Wayne had merged Jay-Z’s wordplay with his own impish, unpredictable Southern flow, suddenly vaulting the 22-year-old former Hot Boy into the realm of the credible MC. Tha Carter was also notable as the last collaboration between Wayne and legendary Cash Money producer Mannie Fresh. With Wayne coming into his own as a rapper, Fresh provided some of the finest beats of his career: “Go DJ,” “On My Own,” “Snitch,” and “Ain’t It A Bitch.”