Carter featuring Jay-Z (Produced by Infamous) I was expecting to hear something huge like the intro on Jay-Z’s Dynasty album or Kanye’s Graduation.Ģ. Wayne’s freestyle, although impressive with a few lines, fails to set the stage of what Tha Carter 3 is about. This is a 2008 Birdman Jr and works poorly as an intro track. Now enough of the knit picking, check out the break down.

Weezy’s dependence on performance enhancing drugs and the kind of sympathy he evokes for being addicted to sizzurp are classic symptoms of CB4its (a common disease affecting most rappers causing them to get into more trouble then they did prior to becoming a famous rapper). In other words, there is no narrative that people can identify with him, and his “kid rapper” story is analogous to Lil Bow Wow and Lil Romeo. He’s been signed to a major label since he was 13, so his tales of struggle, drug dealing, and killing (note: 4 tear drop tats), are unbelievable. You see Lil Wayne has everything going for him, except a compelling life story. Unfortunately, this is the major draw back of this album, as Wayne tries to hard to force himself into the Holy Trinity of Hip Hop (Jay-Z/Nas, Biggie, and Tupac) by making sub-par serious tracks. Since The Block is Hot to Wayne’s recent guest appearances Lil Wayne proved he could have the most fun on tracks, with Tha Carter 3, Wayne trades fun for serious.

After all the “Best Rapper Alive” talk, a series of East coast (Read: Jay-Z) influenced rhymes showcased on the mixtape circuit, a feud with Philly hood rapper Gillie, and making guest appearances on every single song in 2007/08, all eyes are on Weezy to prove beyond a reasonable doubt he’s the GRA (Greatest Rapper Alive).Īlthough, this album is Lil Wayne’s best work to date, the main thing missing from this album is the fun. We prefer to say that most hip hop heads are just waiting for Lil Wayne to “show and prove”. Saying this is the most highly anticipated album of the year is an understatement that other reviewers will likely use to describe Tha Carter 3.

Best Songs: Got Money, Playin’ With Fire, Shoot Me Down

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