Tha Carter IV

Lil Wayne’s place among hip-hop legends was assured by the time he released his ninth studio album; his lyrics’ gymnastics on songs like “6 Foot 7 Foot” and “Blunt Blowin” (“If time is money, I’m an hour past paid”) further cemented his legacy. But on <i>Tha Carter IV</i>, Wayne seeks out new sounds, exploring them to much acclaim on the acoustic guitar-assisted “How to Love” and turning his eye to the world of R&B, accompanied by Drake (“She Will”) and John Legend (“So Special”).