After years of delays, and legal wrangling Lil Wayne is finally about to release his highly-anticipated album Tha Carter V.

Lil Wayne made the announcement via a new YouTube video, along with some links to preorder Tha Carter V.

Lil Wayne confirmed the album will be released this Friday, via his own record label Young Money with distribution by Republic/Universal.

The rapper, who is celebrating his 36th birthday on September 27th, is releasing the album to celebrate his birthday.

“Well, I would like for you to know that since y’all stuck with me and hung in there anyway for like the past four or five years through all of this but uh on my birthday, I actually have something special. I will be releasing Tha Carter V on my birthday.”

Tha Carter V was held up for years in a $51 million dollar battle between Lil Wayne and Cash Money, over unpaid advances and royalties.

The rapper eventually settled the lawsuit with Cash Money, and won his independence along with a settlement in excess of $10 million.

“I hope you guys love this album. I always give you all of me, but with this album I’m giving you more than me,” Lil Wayne said. “You got always remember that this is years of work, this is four, five, six years of work that you’ll be listening to. Hopefully you’ll be listening to it, and I hope you enjoy it.”