July 21, 2004 @ 9:00 pm

Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter (Cash Money/Universal)

Justin Monroe

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On Lil Wayne’s fourth solo album, he melodramatically declares he’s a man on his own.

On Lil Wayne’s fourth solo album, he melodramatically declares he’s a man on his own. Although he is the last Hot Boy standing (or was, until Juvenile re-signed), Cash Money cohorts Baby and Mannie Fresh, who touches 12 tracks, haven’t left Weezy home alone. Wayne’s world consists largely of his braggadocious snappin’. He uncorks witty punch lines on “Cash Money Millionaires,” “Hoes,” and “This Is the Carter,” where he beckons, “I’m sorta like BD, y’all can’t stop my dribble nor block the layup.” But on “I Miss My Dawgs,” Weezy is convincingly wistful, kicking reconciliatory rhymes to former partners B.G., Juve, and Turk. Liposuction could’ve benefited the long-winded LP. Flabby filler like “Snitch” and “On My Own” hangs loose—the lackluster curbside lyrics never jibing with the ethereal production. But overall, The Carter serves true fiends, especially when Mannie Fresh’s sonic backdrops find the musical groove, as on the ebullient, brassy “Get Down” and the electric funk–driven “Ain’t That a Bitch.” Though Wayne may feel like a lone soldier, Cash Money is still an army, better yet a navy.

Article tags: Lil, Wayne, Tha, Carter, Cash, Money/Universal 

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