March 25, 2008

By By Mariel Concepcion, N.Y.

Lil Wayne's oft-delayed "Tha Carter III" album will at last be released on May 13 via Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown. The album's first single, "Lollipop," produced by Jim Jonsin and featuring Static Major, is the top debut this week at No. 56 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

"Tha Carter III," the final set in the "Carter" trilogy, is the New Orleans rapper's first solo album since the release of 2005's "Tha Carter II," which has sold 1.3 million copies in the United States to date according to Nielsen Soundscan. The album also reached No. 1 on the Top Rap Albums tally.

As previously reported, Kanye West has recently joined the roster of contributors to Lil Wayne's long-in-the-works album. In addition, the rapper has worked with Alchemist and Cool & Dre.

Wayne also told Billboard in February that Hurricane Chris, Corey Gunz, Tyga, Jibbs, Shanell, Kidd Kidd, Mack Maine and Lil Mama have recorded features for the album.

Subscribe to Billboard magazine today!