New Orleans native Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., or most commonly known as Lil Wayne, has become one of hip hop’s most important figures since his breakthrough to the mainstream in 2004 with his first chart topping album Tha Carter. Fans of Wayne have been waiting for the next installment to Wayne’s discography since 2012, but there has been some controversy with the album since it was first announced.

In November 2012, Wayne tweeted that Tha Carter V would be his final album, and he would be retiring from making new music so he could be with his children during a vital point in their lives. The album was first announced to be released in 2013 but remained unreleased. In February 2014 during the NBA All-Star Weekend, Wayne guest performed with his record label mate, Drake. During the set they both let out the news that the album would be released May 5th 2014. On March 27th, Wayne’s manager, Cortez Bryant, announced the album would be delayed once again.

Throughout 2014 Wayne would continue to gather hype for the album by getting superstars like NBA all star Kobe Bryant and professional boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. to also promote the album. During an interview with ESPN discussing the album’s art cover featuring a young Wayne holding his mother’s hand, he announced that it would be released on October 28th, 2014. When the scheduled release date came, Wayne set out a public service announcement that the album could not be released due to it having 31 songs. Soon after, Wayne asked his fans to wait until December 9th.

One possibility for the delays is the ongoing conflict with his one time father figure and record label boss, Bryan Williams a.k.a  Birdman. Due to Wayne being signed to Cash Money Records he has still been unable to release Tha Carter V. Not being able to release Tha Carter V has lead to some hard feelings between Birdman and Wayne.  On January 20, 2015, Wayne released a mixtape called  Sorry 4 the wait 2 in which he dissed or discredited Birdman multiple times. On January 28th, Wayne filed a $51 million lawsuit in a federal court in New York against Cash Money Records. The lawsuit is still ongoing.

Consequently, Wayne is not the only artist that felt like he was being held prisoner by the label. On February 13th, 2015,  Drake released If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late. In this album it is also made clear he is mistreated by the Cash Money Records and soon after his contract was up, he jump started his own recording label named OVO Sound.

There are still many rumors circling the hip hop community and the anticipated release of the album in 2017. Even Wayne has posted on his social media accounts saying “Carter V coming soon” while also promoting his new Record label Roc Nation. Tha Carter V is one of the most anticipated hip hop albums of this generation alongside Dr Dre’s Detox; time will tell when the album will actually be released.