Just hours after Lil' Wayne announced he would be releasing his newest LP, "Tha Carter 4", Sunday night after the MTV VMA's, people wondered if the album could withstand being leaked until release date. Well no more speculation, the album has leaked and its now time to bring you the full review before you hear the album.
The album opens with a 3:00 Intro full of classic metaphors that will keep us entertained for the coming weeks. A producer by the name of Willy Will laces this track as well as another interlude and finally the album outro. Wayne talks for a few bars before really going in. "I put in overtime, like a tied score". This track is the setup for a classic album. No chorus is provided, just pure rhymes, which is what Wayne does so well.
The next song, Blunt Blowin, produced by Develop, is a catchy record that is perfect cruising music. The influence behind the song comes from Pat Benatar's 80's hit, Heartbreaker. "Im a Blunt Blowin, Polo draws showin'."
MegaMan follows and be prepared to break your neck. A moment of silence as a familiar sound of a lighter sparks, before the beat completely takes over. Production is courtesy of another unknown power-producer 'MegaMan'. This is one of the rare occasions Wayne speaks of his absent father, and not in a positive light, "Only 2 years old when daddy used to bring them hookers home."
6 Foot 7 Foot ft. Corey Gunz was released as the first single earlier this year and had an interesting music visual to go along with it. The video basically mimicked the movie Inception, which was still in theaters at the time. Production courtesy of Bangladesh, who also produced Wayne's "A Milli".
We got to hear a preview of Nightmares of the Bottom a couple months back, when MTV aired Lil' Wayne Unplugged. The lyrics sound pretty personal, which makes me think that he wrote this while still in prison. "I'm a gangster by choice, I hope my son's choose wiser, and don't call me sir call me survivor." Production credit is given to Snizzy and Kenoe, who is a long time No Limit Records affiliate.
She Will feat. Drake and produced by up and coming producer T-Minus, there is no doubt this album will bring the closing ceremonies to the summer. On she will Drake offers a smooth hook like always, similar to "I'm On One", but fresher. The story takes place in the strip club where Wayne and Drizzy rap to the dancers "I wish we could take off and go anywhere, but here baby you know the deal, and she bad, so maybe she won't, then again maybe she will."
How to Hate features T-Pain(Update: "How to Hate is the top 10 trending topic tonight) , auto-tuned and all. Would we expect anything less? Fortunately, no. The song sounds like a direct response to another track on the album, How to Love. In this case though, Wayne & Pain have been hurt by a woman and express themselves calmly over this beat produced by Young Fyre. "And if I sound mad then you caught me, but this should explain that your the one that taught me, how to hate a b****." Words which resemble a familiar situation in my life right now.
We are now halfway through the album - prepare to be surprised
Nowhere on this Interlude is Wayne present. Featured rapper is none other than Mr. Double Time himself, Tech N9ne and surprise guest, which I won't spoil don't worry. Here is a hint though, Wayne must feel like an Outkast, not to be a part of this track. Lol.
Another unofficial single that was released back in May is John produced by Polow da Don featuring Maybach Music Mogul Ricky Ross. 'Rozayyy'. The song is inspired by the late John Lennon. "If I die today, remember me like John Lennon, buried in Louis I'm talkin all brown linen."
Next track, Abortion, Wayne spits truth through his words. "I know your name, your name is unimportant, we in the belly of the beast, and she thinkin' bout abortion." This is one of my favorite tracks from the album at the moment. The beat is mellow produced by StreetRunner. Wayne provides 3 verses of uninterrupted storytelling.
We haven't heard the soulful sound of John Legend in quite a while. So Special, produced by Cool n Dre, is dedicated to a special woman in Wayne's life and expresses how one night with him, and she would feel so special. Side note, a great line that stuck with me was, "she crazy about that d***, Loraina Bobitt." It is pretty rare to hear two personal tracks back-to-back on a Lil' Wayne album. As he did in Abortion, Wayne manages to stay on topic throughout the song. Each verse he raps about someone different that has affected his life..Including his daughter, Reginae.
For the song How to Love, a sequel to How to Hate, I have previously posted about it as well as the video, which was released earlier this morning HERE.
Television soundbites of the name President Carter make up the next song President Carter. Wayne goes in on his haters and competition, if any. "I ain't lookin for the beef, but I ain't seen it in a while." Lyrics suggest that he is the leader in hip-hop(president of the US) catch my drift? An interesting fact, in almost every track you can here Weezy spark his lighter before he sets blaze to the track.
It's Good features two hip hop icons, Jadakiss from the LOX, and Drizzy Drake from YMCMB. Produced by Boi-1da, the introduction is a sample, one that I am unaware of at this time. While Jada raps about his success in the game, Drake offers us a bit of insight into how it was for Wayne while he was locked up. The concerto of strings is beautiful and mixed with the sped up high hats, it makes for a great warm-up anthem. In the third verse you I noticed that Wayne takes a direct shot at Jay-Z, as Jay did to Birdman on the track H*A*M. "Talkin' bout baby money, I got your baby money, kidnap yo bitch get that, how much you love your lady money..." Jay
The third and final beat produced by Willy Will comes in the form of the outro. This song not only goes extra hard as a perfect conclusion to this album, but the features on the track are more than one can handle at once. Bun B up first, Nasir Jones follows, Shyne, who we thought would never make another record again, gives his two cents to the track, which actually makes the track, and finally Busta Rhymes concludes this rap legend massacre. "See now i'm out the door, Tunechi thanks for giving us a whole 'nother classic with the Carter 4".
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Bonus tracks include I Like the View(catchy tune "heeey i like the view from here")
Mirror feat. that damn grease lightning wannabe, Bruno Mars(This is like the only song I can stand to listen to from B. Mars)
Two Shots. This track stands out with serious swag. simple beat with drums, synth and bass.
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This album will definitely be a classic in my opinion. I can't compare it to any of Wayne's early work because since the Carter III, he has had children and done time in prison. Even his flow has become more educated. All great artists grow and with growth comes new ideas and inspiration. Accept the album for what it is. A new piece of work and fresh Weezy metaphors for days.
1 comments:
AMEN!
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