Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter VI Claims Top Spot on Billboard Hip Hop Albums Chart, Overtaking Kendrick Lamar

Lil Wayne’s latest album, Tha Carter VI, has officially dethroned Kendrick Lamar’s GNX as the number one rap album on Billboard’s Hip Hop Albums chart. Although Wayne’s newest project didn’t secure the top position on the overall Billboard 200—landing at number two behind country star Morgan Wallen—it has nonetheless become the most dominant rap album in the US this week.

Kendrick Lamar’s GNX had held the number one rap album spot for seven consecutive weeks prior to being surpassed by Wayne’s new release. Notably, GNX has only missed the top rap album position for nine weeks throughout 2025, underscoring its previous chart dominance.

In its debut week, Tha Carter VI sold 108,000 equivalent units, a solid showing that pushed it above GNX on the rap-specific chart. However, these numbers represent a decline compared to some of Wayne’s previous releases. For context, his last solo album, Funeral, debuted at number one with 139,000 equivalent units sold in its first week, while Tha Carter V had a staggering opening week of 480,000 units back in 2018.

In fact, Tha Carter VI marks the lowest first-week sales for any album in the Tha Carter series and throughout Lil Wayne’s nearly 30-year career, signaling a notable dip in commercial impact.

One of the album’s most talked-about features is the unexpected collaboration with U2’s lead singer Bono on the anthemic track “The Days.” This song, which was previewed during NBA Finals promotions, highlights Wayne’s status as a hip-hop elder statesman. He raps:
“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 hit day.”

Bono adds a melodic layer, singing:
“The time of our lives / The time of our youth / We bow down to beauty and truth / These are the days.”

Beyond Bono, Tha Carter VI includes a diverse lineup of guest artists, spanning hip hop stars like 2 Chainz, Kodak Black, Machine Gun Kelly, and Big Sean, alongside more eclectic collaborators such as opera singer Andrea Bocelli, country artist Jelly Roll, and Fugees legend Wyclef Jean. This wide-ranging cast speaks to Lil Wayne’s ambition to blend genres and styles.

Despite its star-studded roster and ambitious sound, the album has faced largely mixed to negative reviews from both fans and critics. Many listeners feel Tha Carter VI falls short of the high expectations set by previous entries in the legendary Tha Carter series.

Still, Lil Wayne’s return to the top of the rap charts proves his enduring influence in the genre, even as his commercial peak appears to have passed. As the hip-hop landscape continues to evolve, Wayne’s legacy remains intact as one of rap’s most iconic and innovative voices.