Lil Wayne Releasing ‘Tha Carter IV’ Online Following the MTV VMAs

The 2011 VMAs are already the hottest ticket in town to celebrate the end of summer and Lil Wayne just cranked up the heat several notches by announcing that he will release 'Tha Carter IV' to all digital retailers at midnight following the VMAs ceremony.

The VMAs are set to air this Sunday, Aug. 28 on MTV. While 'Tha Carter IV' was originally scheduled to be released in June, Weezy is now issuing the album online ahead of the physical retail date, so he's making up a wee bit of ground with this move.

Weezy, who will perform at the VMAs, issued the following statement about the early digital release:
"I am extremely excited to be the first artist to utilize such an amazing idea. I hope that I can open the door for others."

Weezy's "amazing idea" is similar to Jay-Z and Kanye West's launch of 'Watch the Throne,' which was released digitally a few days prior to the physical product landing on shelves. 'Tha Carter IV' will be available at brick and mortar stores on Monday, so Weezy isn't breaking street day by more than a couple of hours. However, using the VMAs as a platform to do it is the brilliant part.

What a great way to prepare for back to school, though. You can stay up late on one final Sunday before classes start in order to take in the VMAs and then load up the iPod with some brand new Weezy tunes for when you walk to school come Monday!