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'Tha Carter IV' Survival Guide

by Mosi Reeves

Hyper-talented, mercurial, unpredictable, prolific, hedonistic, and seemingly unstoppable, Lil Wayne is, if not the best rapper alive, certainly among the most luridly fascinating. Fresh out of prison and reinvigorated, he's back with Tha Carter IV, a record rife with more humor, violence, extravagance, and blockbuster cameos than every wan 2011 Hollywood sequel put together. So here's Rhapsody's exclusive guide, featuring an in-depth review of the record itself, an examination of Wayne's extended Young Money crew, a playlist celebrating Wayne's best recent tracks, and our salute to the Monsters of Rap, from Jay-Z to Eminem to, of course, the man himself. Enjoy.

Tha Carter IV (Deluxe Edition)

Lil Wayne

On Tha Carter IV, Lil Wayne dives into a series of game-spitting roundelays like "President Carter," "Abortion" and "It's Good" (where he takes a jab at Jay-Z). Weezy doesn't have Kanye West's artistry or Jay's fear of failure, so his performances lack depth, if not necessarily resonance. However, unlike Tha Carter III and its earnest Hurricane Katrina homage, he realizes now that he's best at talking trash, not making concept albums. His one sensitive moment comes when he tries to teach a teenage fan "How to Love," but it sounds paternalistic, if well-intended.