Republic Records

The distributor behind the June 6, 2025 arrival of Tha Carter VI.

Republic Records partnered with Young Money Entertainment to release Lil Wayne's fourteenth solo studio album, Tha Carter VI, on June 6, 2025. This collaboration marks the sixth installment of the iconic Tha Carter series and arrives seven years after the predecessor, Tha Carter V (2018). As the distributor for this major project, Republic Records facilitated the album's debut at number two on the Billboard 200 with 108,000 first-week units. The label supported a massive promotional rollout that included a Super Bowl LIX commercial, a Madison Square Garden headline show, and a tour kicking off on the release date in New York City.

Quick Facts

Parent

Universal Music Group

Founder

Monte Lipman; Avery Lipman

Distributor

Universal Music Group (International)
Island/EMI (UK)
Island Def Jam (France)
Universal Music Enterprises (reissues)

Country

United States

Location

New York City, U.S.

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

The relationship between Republic Records and Young Money solidified its impact during the lead-up to Tha Carter VI. In August 2022, following a Young Money Reunion Concert in Toronto where Wayne hinted at the project, the label's Instagram page shared a pre-save link for the album. Tension regarding the title arose when Young Thug announced his debut would be called Tha Carter VI, leading to legal threats and his subsequent renaming of the project to Barter 6. By January 2025, AT&T posted an interview where Wayne guaranteed a 2025 release. The rollout intensified in February with a Cetaphil commercial during Super Bowl LIX; after joking about missing the halftime show, Wayne retreated into a studio marked "CARTER VI" and "DO NOT DISTURB 'TIL 06-06-2025." Republic Records officially confirmed this June 6 release date immediately following the broadcast.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking Lil Wayne's output through Republic Records and Young Money, the path to Tha Carter VI offers specific milestones. The album serves as his first solo release in five years since Funeral (2020). It features guest appearances from BigXthaPlug, Jay Jones, Jelly Roll, Big Sean, Bono, 2 Chainz, Andrea Bocelli, Wyclef Jean, Mannie Fresh, MGK, Kodak Black, and Wayne's sons Kameron Carter and Lil Novi. A bonus edition adds Nicki Minaj, Future, and Lil Baby, while the physical release includes Trippie Redd. Production credits span Ben Billions, Bobby Raps, Boi-1da, Charlie Handsome, DJ Clue, DVLP, Infamous, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Einer Bankz, Synco, Mannie Fresh, and Wheezy. Historically, Rolling Stone's May 2025 issue revealed Kanye West had production that might be removed due to controversy, and a Billie Eilish sample was mistakenly credited as a feature before correction.

Did You Know?

Tha Carter VI debuted at number two with 108,000 album-equivalent units, including 35,000 pure sales.
The album features contributions from Andrea Bocelli on the track "Maria," which samples an aria by Vladimir Vavilov.