Lil Wayne launches US run next month

Lil Wayne is planning a return to the road next month to support his double-platinum album, "Tha Carter III."

The hip-hop star will begin Dec. 6 with a makeup date in Rochester, NY, and then play more than a dozen shows across the US into January. Several gigs on the itinerary also feature Keyshia Cole, T-Pain, Gym Class Heroes and Keri Hilson. Details are included below.

A couple of Lil Wayne performances have been scrapped at the last minute in recent weeks. Halfway through the Oct. 26 Rochester show at Blue Cross Arena, the audience reportedly was told the rapper would not show because he didn't like the venue's sound system. The next night in Boston, Wayne pulled out of a concert because he "was apparently unable or unwilling" to comply with a security checkpoint at TD Banknorth Garden, according to the Boston Herald.

Despite the less-than-flattering press, Lil Wayne continues to tear up the music charts. His highly anticipated "Tha Carter III" hit stores in June and easily topped The Billboard 200, with more than 1 million copies sold the first week. The set has spawned several hits, including No. 1 R&B/hip-hop and rap singles "A Milli" and "Lollipop," featuring Static Major.

The third and final release in the so-called "Tha Carter" trilogy, the album also boasts guest contributors and individual track producers including Kanye West, Babyface, The Alchemist, Cool & Dre, T-Pain and others. Lil Wayne, born DeWayne Michael Carter Jr., said he saved the best for his latest effort.

"I made The Carter III so that whatever song is on, it will stick with you forever," the performer said in his bio. "That's why I took my time with it. I wanted it to be a classic."

During his 13-year career, Lil Wayne has recorded more than 1,000 songs and freestyles, and sold upwards of 6 million albums, according to his bio. The New Orleans-born lyricist is currently up for several trophies at next month's inaugural Music Choice Video on Demand Awards.