By Nick Rosa

With Lil Wayne’s critically acclaimed Carter III going platinum in the first week and winning a Grammy for Rap Album of the Year, the Carter IV had very high expectations.  With hits like “A Milli” and “Got Money” that stood the album apart from many others in 2008, Wayne manages to do the same in 2011.

“The Carter IV” has been heavily anticipated ever since the music lab experiment of rock-album “Rebirth” flopped its way onto shelves.  Also, while incarcerated in Rikers Island his release of “I am Not a Human Being” which was a hit or miss with most Wayne fans, gave the “Carter IV” that much more hype.

After two push backs and plenty of singles such as “She Will ft. Drake,” “How to Love,” and his first single since being released back in November “6 Foot, 7 Foot,” Wayne has finally come back with another hit album.

Make no mistake the “Carter IV” is not a bad album but fans familiar with his previous work will be disappointed.  Don’t get me wrong the production is quite amazing with groundbreaking beats, smooth rifts, and heart pounding anticipation for when the beat drops.  The one thing is missing is the lyrical  beast who we loved in the “Carter II and III” and mix tapes like “No Ceilings,” The Drought 3 and 4” where he established himself as the rapper eater…the best rapper alive!

Weezy’s wordplay has taken a turn toward simplicity and lack of imagination we are all used to hearing in his songs.  One line from a single on C4 called “Abortion” goes, “I just built a house on I don’t give a f**k Avenue,” which really seems to be the truth.  Wayne is known for shooting off similes and creative metaphors instead of a developing narrative.  C4 has plenty of these things in his album but the creative environment just wasn’t there.  Wayne seems not to reflect on his hectic three years since the “Carter III” or his stint in prison, which completely caught a massive fan base off guard.

None the less, Wayne gets rap heavy weights Drake, Rick Ross, Jadakiss, Nas, Busta Rhymes,  Tech Nine, and Andre 3000 on the album with him which all bring their own unique styles to the album which really gives the flow an A+ across the board.  Also, smooth styling’s from Bruno Mars in “Mirror,” John Legend in “So Special,” and T-Pain (No extreme auto-tune, thank god) in “How to Hate,” really stand out in their smooth hooks.

The album may suffer due to the high expectations but there are plenty of high lights throughout.  “Megaman” is an unassisted chorus-less track that gives off power to the beginning of an album like “A Milli” did in C3.  With “6 foot 7 foot” right after “Megaman,” Wayne does make a strong statement.   Scroll down the track list you’ll hear “Nightmares of the Bottom” which gives perspective and depth to the album where he says, “Don’t call me sir, call me survivor.”  Next is “She Will ft. Drake,” where the beat is nothing but excellent and Drake’s hook is, well, we all know Drake can hold his own these days.

Further down the track list you’ll hear “President Carter,” which is a must hear with its delicate, smooth, creepy beat, which samples former President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration.  The final song before the “Outro” is called “Its good ft. Jadakiss and Drake,” is another winner.   It’s a strong posse that C4 needed, with Drizzy really riled up for his brother Wayne and Jada starting the track off in the right direction.  Forget the Jay-Z diss that Wayne comes back with, his verse stands out more than some of his others on other tracks.

On the Deluxe version there are seven, yes, seven extra songs.  This makes twenty-one full new Wayne songs which every Lil Wayne fan wanted so badly.  Even after dropping his “Sorry 4 the Wait,” Mix tape back in early July, fans were left craving more.  This first sales week has already set records, breaking “Watch the Throne” by Ye and HOV’s record, by selling over 300,000 digital copies within the first three days!  Take it any way you want but that says something about Wayne’s stature still, even after three years since C3.

This album has what Wayne fans have been waiting for, sparking up a blunt before the majority of his songs, keeping his persona, bumpin’ beats that shake the car, and that recognizable voice going in on his tracks.  Is the “Carter IV” Lil Wayne’s best work yet? No chance.  Is it worth repeated listens? No doubt about it.

Carter IV is in stores now and on I-tunes now.