Lil Wayne: Tha Carter II

HHH Official rating: 4/5
Beats rating: 4/5
Lyrics rating: 3.5/5
Music Quality: 4/5

"Best rapper alive, since the best rapper retired," Saaaay whaaaaaaat?

Written by: Redman122...The talk of Brooklyn

Lil Wayne is cocky. The man's confident, and he's got the balls to proclaim that hes the best in the game now that jay has retired. Dont get me wrong, Ive always thought weezy was an underrated rapper with the ability to spit slick rhymes with a mixture of baller bravado and a candid delivery. However, whatever green Lil' Wayne is smoking, pass some here. The appropriately titled follow up to the successfull Carteralbum finds Weezy picking up where he left off, spittin with confidence, flair, and an unhibited style that makes his album work once again. Nonetheless, to make such claims as Lil' Wayne has made takes alot of backing up, even if he meant it as a shock tactic compared to actual proof.

It was an up and down year for Wayne, as he was named president of Cash Money but then had to watch his neighborhood in New Orleans crumble to the grown in wake of Katrina. Nevertheless, Lil Wayne is able to address those ups and downs on the dope "Feel Me."

"They got the shivers, man I got that fever/ I got to bring the hood back after Katrina/ Weezy F. Baby/ Now the F is for FEMA."

It is undoubtedly evident that Lil Wayne has matured as a rapper, elevating his lyrics, flow, and whole demeanor to a higher level. Tha Carter proved this, and now here's the equally banging followup. Those who loved the first "installment" wont be dissapointed here, as Lil Wayne is back with a new arsenal of dope flows and slick lyrics. The production on the album is worth noting, mainly due to the absence of Mannie Fresh. For die-hard fans of the Cash Money lable, this might turn you away. However, newcomers Yonny and Thicke provide fire as Yonny laces a reggae style beat to the cut "Mo Fire." Its the perfect song to "blaze" to and although generic in content, the track bangs hard. In addition to the new comers, you got the popular Heatmakerz lacing some tracks along with Tmix and Batman who offer that popular street sound.

Many tracks off "Tha Carter, Vol. 2" find weezy spittin hookless, freestyle-esq tracks which present Lil Wayne at his best. Weezy is bound to get comparison to a "thuggish Devin the Dude" as my man Dave Jeffries put it. With tracks such as "Money on My Mind," weezy covers the money aspect of rap once again but uses in your face, slim shady style rhymes. Just recently Lil Wayne proclaimed Eminem as his favorite rapper so its not necessarily strange that he took some style from Marshall.

Whereas the "hookless" tracks definitly work for Lil Wayne, the more street oriented, hardcore cuts might shy away some listeners. Nonetheless, club bangers such as the lead single "Fireman," and the dope tracks "Hustler Music," and "Get Over," are sure to be played to death on the radio as the new year rolls in. The last two tracks are particularly appealing because of their soul flavor. While Lil Wayne's lyrics are somewhat lacking on these cuts, those who shunned away from the mixtape style, street tracks, will be drawn back in with these sure fire hits.

For me, I was sold on this album after hearing the lyrically impressive "Tha Mobb." The beat is dope, and weezy's lyrics and flow are top notch. Other favorites include "The Carter II," and "Shooter" which finds Wayne's flow at its peak. In my opinion, what seperates Lil' Wayne from the other big time southern rappers such as Young Jeezy, Paul Wall, Lil' Flip, etc. is his ability to not only flow over a hot beat, but provide some rewind worthy lyrics. It is definitly evident throughout this album.

As far as guest appearances, well you should all know by now that I am not a fan of overloading an album with features. This album is dope because the features are miniscule and you get what you paid for: Lil Wayne on the mic. Yes, Birdman is on the album and although Im not a fan of his, he holds weight. But once again, Lil Wayne steals the show, and its HIS verses that will keep listeners bumping Tha Carter, Vol. 2. Other features include Kurrupt on "Lock and Load" and lesser-known Currency on "Grown Man."

This album, and its predecesor, were sort of a risk-take for the Cash Money president, as they had a different sound to previouws weezy albums. However, Lil' Wayne is able to stay true to his "street days" and provide the heat that made Wayne so popular down south. If this album is any indication of where his career is going, Lil' Wayne could enter the top level of hip hop, amongst mc's such as Nas, Jadakiss, Eminem, Common, 50 cent, and Talib Kweli who actually have a right to claim that they are the best, since the best "retired" for one reason or another. But for now, Lil' Wayne will just put his claim in, with his ode to the throne on "Best Rapper Alive."

'Fuck up wit all these rookie MC's/
You smell like a bunch of pussy to me, Fuck 'em!/
Fuck 'em good, fuck 'em long, fuck 'em hard, Fuck who? Fuck 'em all! (yep)/
Like that yeah just like that/
Right back I'm on that money train and that mack'll knock 'em off track/
Tha Carter back, well protected the Warren Sapps/


Tracklisting:

01. Tha Mobb (4/5)
02. Fly In (3.5/5)
03. Money On My Mind (4.5/5)
04. Fireman (3/5)
05. Mo Fire (3.5/5)
06. On Tha Block #1
07. Best Rapper Alive (3.5/5)
08. Lock & Load (Feat. Kurupt) (3.5/5)
09. Oh No (4/5)
10. Grown Man (Feat. Currency) (3/5)
11. On Tha Block #2
12. Hit Em Up (4/5)
13. Carter II (4.5/5)
14. Hustler Musik (4/5)
15. Receipt (4.5/5)
16. Shooter (4.5/5)
17. Weezy Baby (Feat. Nikki)(3.5/5)
18. On Tha Block #3
19. I'm A Dboy (Feat. Birdman) (3/5)
20. Feel Me (4.5/5)
21. Get Over (Feat. Nikki) (4/5)
22. Fly Out (3.5/5)