Album Review: Tha Carter V is far and away the most vulnerable and introspective work of Lil Wayne’s career
Let me start with a disclaimer that may trigger some people. I’ve never been a huge Lil’ Wayne fan.
Punchline, braggadocios rap has never appealed to me, and that’s where Weezy was at his best. While I understand why people are crazy about Wayne, he’s never hit me in a particularly profound way.
Now, I only say that to say this: I can still name about 20 Lil’ Wayne songs that I love. That’s how much of an impact he’s had on the genre over the past 20 years, and the fact that he’s still making music in 2018 is a beautiful thing.
So of course I was excited about The Carter V. I, too, was tricked by the false rumors that the album was dropping a week ago, and I waited up Thursday night to make sure I heard it immediately. If nothing else, Lil’ Wayne is a legend of the rap game, and I’m always going to support the OGs.
I expected some clever bars and solid production and hoped for something that was at least tolerable, as I’d be undoubtedly listening to it at every party I attend over the next year or so.
I didn’t expect to love it. But I did.
We’re faced with this question all the time. How does an aging rapper avoid becoming a joke in the latter years of his career? In a genre that’s so intertwined with being a cool, young trendsetter, how can a middle-aged man be taken seriously as the face of hip hop?
The answer is evolution.
Tha Carter V is far and away the most vulnerable and introspective album of Lil Wayne’s career. It’s an incredibly painful reflection on what a lifetime of fame and fortune can amount to. It’s evident from the opening of the very first song, “Don’t Cry”:
“Staring into the clouds, am I rising or are they comin’ down / I see death around the corner, and the U-turn sign’s lookin’ like a smile / What do I do now? Who gon’ find me how, nowhere to turn but around and round / Just another nigga that done lost his head, no a fucking king that lost his crown.”
These troubled thoughts are book-ended by the closing of the final song, “Let It All Work Out,” where he opens up about his suicide attempt at 12-years old:
“Too much was on my conscience to be smart about it / Too torn apart about it, I aimed where my heart was pounding / I shot it and I woke up with blood all around me / It’s mine, I didn’t die but as I was dying / God came to my side and we talked about it / He sold me another life and he made a prophet.”
The double-meaning of that last line is just one example of the clever lyricism throughout this album. It’s a long, dense track list with a seemingly bottomless slew of puns and creative flow. But again, it’s the overall message that really won me over. That’s what separates The Carter V from previous projects.
If you came for the bangers, they’re there too. “Dedicate” and “Open Safe” stay fun while featuring some of the best lines on the album. The Travis Scott-assisted “Let It Fly” was my early favorite and I particularly loved the story telling by Wayne and Kendrick Lamar on “Mona Lisa”.
But there was truly something for everyone here. That’s the biggest take away. And I don’t mean every Lil’ Wayne fan. If you love hip hop – new school or old – you will find something to love in this album. The fact that Kanye’s Yandhi is dropping tonight as well…
What a year for hip hop.
