Lil Wayne – The Carter 6 (Album Review)

TRENT
Jun 6
3 min read

Lil Wayne returns with The Carter 6, a hefty album that feels like a journey through different phases of his career — and at times, different genres altogether. The project clocks in with a mix of hits, misses, and unexpected detours. Here’s a track-by-track breakdown of the highlights, lowlights, and where Wayne still shows flashes of the old Carter magic.

1. Intro to the Intro

Beat/Acoustics: 7/10
Lyrics: 2/10
Comments: Feels like a tease. Builds hype with a classic Wayne-style beat laced with guitar riffs, but lacks substance.
Overall: 5/10

2. Welcome to the Carter

Beat/Acoustics: 8/10
Lyrics: 8/10
Comments: Vintage Wayne. A stop-and-go rhythm and clean hook make it feel like a throwback.
Overall: 8/10

3. Bells

Beat/Acoustics: 6/10
Lyrics: 9/10
Comments: That deep bass and old-school flow suit Wayne perfectly. Smooth, lyrical, and cohesive.
Overall: 8/10

4. Hip-Hop (feat. Big X & Jay Jones)

Beat/Acoustics: 7/10
Lyrics: 8/10
Comments: A gritty beat lets Wayne, Big X, and Jay Jones shine. A strong cut that honors the genre in title and tone.
Overall: 8/10

5. Sharks (feat. Jelly Roll & Big Sean)

Beat/Acoustics: 9/10
Lyrics: —
Comments: Vibe-heavy and clean. Jelly Roll’s hook is inspired, and Big Sean’s verse delivers.
Overall: 9/10

6. Banned from N.O.

Beat/Acoustics: 7/10
Lyrics: 9/10
Comments: Sounds like a response track, maybe aimed at the Super Bowl situation. Full of bite and attitude.
Overall: 9/10

7. The Days (feat. Bono)

Beat/Acoustics: 5/10
Lyrics: 5/10
Comments: Sounds like a soundtrack reject. U2 vibes, but it’s jarring in this context.
Overall: 5/10

8. Cotton Candy (feat. 2 Chainz)

Beat/Acoustics: 8/10
Lyrics: 9/10
Comments: Southern brass meets catchy bars. 2 Chainz and Wayne have great chemistry.
Overall: 9/10

9. Flex Up

Beat/Acoustics: 7/10
Lyrics: 7/10
Comments: Nothing flashy, but solid. Easy listen with Wayne doing just enough.
Overall: 7/10

10. Island Holiday

Beat/Acoustics: 8/10
Lyrics: 7/10
Comments: Surprisingly breezy. Wayne channeling Weezer vibes somehow works.
Overall: 8/10

11. Loki’s Theme

Beat/Acoustics: 8/10
Lyrics: 9/10
Comments: One of the album’s best. Dark, focused, and lyrically sharp.
Overall: 9/10

12. If I Played Guitar

Beat/Acoustics: 2/10
Lyrics: 4/10
Comments: A total misfire. Feels like a novelty song that doesn’t land.
Overall: 3/10

13. Peanuts 2 N Elephant

Beat/Acoustics: 3/10
Lyrics: 6/10
Comments: Oddball track. Catchy in its own strange way but definitely weird.
Overall: 6/10

14. Rari (feat. Kameron)

Beat/Acoustics: 8/10
Lyrics: 7/10
Comments: The hook is infectious and Wayne glides through his verses. Solid all around.
Overall: 8/10

15. Maria

Beat/Acoustics: 5/10
Lyrics: 5/10
Comments: Slower track with lots of snare. Feels like filler.
Overall: 5/10

16. Bein Myself (feat. Mannie Fresh)

Beat/Acoustics: 7/10
Lyrics: 8/10
Comments: Classic bounce with a flute twist. Wayne and Mannie’s chemistry still hits.
Overall: 7.5/10

17. Mula Komin

Beat/Acoustics: 3/10
Lyrics: 2/10
Comments: Total mess. The beat is chaotic and the features don’t blend.
Overall: 2/10

18. All Alone in the Studio with My Gun (feat. MGK, Kodak Black)

Beat/Acoustics: 7/10
Lyrics: 6/10
Comments: Wayne brings good energy, but the features weigh the track down. Wasted potential.
Overall: 6/10

19. Written History

Beat/Acoustics: 8/10
Lyrics: 7/10
Comments: Strong closer. The beat knocks and Wayne drops clever lines. Feels purposeful.
Overall: 8/10

Final Thoughts:

King Carter is an uneven ride. There are undeniable standouts — “Sharks,” “Loki’s Theme,” and “Cotton Candy” — that show Wayne still has the ability to tap into his legacy. But some tracks meander too far off course, and a few collaborations miss the mark entirely.

Final Album Score: 7/10

(Weighted from track scores. Some incredible moments, some throwaways. Longtime fans will find a few gems to keep on repeat.)

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