Lil Wayne has officially shared the cover art for his upcoming album Tha Carter VI, which is scheduled for release on June 6. The artwork, revealed on April 22, shows a young version of Wayne smiling and covered in his recognizable face tattoos. The design reflects visual elements from previous installments in the Tha Carter series, particularly Tha Carter III (2008) and Tha Carter IV (2012).
To accompany the announcement, Wayne also launched new merchandise. The items include vinyl and CD editions—some of which are autographed—as well as a t-shirt and hoodie that are now available for purchase.
In a recent Rolling Stone cover story, Wayne spoke in detail about the project’s collaborators and direction. The guest list includes a diverse set of artists, such as Miley Cyrus, Bono of U2, and opera singer Andrea Bocelli. Additional features come from Machine Gun Kelly, Jamaican artist Elephant Man, and Wayne’s 15-year-old son Kameron, who is also pursuing music.
The production team behind the album features Wyclef Jean, Wheezy, and potentially Kanye West. Wyclef is taking an active role in shaping the album’s sound and has reportedly formed a loose collective with Wayne called “the Gumbo.” This informal group includes several New Orleans musicians, such as Jon Batiste, Ledisi, Trombone Shorty, and PJ Morton.
Discussing the concept for the album, Wayne explained that he approached the music by imagining what he would sound like next to each guest. “If there’s one thing about this album that’s different,” he said, “it’s me approaching it like, ‘Man, what would I sound like on something with such and such?’”
In the same interview, Wayne said he’s open to recording a sequel to his 2006 collaboration album Like Father, Like Son—but this time, with his three sons: Kameron, Dwayne III, and Neal, all of whom are beginning their own music careers.
Wayne also addressed the topic of the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, which was held in New Orleans and headlined by Kendrick Lamar. The rapper had previously expressed interest in performing at the event himself. According to the article, Wayne clarified that there is no tension between him and Lamar. He said he called Kendrick before the event to offer support.
Wayne mentioned that he was led to believe by someone in the NFL that he might be offered the performance. When Kendrick was announced, a league contact later told him, “We ain’t in charge [of the halftime show],” offering an apology.
Though Wayne holds no resentment toward JAY-Z, who helps organize the halftime performances, he said he is no longer interested in doing the show. “They stole that feeling,” he said. “I don’t want to do it. It was perfect.”
