The Best Songs From Each Lil Wayne “Tha Carter” Album Posted by Lucas G. on 05/13/14 | Filed under Top Stories, Opinion, Debates, Lil Wayne

Now, to be clear, I never thought Lil Wayne was "the best rapper alive", and as much as I didn't want to believe it, there was a good four to six years there where it was hard to argue against it; anything Wayne touched blew the fuck up. For the past few years, however, things have taken a sharp turn. Between a rock album, a skateboarding obsession, and this abomination, it's safe to say Weezy is not the best rapper alive.

Well, no matter how many Paris Hilton collabs he makes, I will always have a soft spot for Weezy and specifically, the whole "Carter" series. So, now that Tha Carter V is slowly, but surely making it's way to us - first the leaked artwork then a Drake-assisted single - I figure what better time to celebrate one of the best album series in hip-hop; who knows, you might even get excited for the new one. Here are my picks for the best three tracks from each installment of Tha Carter. Let the debate begin!

Tha Carter

"Go DJ"

Not only is this unequivocally the best song on the album, but it just might be his best song ever. Not just the best in the "Carter" series; I'm talking about every single Weezy song. I don't care if it's a single or the most popular song, it's still the best. Incredible beat, passionate flow and some insanely quoteable lines. This is the penultimate Weezy song; not matter how much your may resist and no matter how wild and outlandish the song is, against your best instincts, you can't help but listen to it on full blast. I have listened to this song soooo many times, but it never loses it's flare. A classic!

"This Is The Carter"

"Go DJ" may be the best, but "This Is The Carter" is my favorite. I remember the first time I heard this was in college when designated driver in my friends car; that night we must have listened to it 30 times. "Go DJ"might have the flash and sizzle, but in terms of sheer rapping ability, I thin this one is better; Wayne fucking goes in. Plus that hook from Mannie Fresh is off the charts. The most redeeming quality of Wayne is that he is so much fun to listen to, and this is the perfect example.

"Get Down"

Mannie fucking killin' it on the beat. Said it once and I'll say it again, without Mannie Fresh there is no Cash Money. This effort is so smooth, and goes down so easy. It also makes me feel like a god damn boss; Wayne is so good at that. The song has that absurd, over the top vibe but Weezy's flow is still on point. Such an underrated song. This line gets me every time, "I bring her home and I fuck her on a thousand hundreds/Then I shoot the nasty bitch in the mouth for nothin".

The Carter II

"Hustler Musik"

Lil Wayne is on a mission on this one. All things considered, it's pretty mellow on the energy side, but it gets me amped like no other song; this one is on all of my workout playlists. Weezy sounds really determined and on a mission. It's been a long time since I listened to it, probably over a year, but I still know all the words; that's staying power

"Receipt"

Really?! Nobody mention "Hustler Musik", "Receipt" and "Shooter (see below) on the best thee song stretch conversation. As much as I love hilarious one-liners and pussy metaphors, I've always though Wayne's best lyrical performance come when he sings about the ladies on a more personal level. Also, someone give The Heatmakerz a big ol' hug for me because this beat is fucking bananas.

"Shooter"

I've always thought this one is a fucking tune, but I have encountered more than few people who hate it, so at the risk of losing all my credibility, I am going on record as saying this one is a masterpiece. It's so different from Weezy's other stuff and I fucking love it.  Look, I love Weezy as much as the next guy, but I won't ever say his stuff is "great" musically, but this song is. Of all of Wayne's songs this is probably his most impressive display of musicianship. The way it progresses and changes, the concept, the flow, everything is on point. I feel like i say this every time, but this is one of my favorites. Probably top 3 behind "Go DJ" and "This Is The Carter".

Tha Carter III

"A Milli"

Pretty much had to. The beat that spawned 1,567,894,234.28 freestyles; how could I not pick it?! Everybody in the world who has ever rapped has rapped over this beat, but nobody has ever touched the original; that's saying something.

"Let The Beat Build"
 

When this album first came out I was told by like six people to listen to this song. the first time I listened I was impressed, but didn't understand what all the buzz was about...then I got to the four minute mark. That last verse is just so fucking awesome. I said that Lil Wayne was never the "best rapper alive" but if I had one verse to prove he was it my be that last one; surgical yet cooler than the other side of the pillow.

"Mr. Carter"

That fucking hook though!! Oh yeah, hip-hop's two best Carter's on one track, but mainly, that fucking hook. I can't really explain it, but it's so intoxicating; really makes this effort. This was right about where Lil Wayne jumped the shark, but even when he isn't at his best, he still killed Jay Z. I always forget Jay is on the song until he comes on berceuse Weezy is so damn good.

Tha Carter IV

"Blunt Blowin"

You know, I always slept on this album. By this point, I kinda figured Wayne had sort of lost his magic, but he still brought it. Is it as majestic as Tha Carter uno? Of course not, but that doesn't mean it ain't dope. This sounds like something that could have come on Tha Carter III. It's lacking that special je nes se quoi that old Weezy had, but it still bangs.

"6 Foot 7 Foot"

I know it's boring to pick the big single, but I can't help it if it's the best effort on the album. I don't much care for Corey Gunz at all and the beat borders on annoying, but Wayne is in rare form. Some of his best work, post decline.

"Interlude"

I know Weezy isn't on this song, but it's on the album and it's fucking amazing so I'm counting it. If you have problems with that, it means you have problems with Tech N9ne, and, thusly, I have problems with you; plus Andre 3000. I'm not really sure how this track came to be, and it seems weird that Wayne is not on it at all, but I'm totally fine with it. Maybe he just heard Tech and Stacks and was just like "nah". Can't say I blame him.

Tha Carter V

"Believe Me"

The best track by default because so far it's the only track. But it's dope enough to give hip-hop heads hope that the dope Weezy could be back. 

Well, that was fun. I mean it, literally, this was a blast to write. As I said a billion times, Wayne isn't the best rapper alive but he certainly is the most fun. There really aren't too many emcees out there who can entertain like Weezy. I couldn't give less of a fuck as to where he ranks or what claims he has to back up, when I put on some classic Weezy, I am always going to enjoy it and in the end, that's all that matters.

UPDATE: If you're into that sort of thing, the interwebs are ranking every "Carter" track right here. And if you'd like to listen to all of these songs in a streaming playlist, click here. 

[Lucas Garrison is a writer for DJBooth.net and RefinedHype. He does not have a beard. You can tweet him your favorite Migos songs at @Lgarrison88.]

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