Tha Carter III is the sixth studio album by American rapper Lil Wayne released June 10, 2008 on Cash Money Records. The first three singles released from the album, ("Lollipop", "A Milli", and "Got Money"), have all achieved top ten success on the Billboard Hot 100, a very rare feat for a rap album. The fourth single, "Mrs. Officer", reached the Top 20 quickly in 4 weeks after Wayne confirmed this song to be an official single. The album received positive reviews and from several music critics and publications, while it earned universal acclaim, according to the website aggregator Metacritic, following an anticipated release. On New Year's Eve, it was named the top-selling album of 2008 in the United States, selling 2.88 million copies.

Due to an original December 11, 2007 release date, Tha Carter III was named the "#1 most anticipated album of 2007" by XXL and the #3 album of 2008 by Rolling Stone. The cover, featuring a baby picture of Lil Wayne, follows designs of album covers done by American rappers Nas (Illmatic) and The Notorious B.I.G. (Ready to Die). In December 2008, the album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album to be presented at the 51st Grammy Awards.

Lil Wayne stated that producers will include The Alchemist, Cool & Dre, Deezle, Jim Jonsin, Just Blaze, Kanye West, Mannie Fresh, The Runners, Timbaland, Danja, Arash, and will.i.am. In an interview with HipHopCanada.com, Solitair of the Black Jays stated that he and Cipha Sounds produced a track called "Outstanding", which later eventually leaked. The Runners have stated that they have produced three tracks for Tha Carter III. Lil Wayne revealed that he has written a track for Eminem, which he has yet to send to him. He described this song as the "craziest". However, it is thought that Eminem turned down the request.