Lil Wayne is slated to drop what he proclaims is his final album later this year and in anticipation of the release, Wayne has been promoting the project differently than past efforts.

Talking with ESPN recently, Weezy spoke about using athletes to promote the album, as Kobe Bryant recently tweeted the album cover art.

“‘Carter V Season’ was all Kobe,” Lil Wayne said when asked about Kobe Bryant’s contribution. “He came up with it. I saw that and thought, ‘That’s dope as hell,’ so that’s what we’re calling the [album] campaign. I thanked him. Then we thought about Floyd.”

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When asked about the Tha Carter V and its makeup, Lil Wayne said the album is all about “growth” and that his music is “supposed to be personal.”

Tha Carter V is about growth, flat-out,” he said. “My thoughts are wiser. I still say what I want to say—it just sounds better and makes more sense. That all comes with growth and maturity.

“I never try to send messages through music,” he continued. “Music is about self. It’s supposed to be personal, a reflection of me, unless you have somebody writing it for you, and everybody know I’m not that artist. I’m not sending a message because that message may not get across. Whatever message you take from it is your choice.”

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No specific release date is yet known for Tha Carter V. Kobe Bryant’s involvement in the promotion of the album may be due to their longtime friendship. Back in 2009, Lil Wayne released “Kobe Bryant,” a song about the Los Angeles Lakers guard. Read the full ESPN interview here.

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