Lil Wayne

Lil' Wayne on the cover of his 2005 album, Tha Carter II

Lil' Wayne born Dwayne Michael Carter on (September 27, 1982) New Orleans, Louisiana) is an African American rapper and president of the Cash Money Records label and Young Money Entertainment. Lil' Wayne has recently gained much respect and critical acclaim for his lyrical rap flow maturation and unique rhyme scheme. Lil' Wayne claims to be the best rapper alive in his song titled Best Rapper Alive #7 on his album Tha Carter II, beginning the chorus of this song by saying: "Who am I...the best rapper alive." Lil Wayne is also known as Birdman Jr., Raw Tune, Weezy F. Baby, or Dwayne Carter (using the last name of his step father).

Personal history

Lil' Wayne was signed to Cash Money Records while attending middle school at Eleanor McMain Magnet Secondary School. After seeing Lil' Wayne dressed in gang affiliated colors, his mother pulled the plug on Wayne's career with Cash Money. Wayne then ran away from home with his stepfather's gun. While playing with the gun, Lil' Wayne accidentally shot himself in the chest and was taken to the hospital after almost bleeding to death. After waking up in the hospital, he let the authorities know that the gun belonged to his step father. His step father was arrested for having an unregistered handgun, then shortly after being released from jail, was abducted, and killed. Wayne now has a large tattoo of the words "Bang Bang" on his chest to commemorate his shooting and also has "In Memory of Rabbit: It's Up To Me" tattooed on his arm, in honor of his beloved slain step father.

Lil' Wayne has one daughter, Reginae, and one brother who currently lives in Houston after recently being married and moving from Shreveport, LA.

Career

Dwayne Carter credits Cash Money recording artists such as Pimp Daddy and U.N.L.V. as some of his early rap influences. At the age of 11, Wayne would drop out of school to fully pursue a rap career after meeting the Cash Money owner and CEO Ronald "Slim" Brian, "Baby aka Birdman" Williams who would sign him to their recording label. In 1995 at the age of 12, Wayne made his debut with then fellow label mate B.G. on the album titled True Story.

It should be noted that Wayne didn't rap about adolescent issues, unlike most child rappers who perform bubblegum rap until their late teens. He did, however, refrain from swearing in his rhymes at the behest of his mother.

In 1997, Wayne formed the Hot Boys along with Juvenile, Turk, and B.G., and they dropped their seminal debut CD Get It How You Live. The record's success earned the young teenagers fans throughout the south and midwest. He further distinguished himself on the Hot Boys' platinum selling Universal debut Guerilla Warfare released in 1998, followed by their 2003 release Let Em Burn.

At age 16, Wayne launched his solo career with the release of Tha Block Is Hot 1999. This were followed by Lights Out in 2000 and 500 Degreez an allusion to Juvenile's 400 Degreez in 2002.

In 2004, Wayne Carter released Tha Carter. This album is marked as a personal milestone as he claimed to have finally perfected his trade. It was also Tha Carter that finally earned Wayne mass notability outside the south as a lyricist because at that time (and even still today), southern rappers are stereotyped with little to no lyrical ability.

On December 6, 2005 Wayne released Tha Carter II which further solidified his spot as a contemporary rapper. Tha Carter II sold more than 238,000 copies debuting at no. 2 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart and has been certified platinum. The lead single off the album, "Fireman", became a hit in the US, peaking at 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The second single, "Grown Man", was solicited to urban radios in January of 2006 in hopes of spreading to Top 40 Mainstream and then to the Hot 100, but failed to do so and failed to receive any attention due to lack of promotion and no video. The third single "Hustler Muzik" received a video and gained minor attention also. "Hustler Muzik" recently debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #88.

Recently Wayne was recruited by the Boyz N Da Hood as their fourth member after Young Jeezy left the group to engage in his solo career.

Discography

Albums

• 1999: Tha Block Is Hot (2x Platinum)
• 2000: Lights Out (Platinum)
• 2002: 500 Degreez (Gold)
• 2004: Tha Carter (Platinum)
• 2005: Tha Carter II (2x Platinum)

His real name is actually Gene Cummelot

Music videos

• Holla At Me Baby Dj Khaled, ft Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Pitbull, Rick Ross and Schedrick Alford.

See also

• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart
• List of number-one dance hits (United States)

External links

• Young Money Web One of the best places to talk about Lil Wayne and youngmoney entertainment and cash money records. Forum included