Lil Wayne's 'Carter III' Finally Has Street Date
Lil Wayne's oft-delayed "Tha Carter III" album will at last be released on May 13th via Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown. The album's first single, "Lollipop," produced by Jim Jonsin and featuring Static Major, was the top debut last week at No. 56 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
"Tha Carter III," the final set in the "Carter" trilogy, is the New Orleans rapper's first solo album since the release of 2005's "Tha Carter II," which has sold 1.3 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan.
Wayne told Billboard in February that Hurricane Chris, Corey Gunz, Tyga, Jibbs, Shanell, Kidd Kidd, Mack Maine and Lil Mama have recorded features for the album.
Last week, he confirmed that Kanye West has also joined the roster of contributors.
"It's one of those albums people are really waiting on, so I made it so that whatever is on it will stick with you forever," he told Billboard of the project, which has been plagued with leaks. "I'm taking my time with it. And I'm giving artists I respect and people I want to do songs with -- not songs the label fixed -- an opportunity to collaborate."
Beset by long delays, Nelly's next studio album is back on the Universal schedule for June 24. First single "Party People" featuring Fergie is already gaining radio airplay well before its May 15 add date.
The album's "Wadsyaname" appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 way back in September, debuting at a career-best No. 43. The rapper, who is fond of creative spellings, has four No. 1s and 12 top 10s to his credit.
And although the track list is still coming together, Nelly has logged time with a host of major names for the album, including Ciara, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Akon and LL Cool J.
"Brass Knuckles" is the follow-up to Nelly's simultaneously released 2004 albums "Sweat" and "Suit," which have sold a combined 4.4 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
