Editing Lil Wayne (section)

==Career==
===1994–1999: Career beginnings and Hot Boys===
After recovering from his self-inflicted gunshot wound, Carter linked with Christopher Dorsey, a local New Orleans rapper known as [[B.G. (rapper)|B.G.]], his longtime friend, future Cash Money labelmate and Hot Boys bandmate. They would later form their duo, the B.G.'z, with B.G. being named "Lil Doogie" and Carter being "Baby D".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2011-06-30 |title=FACT OF THE DAY: Lil Wayne & B.G. Were Once A Group Called The B.G.'Z |url=https://foxync.com/2391162/fact-of-the-day-lil-wayne-b-g-was-once-a-group-called-the-b-g-z/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Foxy 107.1-104.3 |language=en-US}}</ref> They only released one album under the group name, ''True Story'' (1995).<ref name=":2" />

In 1997, Carter and Dorsey then joined the hip-hop quartet, the [[Hot Boys]], along with rappers and labelmates, [[Juvenile (rapper)|Juvenile]], and [[Turk (rapper)|Turk]]. Having joined at age 14, Carter was the youngest member at the time. Hot Boys' debut album, ''[[Get It How U Live!]]'', was released the same year, followed in 1999 by the group's major-label debut ''[[Guerrilla Warfare (album)|Guerrilla Warfare]]'',<ref name="AllMusicguide" /> which respectively reached number one on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart and number five on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name="Hot Boys Album Charts" /> During their career, the Hot Boys had two charting singles, "[[We on Fire]]" from ''Get It How U Live!'' and "[[I Need a Hot Girl]]" from ''Guerrilla Warfare''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Hot Boys&nbsp;– Billboard Singles|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p278459|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=September 13, 2008}}</ref> The group shared a track, "[[Bling Bling (song)|Bling Bling]]", alongside another Cash Money group, duo [[Big Tymers]] (consisting of Birdman and producer [[Mannie Fresh]]). Carter's verse appeared only on the radio version of the song, while on the album version he performed on the chorus. "Bling Bling" appeared on Hot Boys member B.G.'s solo album, ''[[Chopper City in the Ghetto]]'', released in April 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Alyson |date=2024-04-20 |title='Bling Bling': How B.G.'s 'Chopper City In The Ghetto' Became Famous |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/b-g-chopper-city-in-the-ghetto-bling-bling-feature/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US}}</ref> Carter was also featured on Juvenile's single "[[Back That Azz Up]]", which reached number eighteen on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and number five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p92107|pure_url=yes}} Juvenile – Billboard Singles]. AllMusic</ref>

''[[Let 'Em Burn]]'', a compilation album of unreleased tracks recorded by the quartet during 1998 and 2000, was released in March 2003, several years after the group disbanded.<ref>{{cite web|last=Birchmeier|first=Jason|title=Let 'Em Burn – Overview |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r633952|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=September 13, 2008}}</ref> It reached number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, but underperformed on the ''Billboard'' 200 at number fourteen.<ref name="Hot Boys Album Charts">{{cite web|title=The Hot Boys – Billboard Albums|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p278459|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=September 13, 2008}}</ref>

===1999–2004: ''Tha Block Is Hot'', ''Lights Out'', and ''500 Degreez''===
Carter's debut solo album, ''[[Tha Block Is Hot]]'', was released on November 2, 1999, when he was 17 and featured significant contributions from the [[Hot Boys]]. It debuted at number three on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and was later certified platinum by the [[RIAA]] in December 1999, less than a month after its release.<ref>{{cite web |title=Complete Lil Wayne Discography (Mixtapes, Albums, Singles, and Features) – Tea & Weed |url=https://teaandweed.com/lil-wayne-discography-mixtapes-albums-singles-and-features/#tha-block-is-hot |access-date=March 14, 2022 |website=teaandweed.com|date=January 8, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="AllMusicguide"/> The album earned Carter a 1999 ''[[The Source (magazine)|Source]]'' magazine nomination for "Best New Artist",<ref name="cash money">{{cite web|title=Lil Wayne – Tha Carter II|url=http://www.lilwayne-online.com/bio.asp|publisher=[[Cash Money Records]]|year=2005|access-date=March 29, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080322174356/http://www.lilwayne-online.com/bio.asp |archive-date = March 22, 2008}}</ref> and also became a Top Ten hit.<ref name="AllMusicguide"/> The lead single was [[Tha Block Is Hot (song)|the album's title track]], which its chorus was performed by Carter's former Hot Boys cohort, Juvenile and B.G.

His second album, ''[[Lights Out (Lil Wayne album)|Lights Out]]'', was released on December 19, 2000. It failed to attain the level of success achieved by his debut,<ref name="AllMusicguide"/> but was certified gold by RIAA in June 2001, nearly six months after its release.<ref name="riaa">{{cite web|title=Gold and Platinum – Lil Wayne|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Lil%20wayne&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=CertificationDate&perPage=50|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=June 18, 2010}}</ref> Critics noted the lack of coherent narratives in his verses as evidence that he had yet to mature to the level of his fellow Hot Boys.<ref>{{cite web|last=Juon|first=Steve|title=Lil Wayne – "Lights Out"|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2001_01_lightsout.html |work=RapReviews.com|date=January 6, 2001|access-date=April 15, 2008}}</ref> The lead single was "Get Off the Corner", which was noticed for an improvement in its lyrical content and style. The second single, which received less attention, was "Shine" featuring the Hot Boys. Near the release of ''Lights Out'', Carter was featured on the single, "[[Number One Stunna]]" with [[Big Tymers]] and Juvenile, which peaked at number 24 on the [[Hot Rap Tracks]] chart. The track, originally featured on Big Tymers' ''[[I Got That Work]]'', would be used for the [[Spike Lee]]-directed comedy film, ''[[The Original Kings of Comedy]]''.

Carter's third album, ''[[500 Degreez]]'', was released in August 2002. It followed the format of his previous two, with significant contributions from the Hot Boys and [[Mannie Fresh]]. While being certified gold like its predecessor,<ref name="riaa"/> it also failed to match the success of his debut.<ref name="AllMusicguide"/> The title was a reference to the recently estranged Hot Boys member Juvenile's debut solo studio album, ''[[400 Degreez]]'' (1998).<ref name="500 Degreez">{{cite web|last=Bush|first=John|title="500 Degreez" – Overview|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r597992|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|year=2002|access-date=April 20, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=For Lil' Wayne, Bling Bling Still A 'Way Of Life'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453944/05132002/lil_wayne.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=May 14, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021104053834/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453944/05132002/lil_wayne.jhtml|archive-date=November 4, 2002|access-date=June 29, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its lead single was "Way of Life", featuring Birdman and singer [[TQ (singer)|TQ]] with narration by its producer, Mannie Fresh; it reached number 71 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] and number 23 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] charts.<ref name="chart history">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/lil-wayne/chart-history/|title=Chart History: Lil Wayne|publisher=Billboard|access-date=June 29, 2024}}</ref> The single featured a sample of [[Tupac Shakur]]'s [[Diss (music)|diss track]] towards the [[The Notorious B.I.G.|Notorious B.I.G.]], "[[Hit 'Em Up]]" (1996), which itself sampled [[Dennis Edwards]] and [[Siedah Garrett]]'s "[[Don't Look Any Further]]" (1984). Despite the album's commercial failure, John Bush of [[AllMusic]] praised ''500 Degreez'', while calling "Way of Life" an "infectious party hit".<ref name="500 Degreez"/> After the release of ''500 Degreez'', Carter was featured on the single "[[Neva Get Enuf]]" by [[3LW]], and later appeared on his future girlfriend, singer [[Nivea (singer)|Nivea]]'s single, "Ya Ya Ya".<ref>{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|title=Remaining 3LW Pair Too Busy To Hold Auditions For New Member|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457967/20021004/3lw.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021017212936/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457967/20021004/3lw.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 17, 2002|publisher=MTV News|date=October 4, 2002|access-date=April 20, 2008}}</ref>

===2004–2006: ''Tha Carter'', ''Tha Carter II'', and ''Like Father, Like Son''===
On June 29, 2004, Carter's fourth studio album, ''[[Tha Carter]]'', was released, marking what critics considered advancement in his rapping style and lyrical themes.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kellman|first=Andy|title=Tha Carter > Overview|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r694680|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|date=June 29, 2004|access-date=September 13, 2008}}{{cite magazine|last=Hoard|first=Christian|title=Lil Wayne: Tha Carter|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/lilwayne/albums/album/6041342/review/6294718/tha_carter|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 5, 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113085401/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/lilwayne/albums/album/6041342/review/6294718/tha_carter|archive-date=November 13, 2007}}</ref> In addition, the album's cover art featured the debut of Wayne's now-signature [[dreadlocks]].<ref name="AllMusicguide"/> ''Tha Carter'' gained Wayne significant recognition, selling 878,000 copies in the United States, while the single "[[Go DJ]]" became a top five hit on the ''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hope|first=Clover|title=Lil Wayne Nabs Kurupt, Lil' Mo For New CD|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/60816/lil-wayne-nabs-kurupt-lil-mo-for-new-cd|magazine=Billboard|date=November 3, 2005}}</ref> After the release of ''Tha Carter'', Lil Wayne was featured on [[Destiny's Child]]'s single "[[Soldier (Destiny's Child song)|Soldier]]" alongside [[Atlanta]] rapper [[T.I.]], which peaked at number three on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] charts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Destiny's Child – Billboard Singles|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p278369|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|year=2006|access-date=March 28, 2008}}</ref>

In 2005, Carter appeared on a remix of singer [[Bobby V]]alentino's "[[Tell Me (Bobby Valentino song)|Tell Me]]", which rose to number thirteen on the U.S. Hot R&B Songs chart. That same year, Carter was named the president of Cash Money Records, but was later granted his own label; he founded [[Young Money Entertainment]] as an imprint of Cash Money and [[Universal Music Group]].<ref name="Lil Big Man">{{cite web |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |date=July 24, 2006 |title=Lil Wayne: Lil Big Man |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/l/lil_wayne/qa_feature_072406/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026041154/http://www.mtv.com/bands/l/lil_wayne/qa_feature_072406/ |archive-date=October 26, 2006 |access-date=April 22, 2011 |publisher=MTV News}}</ref> However, as of late 2007, Carter reported having stepped down from the management of both labels and handed management of Young Money over to his longtime manager, Cortez Bryant.<ref name="Weezy F Baby Uncut">{{cite web |last=Checkoway |first=Laura |date=October 2, 2007 |title=Weezy F. Baby: Uncut |url=http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2007/10/lil_wayne_excerpts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611145950/http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/2007/10/lil_wayne_excerpts/ |archive-date=June 11, 2008 |work=Vibe}}</ref>

''[[Tha Carter II]]'', the sequel to 2004's ''Tha Carter'', was released on December 6, 2005. Mannie Fresh was not involved in the production of the album, as he had left the label prior, due to financial issues.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Rys |first=Dan |date=2015-03-30 |title=The History of Cash Money's Internal Beefs Through the Years - XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/cash-money-internal-beef-history/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=XXL Mag |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=In Mannie Fresh's 2005 Cover Story, The Super-Producer Finds Freedom After Cash Money |url=https://www.thefader.com/2015/09/18/mannie-fresh-2005-cover-story |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=The FADER |language=en}}</ref> ''Tha Carter II'' sold more than 238,000 copies in its first week of release, debuting at number two on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]; the album went on to sell two million copies worldwide. The lead single, "[[Fireman (song)|Fireman]]", became a hit in the U.S., peaking at 32 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. Other singles included "Grown Man" with [[Currensy]], "[[Hustler Musik]]", and "[[Shooter (song)|Shooter]]" with R&B singer [[Robin Thicke]].

In 2006, Carter collaborated with his label boss, [[Birdman (rapper)|Birdman]], for the album, ''[[Like Father, Like Son (Birdman and Lil Wayne album)|Like Father, Like Son]]'', which its first single "[[Stuntin' Like My Daddy]]", reached number 21 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].

===2006–2007: Mixtapes and collaborations===
[[File:LIL' WAYNE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Lil Wayne performing at Voodoo Music Experience in 2008]]
Instead of a follow-up solo album, Carter began to reach his audience through a plethora of mixtapes and guest appearances on a variety of pop, R&B and hip hop singles.<ref name="AllMusicguide"/> Of his many mixtapes, ''[[Dedication 2]]'' and ''[[Da Drought 3]]'' received the most media exposure and critical review. ''Dedication 2'', released in 2006, paired Carter with [[DJ Drama]] and contained the acclaimed socially conscious track, "Georgia Bush", a remix of [[Field Mob]] and [[Ludacris]]' "[[Georgia (Field Mob and Ludacris song)|Georgia]]", in which Carter critiqued former U.S. president [[George W. Bush]]'s response to the effects of [[Hurricane Katrina]] on the city of New Orleans. ''Da Drought 3'' was released the following year and was available for free legal download. It contained Carter rapping over a variety of beats from recent hits by other musicians. A number of prominent hip hop magazines such as ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]''<ref>{{cite web|last=Hope|first=Clover|title=Lil Wayne: Last Time I Checked|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=16889|work=XXL|date=December 3, 2007}}</ref> and ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]''<ref name="Vibe Nov 20072">{{cite web |last=Checkoway |first=Laura |date=November 2007 |title=The Art of Storytelling |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mSYEAAAAMBAJ |work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |pages=116–123 |volume=15 |issue=11}}</ref> covered the mixtape. Christian Hoard of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine considered the mixtapes ''[[Da Drought 3]]'' and ''The Drought Is Over 2 (The Carter 3 Sessions)'' "among the best albums of 2007".<ref name="Best MC">{{cite magazine|last=Hoard|first=Christian|title=Best MC: Lil Wayne|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/20274122/best_mc_lil_wayne/print|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=May 1, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506084617/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/20274122/best_mc_lil_wayne/print|archive-date=May 6, 2008}}</ref>

Despite no album release for two years, Carter appeared in numerous singles as a featured performer, including in 2006 with the remix to "[[Gimme That]]" by [[Chris Brown]], "[[Make It Rain (Fat Joe song)|Make It Rain]]" by [[Fat Joe]] and "[[You (Lloyd song)|You]]" by [[Lloyd (singer)|Lloyd]], and in 2007 with "[[We Takin' Over]]" by [[DJ Khaled]] (also featuring [[Akon]], [[T.I.]], [[Rick Ross]], Fat Joe, and Birdman), "[[Duffle Bag Boy]]" by [[Playaz Circle]], "[[Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)]]" by [[Wyclef Jean]] (also featuring Akon), and the remix to "[[I'm So Hood]]" by [[DJ Khaled]] (also featuring [[T-Pain]], [[Young Jeezy]], [[Ludacris]], [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Big Boi]], Fat Joe, Birdman, and Rick Ross). All these singles charted within the top 20 spots on the ''Billboard'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]], Hot Rap Tracks, and [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] charts. On Birdman's 2007 album, ''[[5 * Stunna]]'', Carter appeared on the singles "[[100 Million]]" and "[[I Run This]]" among several other tracks. Carter also appeared on tracks from albums, ''[[Getback]]'' by [[Little Brother (band)|Little Brother]], ''[[American Gangster (album)|American Gangster]]'' by [[Jay-Z]], and ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' by [[Kanye West]] and ''[[Insomniac (Enrique Iglesias album)|Insomniac]]'' by [[Enrique Iglesias]]. "Make It Rain" (2006), a [[Scott Storch]] production that peaked at number thirteen on the Hot 100 and number two on the Hot Rap Tracks chart,<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r930481|pure_url=yes}}|title=Me, Myself and I – Charts & Awards – Billboard Singles|year=2006|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=February 5, 2009}}</ref> was nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group]] for 2008.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1567466_20010832_20164511,00.html|title=The Grammy Nominees Are...|date=December 5, 2007|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 5, 2009|archive-date=January 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125140302/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1567466_20010832_20164511,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''Vibe'' magazine ranked a list of 77 of Lil Wayne's songs from 2007 and ranked his verse in DJ Khaled's "We Takin Over" as his best of 2007, with "Dough Is What I Got" (a freestyle over the beat of Jay-Z's "[[Show Me What You Got]]") from ''Da Drought 3''.<ref name="Vibe Nov 20072"/> At the end of 2007, an MTV poll selected Lil Wayne as "[[MTV's Annual Hottest MC List|Hottest MC in the Game]]",<ref>{{cite web|title=Lil Wayne – Can't Front on Fire |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2007/hottest/index12.jhtml |publisher=[[MTV News]] |year=2007 |access-date=March 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316054025/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2007/hottest/index12.jhtml |archive-date=March 16, 2008 }}</ref> ''The New Yorker'' magazine ranked him "Rapper of the Year",<ref name="new yorker"/> and ''GQ'' magazine named him "Workaholic of the Year".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1574723&pid=2674268 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104121240/http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1574723&pid=2674268 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 4, 2009 |title=Lil Wayne: Workaholic of the year |publisher=MTV |access-date=May 22, 2011}}</ref> In 2008, he was named "Best MC" by ''Rolling Stone''.<ref name="Best MC"/> Another article, built around Lil Wayne's 2007 mixtape work, cites his creative practice as an example of post-performance creative practice.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Matthew D. |last=Thibeault |url=https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/43341 |title="Hip-Hop, Digital Media, and the Changing Face of Music Education". ''General Music Today''. October 2010 24: 46–49|journal=General Music Today |year=2010 |volume=24 |issue=1 |doi=10.1177/1048371310379097 |publisher=Gmt.sagepub.com |s2cid=145580033 |access-date=October 26, 2010 | issn = 2752-7646}}</ref>

===2007–2010: ''Tha Carter III'', ''We Are Young Money'', and ''Rebirth''===
[[File:Lil Wayne (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Lil Wayne performing in concert at [[Rogers Arena]] in Vancouver, Canada, January 2009|left]]
In 2007, Carter stated that he would reunite with Hot Boys, with plans to release an album after B.G.'s solo album ''[[Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood|Too Hood to Be Hollywood]]'' was completed.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jason|title=Turk Confirms Hot Boys Reunion From Behind Bars|url=http://www.rapbasement.com/news/lil-wayne/turk-confirms-hot-boys-reunion-from-behind-bars.html|work=Rap Basement|date=September 27, 2007}}{{cite web|last=Bennett|first=Miles|title=B.G., Lil Wayne Confirm Hot Boys Reunion|url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2007/10/08/bg-lil-wayne-confirm-hot-boys-reunion/|work=Baller Status|date=October 8, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|last=Dallas|first=Krush|title=BG Speaks of HotBoyz Reunion|url=http://www.defsounds.com/news/Bg_speaks_of_hotboyz_reunion|work=Def Sounds|date=October 9, 2007|access-date=July 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916173405/http://www.defsounds.com/news/Bg_speaks_of_hotboyz_reunion|archive-date=September 16, 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|author=Jason|title=Hot Boys Reunion Canceled After Shooting|url=http://www.rapbasement.com/news/lil-wayne/hot-boys-reunion-canceled-after-shooting.html|work=Rap Basement|date=February 19, 2008}}</ref> ''[[Tha Carter III]]'' was originally scheduled to be released in 2007, but it was delayed after several recordings were leaked and distributed through mixtapes, including ''The Drought Is Over Pt. 2'' and ''The Drought Is Over Pt. 4''. Lil Wayne initially planned to release ''The Leak'', a separate album with leaked songs and four additional tracks, on December{{spaces}}18, 2007, with ''Tha Carter III'' delayed to March{{spaces}}18, 2008.<ref name=carterrelease>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119042148/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1579833/20080117/blige_mary_j.jhtml|archive-date=January 19, 2008|title=Mary J. Blige 'Lives' Again On TV Soap; Plus Remy Ma, Lil Wayne, Nelly, Amy Winehouse, Scarlett Johansson, Zac Efron & More, In For The Record|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1579833/20080117/blige_mary_j.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|access-date=June 29, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref> Instead, ''The Leak'' became an [[Extended play|EP]] with five songs and was released digitally on December{{spaces}}25, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lil' Wayne – The Leak EP|url=http://www.djbooth.net/index/albums/review/lil-wayne-the-leak-ep/|publisher=The DJ Booth|access-date=May 28, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110802032700/http://www.djbooth.net/index/albums/review/lil-wayne-the-leak-ep/|archive-date=August 2, 2011}}</ref>

''[[Tha Carter III]]'' was released on June{{spaces}}10, 2008, with first-week sales of over 1 million copies, the first to do so since [[50 Cent]]'s ''[[The Massacre]]'' (2005).<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mayfield|first=Geoff|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003817568|title=Lil Wayne Cracks 1 Million With 'Tha Carter III'|magazine=Billboard|date= June 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622120945/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003817568|archive-date=June 22, 2008|access-date=June 29, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album's first single, "[[Lollipop (Lil Wayne song)|Lollipop]]", featuring [[Steve "Static" Garrett|Static Major]], became the Carter's most successful song at the time, topping the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and becoming his first top ten single as a solo artist and his first number one on the chart. The third single "[[Got Money]]", featuring T-Pain, peaked at number thirteen on the Billboard 100. ''Tha Carter III'' went on to win four Grammy Awards, including [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Song|Best Rap Song]], which he won for "Lollipop".<ref name="Grammy 2009"/> On July{{spaces}}14, 2008, the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] certified ''Tha Carter III'' two times platinum.<ref>[http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Tha%20Carter,%20Vol.%203&artist=Lil%20Wayne&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 Lil Wayne – Tha Carter, Vol. 3 – Gold & Platinum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818035230/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Tha%20Carter%2C%20Vol.%203&artist=Lil%20Wayne&format=ALBUM&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |date=August 18, 2013 }}. Recording Industry Association of America</ref> In October 2008, Lil Wayne announced plans to MTV News to re-release the album with new tracks, including a duet with [[Ludacris]] and remixes of "A Milli".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597594/20081021/lil_wayne.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022210350/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597594/20081021/lil_wayne.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2008|title=Lil Wayne Calls His Carter III Do-Over 'The Birth of a New Beginning'|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=October 21, 2008|publisher=MTV News|access-date=June 29, 2024}}</ref>

Carter also appeared on R&B singles "[[Girls Around the World]]" by Lloyd, "[[Love in This Club|Love in This Club, Part II]]" by [[Usher (musician)|Usher]], "[[Official Girl]]" by [[Cassie (singer)|Cassie]], "[[I'm So Paid]]" by [[Akon]], "[[Turnin Me On|Turnin' Me On]]" by [[Keri Hilson]], and "[[Can't Believe It (T-Pain song)|Can't Believe It]]" by T-Pain; rap singles "[[My Life (The Game song)|My Life]]" by [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]], "Shawty Say" by [[David Banner]], "[[Swagga Like Us]]" by [[T.I.]], "Cutty Buddy" by [[Mike Jones (rapper)|Mike Jones]], [[All My Life (In the Ghetto)]] by [[Jay Rock]] and the remix to "Certified" by [[Glasses Malone]]; and pop single "[[Let It Rock (Kevin Rudolf song)|Let It Rock]]" by new [[Cash Money Records|Cash Money]] artist [[Kevin Rudolf]].

Throughout 2008, Carter performed at the [[Voodoo Experience]] in October in New Orleans, which was described by Jonathan Cohen of ''Billboard'' as his biggest hometown headlining set of his career.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|title=Lil Wayne Suits Up For Voodoo Experience|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044969/lil-wayne-suits-up-for-voodoo-experience|magazine=Billboard|date=June 26, 2008}}</ref> He also performed at the [[Virgin Mobile|Virgin Mobile Music Fest]] with [[Kanye West]], where they performed the remix of "Lollipop" and lip-synced to [[Whitney Houston]]'s "[[I Will Always Love You]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1592577/20080811/lil_wayne.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828040600/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1592577/20080811/lil_wayne.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2008|title=Kanye West Joins Lil Wayne, Bemoans Nine Inch Nails Face-Off at Virgin Fest|last=Upmalis|first=Jordan|date=August 11, 2008|publisher=MTV News|access-date=June 29, 2024}}</ref> Lil Wayne also performed at the [[2008 MTV Video Music Awards]] with [[Kid Rock]] ("[[All Summer Long (Kid Rock song)|All Summer Long]]"), [[Leona Lewis]] ("DontGetIt (Misunderstood)") and [[T-Pain]] ("[[Got Money]]") and performed "Lollipop" and "Got Money" on the season premiere of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''.<ref>{{cite episode |title= Michael Phelps/Lil Wayne|series= Saturday Night Live |network=NBC |airdate= September 13, 2008 |season=34 |number=1}}</ref> He later performed at the [[homecoming]] rally at [[Vanderbilt University]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Paulson|first=Dave|title=Lil Wayne headlines Vandy homecoming|url=http://nashville.metromix.com/music/article/lil-wayne-headlines-vandy/697428/content|work=Metromix Nashville|access-date=April 24, 2011|date=October 20, 2008}}</ref> and the 2008 [[BET Hip Hop Awards]], where he received 12 nominations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sohh.com/2008/10/lil_wayne_the_game_young.html|title=Lil Wayne, The Game, & Young Jeezy to Perform at the BET Hip Hop Awards|last=Langhorne|first=Cyrus|date=October 8, 2008|work=SOHH|access-date=February 7, 2009|archive-date=February 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215154053/http://www.sohh.com/2008/10/lil_wayne_the_game_young.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He won eight awards at the [[BET Hip Hop Awards]], one of which included the "MVP" title.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597431/20081020/lil_wayne.jhtml|title=Lil Wayne Named MVP at BET Hip-Hop Awards; T-Pain Fills in For Katt Williams As Host|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=October 20, 2008|publisher=MTV News|access-date=June 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023031211/http://www.mtv.com:80/news/articles/1597431/20081020/lil_wayne.jhtml|archive-date=October 23, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Adaso|first=Henry|title=2008 BET Hip Hop Awards Nominees and Winners|url=http://rap.about.com/od/awards/a/HipHopAwards08.htm|publisher=About.com|year=2008|access-date=June 29, 2024|archive-date=September 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920044123/http://rap.about.com/od/awards/a/HipHopAwards08.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> After [[M.I.A. (artist)|M.I.A.]] dropped out of performing on Carter's [[I Am Music Tour]] due to her pregnancy, [[Jay-Z]] performed "Mr. Carter" with Lil Wayne at select shows.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Lil Wayne To Perform 'Mr. Carter' With Jay-Z For The First Time, Hitting The Studio With Hot Boys|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597799/20081023/lil_wayne.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=October 24, 2008|access-date=June 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105134105/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597799/20081023/lil_wayne.jhtml|archive-date=January 5, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After ''Tha Carter III'' sold over 3 million copies and became the best-selling record of 2008, Carter re-signed with [[Cash Money Records]] for a multi-album deal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hiphoppress.com/2008/09/cash-money-re-s.html |title=Cash Money Re-Signs Lil Wayne to Multi-Album Deal |publisher=MarketWatch.com |date=September 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120406195000/http://www.hiphoppress.com/2008/09/cash-money-re-s.html |archive-date=April 6, 2012 }}</ref>
On November{{spaces}}11, 2008, Carter became the first hip hop act to perform at the [[Country Music Association Awards]], playing "[[All Summer Long (Kid Rock song)|All Summer Long]]" alongside [[Kid Rock]], in which Carter inaudibly strummed guitar strings alongside the guitarist in Kid Rock's band.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599254/20081113/lil_wayne.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212170639/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599254/20081113/lil_wayne.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 12, 2008 |title=Lil Wayne Performs With Kid Rock at CMA Awards – But Doesn't Say A Word|publisher=MTV News|date=November 13, 2008|access-date=December 29, 2009}}</ref> Shortly after, Wayne was nominated for eight [[Grammy Awards|Grammys]] – the most for any artist nominated that year.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/arts/music/05arts-GRAMMYSLIKEL_BRF.html | work=The New York Times | title=Grammys Like Lil Wayne | first=Dave | last=Itzkoff | date=December 5, 2008 | access-date=April 4, 2010}}</ref> He was then named the first MTV Man of the Year at the end of 2008.<ref>{{cite web|last=Montgomery |first=James |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601619/20081218/lil_wayne.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220155418/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1601619/20081218/lil_wayne.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 20, 2008 |title=Lil Wayne's Response To Being MTV News' 2008 Man Of The Year: 'Happy Holidays!'|publisher=MTV |date=December 19, 2008 |access-date=December 29, 2009}}</ref> He won the [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance]] for "[[A Milli]]", [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group|Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group]] for his appearance on [[T.I.]]'s single "[[Swagga Like Us]]", and [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Song|Best Rap Song]] for "Lollipop". ''Tha Carter III'' won the award for [[Best Rap Album]].<ref name="Grammy 2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/grammy_awards/51st_show/list.aspx|title=The 51st Annual Grammy Awards Winners List|year=2009|publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105212925/http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/51st_show/list.aspx|archive-date=November 5, 2009}}</ref> MTV News listed Carter number two on their 2009 list of the Hottest MCs in the Game.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Lil Wayne Rocks The Hottest MCs in the Game At #2!|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1622981/20091003/lil_wayne.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006060818/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1622981/20091003/lil_wayne.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 6, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=April 22, 2011|author2=Rodriguez, Jayson |date=October 4, 2009}}</ref>

Prior to the 2009 Grammy Awards, Wayne was featured in an interview with [[Katie Couric]].<ref name="Couric">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/all-access-lil-wayne/|title="All Access:" Lil' Wayne|last=Couric|first=Katie|date=February 4, 2009|publisher=CBS News|access-date=February 7, 2009}}</ref> On February{{spaces}}7, 2009, he presented the [[Top Ten list (David Letterman)|Top Ten List]] on CBS's ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]''.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Show #3060|url=http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/video/?pid=9YMe_fye4T2ULMAdzewcG5fMDmqI27jk|series=Late Show with David Letterman|network=CBS|airdate=February 5, 2009}} (video) Text format: "[http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/top_ten/top_ten_popup.php?origin=&year=2009&month=02&day=05&elm=7&cat=content_top_ten Top Ten Reasons I'm Looking Forward To The Grammy Awards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012105431/http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/top_ten/top_ten_popup.php?origin=&year=2009&month=02&day=05&elm=7&cat=content_top_ten |date=October 12, 2011 }}"</ref> On April{{spaces}}24, 2009, he appeared on ''[[The View (U.S. TV series)|The View]]'', discussing his GED and addictions.<ref name="The View">{{cite web|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1610007/20090424/lil_wayne.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427060740/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1610007/20090424/lil_wayne.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 27, 2009 |title=Lil Wayne Charms The Ladies Of 'The View' |publisher=MTV News |date=April 24, 2009|access-date=December 29, 2009}}</ref> In September 2009, Carter was profiled in an episode of [[VH1]]'s ''[[Behind the Music]]''<ref>{{cite web|last=Rodriguez |first=Jayson |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1607377/20090319/lil_wayne.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320105744/http://www.mtv.com//news//articles//1607377//20090319//lil_wayne.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 20, 2009 |title=Lil Wayne To Appear in VH1's 'Behind The Music'|publisher=MTV News |date=March 19, 2009|access-date=December 29, 2009}}</ref> and was a presenter of the [[2009 MTV Movie Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Ditzian |first=Eric |url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1611016/20090511/story.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514123507/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1611016/20090511/story.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 14, 2009 |title=Lil Wayne, Will Ferrell Announced As MTV Movie Awards Presenters – Show Story {{pipe}} Headlines |publisher=MTV |date=May 11, 2009 |access-date=December 29, 2009}}</ref> In film, Carter produced and composed music for and starred in the direct-to-video film ''[[Hurricane Season (2009 film)|Hurricane Season]]''. A documentary of Carter, titled ''[[The Carter]]'', was released at the [[Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Ford|first=Tracey|title=Lil Wayne Documentary in the Works|url=http://www.theboombox.com/2008/07/09/lil-wayne-documentary-in-the-works/|work=The Boombox|date=July 9, 2008}}</ref>

On December{{spaces}}23, 2009, Carter released his label, Young Money's first compilation album, ''[[We Are Young Money]]'', with its lead single being "[[Every Girl (Young Money song)|Every Girl]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://realtalkny.uproxx.com/2009/02/topic/topic/pictures/lil-wayne-on-the-set-of-every-girl-1st-single-off-of-young-money-album/ |title=Lil Wayne on the Set Of, "Every Girl" (1st Single Off of Young Money Album) {{pipe}} RealTalkNY Brought To You By Nigel D |publisher=Realtalkny.uproxx.com |date=February 16, 2009 |access-date=December 29, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219163554/http://realtalkny.uproxx.com/2009/02/topic/topic/pictures/lil-wayne-on-the-set-of-every-girl-1st-single-off-of-young-money-album/ |archive-date=February 19, 2009 }}</ref> The second single was "[[BedRock (song)|BedRock]]", featuring [[Lloyd (singer)|Lloyd]], with the third being "[[Roger That (song)|Roger That]]". On May{{spaces}}24, 2010, the album was certified gold by the RIAA with over 500,000 copies sold.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |title=Gold & Platinum – October 26, 2010 |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=October 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626050454/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |archive-date=June 26, 2007 }}</ref> Carter is featured on the song, "[[Revolver (song)|Revolver]]", with [[Madonna]] for her greatest hits album, ''[[Celebration (Madonna album)|Celebration]]'' (2009). He was also featured on a [[Weezer]] song, "Can't Stop Partying", on ''[[Raditude]]'' (2009).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1622477/20090928/weezer.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930222514/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1622477/20090928/weezer.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2009|title=Exclusive: Weezer Team Up With Lil Wayne For 'Can't Stop Partying'|publisher=MTV News|date=September 28, 2009|access-date=July 10, 2010}}</ref> In late 2008, Carter announced plans to reissue ''Tha Carter III'' with leftover recordings, and was to be titled ''Rebirth'', originally scheduled to be released on April{{spaces}}7, 2009, before being delayed several times.<ref name="Reid">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597594/20081021/lil_wayne.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022210350/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597594/20081021/lil_wayne.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2008|title=Lil Wayne Calls His Carter III Do-Over 'The Birth of a New Beginning'|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|publisher=MTV News|date=October 21, 2008|access-date=July 5, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Rebirth (Lil Wayne album)|Rebirth]]'' instead became his sixth solo studio album, re-recorded with replaced material and later released on February{{spaces}}2, 2010. The album received negative reviews from fans and critics, considering it Carter's worst album released since ''500 Degreez'' (2002).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Is Rebirth by Lil Wayne the worst rap rock album of all time? |url=https://www.loudandquiet.com/short/is-lil-wayne-rebirth-the-worst-rap-rock-album-of-all-time-not-even-close/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Loud And Quiet |language=en-US}}</ref>

To support its release and that of ''We Are Young Money'', Carter was featured on the cover of ''Rolling Stone''<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1622981/20091003/story.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008001458/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1622981/20091003/story.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 8, 2009 |title=Lil Wayne Rocks The Hottest MCs in the Game At #2!|publisher=MTV |date=October 4, 2009 |access-date=December 29, 2009}}</ref> and headlined the 'Young Money Presents: America's Most Wanted Music Festival', a United States and Canada–only concert tour which began on July{{spaces}}29, 2009. "[[Prom Queen (Lil Wayne song)|Prom Queen]]", the first official single, debuted on January{{spaces}}27, 2009, immediately after a live Internet broadcast of his concert in San Diego on Ustream (now [[IBM Cloud Video]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1100465 |title=Lil Wayne unveils 'Prom Queen' live on Ustream |date=January 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131032623/http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1100465 |archive-date=January 31, 2009 }}</ref><ref name=mtvrebirth>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1603446/20090123/lil_wayne.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127042846/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1603446/20090123/lil_wayne.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 27, 2009|title=Lil Wayne's Rock LP, Rebirth, Due April 7|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=January 23, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=January 23, 2009}}</ref> It peaked at number fifteen on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] charts. On December{{spaces}}3, 2009, the second single, "[[On Fire (Lil Wayne song)|On Fire]]", produced by [[Cool & Dre]], was released.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1627696/20091204/lil_wayne.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207015803/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1627696/20091204/lil_wayne.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 7, 2009 |title=Lil Wayne's 'On Fire' Inspired By 'Scarface,' Producer Dre Says |publisher=MTV News |date=December 4, 2009 |access-date=December 29, 2009}}</ref> Based on a sample of [[Amy Holland]]'s "[[She's on Fire (Amy Holland song)|She's on Fire]]" from the soundtrack to the 1983 film, [[Scarface (1983 film)|''Scarface'']], "On Fire" peaked at number 33 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. "[[Drop the World]]", which features [[Eminem]], was the album's third single; it was produced by a then-unknown [[Hit-Boy]].<ref name="autogenerated2"/>

===2010–2013: ''I Am Not a Human Being'' series and ''Tha Carter IV''===
In an interview on MTV's Mixtape Monday, Carter hinted at the release of ''[[Tha Carter IV]]''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080916022134/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1594678/20080912/lil_wayne.jhtml Lil Wayne Preps Mixtape And Tha Carter IV; Juelz Santana Plans Skull Gang Takeover: Mixtape Monday.] MTV. Retrieved September 15, 2008.</ref> He later announced that it would be released in late 2009 before the holiday season.<ref name=2009rebirthc4>[http://www.rap-up.com/2009/02/12/lil-wayne-to-release-two-albums-this-year/ Lil Wayne to Release Two Albums This Year.] ''Rap-Up''. Retrieved February 12, 2009.</ref> [[Birdman (rapper)|Birdman]] had previously stated that ''Tha Carter IV'' would be packaged with ''Rebirth'' as a double disc album.<ref>[http://www.rap-up.com/2009/10/09/lil-wayne-to-drop-3-albums-this-year/ Lil Wayne to Drop 3 Albums This Year?] ''Rap-Up''.</ref> Carter denied this, saying that "''Tha Carter IV'' deserves ''Tha Carter IV''", adding that ''[[We Are Young Money]]'' may be packaged with ''Rebirth''.<ref>[http://www.rap-up.com/2009/10/10/lil-wayne-denies-double-album-reports-discusses-retirement/ Lil Wayne Denies Double Album Reports, Discusses Retirement.] ''Rap-Up''. Retrieved October 13, 2009.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091017210849/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1623871/20091014/lil_wayne.jhtml Lil Wayne Says Rebirth, Young Money LP May Be A Double Album.] MTV News.</ref> These albums were eventually released separately.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

Carter released his eighth album, ''[[I Am Not a Human Being]]'', on his 28th birthday, September{{spaces}}27, 2010. The album was released during Carter's incarceration on a weapon possession charge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kramer |first=Kyle |date=2016-11-29 |title=A Year of Lil Wayne: "I Am Not a Human Being" |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-year-of-lil-wayne-i-am-not-a-human-being/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=VICE |language=en-US}}</ref> The album has sold over 953,000 copies in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74408/week-ending-sept-5-2011-albums-weezy-does-it/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013084110/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74408/week-ending-sept-5-2011-albums-weezy-does-it/|url-status=dead|title=Week Ending Sept. 4, 2011. Albums: Weezy Does It - Chart Watch|archivedate=October 13, 2011|website=new.music.yahoo.com}}</ref> and spawned the successful single "[[Right Above It]]", which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also debuted at number two, but later climbed to number one on the ''Billboard'' 200, making Carter the first rapper while incarcerated (since Tupac Shakur's ''[[Me Against the World]]'', released in 1995) to have a number one album.<ref>{{Cite magazine |agency=Associated Press |date=2010-11-01 |title=Lil Wayne Redefines Stardom Behind Bars |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lil-wayne-redefines-stardom-behind-bars-952126/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-11-01 |title=Lil Wayne Releases First Number One Album From Jail Since 2Pac |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.12816/title.lil-wayne-releases-first-number-one-album-from-jail-since-2pac |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> [[File:Lil Wayne in Concert.jpg|thumb|Lil Wayne in 2011]]''Tha Carter IV'' was delayed into 2011, after Lil Wayne began recording from scratch after his release from prison.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kuperstein |first=Slava |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.12277/title.lil-wayne-to-start-from-scratch-on-carter-iv |title=Lil Wayne To 'Start From Scratch' On "Carter IV"|magazine=HipHopDX |date=September 19, 2010 |access-date=October 26, 2010}}</ref> He described his first song since his release as "a 2010 version of ''[[A Milli]]'' on steroids". The lead single from ''Tha Carter IV'', "[[6 Foot 7 Foot]]" featuring Cory Gunz, was released on December{{spaces}}15, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lil Wayne's '6 Foot, 7 Foot' Producer Bangladesh Says He Hasn't Been Compensated|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1662974/lil-wayne-6-foot-7-foot-bangladesh.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501015743/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1662974/lil-wayne-6-foot-7-foot-bangladesh.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 1, 2011|publisher=MTV News|access-date=May 27, 2011}}</ref> On March{{spaces}}8, Carter released another song, "We Back Soon", though it was not included on the official track listing of ''Tha Carter IV''.<ref name="We Back Soon">{{cite web|title=Lil Wayne – We Back Soon|url=http://www.lilwaynehq.com/2011/03/08/lil-wayne-we-back-soon/|publisher=Lil Wayne HQ|access-date=April 16, 2011|date=March 8, 2011}}</ref> The second single, "[[John (Lil Wayne song)|John]]", featuring [[Rick Ross]], was released on March{{spaces}}24.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} In an interview on March{{spaces}}29, Carter announced that he would retire at age 35; saying that "I would feel selfish still going to the studio when it's such a vital point" in the lives of his four children.<ref name="Lil Wayne on the Angie Martinez show">{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=Angie |date=March 29, 2011 |title=Weezy's first radio interview |url=http://www.hot97.com/Channels/newonhot/Story.aspx?ID=1393228 |access-date=April 1, 2011 |work=Lil Wayne on the Angie Martinez show [video] |publisher=Hot 97}}</ref>

Throughout a two-year period between 2010 and 2012, Carter has been featured in many hit singles such as "[[I Made It (Cash Money Heroes)]]" by [[Kevin Rudolf]], "[[Miss Me]]", "[[The Motto (Drake song)|The Motto]]", and "[[HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)]]" by [[Drake (musician)|Drake]], "[[No Love]]" by [[Eminem]], "[[Hit the Lights (Jay Sean song)|Hit the Lights]]" by [[Jay Sean]], "[[Look at Me Now (Chris Brown song)|Look at Me Now]]" by [[Chris Brown]], "[[Welcome to My Hood]]", "[[I'm on One]]", "[[Take It to the Head]]", and "[[No New Friends (DJ Khaled song)|No New Friends]]" by [[DJ Khaled]], "[[Motivation (Kelly Rowland song)|Motivation]]" by [[Kelly Rowland]], "[[Ballin' (Young Jeezy song)|Ballin']]" by [[Young Jeezy]], "[[Strange Clouds (song)|Strange Clouds]]" by [[B.o.B]], "[[I Can Only Imagine (David Guetta song)|I Can Only Imagine]]" by [[David Guetta]], "[[Faded (Tyga song)|Faded]]" by [[Tyga]], "[[Pop That]]" by [[French Montana]], and "[[Bandz a Make Her Dance]]" by [[Juicy J]]. [[File:Lil Wayne Camp Flog Gnaw 2012.jpg|thumb|Lil Wayne performing in 2012|left]]

The artwork for ''Tha Carter IV'' was unveiled on April{{spaces}}20. Originally scheduled to be released on May{{spaces}}16,<ref>{{cite web |date=March 17, 2011 |title=Lil Wayne Says Tha Carter IV Is Done & Announces Release Date! |url=http://www.lilwaynehq.com/2011/03/17/lil-wayne-says-tha-carter-iv-is-done-announces-release-date/ |access-date=May 22, 2011 |publisher=Lil Wayne HQ}}</ref> it was delayed several times until being confirmed for release on August 29, 2011.<ref name="new date">{{cite web|last=Markman|first=Rob|date=July 11, 2011|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667052/lil-wayne-tha-carter-iv.jhtml|title=Lil Wayne's Carter IV 'Totally Done' |publisher=MTV News|access-date=June 29, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712232935/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667052/lil-wayne-tha-carter-iv.jhtml|archive-date=July 12, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> On May{{spaces}}26, the album's third single, "[[How to Love]]", was released. He released another track, "Dear Anne (Stan Part 2)", in June.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} In preparation for ''Tha Carter IV'', Carter released a mixtape, ''[[Sorry 4 the Wait]]'', in similarity to his mixtape ''[[No Ceilings]]'' (2009); the mixtape was re-released on streaming services in January 2022 with four additional tracks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=2022-01-17 |title=Lil Wayne releases 'Sorry 4 The Wait' mixtape on streaming with four new tracks |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/lil-wayne-releases-sorry-4-the-wait-mixtape-on-streaming-with-four-new-tracks-3139353 |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Finally released on August 29, 2011, ''Tha Carter IV'' debuted at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with first-week sales of 964,000 copies (overshadowing the first-week sales of [[Jay-Z]] and [[Kanye West]]'s ''[[Watch the Throne]]''),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenburg |first=Zack O'Malley |title=Why Lil Wayne's 'Carter IV' Outsold Jay-Z and Kanye's 'Throne' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2011/09/07/why-lil-waynes-carter-iv-outsold-jay-z-and-kanyes-throne/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> making it Carter's third chart-topping album of his career. On January{{spaces}}8, 2012, according to [[Nielsen SoundScan]], Carter was the seventh all-time best-selling artist for [[Music download|digital track sales]] with 36,788,000 million to the end of 2011.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

In October 2011, it was reported that Carter was working on sequels to both ''I Am Not a Human Being'' and ''Rebirth''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.17267/title.lil-wayne-to-release-i-am-not-a-human-being-rebirth-sequels |title=Lil Wayne To Release 'I Am Not A Human Being' & "Rebirth" Sequels {{pipe}} Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=October 17, 2011 |access-date=November 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120071549/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.17267/title.lil-wayne-to-release-i-am-not-a-human-being-rebirth-sequels |archive-date=November 20, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In January 2012, Birdman announced that he and Carter had finished recording ''Like Father, Like Son 2''.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.18436/title.lil-wayne-to-release-i-am-not-a-human-being-2-in-summer-2012 |title=Lil Wayne To Release 'I Am Not a Human Being II' In Summer 2012 {{pipe}} Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=January 26, 2012 |access-date=March 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415084931/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.18436/title.lil-wayne-to-release-i-am-not-a-human-being-2-in-summer-2012 |archive-date=April 15, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On November{{spaces}}22, 2012, Carter announced that ''[[Tha Carter V]]'' would be his final album, as he wanted to pursue other interests.<ref>{{cite web  | last =Markman  | first =Rob  | title = Lil Wayne: Tha Carter V Is 'My Last Album' | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1697850/lil-wayne-tha-carter-v-last-album-mtv-first.jhtml | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121127173323/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1697850/lil-wayne-tha-carter-v-last-album-mtv-first.jhtml | url-status = dead | archive-date = November 27, 2012 | publisher = MTV  | date = November 23, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lil Wayne Says He Will Retire After Releasing 'Tha Carter V' |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.21976/title.lil-wayne-says-he-will-retire-after-releasing-tha-carter-v |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127172519/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.21976/title.lil-wayne-says-he-will-retire-after-releasing-tha-carter-v |archive-date=November 27, 2012 |access-date=November 23, 2012 |work=HipHopDX}}</ref>

After a one-year delay, ''[[I Am Not a Human Being II]]'' was released on March{{spaces}}26, 2013, debuting at number two on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] selling 217,000 copies in its first week;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news09342 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411023013/http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news09342 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |title=News |publisher=HITS Daily Double |date=April 2, 2013 |access-date=April 11, 2013 }}</ref> "[[My Homies Still]]", "[[Love Me (Lil Wayne song)|Love Me]]", and "[[No Worries (Lil Wayne song)|No Worries]]" were released as singles prior to its release. The album was met with generally mixed reviews, with most critics noticing the declining quality of his releases. Carter toured North America with [[2 Chainz]] and [[T.I.]] on the second America's Most Wanted Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.21292/title.lil-wayne-i-am-not-a-human-being-ii-release-date|title=Lil Wayne 'I Am Not A Human Being II' Release Date|work=HipHopDX|access-date=November 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124235332/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.21292/title.lil-wayne-i-am-not-a-human-being-ii-release-date/|archive-date=November 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> On May{{spaces}}3, 2013, [[Pepsi]] dropped Carter, who was a spokesperson for [[Mountain Dew]], due to him performing offensive lyrics about [[Civil rights movement|civil rights]] icon [[Emmett Till]] on the remix to rapper [[Future (rapper)|Future]]'s single, "[[Karate Chop (song)|Karate Chop]]".<ref>{{cite news|title=PEPSICO CUTS TIES WITH LIL WAYNE OVER CRUDE LYRICS|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/pepsico-ending-ties-lil-wayne|agency=Associated Press|access-date=May 3, 2013|archive-date=May 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505093428/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/pepsico-ending-ties-lil-wayne|url-status=dead}}</ref> On September{{spaces}}1, 2013, Carter released ''[[Dedication 5]]'', the fifth instalment of the ''Dedication'' mixtape series. The mixtape featured 29 tracks, with guest appearances from several members of Young Money.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/09/lil-wayne-releases-new-mixtape-dedication-5/ |title=Lil Wayne Releases New Mixtape, 'Dedication 5' – XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=September 1, 2013 |access-date=December 5, 2013}}</ref>

===2014–2019: ''Free Weezy Album'' and ''Tha Carter V''===
[[File:Lil Wayne (23513397583).jpg|right|thumb|Wayne performing in 2015]]
On October{{spaces}}18, 2013, former Cash Money Records vice president of promotion Mel Smith, tweeted: "Happy Friday!! New YMCMB music coming soon!! Carter 5."<ref name="griffin">{{cite web |url=http://canisiusgriffin.com/lifestyle/tha-carter-v-almost-finished-surprise-drop-coming-soon |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140225002406/http://canisiusgriffin.com/lifestyle/tha-carter-v-almost-finished-surprise-drop-coming-soon |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 25, 2014 |title=canisiusgriffin.com |publisher=canisiusgriffin.com |access-date=October 14, 2015 }}</ref> Nearly four months later, in an interview with ''The Griffin'', released on February{{spaces}}14, 2014, Smith spoke on the upcoming album: "We're very close to dropping the album. It's going to be a huge surprise to everyone ... I can't release the date because he wants to surprise people."<ref name="griffin"/> On February{{spaces}}15, during Drake's performance at the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities in New Orleans, Carter appeared as a guest performer before announcing that ''[[Tha Carter V]]'' would be released on May{{spaces}}5, 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/02/lil-wayne-carter-v-may-5th-release-date-drake-all-star-weekend |title=Drake Announces a Release Date For Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter V" |magazine=Complex |date=February 15, 2014 |access-date=October 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.illroots.com/read/lil-wayne-announces-carter-v-release-date |title=Lil' Wayne Announces 'Carter V' Release Date |publisher=Illroots |date=February 15, 2014 |access-date=October 14, 2015}}</ref> In March 2014, Carter again said during an interview at [[SXSW]] that ''Tha Carter V'' would be his last album.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=August |date=March 14, 2014 |title=SXSW 2014: Lil Wayne, EDM and the future of African digital music |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-sxsw-2014-lil-wayne-edm-and-the-future-of-african-digital-music-20140314,0,4181172.story |access-date=March 21, 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

On March{{spaces}}27, 2014, Carter's manager Cortez Bryant announced that the album had been delayed.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Harling |first=Danielle |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/m/index.php?s=news&id=28085 |title=Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter V" Not Dropping May 5 {{pipe}} Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |magazine=HipHopDX |date=March 27, 2014 |access-date=October 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814194103/http://www.hiphopdx.com/m/index.php?s=news&id=28085 |archive-date=August 14, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Ortiz |first=Edwin |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/03/lil-wayne-manager-says-tha-carter-v-will-not-be-released-on-may-5 |title=Lil Wayne's Manager Cortez Bryant Says "Tha Carter V" Will Not Be Released on May 5 |magazine=Complex |date=March 27, 2014 |access-date=October 14, 2015}}</ref> Carter then serviced released a single "[[Believe Me (Lil Wayne song)|Believe Me]]", which features vocals from Drake, to [[mainstream urban]] radio in the United States on May{{spaces}}6, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://frequencynews.com/musiclibrary_detail.cfm?LabelID=180&ArtistID=278&AlbumID=1231&SingleID=4067 |title=Frequency News |publisher=Frequency News |date=May 6, 2014 |access-date=October 14, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706155706/http://frequencynews.com/musiclibrary_detail.cfm?LabelID=180&ArtistID=278&AlbumID=1231&SingleID=4067 |archive-date=July 6, 2015 }}</ref> Three more singles, "[[Krazy (Lil Wayne song)|Krazy]]", "Grindin'" (featuring Drake) and "Start a Fire" (featuring [[Christina Milian]]), were also released, but ultimately scrapped from the album.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=2014-08-11 |title=Lil Wayne Goes 'Over the Cuckoo's Nest' in 'Krazy' Clip |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lil-wayne-goes-over-the-cuckoos-nest-in-krazy-clip-50425/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pelly |first=Jenn |date=2014-08-08 |title=Drake and Lil Wayne Team for "Grindin" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/56236-drake-and-lil-wayne-team-for-grindin/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-24 |title=Lil Wayne – "Start A Fire" (Feat. Christina Milian) |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1720889/lil-wayne-start-a-fire-feat-christina-milian/news/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}</ref>

Carter and Drake embarked on their joint tour, [[Drake vs. Lil Wayne]] (running from August 8 to September 28, 2014), determining who is "the best rapper on tour and in the world".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aceto |first=Matt |date=2014-08-15 |title=Whose Side Are You On? "Drake Vs. Lil Wayne" Concert Recap |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/24247-whose-side-are-you-on-drake-vs-lil-wayne-concert-recap-news |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}</ref> The concept of the tour was based on the ''[[Street Fighter]]'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bristout |first=Ralph |title=The Lil Wayne vs. Drake show is now the biggest Hot 100 storyline |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2017-02-06/24037/the-lil-wayne-vs-drake-show-is-now-the-biggest-hot-100-storyline |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=REVOLT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kramer |first=Eric Sundermann and Kyle |date=2014-08-20 |title=Drake Vs. Lil Wayne: Everyone Won |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/drake-vs-lil-wayne-tour-review-1/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=VICE |language=en-US}}</ref> It was the third-largest grossing hip hop concert tour of 2014 behind [[Eminem]] and [[Rihanna]]'s [[The Monster Tour (Eminem and Rihanna)|Monster Tour]], and Jay-Z and [[Beyoncé]]'s [[On the Run Tour (Beyoncé and Jay-Z)|On the Run Tour]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Jesse |title=Drake Vs. Lil Wayne Tickets On Pace To Be Top Price Hip-Hop Collaboration Tour |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jesselawrence/2014/06/19/drake-vs-lil-wayne-tickets-on-pace-to-be-top-price-hip-hop-collaboration-tour/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=VIBE |date=2014-12-19 |title=Who Ran The World? A 2014 Joint Tour Ranking |url=https://www.vibe.com/gallery/2014-joint-tour-ranking/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-07-29 |title=Top Billin': 10 Must See Tours Of 2014 |url=https://hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.2484/title.top-billin-10-must-see-tours-of-2014 |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref>

In late 2014, Carter claimed that the album's release was postponed due to his financial disputes with Cash Money.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |date=December 4, 2014 |title=Lil Wayne Blasts Cash Money: 'I Want Off This Label' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lil-wayne-blasts-cash-money-i-want-off-this-label-20141204 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205041822/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lil-wayne-blasts-cash-money-i-want-off-this-label-20141204 |archive-date=December 5, 2014 |access-date=December 4, 2014 |agency=[[Jann Wenner|Wenner Media]] [[Limited liability company|LLC]] |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |location=United States}}</ref><ref name=":3" />

On January{{spaces}}20, 2015, Carter self-released ''[[Sorry 4 the Wait 2]]'', a sequel to his [[Sorry 4 the Wait|2011 mixtape]], to compensate for the continued delay of ''Tha Carter V''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Minsker|first1=Evan|title=Lil Wayne Drops Sorry 4 the Wait 2|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/58108-lil-wayne-drops-sorry-4-the-wait-2/|website=Pitchfork|date=January 20, 2015|access-date=January 21, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Regan|first1=Helen|title=Lil Wayne Just Dropped His New Mixtape Sorry 4 the Wait 2|url=https://time.com/3675848/lil-wayne-mixtape-sorry-4-the-wait-2/|magazine=Time|access-date=January 21, 2015}}</ref> In February 2015, due to ''Tha Carter V''{{'}}s delay, Carter announced that a free album would be released prior to the fifth installment in his popular series.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6465165/lil-wayne-free-weezy-album |title=Lil Wayne Announces 'The Free Weezy Album' |magazine=Billboard |date=February 5, 2015 |access-date=October 14, 2015}}</ref> In June 2015, Carter joined [[Jay-Z]]'s [[Tidal (service)|TIDAL]], as an artist owner, kicking off the partnership by exclusively releasing a single on the service titled "Glory".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-wayne-says-he-signed-a-deal-with-jay-z-news.15947.html |title=Lil Wayne Says He Signed A Deal With Jay Z |date=June 14, 2015 |publisher=Hotnewhiphop.com |access-date=October 14, 2015}}</ref> He also announced plans on his own TIDAL X concert series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2015/06/04/lil-wayne-joins-tidal/ |title=Lil Wayne Joins TIDAL |publisher=BallerStatus.com |date=June 4, 2015 |access-date=June 4, 2015 |archive-date=July 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701030602/https://www.ballerstatus.com/2015/06/04/lil-wayne-joins-tidal/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On July{{spaces}}4, 2015, Carter released ''[[Free Weezy Album]]'', exclusively through TIDAL, under Young Money and Republic Records.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kreps |first=Daniel |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lil-wayne-drops-free-weezy-album-on-tidal-20150704 |title=Lil Wayne Drops 'Free Weezy Album' on Tidal |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=July 4, 2015 |access-date=October 14, 2015}}</ref> On January{{spaces}}27, 2016, when rapper [[2 Chainz]] released his "Felt Like Cappin" EP, Carter is featured on the lead single titled "Back on That Bullshit".{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} On March{{spaces}}4, 2016, 2 Chainz released his third studio album, ''[[ColleGrove]]''. The album was initially a collaborative effort between 2 Chainz and Carter, but due to his record label issues, only 2 Chainz was credited as the primary artist.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}} On June{{spaces}}28, 2016, Carter was one of several artists who appeared on the track "[[Sucker for Pain]]" for the film ''[[Suicide Squad (2016 film)|Suicide Squad]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slingerland |first=Calum |date=June 23, 2016 |title=Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa & Imagine Dragons |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/lil_wayne_wiz_khalifa_and_imagine_dragons-sucker_for_pain_ft_logic_ty_dolla_ign_x_ambassadors_video |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Exclaim! |language=en}}</ref> In September 2016, Carter tweeted "I AM NOW DEFENSELESS and mentally DEFEATED", followed by stating "I'm done", hinting at a possible retirement. Many rappers responded with respect and encouragement.<ref>{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Angus |date=September 3, 2016 |title=Lil Wayne hints at a retirement from rapping |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/artists-react-to-possibility-of-lil-waynes-retirement-news.23891.html|access-date=September 9, 2016 |website=Hotnewhiphop.com}}</ref>

In 2017, Carter announced he had signed with Jay-Z's [[Roc Nation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/04/lil-wayne-roc-nation|title=Lil Wayne Announces He's a Member of Roc Nation – XXL|website=XXL Mag|date=April 11, 2017 |access-date=November 23, 2017}}</ref> although he later stated that there was no official paperwork that he signed to the label.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=April 21, 2017 |title=Lil Wayne denies being signed to Roc Nation: "We haven't done that yet" |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2017-04-21/26793/lil-wayne-denies-being-signed-to-roc-nation-we-havent-done-that-yet |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=REVOLT}}</ref> On August{{spaces}}8, 2017, he released the song "[[Like a Man (Onhel song)|Like a Man]]" with sound engineer Onhel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2017/08/lil-wayne-new-song-like-a-man/|title=Hear Lil Wayne's New Song 'Like a Man'|website=XXL Mag|date=August 8, 2017 |access-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref> On June{{spaces}}7, 2018, it was announced that Carter had been released from Cash Money Records and would be releasing ''Tha Carter V'' via Young Money and Republic Records.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8459879/lil-wayne-wins-lawsuit-cash-money-birdman |title=Lil Wayne Reaches Settlement in Lawsuit Against Cash Money |last=Penrose |first=Netisha |date=June 7, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8464108/lil-wayne-teases-tha-carter-v-release-date |title=Lil Wayne Teases Upcoming Release of 'Tha Carter V' |last=Saponara |first=Michael |date=July 5, 2018 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref>

In September 2016, Carter's song, "No Mercy", debuted as the theme song for ''[[Skip and Shannon: Undisputed]]'', a sports talk show on [[Fox Sports 1|FS1]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-07 |title=Check Out "No Mercy," Lil Wayne's Theme Song For 'Skip And Shannon: Undisputed' |url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/9/lil-wayne-no-mercy-theme-song-skip-and-shannon-undisputed |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Hypebeast}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Platon |first=Adelle |date=2016-08-31 |title=Lil Wayne Helms Theme Song for Fox Sports' 'Skip and Shannon: Undisputed': Exclusive |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/lil-wayne-no-mercy-theme-song-fox-sports-undisputed-skip-bayless-shannon-sharpe-7494680/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> On Christmas Day 2017, Carter released the mixtape ''[[Dedication 6]]'', the sixth installment of the "Gangsta Grillz" chronology. The second part was released on January{{spaces}}26, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-waynes-dedication-6-is-coming-news.20910.html|title=Lil Wayne's "Dedication 6" Is "Coming"|website=HotNewHipHop.com|last=Schwartz|first=Danny|date=April 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name=HHNH>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-waynes-d6-reloaded-drops-tomorrow-heres-the-tracklist-news.42872.html|title=Lil Wayne's "D6: Reloaded" Drops Tomorrow, Here's The Tracklist|website=HotNewHipHop.com|date=January 25, 2018}}</ref>

''[[Tha Carter V]]'' was finally released on September{{spaces}}27, 2018, the day of Carter's 36th birthday, debuting at number one on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] with 480,000 [[album-equivalent unit]]s, including 140,000 pure album sales. It is the second-largest streaming week for an album behind former Young Money labelmate [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]'s ''[[Scorpion (Drake album)|Scorpion]]'' with 433 million streams. It is also Carter's fourth number-one ''Billboard'' 200 album.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8478576/lil-waynes-tha-carter-v-no-1-billboard-200|title=Lil Wayne's 'Tha Carter V' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 With Second-Largest Streaming Week Ever for an Album|magazine=Billboard|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=October 7, 2018|access-date=October 8, 2018}}</ref> Every song on the album charted on the ''Billboard'' 100, while simultaneously charting 4 songs in the top 10, also becoming the first artist to debut two songs in the top five.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lil Wayne Charts 22 Songs From 'Tha Carter V' on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8478856/lil-wayne-charts-22-songs-tha-carter-v-billboard-hot-100 |magazine=Billboard|date=October 8, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Maroon 5 & Cardi B's 'Girls Like You' Leads Hot 100 for Third Week, Lil Wayne Is First to Debut Two Songs in Top Five |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8478688/lil-wayne-carter-v-hot-100-debuts |magazine=Billboard|date=October 8, 2018 }}</ref> One of the album's singles, "[[Uproar (Lil Wayne song)|Uproar]]", produced by [[Swizz Beatz]], was its leading, reaching number seven on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100; it features a sample from rapper [[G. Dep]]'s 2001 single, "[[Special Delivery (song)|Special Delivery]]".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Da’Shan |title=Why Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz's "Uproar" is a meaningful single for the culture |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2018-10-05/99333/why-lil-wayne-and-swizz-beatzs-uproar-is-a-meaningful-single-for-the-culture |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=REVOLT}}</ref> ''Tha Carter V'' has since been certified 2× platinum by the RIAA.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendez |first=Marisa |date=2019-01-14 |title=Lil Wayne Nicki Minaj's Newest Albums Go Platinum the Same Day - XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/lil-wayne-nicki-minaj-tha-carter-5-platinum-queen-platinum-same-day/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=XXL Mag |language=en}}</ref>

===2020–2021: ''Funeral'' and ''Trust Fund Babies''===
While Carter was working on ''Tha Carter V'', it was announced that his next album would be titled ''[[Funeral (Lil Wayne album)|Funeral]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/11/lil-waynes-new-funeral-project-on-the-way/|title=Lil Wayne's New 'Funeral' Project Is on the Way – XXL|first=Peter A.|last=Berry|website=XXL Mag|date=November 28, 2016 }}</ref> On January{{spaces}}23, 2020, he revealed the album's release date and album artwork.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lil Wayne to Drop New Album Funeral Next Friday |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2020/01/lil-wayne-funeral-album-release-date/ |website=XXL |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date=January 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lil Wayne Shares 'Funeral' Album Release Date |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8548903/lil-wayne-funeral-album-release-date |magazine=Billboard |date=January 24, 2020 |access-date=January 25, 2020}}</ref> ''Funeral'' was released on January{{spaces}}31, and debuted at number one on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with 139,000 [[album-equivalent unit]]s, becoming his fifth U.S. number-one album.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8550510/lil-wayne-funeral-fifth-no-1-billboard-200-album-chart|title=Lil Wayne Achieves Fifth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Funeral'|magazine=Billboard|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=February 9, 2020|access-date=February 10, 2020}}</ref> The album received generally mixed-to-positive reviews from music critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/funeral/lil-wayne|title=Funeral by Lil Wayne Reviews and Tracks -Metacritic|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> On February{{spaces}}2, 2020, Lil Wayne competed in [[The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 3|season three]] of ''[[The Masked Singer (American TV series)|The Masked Singer]]'' after the [[Super Bowl LIV]] as "Robot". He was the first to be eliminated. Carter featured on [[Lil Baby]]'s track "Forever", a track from Baby's second studio album, [[My Turn (Lil Baby album)|''My Turn'']], which was released on February{{spaces}}28, 2020.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-baby-joins-lil-wayne-on-new-song-forever-new-song.1986342.html|title=Lil Baby & Lil Wayne Unite on New Song "Forever"|last=Findlay|first=Mitch|date=February 28, 2020|website=HotNewHipHop|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9327623/lil-baby-lil-wayne-forever-video|title=Lil Baby & Lil Wayne Team Up for Dynamic 'Forever' Video|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|date=March 3, 2020|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 4, 2020}}</ref> The song's music video was released on March{{spaces}}3, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/lil-baby-lil-wayne-forever-video/|title=Lil Baby And Lil Wayne Defy The Devil in the Fiery 'Forever' Video|last=Williams|first=Aaron|date=March 3, 2020|website=[[UPROXX]]|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> This marked the second collaboration for the two artists in 2020, with the first being on Carter's single, "I Do It".<ref name=":0" />

On April{{spaces}}24, 2020, Lil Wayne, along with [[Litt Live]] (formerly at the time, Dash Radio), launched his own radio show, Young Money Radio, on [[Apple Music]] through its subdivision [[Apple Music 1]]. Wayne described the show as having "heavyweights calling in discussing sports, music, comedy, everything!".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/hip-hop/9363199/lil-w|title=Lil Wayne Launching Young Money Radio|magazine=Billboard|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=April 22, 2020|access-date=July 15, 2020}}</ref> On July{{spaces}}3, Lil Wayne released his eleventh studio album, ''[[Free Weezy Album]]'' (2015) on streaming services to commemorate its five-year anniversary. The album charted at number 77 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] the following week.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Lil Wayne Drops Revamped 'Free Weezy Album' on Project's 5th Anniversary: Stream it Here|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9413357/lil-wayne-drops-revamped-free-weezy-album-on-projects-5th-anniversary-stream-it-here|magazine=Billboard|date=July 3, 2020|access-date=July 15, 2020}}</ref> On May{{spaces}}29, Wayne released the deluxe edition of ''Funeral'' featuring artists such as Doja Cat, Tory Lanez, Lil Uzi Vert, Benny The Butcher, Conway the Machine and Jessie Reyez.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/lil-wayne-shares-deluxe-version-of-funeral-featuring-new-collaborations-with-doja-cat-lil-uzi-vert-and-more-2679175|title=Lil Wayne shares deluxe version of 'Funeral' featuring new collaborations with Doja Cat, Lil Uzi Vert and more|website=NME|last=Krol|first=Charlotte|date=May 30, 2020|access-date=October 23, 2020}}</ref> On August{{spaces}}28, Wayne released another old project, his 2009 mixtape ''[[No Ceilings]]'', for commercial release. He also celebrated the release by collaborating with [[ASAP Ferg]] on the song "No Ceilings".<ref name="NC3">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/28/entertainment/lil-wayne-no-ceilings-trnd/index.html|title=Lil Wayne drops 'No Ceilings' mixtape on streaming services 11 years after its release|publisher=[[CNN]]|last= Respers France|first=Lisa|date=August 28, 2020|access-date=August 29, 2020}}</ref> Wayne was featured on [[YoungBoy Never Broke Again]]'s album ''[[Top (album)|Top]]'' on the track "[[My Window (YoungBoy Never Broke Again song)|My Window]]", released on September{{spaces}}11. His verse received praise from critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2098270/youngboy-never-broke-again-top-review/franchises/columns/status-aint-hood/|title=NBA YoungBoy Is A Bleak Rap Star for a Bleak World|work=[[Stereogum]]|last=Breihan|first=Tom|date=September 16, 2020|access-date=October 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nba-youngboy-and-lil-wayne-stay-protected-on-my-window-new-song.1988567.html|title=NBA Youngboy & Lil Wayne Stay Protected On "My Window|work=HotNewHipHop|last=Zidel|first=Alex|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=October 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/best-new-music-this-week-conway-the-machine-james-blake-nba-youngboy|title=Best New Music This Week: Conway the Machine, NBA YoungBoy, James Blake|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|last=McKinney|first=Jessica|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=October 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2020/09/album-review-youngboy-never-broke-again-top/|title=YoungBoy Never Broke Again's Top Hints at a Next Level: Review|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|last=Jones|first=Okla|date=September 13, 2020|access-date=October 29, 2020}}</ref> On September{{spaces}}25, he released the deluxe edition of his twelfth album ''[[Tha Carter V]]'', to celebrate the album's second anniversary; it consists of songs that did not make the cut on the original album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rap-up.com/2020/09/24/lil-wayne-tha-carter-v-deluxe-tracklist/|title=Lil Wayne Reveals 'Tha Carter V (Deluxe)' Tracklist|work=[[Rap-Up]]|date=September 24, 2020|access-date=October 29, 2020}}</ref>

On November{{spaces}}27, 2020, Lil Wayne released the mixtape, ''[[No Ceilings 3]]'', while announcing the album, ''I Am Not a Human Being III'', for 2021,<ref name="IANAHB3">{{cite web |title=LIL WAYNE DROPS 'NO CEILINGS 3,' ANNOUNCES 'I AM NOT A HUMAN BEING III' |url=https://2dopeboyz.com/2020/11/27/lil-wayne-no-ceilings-3-mixtape-stream/ |website=2dopeboyz}}</ref> although it would not be released that year due to delays. On October{{spaces}}1, 2021, Wayne and [[Rich the Kid]] released a collaborative mixtape titled ''[[Trust Fund Babies]]'', along with a music video for the single "[[Feelin' Like Tunechi]]". The mixtape took roughly a month and a half to record. On their working relationship, Wayne said, "For me, it's the chemistry, it's the camaraderie because first of all, Rich like my little bro and me and Rich been rockin' for a minute".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rap-up.com/2021/09/30/lil-wayne-rich-the-kid-trust-fund-babies-stream/|title=Lil Wayne and Rich the Kid Drop Joint Mixtape 'Trust Fund Babies|work=[[Rap-Up]]|date=October 9, 2021|access-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>

=== 2023–present: ''Welcome 2 Collegrove'' and ''Tha Carter VI'' ===
On March{{spaces}}31, 2023, Wayne dropped his first ever [[greatest hits album]] titled ''[[I Am Music (Lil Wayne album)|I Am Music]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/lil-wayne-i-am-music-compilation-stream|title=Lil Wayne Releases Career-Spanning 'I Am Music' Compilation|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|last=William Cowen|first=Trace|date=March 31, 2023|access-date=March 31, 2023}}</ref> It included the then-unreleased "[[Kant Nobody]]", featuring [[DMX]], whose song, "Niggaz Done Started Something" (1998), was sampled through.<ref>{{Cite web |last=II |first=C. Vernon Coleman IIC Vernon Coleman |date=2023-02-23 |title=Lil Wayne, DMX 'Kant Nobody' Lyrics |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/lil-wayne-dmx-kant-nobody-lyrics/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=XXL Mag |language=en}}</ref> Wayne and DMX previously collaborated on "Dogs Out", a track from the latter's posthumous album, [[Exodus (DMX album)|''Exodus'']], which was released a month after his death in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amorosi |first=A. D. |date=2021-05-14 |title=DMX's Posthumous Album, 'Exodus,' Features Guests Jay-Z, Nas, Bono, More |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/dmxs-album-exodus-jay-z-nas-bono-1234973748/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Wayne released a single titled "[[Kat Food]]" on September{{spaces}}1, 2023.<ref name="NC3" /> That October, Lil Wayne released a mixtape, ''[[Tha Fix Before Tha VI]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Westlake |first=Wyatt |date=2023-09-29 |title=Lil Wayne's "Tha Fix Before Tha VI" Mixtape Review |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/719015-lil-wayne-tha-fix-before-tha-vi-review |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}</ref> On November{{spaces}}3, 2023, Wayne was featured on the remix to [[Ciara (singer)|Ciara]] and [[Chris Brown]]'s single "[[How We Roll (Ciara and Chris Brown song)|How We Roll]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ratedrnb.com/2023/11/ciara-lil-wayne-chris-brown-how-we-roll-remix/|title=Lil Wayne Joins Ciara and Chris Brown on 'How We Roll (Remix)'|website=Rated R&B|last=Samuels|first=Keithan|date=November 3, 2023|access-date=November 3, 2023}}</ref> That same month, he and [[2 Chainz]] released a collaborative album, ''[[Welcome 2 Collegrove]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Inman |first=DeMicia |date=2023-11-14 |title=2 Chainz And Lil Wayne Share 'Welcome 2 ColleGrove' Trailer, Narrated By 50 Cent |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/50-cent-narrates-2-chainz-lil-wayne-welcome-2-collegrove-trailer-1234812561/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rindner |first=Grant |date=2023-11-17 |title='Welcome 2 Collegrove' Reminds Us That Lil Wayne and 2Chainz Are #FriendshipGoals |url=https://www.gq.com/story/lil-wayne-and-2chainz-are-friendshipgoals |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=GQ |language=en-US}}</ref> A sequel to 2 Chainz's 2016 album, ''[[ColleGrove]]'', Wayne was credited as a co-leading artist as he was previously unable to receive credit for its predecessor, due to his prior legal issues involving his Cash Money dispute.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

On February 6, 2025, during an advert for [[Cetaphil]], Wayne announced that ''[[Tha Carter VI]]'' would be released on June 6, 2025.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Saponara |first=Micahel |date=February 6, 2025 |title=Lil Wayne Reveals 'Tha Carter VI' Release Date in New Ad |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/lil-wayne-tha-carter-vi-teaser-release-cetaphil-ad-1235894574/ |access-date=February 9, 2025 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US }}</ref> On February 17, after being critical of his "Mona Lisa" collaborator Kendrick Lamar replacing him as the headliner of the [[Super Bowl LIX halftime show]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Adam |title=Lil Wayne Responds to Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show Remarks on 'GNX' |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10144500-lil-wayne-responds-to-kendrick-lamars-super-bowl-halftime-show-remarks-on-gnx |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}</ref> Carter performed for the [[Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special|''Saturday Night Live'' 50th anniversary special]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ardrey |first=Taylor |title=Lil Wayne's 'SNL 50' performance reignites Super Bowl discourse on social media |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/2025/02/17/lil-wayne-snl-50-super-bowl/78964421007/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Future and unreleased projects===
[[File:Lil Wayne - Beacon Theatre.jpg|thumb|Lil Wayne at [[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]] in 2007|left]]
Carter has announced several possible upcoming projects, including a collaborative album entitled ''I Can't Feel My Face'' with Harlem-based rapper [[Juelz Santana]], that has been in production for several years.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Lil Wayne, Juelz Santana May Turn Upcoming Mixtape into Full LP|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1535532/20060630/lil_wayne.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060718134109/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1535532/20060630/lil_wayne.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 18, 2006|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=July 5, 2006|access-date=March 28, 2008}}</ref><ref name="cant feel">{{cite news|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title=Lil Wayne Plans His Own Leak; Cassidy's Live-From-Jail Rhymes |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/061107/ |work=Mixtape Monday |publisher=[[MTV News]] |date=June 11, 2007 |access-date=March 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412193956/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/061107/ |archive-date=April 12, 2008 }}</ref> In late 2011, it was announced by Mack Maine that Carter and [[Juelz Santana]] had gone back to work on their collaborative album ''I Can't Feel My Face'', which had been delayed for a few years due to "label politics".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lilwaynehq.com/2011/09/22/lil-wayne-back-working-on-collabo-album-with-juelz-santana/ |title=Lil Wayne Back Working on Collabo Album With Juelz Santana |date=September 22, 2011 |publisher=Lil Wayne HQ |access-date=November 13, 2011}}</ref>

On June{{spaces}}19, 2008, Carter and [[T-Pain]] formed a duo called T-Wayne<ref>{{cite web|author=Jason|title=Lil Wayne And T-Pain Form Supergroup|url=http://www.rapbasement.com/lil-wayne/lil-wayne-and-t-pain-form-supergroup.html|work=Rap Basement|date=June 18, 2008|access-date=June 19, 2008|archive-date=June 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630220657/http://www.rapbasement.com/lil-wayne/lil-wayne-and-t-pain-form-supergroup.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> with plans to release an album, titled ''He Raps, He Sings'';<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/08/50-unreleased-albums-that-wed-kill-to-hear/twayne-he-raps-he-sings |title=T-Wayne He Raps, He Sings – 50 Unreleased Albums We'd Kill To Hear |magazine=Complex |date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=October 14, 2015}}</ref> however, those plans have died down due to much of the material recorded for the album being leaked.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jason|title=T-Pain talk Collab Album With Lil Wayne|url=http://www.rapbasement.com/t-pain/072208-t-pain-talks-collab-album-with-lil-wayne.html|work=Rap Basement|date=July 22, 2008|access-date=July 24, 2008|archive-date=June 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630205702/http://www.rapbasement.com/t-pain/072208-t-pain-talks-collab-album-with-lil-wayne.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> T-Pain ultimately released ''[[T-Wayne (album)|T-Wayne]]'' as a mixtape in 2017.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Penrose |first=Nerisha |date=2017-05-18 |title=The Wait Is Over: Stream Lil Wayne & T-Pain's 'T-Wayne' Album Now |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/lil-wayne-t-pain-t-wayne-album-7800896/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

According to an interview with [[Drake (musician)|Drake]], in the December 2011 issue of ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'', plans for an upcoming album with Carter had been scrapped for the time being because of the [[Jay-Z]] and [[Kanye West]] collaboration album ''[[Watch the Throne]]'' (2011).<ref name="Drake album scrapped">{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/11/lil-wayne-drake-scrap-joint-lp-because-of-jay-z-kanye-west/|title=Lil Wayne & Drake Scrap Joint LP Because of Jay-Z & Kanye West|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=November 8, 2011}}</ref><ref name="hiphopdx.com">{{cite web|last=Kuperstein |first=Slava |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.12980/title.birdman-talks-lil-wayne-drake-collaboration-album |title=Birdman Talks Lil Wayne, Drake Collaboration Album|publisher=HipHop DX |date=November 14, 2010 |access-date=May 22, 2011}}</ref>

In April 2012, on the premiere of [[MTV]]'s ''Hip Hop POV'', Carter sat down with [[Amanda Seales]] and spoke briefly about an album he put together titled ''Devol'' (loved, backwards), an album full of "love songs" that he wrote during his imprisonment at [[Rikers Island]]. In May 2013, he confirmed the album will still be released.<ref>{{cite web|last=Markman |first=Rob |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1682950/lil-wayne-devol-album.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413225552/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1682950/lil-wayne-devol-album.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 13, 2012 |title=Lil Wayne Reveals New Album, Devol, On Way|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=April 11, 2012 |access-date=March 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/5-things-lil-wayne-should-avoid-doing-his-love-album-devol/?page=1 |title=5 THINGS LIL WAYNE SHOULD AVOID DOING ON HIS LOVE ALBUM, 'DEVOL' |magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |date=April 18, 2012 |access-date=March 16, 2013 |archive-date=November 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115111934/http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/5-things-lil-wayne-should-avoid-doing-his-love-album-devol/?page=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/907189/lil-wayne-still-plans-on-dropping-devol.jhtml#id=1706973 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607080635/http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/907189/lil-wayne-still-plans-on-dropping-devol.jhtml#id=1706973 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 7, 2013 |title=Lil Wayne Still Plans on Dropping 'Devol' {{pipe}} News Video |publisher=MTV |date=May 8, 2013 |access-date=May 21, 2013}}</ref>

Carter's once ongoing litigation with Cash Money prevented numerous completed projects from being released. In January 2017, Young Money revealed the title of a planned Carter album called ''Velvet''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lil Wayne Is Prepping A New Project Called 'Velvet'  |url= https://theboombox.com/lil-wayne-prepping-new-project-velvet/ |website=The Boom Box|date= January 6, 2017 }}</ref> The album ended up leaking online in November 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=An Album's Worth of Unreleased Lil Wayne Music Has Hit the Internet |url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/10/lil-wayne-velvet-sessions-album-songs-surface |website=Hypebeast.com|date=October 26, 2018 }}</ref>