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After years of delays, Lil WaynesTha Carter Visfinally out.
But what can looking back at the previous four installments tell us about Wayne as an artist?
About how hes evolved, and what his entire career means?
Vulture editors Sam Hockley-Smith and Dee Lockett got together with Vulture music critic Craig Jenkins to discuss.
What does theCarterseries mean in the context of Lil Waynes entire discography?
Is he trying to do something specific with those albums?
Dee Lockett:Well.
Sam Hockley-Smith:I agree with that.
Craig Jenkins:I think the answer to the question is in the name.
To me, that makes the albums a little stiff and the tapes sorta wild.
It almost doesnt matter if its true or not.
What is your favoriteCarteralbum?
(A.k.a.The Drought Is Over 2for you Datpiff heads.)
The finished album came out too mannered and sporty for my tastes.
(Theres a palpable jock jam quality to the first twoCarterprojects that keeps me away.)
Diamonds and Girls outdoes the incredible Camron song that also flipped Princes Diamonds and Pearls.
Theres solid boom bap like La La La and based madness like I Feel Like Dying.
The range is incredible.C3as it exists now isnt nearly as fun or funny.
The less is said aboutC4, the better.
Great interludes, beautiful interludes.
Sam:Tha Carter IIIis not my favorite, but its a close second.
It certainly seemed like Wayne was able to translate some of the manic energy of his mixtapes there.
It also arrived at the peak of Waynes fame.
Wayne packing the album out with radio rap like Mrs. Like several attempts at recapturing what happened with Shooter.
For my tastes, it needed more Let the Beat Build and Shoot Me Down and La La.
Maybe that wouldnt have sold as much.
Dee:I rock withTha Carter II.
The versatility and range Craig describes of theC3leak is I think whatC2was building the bridge for.
This all on an album that barely concerned itself with hooks.
Craig:I wish more Wayne albums concerned themselves less with hooks.
Sam:Its pretty fascinating to think back on the response toC2.
Again, weird to think about now!
Hes always been a great rapper.
Craig:Theres some regional divide at work here, maybe.
break nationwide, and Texas rap goes nuclear.
Sam:That timing is really important, but secondary to Waynes undeniable skill as a rapper.
Craig:Oh, its definitely talent that grew him from the firstCarterto the second.
But not there yet.
He was still so young.
Sam:Speaking ofTha Carter 1 thats the one I will always ride for.
Does it hold up for you guys or is that a roadblock?
Dee:I …. do not like (most) Mannie Fresh.
Craig:Do you like his beat selection since parting ways with Mannie Fresh?
I think my biggest issue with Wayne is what he chooses to rap over.
And the poop bars.
Dee:Very rarely.
Wayne has a terrible ear for beats.
Hes not even in the top 20.
But thats just me!
Weve all talked up our favorite Carter albums, and seem to be avoiding discussingC4entirely.
Craig:C4andI Am Not a Human BeingandRebirthare where Waynes distaste for edits finally turns into a liability.
Theyre also the nadir of his issues with picking beats and caring too much about hooks.
Its all gristle, all the other albums little faults combined.
I feel for Wayne fans the way I felt for people who love Star Wars afterPhantom Menace.
We have to see where the story goes, but expectations are just so low.
MaybeC4is a gift in that respect.
Theres very littleC5could do to be worse.
Well,C4s not all gristle.
Bless Nightmares of the Bottom.
I also agree with Craig.
Wayne got it in his head that he could do whatever he wanted after achieving peak cultural saturation.
I also think Wayne burnt out.
I get the sense that Wayne has fallen out of love with rap.
Nothing wrong with that.
So much ofTha Carter IVsounded like an echo of Wayne in his prime.
Maybe thatll work.Tha Carteris a project about summation, not innovation.
