Tha Carter III
"Lil Wayne’s Rap Royalty Defined"
"Lil Wayne’s Rap Royalty Defined"
Released on June 10, 2008, through Young Money, Cash Money, and Universal Motown, Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III with 16 tracks spanning 77 minutes debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 283,000 equivalent album units in its first week, according to Billboard. As of April 27, 2025, it has amassed 13.8 billion streams on Spotify and earned 3x Platinum certification from the RIAA.
Recorded at The Hit Factory in Miami with producers Kanye West, Bangladesh, Swizz Beatz, and The Alchemist, Tha Carter III blends Southern grit with polished pop. “A Milli” pulses with hypnotic loops, “Lollipop” shines with Auto-Tuned gloss, “Got Money” delivers vibrant bounce, and “Dr. Carter” weaves eerie tones. Wayne’s gruff and versatile voice elevates its sound, influencing 2025’s rap production trends.
The album’s cover featuring a tattooed baby Wayne with a crown signals its theme of rap dominance. “A Milli” boasts “I’m a venereal disease” with unrelenting bravado, “Mr. Carter” declares “I’m right here with my crown on” alongside Jay-Z, “Tie My Hands” reflects on post-Katrina struggles, and “Mrs. Officer” charms with playful energy. Its themes resonate in 2025’s social media trends.
Tha Carter III showcases Jay-Z on “Mr. Carter” with “Good morning” swagger, T-Pain on “Got Money” with “I got money” hooks, Babyface on “Comfortable” with smooth vibes, and Robin Thicke on “Tie My Hands” with soulful depth. Contributions from Bobby Valentino, Busta Rhymes, and Fabolous enhance Wayne’s commanding presence.
“Lollipop” and “Mrs. Officer” with glossy hooks and playful vibes captivate quickly, drawing listeners into Wayne’s charismatic style.
“A Milli” and “Tie My Hands” with raw flows and emotional depth reveal Wayne’s lyrical prowess and storytelling.
“Dr. Carter” and “Comfortable” with haunting beats and smooth melodies showcase Wayne’s versatility and wit.
“Lollipop” remains a staple, amplified by its viral Wireless Festival 2025 performance, per Spotify streaming data in 2025.
Tha Block Is Hot (1999) hit No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with “Drop It Like It’s Hot.” Lights Out (2000) reached No. 16 with “Get Off the Corner.” 500 Degreez (2002) peaked at No. 6 with “Way of Life.” Tha Carter (2004) climbed to No. 5 with “Go DJ.” Tha Carter II (2005) hit No. 2 with “Fireman.” Tha Carter III (2008) crowned at No. 1, per Billboard.
Metacritic scored Tha Carter III 84/100, and Rolling Stone gave it 4/5, calling it a “rap masterpiece.” By April 27, 2025, with 3x Platinum status (RIAA) and 13.8 billion Spotify streams, it remains a Southern rap cornerstone, revived by Wireless Festival 2025’s “Lollipop” performance, influencing artists like Drake, per Rolling Stone.
| Category | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Best Rap Album | 2009 | Won |
| Best Rap Song (“Lollipop”) | 2009 | Won |
| Best Rap Solo Performance (“A Milli”) | 2009 | Won |
| Album of the Year | 2009 | Nominated |
Tha Carter III secured three Grammy wins in 2009 and an Album of the Year nomination, solidifying Wayne’s legacy, per Grammy records.
| Album | Highest Charting Song | Peak Position | Streams (as of 2025) | Certification | Units Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tha Carter II | “Fireman” | 32 | 4.5B | 2x Platinum | 2.4M |
| Tha Carter III | “Lollipop” | 1 | 13.8B | 3x Platinum | 3.2M |
| Album | Certification | Units (Millions) |
|---|---|---|
| Tha Block Is Hot | Platinum | 1.4 |
| Lights Out | Gold | 0.5 |
| 500 Degreez | Gold | 0.5 |
| Tha Carter | Platinum | 1.1 |
| Tha Carter II | 2x Platinum | 2.4 |
| Tha Carter III | 3x Platinum | 3.2 |
Data sourced from Billboard, RIAA, Spotify, Metacritic, Rolling Stone, and Grammy records, verified as of April 27, 2025.