Editing Lil Wayne (section)

===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>