"Tha Carter V" Lil Wayne is finally out. Here's what you need to know.

The anticipation for the fifth episode of Lil Wayne's "Carter" album series lasted longer than many rap careers. But early Friday morning, the rapper from New Orleans finally put "Tha Carter V" in the world.

The 23-track album, the sequel to "Tha Carter IV" from 2011, has been stuck for years, apparently on legal issues. In the meantime, Wayne released new music in 2015: the clip titled "Sorry 4 The Wait 2" – whose predecessor, "Sorry 4 The Wait", released in 2011, was released in the same way during the constant delays from "Tha Carter IV" – and the exclusive Tidal "Free Weezy Album".

There is a lot to unpack with "Tha Carter V", so here's what you need to know.

What about legal issues?

"Tha Carter V" was scheduled for release in December 2014, but Wayne's relationship with his label, Cash Money Records, and his longtime collaborator, Birdman, has deteriorated. Birdman and Wayne have long been close – the first helped to discover the rapper – but in 2014, Wayne publicly called Birdman and Cash Money Records after the delay in the publication of "Tha Carter V."

According to a complaint filed by TMZ in January 2015, Wayne sued US $ 51 million and Cash Money Records, along with his co-founder, for $ 51 million late. The following month, Wayne told Rolling Stone that "Tha Carter V" was "Super done. Baked cake, icing on top, name on top, lighted candles. I would have published it yesterday if I could. But it's a dead subject right now. It's a jewel in the safe. It's this makeshift money. In May, reports revealed that the trial had been settled.

"Under our settlement agreement, the case was resolved amicably to the satisfaction of all parties," Wayne's lawyer Ron Sweeney said in a statement to Billboard in June. "As for details, we are legally prohibited from saying anything more. I can say that my client is happy. He is his own man, a man who has his assets, his music and himself. At some point, Wayne will tell his fans what will happen next. "

This is the name of XXXTentacion I see?

Yep. XXXTentacion died in June after being shot by a motorcycle dealer in South Florida. Before his death, the 20-year-old rapper led a violent life: at age 6, he tried to stab a man who "messed up" with his mother; locked up, he beat a gay detainee; and he would have abused his girlfriend for humming another person's rap verse.

But as the rapper was waiting for his trial in March – charged with prison, home drums and aggravated drums of a pregnant woman – his album "?" Has debuted at the forefront of the Billboard 200. His work continues, as it is featured on "Don & # 39; t Cry," the second title of "Tha Carter V," which deals with death. XXXTentacion will also be featured in Kanye West's "Yandhi" album scheduled for a Saturday release.

And another Carter?

Two! Reginae Carter, Wayne's 19-year-old daughter, sings the chorus of "Famous". Wayne's mother, Jacida Carter, opens the "Tha Carter V" with the title "I Love You Dwayne" and appears throughout the album. – and on its cover.

"Lil Wayne, proud mom of you," she said. "You have gone so far. I can not wait for your album to come out. Many people ask me when will it come out? They can not wait for your album to come out. I'm just proud of you.

But where is Drake?

Not here, apparently – at least not long. While some were quick to point out that the guy who rapes, "Weezy, where have you been? People miss you, "on the song" Hittas ", it looks a lot like Drake, the rapper from Toronto does not appear in the credits of the album, and he certainly does not have a verse on a song.

Drake's career has long been closely tied to Wayne's career. Drake signed with Wayne's label in 2009, the same year MTV asked if the protégé would be "the next big thing". (We now know that the answer was yes, absolutely.) Because both have collaborated for years were surprised to see that Drake can not be found on "Tha Carter V."

What about the other guests we hear?

You know who East on the album? Barack Obama! Wayne finishes "Dedicate" while listening to an Obama speech: "They might think they have a very good shot, or a pretty good shot," said the former president. "But our children can not all become LeBron or Lil Wayne!"

Others on this album include: Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, Sosamann, Snoop Dogg, Ashanti, Mack Maine and Nivea.

Wait, is that the album that Martin Shkreli got?

Uh, yes We know very well at this point that the universe is operating in a mysterious way, and the shameful pharmaceutical CEO claiming in December 2016 to have legally bought the unprecedented 'Tha Carter V.', Shkreli reportedly got a CD after Wayne. left him in a car that he sold.

Mysterious, we say.

As we talk about Martin Shkreli, the drama does not stop there. He leaked part of the album on Periscope, after which, according to TMZ, Wayne's team sent him a ceasefire letter. Fortunately for Weezy fans, earlier this year, a federal court ordered a convicted Shkreli to confiscate the album, as well as the only copy of Wu-Tang Clan's "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin", intended for the federal government. on part of the $ 7.36 million that he owes.

Could this be Wayne's last solo album?

Unfortunately yes. After Wayne first announced "Tha Carter V" in 2012, according to Billboard, he also announced that he would retire after its release in December 2014. Things obviously did not go as planned, so who knows? if he will respect his word? Maybe Weezy leans over Brett Favre than Daniel Day-Lewis.

Read more:

Lil Wayne culminated 10 years ago with "Tha Carter III": the rise and fall of the "best living rapper"

Why are people crazy that Michelle Obama kisses Kanye West in the new Childish Gambino video?

A very brief guide to the very long beef between Drake and Pusha T