Lil Wayne’s place among hip-hop legends was assured by the time he released his ninth studio album; his lyrics’ gymnastics on songs like “6 Foot 7 Foot” and “Blunt Blowin” (“If time is money, I’m an hour past paid”) further cemented his legacy. But on Tha Carter IV, Wayne seeks out new sounds, exploring them to much acclaim on the acoustic guitar-assisted “How to Love” and turning his eye to the world of R&B, accompanied by Drake (“She Will”) and John Legend (“So Special”).