Republic Records

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Lore & Background

The relationship between Republic Records and Young Money solidified its impact during the lead-up to Tha Carter VI. In August 2022, following a Young Money Reunion Concert in Toronto where Wayne hinted at the project, the label's Instagram page shared a pre-save link for the album. Tension regarding the title arose when Young Thug announced his debut would be called Tha Carter VI, leading to legal threats and his subsequent renaming of the project to Barter 6. By January 2025, AT&T posted an interview where Wayne guaranteed a 2025 release. The rollout intensified in February with a Cetaphil commercial during Super Bowl LIX; after joking about missing the halftime show, Wayne retreated into a studio marked "CARTER VI" and "DO NOT DISTURB 'TIL 06-06-2025." Republic Records officially confirmed this June 6 release date immediately following the broadcast.

In Their Own Story

The promotional machinery for Tha Carter VI began its final sequence on April 22, 2025. Wayne announced his first solo headline show at Madison Square Garden, scheduled for the same night as the album drop. Two hours later, he unveiled cover art depicting his baby self with facial tattoos, captioning it "Captain Carter C6" and posting a double message: "June 6 We C6 The Carter Six June 6 We C6 Ain't a problem I can't 6 June 6." On June 3, the label announced the supporting tour of the same name, set to begin on June 6 in New York City and conclude on October 2 in West Palm Beach. Just two days before the release, on June 5, an ESPN ad for the 2025 NBA Finals aired featuring the single "The Days," which included a feature from Bono. These coordinated moves ensured Tha Carter VI entered the market with significant momentum, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking Lil Wayne's output through Republic Records and Young Money, the path to Tha Carter VI offers specific milestones. The album serves as his first solo release in five years since Funeral (2020). It features guest appearances from BigXthaPlug, Jay Jones, Jelly Roll, Big Sean, Bono, 2 Chainz, Andrea Bocelli, Wyclef Jean, Mannie Fresh, MGK, Kodak Black, and Wayne's sons Kameron Carter and Lil Novi. A bonus edition adds Nicki Minaj, Future, and Lil Baby, while the physical release includes Trippie Redd. Production credits span Ben Billions, Bobby Raps, Boi-1da, Charlie Handsome, DJ Clue, DVLP, Infamous, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Einer Bankz, Synco, Mannie Fresh, and Wheezy. Historically, Rolling Stone's May 2025 issue revealed Kanye West had production that might be removed due to controversy, and a Billie Eilish sample was mistakenly credited as a feature before correction.

Did You Know?

• Tha Carter VI debuted at number two with 108,000 album-equivalent units, including 35,000 pure sales.
• A Cetaphil commercial during Super Bowl LIX featured a recording studio door reading "DO NOT DISTURB 'TIL 06-06-2025."
• Young Thug originally planned to title his debut album Tha Carter VI but renamed it Barter 6 after legal threats from Wayne.
• The album features contributions from Andrea Bocelli on the track "Maria," which samples an aria by Vladimir Vavilov.
• Rolling Stone's May 2025 issue initially credited Billie Eilish as a feature due to a sample, before issuing a correction.