composed piano riff add to the intensity displayed throughout the track. Even when it’s time to show some love to the ladies Wayne steps up to the mic like Tiger Woods to the 18th tee of the U.S. Masters. ‘Comfortable’ and ‘Mrs. Officer’ have Wayne sounding like LL Cool J in his prime.

‘Tha Carter III’ is the album everybody’s talking about, and rightly so. Premier beats, sharp shooting lyrical content, and a whole heap of confidence, Lil’ Wayne is hip-hop. It’s hard to live up to the kind of hype he’s had to but he’s done a pretty sterling job.