Tha Carter VI Album Review: Welcome To Tha Carter VI – Where Maturity Gets Mislabeled As “Mid”

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Album Review: Tha Carter VI – Lil Wayne

Rating: 7.5/10

Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter VI arrives nearly 30 years after he stepped onto the scene as a Hot Boy, but this isn’t the same kid from Hollygrove, and it’s not supposed to be. Still, for an artist praised for his unorthodox rhymes and freeform brilliance, the structure and calculated experimentation on this album have left much of his core audience confused—and in some cases, disappointed.

From the moment the features were revealed—Jelly Roll, Bono from U2, Andrea Bocelli—it was clear Wayne was aiming for something broader than bars. But here lies the issue: when a veteran like Lil Wayne pushes the envelope in a streaming era dominated by playlist-friendly singles and short attention spans, does the audience actually want a fully realized album experience? Or do they just want sonic fast food with the illusion of depth?

Let’s be real—Wayne could’ve taken the easy route. He could’ve stacked this album with legacy features like Drake and Nicki Minaj, given us nostalgic production, and let the Carter series ride off into the sunset. Instead, he bet on something riskier: evolution. And whether or not it always works, Tha Carter VI deserves more thoughtful critique than what social media has given it.

Lyrical Sharpness & Experimentation

What immediately stands out is how sharp Wayne sounds from the jump. “Welcome To Tha Carter” is a focused and fiery intro, setting a strong lyrical tone. Tracks like “Bells” and “Hip-Hop” featuring BigXThaPlug feel aggressive and confident, especially with BigX’s hook anchoring the latter.

“Sharks” featuring Jelly Roll and Big Sean is a high point—Jelly Roll’s hook gives the track crossover appeal, while Big Sean delivers a sneaky standout verse. On “Banned From NO,” Wayne cleverly pays homage to NORE’s “Banned From TV,” tapping into his roots without sounding dated.

The Bono-assisted “The Days” is one of the album’s most surprising moments. It feels genreless—emotive, anthemic, and completely un-Wayne, yet it works. The same could be said for “Maria”, which somehow fuses Wayne, Wyclef, Andrea Bocelli, and “Ave Maria” into something that should sound insane but plays beautifully.

Wayne also reconnects with longtime collaborator 2 Chainz on “Cotton Candy,” rekindling their chemistry, while “Rari” shows Wayne hasn’t lost his ear for current sounds without sounding like he’s chasing trends.

The Hits, Misses & Missteps

This album isn’t without flaws. “If I Played Guitar” feels awkward and out of place, while “Peanuts 2 N Elephant” and “Lula Komin In” are downright skippable. One has to wonder how these songs made the final cut—perhaps in an attempt to boost streaming length, which ultimately dilutes the project.

“Alone In The Studio With My Gun” featuring MGK and Kodak Black is a missed opportunity. With that lineup, expectations were high, but the execution is flat and uninspired. And then there’s the absence of a Drake or Nicki Minaj feature—a glaring omission for fans who’ve grown up with their chemistry across the Carter series.

However, “Bein Myself” with Mannie Fresh is a gem that more people should be talking about. It’s soulful, it’s nostalgic, and it’s Wayne being himself—something that seems to get lost in the noise of digital groupthink.

Wayne made a grown-man album with Tha Carter VI, and social media didn’t know what to do with it. Much like Nas’ King’s Disease 3 (not saying that “Tha Carter VI” on KD3’s level), this is an album built with intention and range—but instead of praise, it got buried under think pieces and memes from people who may not have even pressed play.

It raises a bigger question: Are today’s Hip-Hop fans even capable of appreciating a full body of work? Or do they want Wayne to stay in a creative box, only to criticize him for being stuck in it?

While not perfect, Tha Carter VI showcases a version of Lil Wayne that’s still engaged, still pushing, and still capable of surprises. The album’s risks don’t always land, but when they do, they remind us why Wayne has lasted this long in the first place.

Verdict:

A bold, imperfect, but worthwhile chapter in the Carter legacy.

7.5/10 – A flawed, but fearless effort from a Hip-Hop legend still testing the limits.

We C6. pic.twitter.com/djGYSUCfgf

— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) June 6, 2025