Lil Wayne – Tha Carter VI (Album Review)

Lil Wayne’s “Tha Carter VI” starts with promise… then falls into chaos and randomness.

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TOP 5

5. Written History

Lil Wayne leans a little too heavily on the word “n***a” in “Written History,” but beyond that, the track hits. The production is powerful, featuring an epic sample in the beginning that gives the song real cinematic weight. Wayne’s lyrics touch on fatherhood, his work ethic, and his competitiveness, delivered with a consistent flow that keeps the track locked in from start to finish.

Even the chorus works, fitting seamlessly into the mood of the record. To me, this feels like a sign-off—a mic-drop moment where Wayne surveys the game and reminds everyone of who he is.

4. Hip-Hop (Ft. BigXthaPlug & Jay Jones)

BigXthaPlug might just be the MVP of this album, which is extremely sad. His carefree, gangsta chorus on “Hip-Hop” is one of the few moments where the project actually feels modern. The hook hits especially hard over the bouncy, booming production, bringing an infectious energy that’s been missing from much of the album.

As for Lil Wayne, he gives us a couple of blah verses focused on his favorite types of vajayjay, sipping codeine, and shooting people. By the end of his second verse, it literally sounds like he’s about to call an Uber and dip. To be fair, he rides the beat well, but there’s not much beyond that.

Honestly, Jay Jones might’ve beaten Wayne here. His verse at the end is packed with energy, and his flow feels sharper and more purposeful. Damn.

3. Sharks (Ft. Jelly Roll & Big Sean)

I feel like s**t putting “Sharks” in my top 5. Why? Because it’s easily the most formulaic track on the project. But let’s be real—compared to the other disasters on this album, it’s probably the most complete and enjoyable song here.

Jelly Roll delivers a roaring, high-energy chorus that sticks, backed by an edgy, dark beat that gives the song weight. Big Sean shows up with a sharp, emotionally-charged verse, rapping like he’s got a serious chip on his shoulder and calling out everyone who’s ever tried to doubt him.

And as for Lil Wayne… wait a second—he was on this track? When? Nah, in all seriousness, his verse was alright. I like the emotions he raps with on it, as well as his vulnerable moments. But he’s definitely not the guy who makes it go.

*2. Momma Don’t Worry (Ft. Lil Baby & Future)

I swear, if the original version of Tha Carter VI had this much soul, it probably would’ve just been bad, not God-awful.

This track hits different. Future delivers a deeply emotional hook that immediately pulls you in. Lil Baby follows with a personal verse that’s both heartfelt and gritty, touching on conversations with his grandmother and the relentless hustle that defines him. Then there’s Lil Wayne—he opens his verse with his iconic lighter flick, setting the tone. Instead of doing too much, he opts for a steady flow and clever bars, speaking candidly about his father, getting a gun at a young age, and learning how to navigate a ruthless world.

This isn’t just another track—it’s real and raw as s**t. And if more of Tha Carter VI sounded like this, we’d be having a much different conversation about the album.

1. Welcome to Tha Carter

Do you know how excited I got hearing “Welcome to Tha Carter?” I genuinely thought it was a sign that this album would showcase a vintage Lil Wayne performance. I was wronger than using the word wronger in a sentence.

I absolutely love the soulful hook and impactful production that drives the song. As for Wayne, he raps with the kind of energy we heard on “Mr. Carter,” going in on everything from his drug use to devouring other rappers. In the first verse, he locks into a wild rhyme scheme using the same syllable repeatedly, and in the second, he leans into animated deliveries and punchy flows that show he’s still got it.

Tracks like this make you wish the whole album followed the same blueprint. This is the direction that could’ve elevated the project into something special. Oh well.

SONG-BY-SONG RATING

1. King Carter (N/A)

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OVERALL RATING

(63%)

Sigh…

No matter how this album is received, Lil Wayne isn’t leaving my top 3 rappers list. (You know things are bad when I have to start my conclusion like that.)

But here’s the truth: If any other artist dropped this album, you’d be throwing tomatoes at them.

Tha Carter VI opens strong with tracks like “Welcome To Tha Carter,” where Wayne rides a heroic beat and soulful vocals with purpose. But as the album progresses, it completely loses its direction—falling into gimmicky territory, with tracks that feel formulaic, random guest features, beats that sound like they were picked out of a playlist labeled “experimental leftovers” (I’m really not trying to hear Wayne rap over opera), and lazy choruses that don’t stick.

The one constant? Wayne’s rapping ability is still sharp. He can still craft clever punchlines, flow like no one else, and bring charisma to almost any verse. But meaningful lyrics are rare here, and when he tries to sing? Let’s just say it doesn’t always land.

Honestly, I’m very okay with never listening to this album again.

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