Maps of Music

Tha Carter (2004)

Where the lyrics of Tha Carter take you, and where it was really made.

Tha Carter was first planned as a late-2003 album, but it was turned into a mixtape called Da Drought before the album came out in 2004.

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Tha Carter: fourth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne
Released June 29, 2004 by Cash Money Records and Universal Records
Produced mainly by Mannie Fresh, Cash Money's former in-house producer, before he left the label
A chopped and screwed version was also released in 2004
Five sequels followed: Tha Carter II, III, IV, V and VI

Originally slated for late 2003; after a change in musical direction, features and legal issues, it was revised into the mixtape Da Drought
Wayne focused on feeling rather than planned rhymes and freestyled much of the lyrics on the spot
Stylistically built with tastemakers and public perception in mind, with a Cash Money/NOLA bent
Lead single "Bring It Back" released April 10, 2004; second single "Go D.J." released October 5, 2004; third single "Earthquake" released March 27, 2005

Most sessions took place at Cash Money Studios, New Orleans, LA
Some tracks were recorded at Patchwerk Recordings, Atlanta, GA
Mixing was done at several studios, including The Hit Factory in New York and Miami, Icon Studios in Florida and Patchwerk Recordings

The cover art showed Wayne's first appearance with dreadlocks, which later became characteristic of him

Born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans; signed to Cash Money Records at age 11 after being discovered by Birdman in 1993.
Early career as B.G.'z and then Hot Boys (formed 1997) with Juvenile, B.G. and Turk; the group reached mainstream success with Guerrilla Warfare (1999).
Solo breakthrough with Tha Block Is Hot (1999), certified platinum within a month of release.
Tha Carter III (2008) sold over 1 million copies in its first week and won the Grammy for Best Rap Album; its single "Lollipop" topped the Billboard Hot 100.
Founded Young Money Entertainment in 2005; the label signed Drake, Tyga and Nicki Minaj.
Has sold over 120 million records worldwide and won five Grammy Awards.
Released Tha Carter VI in 2025 and was named the first male artist to surpass Elvis Presley in Hot 100 entries.

Often described as one of the most influential artists of the 21st century.
His style and use of Auto-Tune influenced modern hip-hop, especially the development of trap.

Critics gave the album favorable reviews
Steve Jones of USA Today was positive about the record
Andy Kellman of AllMusic criticized the LP's runtime and lack of quality control, but praised Mannie Fresh's production
Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone said most of the album is filler that Lil Jon had made obsolete, but some beats still hit hard and Wayne's delivery sounded more dextrous than ever

Tom Briehan of Stereogum, in a twentieth anniversary appraisal, found the album charming
Briehan said it feels a little quaint now, has moments of greatness, but is not exactly a great Lil Wayne album

Debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 with 116,000 copies sold in its first week
The album was Wayne's third US top-ten debut
"Go D.J." reached the top 15 of the Billboard Hot 100 and became his first mainstream hit as a lead artist
As of November 2005, the album had sold 878,000 copies in the US according to Nielsen SoundScan
Certified 2× platinum by the RIAA on September 25, 2020 for two million units in the US

Tha Carter was first meant for late 2003 and was reworked into the mixtape Da Drought.
"Earthquake" interpolates and samples "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green.
Canadian copies use a different instrumental and slightly different lyrics on "Walk In", "Inside" and "Walk Out", and "Crack Ya Bottle" replaces "Earthquake".
The title refers to Wayne's real surname and the film New Jack City.
A chopped and screwed version came out in 2004.