Lil Wayne Content with Early Leak of ‘Tha Carter IV’

New York, NY – In what possible way would Lil Wayne or the people the behind contain or even control a leak of an album of that caliber? The release of ‘Tha Carter IV’ has been anticipated since the announcement was made that album would officially be released.

In 2008, ‘Tha Carter III’ was the most highly anticipated album of that year and due to some technicalities, the album was leaked to the net, but still managed to obtain a Platinum status within the first week sales.

In 2011, we have come full circle as the fourth installment to ‘Tha Carter’ series has become the highlight and anticipation of fans as well. Interestingly enough, this time around the album was only leaked four days in advanced, either way the leak was inevitable. According to Lil Wayne, he is actually content and glad that the album was leaked and not at all angered or upset by the early disposition.

The Young Money CEO spoke to MTV News after the closing of his show last week during the VMAs about the early leak. News hit the net immediately after fans began downloading the anticipated album, MTV News immediately jumped to occasion after Wayne walked off stage.

These were his comments:

“We did real good this time, real good,” Wayne told MTV News correspondent Jim Cantiello after his show-closing performance at the VMAs in L.A. on Sunday. “It just means people want to hear it,” he said. “I mean, ’cause there’re people’s albums that come out that can be leaked and don’t leak, so I’m glad mines leaked.”

Mack Maine even added his two cents about the leak when initially inquired by MTV News:

I think we should still do well,” Mack Maine told MTV News on Sunday. “The leak shouldn’t have affected it that much. Actually, this is the first time that the albums leaked so close [to the release date]. Tha Carter III leaked two weeks before and we still did [1 million] the first week. So if history repeats itself, we shouldn’t have any problems.”

According to MTV, last Tuesday, after a full day of sales, Billboard reported that Tha Carter IV was on pace to sell anywhere between 850,000 and 900,000 copies in its first week. Meanwhile, HITS Daily Double estimated on Friday (September 2) that Wayne could move upwards of 975,000 copies, inching him that much closer to a milli.

Keep posted to 24hourhiphop.com as we will post the Soundscan results for ‘Tha Carter IV’s’ first week sales shortly.

To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if ‘Tha Carter IV’ does go platinum on the first week. With the amount of anticipation behind the release of this album, history is bound to repeat itself a second time.

Linkin Park Discusses Commencement of Fifth Album

Los Angeles, CA – If you’re a die-hard LP fan then you know any news concerning a new album is noteworthy news and anytime any of the members of the band speak upon a new album it automatically becomes headlines. Their follow up to the 2010 smash ‘A Thousand Suns’ has already begun its course as they’ve stated that they are even recording while on tour. The still yet untitled fifth studio album from Linkin Park is definitely looking for an early 2012 release.

MTV News recently caught up with lead vocalist Chester Bennington while the band was in Los Angeles earlier this week performing at the Mayan Theater, a more personal — benefit concert for Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief. Yet again, MTV jumped at the chance to inquire about the forthcoming album.

These were Chester’s comments:

“We just kind of began. We like to keep the creative juices flowing, so we try to keep that going all the time,” he said. “We don’t know when the next record is going to be done. We are in the beginning phases of that. We’re still winding down A Thousand Suns and touring for that, so I can tell you we are working and we’re excited, and we like the direction that we’re going in.”

He added that the band has been working closely with producer Rick Rubin again and will once again helm the sessions for the yet-untitled studio album. Even though it’s still early in the production and the direction of the album, the band is already pleased with the results so far.

“[Rick’s] involved all the way, all the time, from the very beginning. You know, we ask him, ‘What do you think of these ideas?’ ” he said. “And we’re kind of getting the wheels rolling. … It’s so hard to talk about something that hasn’t been created yet, but, like I said, we definitely like the way things are going already.”

At press time, Linkin Park is still on tour promoting ‘A Thousand Suns’ and providing relief concerts for the tsunami that hit Japan. Chester states that he’d be surprised if a new album wasn’t complete and released by the beginning of 2012.

Keep posted to 24hourhiphop.com for more updated news on Linkin Park and their forthcoming album.

As an LP fan, wasn’t so much impressed by ‘A Thousand Suns,’ it did have its moments, but LP is always transitioning their style during production of each album. Either way I am still anticipating the release of this album as for every album going back since Hybrid Theory and so on and so forth.

[Video] Freeway – Niggas in Africa

After the release of the epic ‘Watch the Throne’ by Jay-Z and Kanye, it was prominent that anyone and everyone in the industry jump on any of the beats provided on the album.

One of the most interesting and catchy beats off the album is from the track ‘Niggas in Paris.’ Sooner or later artists were going bombard the freestyle points onto this beat. Here’s a first, Freeway who has collaborated with both Ye and Jay has his own rendition of ‘Niggas from Paris,’ his reason is ….from Africa. The freestyle even has an accompanying visual.

Free did a good job, but Jigga and Yeezy killed the beat period.

Check out the Video:

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VphTnljfSmg&feature=player_embedded]