GET TO KNOW LIL WAYNE
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., best known as Lil Wayne, is a well-known American hip hop music artist who has won multiple awards, including the coveted Grammy Award. Beginning as a pro at the age of nine with 'Cash Money Records,' Wayne went on to form the American adolescent hip-hop group 'The B.G.'z,' together with rapper Lil' Doogie.
After a few years, he became a member of the American hip hop trio 'Hot Boys,' alongside Young Turk, Juvenile, and Lil' Doogie, who is now known as B.G. With its hit 'Bling Bling' and platinum-selling album 'Guerrilla Warfare,' the group's prominence eventually skyrocketed.
Throughout that time, he released his solo debut album, 'Tha Block Is Hot,' which was certified platinum by the 'Recording Industry Association of America' (RIAA). This was followed by a string of other hit and popular albums by the hip hop sensation, which not only earned him international fame but also solidified his place among the notable international hip hop artists.
With over 100 million albums sold worldwide, he became one of the all-time best-selling music artists. His most notable and successful album, 'Tha Carter III,' sold over one million copies in its first week in the United States and earned him the 'Grammy Award' for 'Best Rap Album.' Young Money Entertainment is Lil Wayne's record label.
Childhood & Early Life :
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. was born on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Wayne's parents split when he was two years old, and he began living with his mother, a chef. He grew up in Hollygrove, one of New Orleans' poorest neighborhoods.
He had a tight relationship with his stepfather Rabbit, who was subsequently slain. Wayne has a tattoo in honor of Rabbit.
In a CBS interview, Wayne explained why he omitted the 'D' from his name, saying, "I dropped the D because I'm a junior and my father is living and he's not in my life and he's never been in my life." So instead of being Dwayne, I'd rather be Wayne."
He began making rap songs when he was eight years old and met Bryan Williams, an American rapper, record producer, and co-founder of 'Cash Money Records,' best known by his stage names Birdman and Baby, in 1991.
Birdman was impressed by the skill of eight-year-old Wayne, who recorded freestyle raps on his answering machine, and eventually became Wayne's mentor and signed him to 'Cash Money Records.' Eventually, the two developed a father-son connection, with Birdman referring to Wayne as his son.
He was a member of the American adolescent hip-hop duo 'The B.G.'z,' and he and rapper Lil' Doogie released the group's first album 'True Story' on July 29, 1995, via 'Cash Money Records,' which was also his debut collaborative album.
At the age of 12, he inadvertently shot himself with a 9mm pistol and was transported to the hospital by an off-duty police officer, Robert Hoobler. He attended 'Eleanor McMain Secondary School' for a few years before transferring to 'Marion Abramson Senior High School,' but dropped out at 14 to focus on his musical endeavors.
Career :
In 1996, he joined the hip hop group 'Hot Boys.' The group's second studio album, 'Guerrilla Warfare,' was released on July 27, 1999, and topped the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums list as well as reaching No. 5 on the Billboard 200, providing the group, which included Wayne, basic exposure.
Wayne's debut solo album, 'Tha Block Is Hot,' was released on November 2, 1999, by 'Cash Money Records.' The RIAA awarded platinum certification to the album, which became a Top Ten smash and reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
Despite receiving a gold certification from the RIAA, his following two albums, 'Lights Out (2000) and '500 Degreez' (2002), failed to match the popularity of 'Tha Block Is Hot.'
His fourth album, 'Tha Carter,' released on June 29, 2004, by 'Cash Money Records' and 'Universal Records,' debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and sold 116,000 copies in its first week. It also achieved RIAA gold certification.
He became Cash Money's president in 2005, and that same year he launched the record label 'Young Money Entertainment,' which is an imprint of 'Cash Money Records.' However, in late 2007, he indicated leaving both labels' executive roles.
The sequel to 'Tha Carter,' named 'Tha Carter II,' was his fifth studio album and was released on December 6, 2005, by 'Cash Money Records' and 'Universal Distribution.' It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart and sold over 238,000 copies in its first week, outperforming its predecessor.
'Tha Carter II' was certified gold by the RIAA on January 18, 2006, and platinum on March 23, 2006.
Moving on, this genius released 'Tha Carter III,' widely regarded as his most astounding and successful album to date, on June 10, 2008. On February 12, 2009, the album not only topped the Billboard Hot 100 but also received triple-platinum certification from the RIAA.
In 2009, his album 'Tha Carter III' earned him the coveted 'Grammy Awards for 'Best Rap Album.' That same year, he won three additional Grammys: 'Best Rap Solo Performance' for 'A Milli,' 'Best Rap Song' for 'Lollipop,' and 'Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group' for 'Swagga Like Us,' which he shared with T.I., Jay-Z, and Kanye West.
Among Wayne's other important albums include 'Rebirth' (2010), 'Tha Carter IV (2011), and 'Free Weezy Album' (2015). He has cooperated with other musicians and appeared on countless tracks by different vocalists throughout the years.
He has got praise for his mixtapes, including 'Dedication 2' (2006) and 'Da Drought 3' (2008). (2007). He has dabbled in acting, appearing in films such as 'Baller Blockin' (2000) and 'Hurricane Season (2009), as well as TV shows such as 'Saturday Night Live (2004, 2008, 2010), 'Wild 'n Out' (2005), and 'The Boondocks' (2007).
Personal Life & Legacy :
Wayne has four children: Reginae, his high school sweetheart, with whom he was married from 2004 to 2006; Dwayne III, with radio presenter Sarah Vivan; Cameron, from actress Lauren London; and Neal, from singer Nivea. He was also romantically involved with Trina, a rapper, and Christina Milian, a singer.
He enrolled in the 'University of Houston' following his GED in January 2005, but dropped out later. He then majored in psychology after enrolling in online courses at the 'University of Phoenix.'
Wayne has had his fair share of legal problems, including being convicted and sentenced to one year in jail for unlawful possession of a firearm and marijuana on March 8, 2010. He spent eight months at 'Rikers Island Jail until being released on November 4, 2010. On October 11, 2016, he published his book 'Gone Til' November,' in which he discussed his time on Riker's Island.
Awards :
Billboard Music Award :
2012: Top R&B Song-Winner
Grammy Awards :
2017: Best Rap Performance-Winner
2009: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group-Winner
2009: Best Rap Album-Winner
2009: Best Rap Solo Performance-Winner
2009: Best Rap Song-Winner