Tha Carter IV
| Lil Wayne
Tha Carter IV
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 Republic Records.[1] 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. In the interim, Lil Wayne released his two other albums in 2010: the largely rock-themed Rebirth, and I Am Not a Human Being. 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. - Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
Lil Wayne finally attempts to reassert his hip-hop supremacy with Tha Carter IV. Rating:
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Rolling Stone
Wayne knows it’s not 2007 anymore. But the high points here prove he’s already looking ahead to the future.
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The New York Times
Rapper returns, with punch lines but little soul.
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Consequence of Sound
Tha Carter IV was pretty bad by comparison– and that you and I still adore him the same today as we did in 2008.
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NME
There are things that are unforgivable, like Lil Wayne being boring.
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Genius
I have long defended this as one of Weezy’s best projects, and never quite understood the hate it has received.
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AV Music
With the rapper so off his game, Carter IV would be a letdown even without the high expectations of its title, yet the album is too well-curated to be a complete flop.
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IGN
Fourth album in series not quite up to par with the highs of III.
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Pretty Much Amazing
There was a point in time when Lil Wayne was untouchable. This is not that time.
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Chicago Tribune
Once Wayne used to hop on other rappers’ tracks and blow them away. Now his guests magnify his lack of engagement.
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BBC
An average Lil Wayne album still outshines the efforts of many a contemporary.
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All Music
On Tha Carter IV, Wayne’s world feels more like a dream than reality, but the loyal subjects of Young Money get a wild ride and the great feeling of flashing those ruby slippers one more time.
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Tiny Mix Tapes
We know he’s capable of better.
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Rap & Hip-Hop Amino
Wayne has always had talent but he doesn’t always use them and that’s one of the main issues.
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The Quietus
Ultimately, it is a lazy rap record that still has had the right to unplug President Carter's bottomless piggy bank.
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The Washington Post
Let's pray he hasn't settled into mediocrity for good.
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Hiphopdx
On what is Lil Wayne’s ninth studio album, there’s very little of the spontaneity you would expect from someone whose calling card is non-written, unrehearsed, free-associative rhymes.
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Sputnik Music
Tha Carter IV takes all of Wayne's divergent paths– established rapper, vital pop star, failed rock star– and juxtaposes all of them on one album.
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The National Post
It’s simply just a very solid album from one of the best rappers around.
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Lil Wayne HQ
I knew this album was going to be mainstream, but it was way too mainstream for my taste.
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The Know
Wayne is the sole captain of “Tha Carter IV,” and that kind of limited scope has its drawbacks.
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XXL Magazine
Even with some lack of vulnerability and risk, Tha Carter IV displays the nonsensical approach that fans have grown to love.
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LA Times
For any other rapper, “Carter IV” would be respectable, if rote.
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NOW Toronoto
Overall, Lil Wayne just sounds depressive throughout.
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Soul in Stereo
I think Tha Carter IV will win back those fans who were beginning to lose faith in Weezy.
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Paste Magazine
It almost seems silly wishing it was a better record, and I’m sure he does have better records in him, but I don’t think they’ll be coming from the same iteration that made him famous.
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The Art of Rap Music
Overall "Tha Carter IV' serves up as a good appetizer but fans were hoping for the main course.
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Entertainment Weekly
Wayne’s latest album, Tha Carter IV, is a collection of hits and misses.
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Pop Matters
Wherein this writer says farewell to a staple of his childhood and college years, and this rapper says farewell to all of what made him so ear-catching for so many years.
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Rollingout
Overall, Tha Carter IV is an adequate piece of work.
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Pop Crush
It's a solid effort but not better than his previous disc 'Tha Carter III.'
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RUKUS Magazine
It’s no hip-hop classic like Tha Carter II, but it is still a good album.
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Slant Magazine
The repetition and the generally sluggish pace of delivery make it clear that Wayne’s not in exhilarating top form.
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Parle Magazine
The collection will probably garner Wayne some platinum for its rhymes and guest stars but does not equate to the bling he’s shined on the public thus far.
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Off Beat Magazine
Tha Carter IV is still a serviceable effort from the ever-entertaining performer, but the project is a far cry from the works that made Wayne the most sought-after musician in the country.
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UWire
“Tha Carter IV” reveals Lil Wayne’s ability to rise above the youngsters of the rap world.
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Beats per Minute
On Carter IV he is reduced to playing showtunes versions of himself.
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The Line of Best Fit
For those of us who were holding out hope that this would be the moment that Wayne would reestablish himself as The Best Rapper Alive, Tha Carter IV is a disappointment.
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SQ Magazine
Lil Wayne is back with an impressive addition to his previous three Carter albums, with the latest addition taking the listener on a trip through the last two years of Wayne’s world.
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