Lil Wayne Fires Back at Yet Another Grammys Snub: “Tha Carter VI” Shut Out Despite Massive Hype and Commercial Success

New Orleans rap icon Lil Wayne (Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.) is once again voicing his frustration with the Grammy Awards after his highly anticipated fourteenth studio album, Tha Carter VI, received zero nominations at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in early 2026. The project, released on June 6, 2025, via Young Money and Republic Records, marked Wayne’s long-awaited return to solo full-lengths after a five-year gap since Funeral (2020). Yet, despite debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 with 108,000 first-week album-equivalent units and featuring high-profile collaborations, the Recording Academy overlooked it entirely.

Wayne took to X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the ceremony to share his thoughts in a now-viral post: “Congrats to the nominees and winners. Wasnt included. As usual. I gotta work harder. As usual. One time for my slime Bill Beli.” The message—referencing former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who faced his own Hall of Fame snubs—quickly sparked debate across social media. Fans interpreted the “as usual” refrain as a pointed jab at the Grammys’ history of under-recognizing hip-hop legends, while others dragged the rapper for seemingly whining about an album that received mixed reviews and lacked the critical acclaim of his earlier Carter series peaks.

Tha Carter VI arrived amid massive buildup, with Wayne announcing the June 6 drop date in spring 2025 alongside a North American tour kicking off at Madison Square Garden—his first headlining show at the iconic venue. The album boasted an eclectic guest list including BigXthaPlug, 2 Chainz, Bono, Jelly Roll, Big Sean, and Kodak Black, blending trap roots with experimental vibes. Tracks like “The Days” even got prime placement in ESPN’s NBA Finals promotions. Pre-release hype positioned it as a potential comeback vehicle for the five-time Grammy winner, whose legacy includes over 100 million records sold, iconic mixtapes, and influence on modern rap.

Critics, however, were divided. Some praised Wayne’s relentless flow and bars, but many noted a lack of direction, replay value, and standout production compared to classics like Tha Carter III (2008) or Tha Carter II (2005). The project earned no major Grammy categories—Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance, or otherwise—despite Wayne earning one nod elsewhere: Best Rap Song for his feature on Tyler, The Creator’s “Sticky” (which lost to Kendrick Lamar, Mustard, and Lefty Gunplay’s track).

This isn’t Wayne’s first brush with Grammy disappointment. The rapper has long criticized the awards for overlooking hip-hop pioneers, famously boycotting or downplaying them in the past. His 2023 Global Impact Award was a rare honor, but album-specific wins have been sparse since his early 2010s dominance. Fans on platforms like Instagram and X flooded comments with mixed reactions: some defended the snub as deserved (“C6 ain’t Grammy worthy”), while others rallied with “They still sleeping on Weezy” and calls for respect toward one of rap’s most prolific artists.

In the wake of the post, outlets like HotNewHipHop, Complex, Power 105.1, and LilWayneHQ amplified the story, noting how Wayne’s measured tone—mixing congratulations with self-motivation—differs from outright rants but still fuels ongoing conversations about Grammy bias, voter demographics, and legacy recognition in hip-hop. Wayne has not given extensive follow-up interviews on the matter, but his social media activity suggests he’s channeling the energy into “working harder,” hinting at future music despite no immediate plans announced.

The snub reignites broader debates: Does commercial success guarantee Grammy love? Should veteran rappers expect nods amid a youth-driven industry? For Wayne, whose influence spans generations, the oversight stings but doesn’t diminish his GOAT status in many eyes.

As hip-hop continues evolving, Wayne remains a constant force—tours, features, and bars flowing endlessly. Whether this fuels a fiercer comeback or simply another chapter in his Grammy saga, one thing is clear: Lil Wayne isn’t retiring from the conversation anytime soon. 🎤👑