It has been literally three years after the initial release of the triple platinum selling ‘Tha Carter III,’ and after all the trials and tribulations that Lil Wayne has been through, the fourth installment to the Carter series will see the light sooner than expected. 2011 has been a good year for the Young Money empire as both Nicki Minaj and Drake have been conquering the airwaves, holding down the fort while CEO Wayne was locked down. With back to back hits coming out the Young Money camp and a tour already set in place, Lil Wayne is back to work, back on his grind.

Just as ‘Tha Carter III’ was a highly-anticipated album for the 2008 amongst fans, ‘Tha Carter IV’ has also been vigorously-anticipated since news hit the media, following in the same path as the third installment did. During a recent interview with Sway of MTV News, the Young Money CEO officially announced the release date of the forthcoming album.

These were his comments:

 “Tha Carter IV is done, all they need to do is tell Tez [manager Cortez Bryant] to stop sitting on it. Tez, stop sitting on Tha Carter IV and put the album out.”

Bryant, who has been Wayne’s manager for quite some time now, was at the studio during the interview and provided the release date. Wayne continued adding:

“May 16, believe that. It can come out tomorrow ’cause I’m so finished…. Tha Carter IV will be dropping May 16. If you’re not doing anything, do me.”

The official lead single into album has been announced as the already blazing ‘6 Foot, 7 Foot,’ featuring recent Young Money signee Cory Gunz, with production from veteran producer Bangladesh. At press time, Wayne just recently kicked off his ‘I Am Music II’ tour in Providence, Rhode Island will continue to tour across the North American continent.

‘Tha Carter IV’ has been officially scheduled to drop attentively on May 16, 2011.