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By Paul Cantor

In 2008, Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III went platinum during its first week in stores, providing hip-hop with a much needed sales jolt. Mr. Carter’s yet to duplicate that success with his successive releases—Rebirth and I Am Not A Human Being, respectively—but with his release from Rikers last week, one can’t help but wonder what his return means for hip-hop’s bottom line.

“Whatever anyone thinks about record sales these days, they matter,” said Desiree Williams, an independent music retailer who's worked with sales managers and marketing reps from all the major labels for the last 14 years. “There are some artists left that, from a business perspective, understand the opportunities that come along with selling units. I would put Dwayne Carter ‘the business man’ in that category. With Tha Carter IV, there is an expectation for Wayne to do big first week numbers. I also think his fans will support him.”

Clinton Sparks, DJ/television personality-cum-recording artist, doesn’t think the onus is on Wayne to sell records as much as it is to release music.

“Once you become iconic like a Lil Wayne, sales do not matter to the fans,” he said. “Obviously, the label feels differently but people just want to hear from you and what you have to say.”

For Wayne, that might not be a difficult thing to do. Read More...

Tags lil wayne, music business, prison, release