He released Dedication 2 nine months after C2, dropped a joint album with Birdman ( Like Father, Like Son) a month after that, and then released a double disk mixtape Da Drought 3 in May 2007. After dropping C2 December 2005, Wayne proceeded to flood the market. Wayne’s power at that time came from his ability to be everywhere, to rap over any and every beat, to be everything hip-hop could be. In retrospect, they created a transformative moment in Wayne’s career that forced him to rethink his most important album.

These leaks changed the project’s musical direction as well as its expectations. Wayne’s C3 was plagued by a number setbacks due to dozens of records being leaked. When we look back on this album a decade later, with all of its hit records and commercial successes, it’s easy to forget how difficult and chaotic the journey was to get to that moment. It sold over a million records in its first week, a fitting achievement for an album boosted by the hit single “A Milli.” After great anticipation, on June 10, 2008, Tha Carter III was released to high praise from fans and critics alike.

MTV crowned him the “Hottest MC In The Game,” GQ’s called him the “Workaholic of the Year,” and by 2008 Rolling Stone said he was, in fact, the “ Best MC.” Going into 2008, at the height of his popularity, it was time for Wayne to deliver an album.

On 2005’s Tha Carter II, Wayne proclaimed himself to be the “best rapper alive.” It may have felt lofty then, but by the end of 2007 it became the general consensus amongst rap fans and Wayne no longer had to sing his own praises.

The carter 3 mixtape lil wayne