Today: Feb 11, 2025

Music Review: Lil Wayne- Tha Carter IV

Lil Wayne — Tha Carter IV

JON MORENOArts and Entertainment Editor 

 


1.“Intro” – A decent introduction to an abysmal album, Lil Wayne’s signature slow flow (which we hear often through this project) takes front and center here. The Willy Will production is heard two more times after this track with some special guests featured on it. The song sets the tone for odd – and at-times cheesy – punch lines that take over this album. 2/5 Owls.

2.“Blunt Blowin” – Wayne uses almost the same exact flow on this track as he does in the intro but the listener is also exposed to a hook that is reminiscent of a 2006-2007 Wayne in his prime. Too bad it doesn’t last for long, though. It’s another generic song at the end of the day. 2/5 Owls.

 

3.“Megaman” – With Megaman behind the boards, Lil Wayne deserves credit for this very clever song title. “Have it your way, Burger King,” says an intimidating Wayne. Pardon the sarcasm. The beat bangs and is sure to be played in a lot of car systems with the windows down, but this is more of a mixtape track. He just raps throughout the full three minutes with no hook and is good, just not good enough. Lil Wayne has become his biggest enemy. The standards Wayne is held to is simply too high for him to reach at this point. 2/5 Owls.

 

4.“6 Foot 7 Foot” – This is a blatant attempt at doing what “A Milli” did for “Tha Carter III.” Every rapper jumped on the instrumental to make their own renditions and while a few rappers added verses to this one, it never reached the masses the way Wayne may have hoped. Good track, however. Plus the “real G’s move in lasagna” line is one for the ages. 4/5 Owls.

 

5.“Nightmares of the Bottom” – Well, one doesn’t have to wonder too much about what this song is about. We get vintage Lil Wayne here with vintage Lil Wayne production. Wayne slows down the tempo after a few upbeat tracks to tell his listeners about his fears of failing and finally speaks on the jail sentence he served last year. One of the best songs on the album, hands down. 4/5 Owls.

 

6.“She Will” (featuring Drake) – What’s more hypnotizing than the production by T-Minus is Drake’s hook. No one writes a hook like Drake does. The melody he writes are one of a kind and is in full display in this song that is sure to get radio play for months to come. It’s difficult to imagine this song without Drake. 4/5 Owls.

 

7.“How to Hate” (featuring T-Pain) – After three real good songs, we get this. T-Pain still has the skill to make a hit when need be, but this here is not it. This song is a wreck. By the time Wayne actually comes in to start his verse, the song is long gone. Next. 1/5 Owls.

 

8.“Interlude” (featuring Tech N9ne & Andre 3000) – Is it bad when the best song on your album doesn’t have you in it? Probably. And this song here proves it. Tech N9ne comes in spitting a verse full of intricate rhyme schemes and switches up his flow more times than the average fan realizes before you’re hit with an Andre 3000 verse. The other half of OutKast makes a rare appearance here to remind hip-hop fans he is still lurking. My favorite track on the album. 5/5 Owls.

 

9.“ John” (featuring Rick Ross) – J.U.S.T.I.C.E League are responsible for this bigger than life production that features none other than the boss, Rick Ross. This song does well with the crowd during live performances (look what it did at this year’s VMAs). The song is nothing short of energetic. Too bad the video didn’t live up to the song. However, the image of Rick Ross sitting in a wheelchair as he raps his verse was one for the ages. 3/5 Owls.

 

10.“Murder to Excellence” – After starting with a bunch of mumbling and squealing (like most of Lil Wayne’s verses) he clears up his speech to provide us with more questionable punch lines. 2/5 Owls.

 

11.“So Special” (featuring John Legend) – John Legend makes this song worth the listen. One of the few songs on this album I can listen to more than once. Besides the “I tear it up like loose sleeve paper” line, this track is rather enjoyable. 3/5 Owls.

 

12.   “How To Love” – The second single off the album, Lil Wayne moans for four minutes with the assistance of auto-tune. Yes, the track is catchy and will get radio play but this song could’ve gone places unthinkable had a singer like Frank Ocean or Ne-Yo laid down vocals for it. The video, however, has a great message. Be sure to check it out. 3/5 Owls.

 

13.  “President Carter” – The track begins with a sample off Jimmy Carter’s inauguration. It’s definitely a clever way to slip the sample being that this album is called “Tha Carter IV.” More corny punch lines? Yes. “I hold tools like mechanics,” says Wayne. After a while, the at-times questionable lyrics just have to be ignored to be able to enjoy the solid production on this album. 3/5 Owls.

 

 

 

14.   “It’s Good” (featuring Jadakiss & Drake) – Much has been about this track as Lil Wayne chooses to take shots at one half of The Throne and threatens Jay-Z to kidnap Beyoncé for ransom money. The line is not witty at all and Jadakiss, who is usually lyrically consistent falls victim to the Lil Wayne syndrome when he says, “Shoot me in the watch, I have time to kill.” Jadakiss uses Rick Ross’ slower flow, Drake uses Lil Wayne’s signature flow and Wayne returns the favor by using Drake’s melodic flow. Decent song. 3/5 Owls.

 

 

 

15. “Outro” (featuring Bun B, Nas, Shyne & Busta Rhymes) – Another great track on Wayne’s album that doesn’t even have Wayne on it. Busta steals the show with his rapid, aggressive and animated style and is deservingly the last voice heard on this album. Shyne, on the other hand, should just not ever rap. Again. 3/5 Owls.

 

 

 

Overall: 2 out of 5 Owls.


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