On this day, June 29, in hip-hop history...

Cash Money Records/Universal Republic
Cash Money Records/Universal Republic
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2004: On Jun 29, 2004, New Orleans’ Lil Wayne started his signature album series when he dropped his fourth studio album, Tha Carter.

The Cash Money Records star collaborated with Mannie Fresh for a majority of the album production, despite Fresh having broken off from the label. The album name is both a play on Wayne's government last name and The Carter crack houses in Wesley Snipe's 1991 thriller, New Jack City. Preceded by the lead single, "Bring It Back" and later supported by "Go DJ" and "Earthquake" Tha Carter showed off Wayne's gritty, weezy and comical flow over a plethora of hard knock beats.

Staking his claim for rap supremacy, Tha Carter debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 in 2004 and although was critiqued for being too long (a lengthy, 21-track project), many hip-hop outlets sang Wayne's praises. Tha Carter received a XL rating and by September of that year, it was certified Gold by the RIAA.

Weezy F went on to drop four more albums under 'Tha Carter' theme but because of a recent, tumultuous feud with Birdman, fans have been waiting for the latest installment, Tha Carter V, since 2011.

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