Lil Wayne announces release date for ‘The Carter VI’

Lil Wayne has confirmed the release date for the long-awaited ‘Tha Carter VI’ in a new advert for Cetaphil.

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Earlier this week, the New Orleans rap legend took to social media to confirm that he won’t be at the NFL Super Bowl LVIII game in his hometown this weekend, teasing he had something “very special” planned instead. This announcement comes after the controversy surrounding Wayne being overlooked for the halftime show slot, which went to this year’s headliner Kendrick Lamar.

Then Lil Wayne – real name Dwayne Carter Jr. – starred in a new campaign advert for Cetaphil. The skincare brand played on the rapper’s disappointment after not getting the halftime headlining gig, using the strapline: “We’re all a lil sensitive.”

Throughout, there are references to the numbers six and 25, which appear on the back of football jerseys and a scoreboard in the clip. The numbers make sense by the end scene, where a sign on the door of Wayne’s studio reads: “Do Not Disturb ’til 06-06-25. Carter VI.”

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Shortly after the ad’s launch, Wayne’s label Universal Music Group confirmed that Wayne’s highly-anticipated ‘Tha Carter VI’ will be released on June 6 this year.

The record will be the sixth edition of the long-running album series, with the first instalment released back in 2004. ‘Tha Carter VI’ will serve as the follow-up to 2018’s ‘Tha Carter V’.

In addition to the album announcement, Wayne also jumped on a remix of basketball player LiAngelo Ball aka GELO’s viral hit, ‘Tweaker’. The remix comes shortly after the release of the official music video starring Ball and his brothers, Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo and Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo.

Last September, Birdman, Drake, Nicki Minaj and more called for the NFL to reverse the decision and choose Wayne to headline this weekend’s Super Bowl halftime show. Lamar commented on the backlash on ‘Wacced Out Murals’ from his latest album, ‘Gnx’ – which confused Wayne, who tweeted, “Wtf I do?” in response to the song.

Since then, Wayne has revealed he and Lamar have settled the score over the whole Super Bowl saga, telling Skip Bayless: “I wish him all the best and I told him he better kill it. He gotta kill it.”

Kendrick’s 2025 NFL Super Bowl LIX halftime show will take place this Sunday (February 9) with special guest SZA. In a new interview with Apple Music, Lamar said fans can expect him to bring “the LA energy” and is passionate about bringing his storytelling skills to the forefront.

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