Fresh off his release from prison, Lil Wayne released his much anticipated ninth album, “Tha Carter IV,” last month. The album features cameos from some of hip-hop’s biggest artists, like Rick Ross, Nas and Busta Rhymes.

Recorded between Oct. 2008 and July 2011, the album isn’t much of a departure from Lil Wayne’s last album, “Tha Carter III.” Wayne hasn’t really progressed much as a rapper, and as a result, the album feels boring. Songs like “How To Hate” and “It’s Good” offer nothing new to the album, and Wayne merely seems to repeat how rich he is in his lyrics.

The guest appearances on the album offer some much needed support for Wayne’s weak rhymes. Rick Ross helps on a remake of his 2010 song “I’m Not A Star,” entitled “John.” Other surprise guests include Grammy award-winning soul singer John Legend on the song “So Special.”

Wayne has said in various interviews that this is his last album because he feels he needs to spend more time with his children and family. This might not be a bad thing, considering his last two albums were basically the same thing. Perhaps the break will give Wayne some time to reevaluate his music and come back better than ever.