Isaiah BallNotorious for making public apologies on his 2011 “Sorry 4 the Wait” mixtape, Lil Wayne fans can finally say that his apology has been accepted with “Tha Carter V,” the rapper’s twelfth studio album released on Sept. 28.
After five years of label disputes with Cash Money Records, the lyrical icon reminds the hip-hop industry that he is still one of its major influencers with his hour and a half-long comeback.
As expected, Wayne blessed the ears of many with his unique wordplay and clever metaphors. The album’s fourth track, “Uproar,” quickly became a fan favorite, spinning off Wayne’s 2012 mixtape track “Green Ranger (ft. J. Cole)” and warning haters not to come for him or he would indeed start an “uproar.”
The track itself has caused an uproar related to giving credit where it’s due. Wayne and his team have given credit to the majority of the producers who had worked on the 23-track album, but failed to properly attribute Atlanta producer, Ez Eplee for sampling his work on G. Dep’s “Special Delivery” for the track’s instrumental backing.
Those who were attributed to their work properly make up a laundry list of hip-hop’s current best (Nicki Minaj on “Dark Side of the Moon;” Travis Scott on “Let It Fly;” and Kendrick Lamar with a excellent narrative on “Mona Lisa”) and some up-and-comers like Houston’s Sosamann and the late XXXTentacion, who handled the chorus of the album’s first musical track, fittingly titled “Don’t Cry.”
Having been in the business since 1991, the New Orleans native has had his fair share of controversies before now. However, rather than focus on his shortcomings, “Tha Carter V” reminded listeners to never forget Wayne’s roots. After all, like the beginning of “Dedication” goes, “If it wasn’t for Wayne, it wouldn’t be.”
