Lil Wayne is an American rapper from New Orleans who came up with the Hot Boys before building a solo career on Cash Money Records. His first solo album, Tha Block Is Hot, came out on November 2, 1999. The Tha Carter series has six albums, the latest being Tha Carter VI (June 6, 2025). According to Grammy.com he has won five Grammy Awards, and five of his albums reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 between 2008 and 2020.
At a glance
- Tha Carter series: six albums, from Tha Carter (June 29, 2004) to Tha Carter VI (June 6, 2025).
- RIAA: Tha Carter III is certified 8x platinum (certification date September 27, 2022).
- Billboard 200: five No. 1 albums between 2008 and 2020. Tha Carter VI debuts at No. 2 (chart of June 21, 2025).
- Grammy Awards: 5 wins and 28 nominations according to Grammy.com (consulted on October 23, 2026).
- Label: lawsuit against Cash Money in January 2015, settlement reported on June 7, 2018, then Tha Carter V released in September 2018 on Young Money.
- News: in May 2026, Lil Wayne says Tha Carter VII is coming “soon,” with no date. The “20 Years of Carter Classics” tour continues in 2026.
Lil Wayne in 10 dates
The beginnings: Cash Money and the Hot Boys
Lil Wayne is from New Orleans: that is how the city describes him in a press release dated November 1, 2024, issued when he was given the key to the city at the Lil Weezyana Fest. He joined Cash Money Records in the 1990s and was part of the Hot Boys, a label group with B.G., Juvenile and Turk. Their album Guerrilla Warfare was certified platinum by the RIAA on November 1, 1999.
His first solo album, Tha Block Is Hot, came out on November 2, 1999 and was certified platinum on December 10, 1999. The next two, Lights Out (December 19, 2000) and 500 Degreez (2002), each earned an RIAA gold record, on June 12, 2001 and September 3, 2002.
Lil Wayne discography: studio albums with release dates
| Release date | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| November 2, 1999 | Tha Block Is Hot | Cash Money / Universal |
| December 19, 2000 | Lights Out | Cash Money / Universal |
| 2002 | 500 Degreez | Cash Money / Universal |
| June 29, 2004 | Tha Carter | Universal Republic / Cash Money |
| December 6, 2005 | Tha Carter II | Universal Republic / Cash Money |
| June 10, 2008 | Tha Carter III | Universal Republic / Cash Money |
| February 2, 2010 | Rebirth | Universal Republic / Cash Money |
| September 27, 2010 | I Am Not a Human Being | Universal Republic / Cash Money |
| August 29, 2011 | Tha Carter IV | Universal Republic / Cash Money |
| March 26, 2013 | I Am Not a Human Being II | Universal Republic / Cash Money |
| Night of September 27 to 28, 2018 | Tha Carter V | Young Money |
| January 31, 2020 | Funeral | Young Money / Republic Records |
| June 6, 2025 | Tha Carter VI | Young Money / Republic Records |
Release dates are cross-checked between Wikipedia, Deezer and the press. The exact day of 500 Degreez varies by source, hence the year alone. Tha Carter V went online at midnight between September 27 and 28, 2018: UDiscover Music gives the 27th, Stereogum and Deezer the 28th. Labels come from the RIAA database, except for Funeral and Tha Carter VI (The Fader, Complex, Wikipedia).
On May 28, 2026, 105.1 The Bounce and HipHopWired reported that Lil Wayne says Tha Carter VII is coming “soon,” with no date and no certainty about the title of his next album.
Mixtapes, collaborative albums and compilations
| Date | Project | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Da Drought | Mixtape | First of the Da Drought series (2003, 2004 and 2007). |
| 2006 | Dedication 2 | Mixtape | Dedication series, with DJ Drama. |
| October 31, 2006 | Like Father, Like Son | Collaborative album | With Birdman. |
| April 13, 2007 | Da Drought 3 | Mixtape | Third part of the series. On Apple Music and Tidal since August 5, 2025. |
| 2009 | No Ceilings | Mixtape | Commercial release on August 28, 2020. |
| December 25, 2017 | Dedication 6 | Mixtape | Followed by Dedication 6: Reloaded on January 26, 2018. |
| October 1, 2021 | Trust Fund Babies | Collaborative album | With Rich the Kid. |
| March 31, 2023 | I Am Music | Compilation | Tracks chosen from his catalog. |
| September 29, 2023 | Tha Fix Before Tha VI | Mixtape | Ten tracks, on Young Money and Republic Records. |
| November 17, 2023 | Welcome 2 Collegrove | Collaborative album | With 2 Chainz. |
Lil Wayne’s RIAA certifications
| Album | Level shown by the RIAA | Certification date |
|---|---|---|
| Guerrilla Warfare (Hot Boys) | Platinum | November 1, 1999 |
| Tha Block Is Hot | Platinum | December 10, 1999 |
| Lights Out | Gold | June 12, 2001 |
| 500 Degreez | Gold | September 3, 2002 |
| Tha Carter | Platinum | September 25, 2020 |
| Tha Carter II | 2x platinum | September 25, 2020 |
| Tha Carter III | 8x platinum | September 27, 2022 |
| Rebirth | Platinum | September 25, 2020 |
| I Am Not a Human Being | 2x platinum | September 27, 2022 |
| Tha Carter IV | 5x platinum | September 25, 2020 |
| I Am Not a Human Being II | 2x platinum | September 25, 2020 |
| Tha Carter V | 2x platinum | September 27, 2022 |
Source: RIAA database, searches by artist and by title, consulted on October 23, 2026. The database shows no row for Funeral or Tha Carter VI on that date. Certifications change over time: only the consultation date counts.
| Title | Credit | Level | Certification date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lollipop | Lil Wayne feat. Static Major | Diamond | December 14, 2022 |
| A Milli | Lil Wayne | 6x platinum | September 27, 2022 |
| How to Love | Lil Wayne | 6x platinum | September 27, 2022 |
| Love Me | Lil Wayne feat. Drake and Future | Diamond | September 30, 2024 |
| The Motto | Drake feat. Lil Wayne | Diamond | October 24, 2025 |
| Look at Me Now | Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes | Diamond | May 5, 2025 |
| Down | Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne | Diamond | March 23, 2026 |
| No Problem | Chance the Rapper feat. Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz | 4x platinum | August 14, 2026 |
The singles table lists only a few titles: the RIAA database shows more.
Billboard charts: No. 1 albums and first weeks
| Album | Billboard 200 | First week | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tha Carter (2004) | No. 5 | XXL; Wikipedia | |
| Tha Carter III (2008) | No. 1 | More than one million copies (Nielsen SoundScan) | Associated Press, June 18, 2008; The Fader, February 10, 2020 |
| I Am Not a Human Being (2010) | No. 1 | The Fader, February 10, 2020; Complex, February 9, 2020 | |
| Tha Carter IV (2011) | No. 1 | 964,000 copies (Nielsen SoundScan) | Spin and St. Louis American, September 7, 2011 |
| Tha Carter V (2018) | No. 1 | 480,000 units, including 141,000 album sales | The Fader, October 7, 2018 (citing Billboard) |
| Funeral (2020) | No. 1 | 139,000 units | The Fader, February 10, 2020; Complex, February 9, 2020 (citing Billboard) |
| Tha Carter VI (2025) | No. 2 | 108,000 units | Billboard Canada (chart of June 21, 2025); Revolt |
Funeral is Lil Wayne’s fifth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, after Tha Carter III, I Am Not a Human Being, Tha Carter IV and Tha Carter V, according to The Fader and Complex in February 2020. “Units” combine album sales, streams and tracks converted into album equivalents; the 2008 and 2011 figures count copies.
On the Hot 100, the Associated Press reported on September 27, 2012 that Lil Wayne had 109 entries, 42 of them as lead artist. That is one more than Elvis Presley (108): the highest total among male artists at that date.
Lil Wayne’s Grammy Awards
| Ceremony | Category | Work |
|---|---|---|
| 51st (February 8, 2009) | Best Rap Album | Tha Carter III |
| 51st (February 8, 2009) | Best Rap Song | Lollipop (Lil Wayne feat. Static Major) |
| 51st (February 8, 2009) | Best Rap Solo Performance | A Milli |
| 51st (February 8, 2009) | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | Swagga Like Us (Jay-Z and T.I. feat. Kanye West and Lil Wayne) |
| 59th (February 12, 2017) | Best Rap Performance | No Problem (Chance the Rapper feat. Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz) |
Grammy.com shows 5 wins and 28 nominations on October 23, 2026. The most recent nomination is from the 68th ceremony, on February 1, 2026: Best Rap Song for Sticky (Tyler, the Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne). The award went to tv off, by Kendrick Lamar feat. Lefty Gunplay.
Young Money Entertainment
Lil Wayne founded the label Young Money Entertainment, tied to Cash Money Records and Universal Music Group. According to Wikipedia, Drake (2009 to 2018), Nicki Minaj (2009 to 2022) and Tyga (2008 to 2016) were signed to it. The January 2015 lawsuit also mentions the earnings of Drake’s solo records, according to the Associated Press. Since 2018, Tha Carter V and Funeral have come out on Young Money, with Republic Records for Funeral.
For Drake’s career, read Drake: biography, discography and albums.
The dispute with Cash Money and Birdman, from 2014 to 2018
Announced as early as 2012 and planned for 2014, Tha Carter V finally came out in September 2018. The items below come from the press; the terms of the settlement were not made public.
| Date | Reported fact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| December 4, 2014 | Lil Wayne writes on Twitter that he feels like a prisoner of his label and wants to leave it. He accuses Cash Money of blocking the release of Tha Carter V. | AFP, via Gulf News; Wikipedia (Tha Carter V) |
| January 28, 2015 | Lawsuit in a Manhattan federal court against Cash Money Records, the label run by Birdman: $51 million claimed and cancellation of contracts dating from November 1998. | Associated Press, January 29, 2015; XXL, citing TMZ |
| June 7, 2018 | The press reports a settlement with Cash Money. The terms were not made public. | The Fader |
| June 8, 2018 | Lil Wayne’s lawyer confirms the agreement to Billboard without giving its terms. He says his client now controls his assets and his music. | XXL, citing Billboard |
| September 2018 | Tha Carter V comes out on Young Money and takes the top spot on the Billboard 200. | RIAA; The Fader |
Legal cases: facts as reported by the press
This section lists facts reported by the press, without comment.
| Date | Reported fact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| July 2007 | Arrest after a loaded gun is found on his tour bus. | Associated Press, via Pollstar |
| October 2009 | He pleads guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. | Associated Press, via Pollstar |
| March 8, 2010 | Sentenced to one year in jail, served on Rikers Island. | Associated Press, via Pollstar |
| November 4, 2010 | Released from Rikers Island after eight months. | DNAinfo |
| December 2019 | A gun is found in his luggage at Opa-locka airport, near Miami, on arrival from California. | CBS Miami; Global News (Associated Press) |
| December 2020 | He pleads guilty in a federal court in Miami to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person with a prior conviction. | CBS Miami |
| January 20, 2021 | The White House announces that President Donald Trump has granted him a full pardon. Sentencing was due on January 28, 2021. | Global News (Associated Press); CBS Miami |
Lil Wayne news as of October 23, 2026
| Date | News | Source |
|---|---|---|
| January 22, 2025 | Three concerts announced with the Hot Boys (B.G., Juvenile and Turk) in February 2025: Tampa, Charlotte and St. Louis. | Pollstar |
| June 6, 2025 | Release of Tha Carter VI, No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 108,000 units. | Billboard Canada; Revolt |
| August 5, 2025 | The mixtapes Da Drought, Da Drought 2 and Da Drought 3 arrive on Apple Music and Tidal. | Revolt; Wikipedia |
| February 1, 2026 | Grammy nomination for Sticky (Best Rap Song). The award goes to tv off. | Grammy.com; NBC San Diego |
| March 17, 2026 | Announcement of the “20 Years of Carter Classics” tour, with 2 Chainz and The Game, an extension of the Tha Carter VI Tour. | Vice |
| May 2026 | Lil Wayne says Tha Carter VII is coming “soon,” with no date and no certainty about the title. | 105.1 The Bounce; HipHopWired |
| Late August 2026 | Release of Special Ops, a track about the Green Bay Packers. | HotNewHipHop; Ratings Game Music |
| October 2026 | The October 16 concert in Charleston, West Virginia, is postponed because of weather and travel delays. On October 23, Live Nation still lists dates through February 2027, some of them rescheduled. | WVNS; Live Nation |
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Frequently asked questions
What is Lil Wayne’s first album?
His first solo album is Tha Block Is Hot, released on November 2, 1999 and certified platinum by the RIAA on December 10, 1999. He had already recorded with the Hot Boys, whose album Guerrilla Warfare was certified platinum on November 1, 1999.
How many Tha Carter albums are there?
Six: Tha Carter (2004), Tha Carter II (2005), Tha Carter III (2008), Tha Carter IV (2011), Tha Carter V (2018) and Tha Carter VI (June 6, 2025). In May 2026, Lil Wayne said a Tha Carter VII is coming soon, with no date.
What is Lil Wayne’s latest album?
Tha Carter VI, released on June 6, 2025 and ranked No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 108,000 units. His latest release listed here is the track Special Ops, in late August 2026.
How many Grammy Awards has Lil Wayne won?
Five: four at the 51st ceremony (February 8, 2009) and one in 2017 for No Problem, with 28 nominations in total according to Grammy.com (October 23, 2026).
Which Lil Wayne album has the highest certification?
Tha Carter III, 8x platinum according to the RIAA (certified September 27, 2022). Tha Carter IV comes next with 5x platinum (September 25, 2020).
Why did Tha Carter V take so long to come out?
Announced as early as 2012 and planned for 2014, the album was held up by the conflict between Lil Wayne and Cash Money. A lawsuit was filed in January 2015, a settlement was reported on June 7, 2018 and the album came out in September 2018.
What is Young Money?
The label founded by Lil Wayne, tied to Cash Money Records and Universal Music Group. According to Wikipedia, Drake and Nicki Minaj were signed to it.
Read next
- Drake: biography, discography and albums
- Metro Boomin: career, discography, certifications and Grammy
- Playboi Carti: biography, discography and albums
- Rap drumkits: how to choose the pack
Sources
- RIAA, base Gold & Platinum, recherches par artiste et par titre (consultée le 23 octobre 2026)
- Grammy.com, fiche de Lil Wayne (5 victoires, 28 nominations, consultée le 23 octobre 2026)
- Grammy.com, Best Rap Album, 2009
- Grammy.com, Best Rap Song, 2009
- Grammy.com, Best Rap Song, 2026 (68e cérémonie)
- Philadelphia Inquirer, gagnants des Grammy Awards 2009 (9 février 2009)
- WGBH, gagnants des Grammy Awards 2017 (13 février 2017)
- NBC San Diego, gagnants des Grammy Awards 2026 (1er février 2026)
- Billboard Canada, classement Billboard 200 du 21 juin 2025
- Revolt, Tha Carter VI n°2 du Billboard 200 (juin 2025)
- The Fader, Funeral n°1 du Billboard 200 (10 février 2020)
- Complex, Funeral n°1 du Billboard 200 (9 février 2020)
- The Fader, Tha Carter V n°1 du Billboard 200 (7 octobre 2018)
- Spin, Tha Carter IV : 964 000 exemplaires (7 septembre 2011)
- St. Louis American, Tha Carter IV (7 septembre 2011)
- Associated Press, Tha Carter III dépasse le million d’exemplaires (18 juin 2008)
- CBS News (Associated Press), Lil Wayne dépasse Elvis Presley au Hot 100 (27 septembre 2012)
- XXL, Tha Carter sort le 29 juin 2004
- Grammy.com, Tha Carter III dix ans après (7 juin 2018)
- Universal Music, biographie de Lil Wayne
- Wikipédia (en anglais), Lil Wayne
- Wikipédia (en anglais), Hot Boys
- Wikipédia (en anglais), Young Money Entertainment
- Wikipédia (en anglais), Tha Carter III
- Wikipédia (en anglais), Tha Carter V
- Wikipédia (en anglais), Tha Carter VI
- Wikipédia (en anglais), Da Drought 3
- Wikipédia (en anglais), Tha Fix Before Tha VI
- Deezer, API publique, albums de Lil Wayne (dates de sortie, consultée le 23 octobre 2026)
- UDiscover Music, Tha Carter V (28 septembre 2018)
- Stereogum, Tha Carter V annoncé pour le 28 septembre (25 septembre 2018)
- Gulf News (AFP), Lil Wayne accuse son label de retarder Tha Carter V (2014)
- Heraldnet (Associated Press), plainte de 51 millions de dollars (29 janvier 2015)
- XXL, plainte contre Cash Money Records (janvier 2015)
- The Fader, règlement avec Cash Money rapporté (7 juin 2018)
- XXL, l’avocat de Lil Wayne confirme l’accord (8 juin 2018)
- Pollstar (Associated Press), condamnation du 8 mars 2010
- DNAinfo, sortie de Rikers Island (4 novembre 2010)
- CBS Miami, grâce présidentielle (20 janvier 2021)
- Global News (Associated Press et La Presse canadienne), grâce présidentielle (20 janvier 2021)
- Ville de La Nouvelle-Orléans, communiqué sur le Lil Weezyana Fest (1er novembre 2024)
- Revolt, honneurs à La Nouvelle-Orléans au Lil Weezyana Fest 2024
- Pollstar, Lil Wayne et les Hot Boys en tournée (22 janvier 2025)
- Revolt, les mixtapes Da Drought sur les plateformes (août 2025)
- Radio Big Boy (iHeart), les séries Da Drought et Dedication sur les plateformes (6 août 2025)
- Vice, tournée 2026 de Lil Wayne (17 mars 2026)
- Live Nation, dates de Lil Wayne (consulté le 23 octobre 2026)
- WVNS (via AOL), concert de Charleston reporté (16 octobre 2026)
- 105.1 The Bounce, Tha Carter VII (28 mai 2026)
- Black America Web (HipHopWired), Tha Carter VII (28 mai 2026)
- HotNewHipHop, Special Ops (30 août 2026)
- Ratings Game Music, Special Ops (31 août 2026)
Updated October 23, 2026. Certifications: RIAA database consulted on October 23, 2026. Grammy Awards: Grammy.com consulted on October 23, 2026.
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