Tha Carter

Wayne had merged Jay-Z’s wordplay with his own impish, unpredictable Southern flow, suddenly vaulting the 22-year-old former Hot Boy into the realm of the credible MC. *Tha Carter* was also notable as the last collaboration between Wayne and legendary Cash Money producer Mannie Fresh. With Wayne coming into his own as a rapper, Fresh provided some of the finest beats of his career: “Go DJ,” “On My Own,” “Snitch,” and “Ain’t It A Bitch.”

Check out our album review of Artist's Tha Carter on Rolling Stone.com.