Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter VI Debuts Amid Mixed Reviews and Modest Sales
Lil Wayne has finally released Tha Carter VI, marking his first solo album in five years. Dropping on Friday, June 6, the project arrived with high expectations but has so far received a lukewarm reception from both critics and fans. Despite that, the album is projected to sell 110,000 equivalent units in its first week, including 35,000 in pure album sales.
If current projections hold, Tha Carter VI is expected to debut at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, falling just short of country superstar Morgan Wallen, who continues to dominate the top spot. The numbers reflect a noticeable decline in commercial impact for Wayne compared to his previous efforts. His last solo project, Funeral, debuted at No. 1 in 2020 with 139,000 units sold. Even more striking is the drop from Tha Carter V, which opened to a massive 480,000 units in 2018.
One of the most talked-about aspects of Tha Carter VI has been its diverse and unexpected lineup of collaborators. Among the most surprising is U2 frontman Bono, who appears on the soaring track “The Days.” The song, which made its debut during a promo for the NBA Finals, finds Wayne reflecting on his longevity in the rap game. “I ain’t getting younger, but I’m getting better / No time to waste, that’s another man’s treasure / They say every dog has his day,” he raps. Bono follows up with a melodic chorus: “The time of our lives / The time of our youth / We bow down to beauty and truth / These are the days.”
The 19-track album also features a wide array of guests including 2 Chainz, Kodak Black, Machine Gun Kelly, and Big Sean. Wayne pushes genre boundaries even further by including artists like opera legend Andrea Bocelli, country star Jelly Roll, and Wyclef Jean of the Fugees.
While Tha Carter VI might not have delivered the blockbuster moment many were hoping for, the album has still generated significant conversation—and some heartfelt moments. Justin Bieber, a longtime admirer of Wayne, posted a screenshot of a FaceTime call between the two on Instagram. Captioning the image with, “Checking in with the 🐐,” Bieber made his support for the rapper clear. Wayne later shared the same screenshot on his page, writing: “It’s a painful walk but we got each other ❤️,” hinting at a deep and emotional exchange between the two artists.
Although the album may not reach the commercial heights of its predecessors, Tha Carter VI stands as another chapter in the storied career of one of hip hop’s most influential figures. Whether or not it climbs to the top of the charts, Lil Wayne’s presence in the culture remains undeniable.
