Lil Wayne releases Tha Carter V as a statement

After a lengthy legal battle with Cash MoneyRecords for ownership over YMCMB and the rights to his music, Lil Wayne finally releases The Carter V. Receiving mixed reviews from the blogs to the audience, I wasn’t sure what to expect; however after carefully listening to the album I have to give it an 8 out of 10; the album delivers in diversity, content, and overall quality. Lil Wayne has always been creative in his delivery and flow but emphasizing on his lyrical abilities is a statement to the hip hop culture. As the creator of dominating almost a decade of hip hop by featuring and releasing the most music, allowed Wayne to shape the industry. Tha Carter V not so much a farewell or a comeback, but a concrete middle between the two. 

In songs like "Mona Lisa" which features Kendrick Lamar, Wayne proves that he's not afraid of a challenge; this his way of battling the head honcho of the hip hop community. The second you see the track you instantly think; can Lil Wayne keep up with KDot? In his unique way he shows respect to Kendrick, while passively putting him in his place, but knowing that Kendrick is at top of hip hop. He also introduces his daughter Reginae Carter as a singer, while the rest of the album features both older and newer artist like; Snoop Dogg, Ashanti, Travis Scott, Xxxtentacion, and more.    

Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter V is the perfect demonstration of how to be unique. Although critics have expressed confusion of whether this five-year wait was worth it or not, fans of Wayne’s stands at his side. Tha Carter V is by far the most intimate album of Lil Wayne’s entire career; if you didn’t understand him before you should now. Wayne weighs in on the pressures he’s experienced post success and knowing his impact on an entire generation. Some have said that he’s trying too hard to fit in with the newer generation, but he defined and helped mold the generation. This “sound” that critics have yet to accurately label; the mixture of singing, rapping, and slurring dates to the original Carter. Which is why artist like Drake and Kendrick Lamar credits Wayne as a primary influence. 

During a Karen Civil interview in 2012 Kendrick says "“The craziest thing about Wayne, what people don’t understand is that you get a lot of younger cats that’s listening to him now and feel he’s a new artist,” he said. “I go all the way back to the Hot Boys days and being 13, listening to this dude. Just remembering the staple, he put on the game back then all the way to now, to have that longevity years beyond it. For him to actually acknowledge what I’m doing right now and seeing it as a path, the same way the longevity he created, it’s a great feeling to share that same stage and a moment with him. Wayne ain’t no new jack to this game. He influenced a lot of styles and a lot of sounds. I would say I was influenced by a certain sound and flow and cadence that he brung to the game.”

One of my favorite lines from Lil Wayne is "Mr. Carter" off Tha Carter 3 "next time you mention Pac, Biggie, and Jay-Z, don't forget to mention Weezy Baby," because at this point in his career he knew he was legendary, and that he was. Audiences continue debates on who’s the next “it” factor, because who were the fan favorites are now cements of the music industry who have achieved the highest stature. So, this idea that you can compare any newer artist who have yet to scratch the surface of accomplishments is asinine. The only thing an upcoming artist can strive for is using their individuality to create a unique platform incomparable to an icon or wait until they retire or die. Either way we’re in a pivotal period where everyone including the living legends wants something new.