Lil' Wayne will release his much anticipated new album 'The Carter IV' on December 15, it's been announced.

The rapper's release plans were unveiled by Cash Money Records CEO Birdman, who said that 'The Rebirth' would also be out this year.

The rock record has been hit by persistent delays, with Lil' Wayne claiming earlier this month that it would now be a double album.

But Birdman told MTV: "'Tha Carter IV' is out December 15th, we won't release 'The Rebirth' as a double CD like people are saying. Both will be out before 2010.

“We're looking to take over the game completely, flood the market. The Grammy's are ours next year."

'Tha Carter IV' will mark the official follow-up 'Tha Carter III', which sold over one million copies in its opening week in the US last year.

(by Jason Gregory)