It feels like we’ve been waiting for Lil Wayne‘s Tha Carter V for way too long.

While the rap behemoth might still be one of the genre’s most recognizable stars, for some reason the album had fallen into the realm of perpetual delay. We all knew Tha Carter V had been finished, it was just a case of waiting for the point where the powers that be felt it should be released.

Well, the wait is over, and bizarrely Weezy took to US sports channel ESPN to announce the news. It’s set for release on October 28, and features a pretty awesome picture of Tunechi with his mom Cita on the cover. While Wayne’s mom might not be too happy with the photo (“I know personally that she don’t really like that picture of herself ’cause she’s not looking in the camera,” he said), for him it represents something very personal.

“It’s perfect,” he stated, “I always go with a baby picture and I wanted to go with one with my mom on it this time. This album means a lot to me. People been waiting on this album and I’m just at the point in my life and stuff to have my mom on there. It’s more than an accomplishment, it’s an achievement.” [via Rap-Up]

<em>Tha Carter V</em> will be released on October 28 via Young Money/Republic.