Lil Wayne

  • New Orleans, LA
    hometown
  • Hip-Hop/Rap
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  • 1994
    started
  • Bio
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About Lil Wayne

Official Site: http://www.lilwayne-online.com/default.aspx


A game-changing artist and an impervious celebrity, Lil Wayne began as his career as a near-novelty -- a preteen delivering hardcore hip-hop -- but through years of maturation and reinventing the mixtape game, he developed into a million-selling rapper with a massive body of work, one so inventive and cunning that it makes his famous claim of being the "best rapper alive" worth considering. Born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. and raised in the infamous New Orleans neighborhood of Hollygrove, he was a straight-A student but never felt his true intelligence was expressed through any kind of report card. He found music was the best way to express himself, and after taking the name Gangsta D he began writing rhymes. Combining a strong work ethic with aggressive self-promotion, the 11-year-old convinced the Cash Money label to take him on, even if it was just for odd jobs around the office. A year later, in-house producer Mannie Fresh partnered him with the 14-year-old B.G. and dubbed the duo the B.G.'z. Although only B.G.'s name appeared on the cover, the 1995 album True Story has since been accepted as the B.G.'z debut album both by fans and the Cash Money label. The 1997 album Chopper City was supposed to be the follow-up, but when Wayne accidentally shot himself in the chest with a .44, it became a solo B.G. release.

That same year, he officially took the moniker Lil Wayne, dropping the "D" from his first name in order to separate himself from an absent father. He joined B.G., Juvenile, and Young Turk for another Fresh project, the teen hardcore rap group the Hot Boys, who released their debut album, Get It How U Live!, in 1997. Two years later, Cash Money would sign a distribution deal with the major label Universal. Mainstream distribution would help that year's Hot Boys album Guerrilla Warfare to reach the number one spot on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 1998, Lil Wayne would appear on Juvenile's hit single "Back That Thing Up," or "Back That Azz Up" as it appeared on Juvie's album 400 Degreez. Wayne would launch his solo career a year later with the album Tha Block Is Hot, featuring the hit single title track. It went double platinum but the rapper was still unknown to Middle America, since his hardcore rhymes and the rough Cash Money sound had not yet crossed over. His second album, Lights Out (2000), failed to match the success of its predecessor but it did go gold, and with an appearance on the Big Tymers' hit single "#1 Stunna," his audience was certainly growing. While Fresh was primarily responsible for launching his career, Wayne was now much closer to Fresh's fellow Big Tymer and Cash Money CEO Birdman. When Juvenile left the label, Wayne -- or "Birdman Jr." as he was calling himself -- showed his allegiance to his CEO by releasing an album with a title much hotter than Juvie's breakthrough effort. 500 Degreez landed in 2002 and while it went gold, rumors began flying about Cash Money's financial troubles and possible demise. The rest of the Hot Boys had defected and Wayne's planned 2003 album was scrapped, coming out instead as an underground mixtape called Da Drought.

Wayne became enamored with the mixtape world after Da Drought drew so much attention from the hip-hop press. He used these underground releases to drum up anticipation for his next official album, the breakthrough effort Tha Carter. Released in 2004, the album seemed familiar on one hand with Mannie Fresh's production, but the Wayne on the cover was a dreadlocked surprise, and the rhymes he laid on the tracks showed significant growth. His marketing skills had become sharper, too, and it was no mistake that the album's hit single, "Go DJ," mentioned hip-hop's greatest tastemakers right in the title. It reached number five on the singles chart, and with a guest shot on Destiny's Child's number three single, "Soldier," Wayne had officially crossed over. On the flip side, his street cred was supported by a slew of mixtapes released in 2005, including the popular titles Dedication with DJ Drama and Tha Suffix with DJ Khaled. Cash Money's future was no longer in doubt and traditional music business rules no longer seemed to apply, as tracks would be leaked onto the Internet and various DJs' mixtapes. "Get Something" was another bold move, as a Universal-funded video was made without the track ever seeing official release.

With his alternative marketing scheme working in overdrive, the 2005 landing of Tha Carter II was a major event, selling over a quarter-million copies the week of its release. "Fireman" and "Shooter" with Robin Thicke were released as singles, while the album -- which for the first time featured no Mannie Fresh productions -- went platinum. It also introduced his Young Money posse, with appearances from Currensy and Nicki Minaj, and initially came with a bonus disc featuring Wayne's greatest hits screwed and chopped by Swishahouse DJ Michael "5000" Watts. A year later he collaborated with Birdman for the Like Father, Like Son album, featuring the hit single "Stuntin' Like My Daddy." His mixtapes were still flooding the underground, including the stunning Dedication 2, which came with an iconic image of the rapper on the cover plus the much talked-about track "Georgia...Bush," a venomous response to President George W. Bush's handling of the Katrina disaster. With no official follow-up to Tha Carter II in sight, numerous collaborative tracks kept the rapper in the mainstream with "Gimme That" by Chris Brown, "Make It Rain" by Fat Joe, and "Duffle Bag Boy" by Playaz Circle becoming three of the biggest hits.

Tha Carter III was promised for 2007 but didn't arrive until a year later, setting off Wayne's infamous reputation of delayed releases. Part of the problem became unauthorized leaks of the album's tracks, something combatted by the official, downloadable EP The Leak released that same year. Preceded by the number one hit "Lollipop," Tha Carter III arrived in May of 2008, selling more than a million copies in its first week of release. An appearance on Saturday Night Live and four Grammy Awards -- including Best Rap Album -- spoke to Wayne's mainstream acceptance. He also performed at that year's Country Music Awards with Kid Rock, but rather than rap, he played guitar. The guitar playing was part of Wayne's new involvement with rock music, including his help in signing Kevin Rudolf to Cash Money plus an appearance on Rudolf's massive hit "Let It Rock." His planned rock album was previewed with the 2009 single "Prom Queen," but when the album failed to meet its promised April release, the music press began to portray the rapper as the king of missed street dates. Unconcerned, Wayne forged ahead with his Young Money crew, releasing the underground mixtape Young Money Is the Army, Better Yet the Navy, the aboveground single "Every Girl," plus the official album We Are Young Money that same year. His rock album, Rebirth, would finally appear in early 2010, which coincided with Wayne being sentenced to a nine-month prison term for criminal possession of a weapon. The rapper may have been behind bars on Riker's Island, but that didn’t stop his ten-song EP, I Am Not a Human Being, from seeing the light of day in September 2010. Tha Carter IV was finally released in 2011 along with its lead-off single "6 Foot 7 Foot." The album reached the top spot in Billboard's Top 200. A second volume of I Am Not a Human Being arrived in 2013 featuring the singles "No Worries" and "Love Me." ~ David Jeffries, Rovi

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Music

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  • God Bless Amerika
    lil-wayne
    Video
    God Bless Amerika
  • Wit Me feat. Lil Wayne
    lil-wayne
    Video
    Wit Me feat. Lil Wayne
  • High School Featuring Lil Wayne
    lil-wayne
    Video
    High School Featuring Lil Wayne
  • Rich As F*** featuring 2 Chainz
    lil-wayne
    Video
    Rich As F*** featuring 2 Chainz
  • Celebrate featuring Lil Wayne & Talib Kweli
    lil-wayne
    Video
    Celebrate featuring Lil Wayne & Talib Kweli
  • Love Me featuring Drake & Future
    lil-wayne
    Video
    Love Me featuring Drake & Future
  • No Worries (Explicit)
    lil-wayne
    Video
    No Worries (Explicit)
  • Yellow Tape featuring Lil Wayne & A$AP Rocky
    lil-wayne
    Video
    Yellow Tape featuring Lil Wayne & A$AP Rocky
  • Ball feat. Lil Wayne
    lil-wayne
    Video
    Ball feat. Lil Wayne
  • Celebration
    lil-wayne
    Video
    Celebration

Interviews & Exclusives

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  • Lil Wayne And Birdman Confirm The Big Tymers Return
    lil-wayne
    video
    Lil Wayne And Birdman Confirm The Big Tymers Return
  • 'RapFix' Looks Back At Its Sit Down With Lil Wayne And Birdman
    lil-wayne
    video
    'RapFix' Looks Back At Its Sit Down With Lil Wayne And Birdman
  • Lil Wayne, Birdman, YMCMB Open Their Doors To 'RapFix Live'
    lil-wayne
    video
    Lil Wayne, Birdman, YMCMB Open Their Doors To 'RapFix Live'
  • Lil Wayne Hopes His Seizures Stop
    lil-wayne
    video
    Lil Wayne Hopes His Seizures Stop
  • YMCMB Show Off Their Freestyle Skills
    lil-wayne
    video
    YMCMB Show Off Their Freestyle Skills
  • Members Of YMCMB Join The 'RapFix' Party
    lil-wayne
    video
    Members Of YMCMB Join The 'RapFix' Party
  • The Trick Daddy Beef Is Resolved, According To Birdman
    lil-wayne
    video
    The Trick Daddy Beef Is Resolved, According To Birdman
  • Lil Wayne Still Plans On Dropping 'Devol'
    lil-wayne
    video
    Lil Wayne Still Plans On Dropping 'Devol'
  • Lil Wayne's Chimera Shoe Was All Supra's Idea
    lil-wayne
    video
    Lil Wayne's Chimera Shoe Was All Supra's Idea
  • Lil Wayne Shares Words Of Wisdom With Jason Collins
    lil-wayne
    video
    Lil Wayne Shares Words Of Wisdom With Jason Collins

Photos

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  • Lil Wayne
    Courtesy of Young Money
  • Lil Wayne backstage at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
    Lil Wayne
    Lil Wayne backstage at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
    PictureGroup
  • Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne on the scene at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
    Lil Wayne
    Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne on the scene at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
    PictureGroup
  • Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne on the scene at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
    Lil Wayne
    Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Lil Wayne on the scene at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
    John Shearer
  • Drake is congratulated by his Young Money family before accepting the award for Best Hip-Hip Video at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards.
    Lil Wayne
    Drake is congratulated by his Young Money family before accepting the award for Best Hip-Hip Video at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards.
    Getty Images
  • Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne are so elated over Drake's Best Hip-Hop Video win that they get up on the stage to celebrate with him.
    Lil Wayne
    Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne are so elated over Drake's Best Hip-Hop Video win that they get up on the stage to celebrate with him.
    Getty Images
  • Lil Wayne flashes his inked six pack during Drake's acceptance speech for the Best Hip-Hop Video award.
    Lil Wayne
    Lil Wayne flashes his inked six pack during Drake's acceptance speech for the Best Hip-Hop Video award.
    Getty Images
  • Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne photographed on the scene at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
    Lil Wayne
    Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne photographed on the scene at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
    John Shearer
  • Lil Wayne skates off the stage after his performance. The man sure knows how to make an exit.
    Lil Wayne
    Lil Wayne skates off the stage after his performance. The man sure knows how to make an exit.
    Getty Images
  • Lil Wayne's rock star status is complete! The rapper spontaneously stage dives during his live performance.
    Lil Wayne
    Lil Wayne's rock star status is complete! The rapper spontaneously stage dives during his live performance.
    Getty Images

News

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  • Lil Wayne
    Paris Hilton Teases 'Good Time' Video, Is 'Bout That Diamond-Encrusted Swimsuit Lyf
    MTV Buzzworthy
    September 26, 2013
    Paris' teaser clip is basically how we imagine Ibiza to be 24/ 7. Five days, you guys, there are only FIVE MORE DAYS until Paris Hilton changes...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    Busta Rhymes And Eminem Will 'Battle' On New Track
    MTV RapFix
    September 26, 2013
    By Sowmya Krishnamurthy Get ready for a lyrical showdown between Busta Rhymes and Eminem . The rapper recently told XXL that a new song on his ...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    2 Chainz Shoots 'Used 2' Video With Hot Boys In NOLA
    MTV RapFix
    September 26, 2013
    By Sowmya Krishnamurthy 2 Chainz is bringing back the legendary Hot Boys for his new video. While shooting a music video for his Mannie Fresh -...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    Chanel West Coast Is The First Model For Lil Wayne's Trukfit Clothing Line [Photos]
    Remote Control
    September 26, 2013
    Chanel West Coast models a floral number. Between Rob Dyrdek 's signature hoodie and Steelo 's fitted hats, " Ridiculousness " may not be the fir...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    Paris Hilton And Birdman Getting Married?
    MTV News
    September 26, 2013
    Paris and Baby might just tie the knot, they said on MTV's 'RapFix Live.'
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    Paris Hilton Teases New Music Video, "Good Time," With Lil Wayne: WATCH
    NewNowNext
    September 26, 2013
    [mtvn_player vid="959793" autoplay="false" embededview="true" alignment="" width="512" height="288"] Remember that time Paris Hilton dropped an albu...
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  • Lil Wayne
    Drake’s Road To Nothing Was The Same: A Timeline
    MTV RapFix
    September 26, 2013
    (Drake uses 'Hold On We're Going Home' video to get back into acting) By Sowmya Krishnamurthy “September 24th. Just wait on it,” Drake told u...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    Drake's 'NWTS' First Week Sales: Where Will It Rank Among Year's Best?
    MTV News
    September 26, 2013
    Drizzy is on track to land the second-best debut of 2013 behind Justin Timberlake and ahead of Jay Z.
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    Drake's 'NWTS' First Week Sales: Where Will It Rank Among Year's Best?
    MTV News
    September 26, 2013
    Drizzy is on track to land the second-best debut of 2013 behind Justin Timberlake and ahead of Jay Z.
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    While You Were Sleeping: Scott Eastwood Flexes Smokin' Hot Guns, Miley's Plan To Leave Liam, And More
    NewNowNext
    September 26, 2013
    Scott Eastwood flaunted his perfect body in front of a tank on the Fury set. Miley Cyrus was plotting to leave Liam months before they announ...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    Lil Wayne, Arcade Fire, Buffalo Springfield To Headline Bonnaroo
    American Songwriter
    , Alison Krauss and Union Station, Ray LaMontagne, Iron & Wine, Big Boi, Amos Lee, String Cheese Incident, Robert Plant and Band of Joy, the Decemberi...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    Lil Wayne Drops Super Bowl Anthem
    American Songwriter
    to the Super Bowl contenders. "I put it down, representin' for my team/ I'm in green and yellow, green and yellow," declares the New Orleans native. Y...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    DJ Khaled - "No New Friends" (Feat. Drake, Lil Wayne, & Rick Ross) Video
    www.stereogum.com
    Khaled's great 2011 single "I'm On One," and like that song, it's pretty much a Drake track with a couple of guests on it. Drake also co-directed the ...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    Lil Wayne in Nashville
    www.rollingstone.com
    Lil Wayne performs during the America's Most Wanted Tour. Taylor Hill/WireImage Lil Wayne kicked off his America's Most Wanted summer package tour in ...
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  • Lil Wayne
    Lil Wayne's America's Most Wanted Tour Rocks Nashville
    music.yahoo.com
    Related ContentView Photo Lil Wayne's America's Most Wanted Tour Rocks Nashville Lil Wayne kicked off his America's Most Wanted summer package tour in...
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  • Lil Wayne
    Download Lil Wayne Dedication 5 Mixtape
    www.stereogum.com
    Lil Wayne's series of Dedication mixtapes with DJ Drama has marked some important moments in Wayne's creative life. The Dedication, released in 2005, ...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    Paris Hilton’s “Good Time” Video: Watch A Preview Of The Lil Wayne-Featuring Clip
    idolator.com
    God felt it poke Him in the ass. And after what feels like a tormented, eternal wait, the pop heiress is finally back with new single "Good Time," whi...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    Happy Birthday, Lil Wayne!
    www.xxlmag.com
    Today marks the 31st birthday of Dwayne Carter, Jr. A.K.A. Lil Wayne. Born on September 27, 1982, Lil Wayne has become one of hip-hop's biggest supers...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    31 Wittiest Lines From Lil Wayne
    www.xxlmag.com
    1 of 32 wayne_lines They say leaving your 20s and turning 30 is a wake-up call that you're getting old. For Lil Wayne, age isn't anything but number. ...
    Read More
  • Lil Wayne
    Today In Hip-Hop: Lil Wayne Breaks Elvis Presley's All-Time Billboard Top 100 Song Record
    www.xxlmag.com
    On this day, September 27, in hip-hop history... 2012: With the entry of "Celebration" by The Game featuring Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and Wiz Khalifa a...
    Read More

Tour Dates

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  • Oct 9 Wednesday
    Dublin, Ireland The O2
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 12 Saturday
    Toulouse, France Zénith
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  • Oct 13 Sunday
    Marseilles, France Le Dôme
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 14 Monday
    Amneville, France Galaxie
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  • Oct 16 Wednesday
    Paris, France Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 17 Thursday
    Brussels, Belgium Vorst Nationaal
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 19 Saturday
    Düsseldorf, Germany Mitsubishi Electric Halle
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 21 Monday
    Amsterdam, Netherlands Ziggo Dome
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 24 Thursday
    Stockholm, Sweden Ericsson Globe Arena
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 25 Friday
    Oslo, Norway Oslo Spektrum
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  • Oct 26 Saturday
    Copenhagen, Denmark Tap1
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 28 Monday
    Frankfurt, Germany Festhalle Frankfurt
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 29 Tuesday
    Hamburg, Germany Sporthalle Hamburg
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 30 Wednesday
    Berlin, Germany Velodrom
    Buy Ticket

Discography

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  • I Am Not a Human Being II (2013)
    Lil Wayne
    I Am Not a Human Being II (2013)
    Universal Republic
  • My Name Is Lil Wayne (2012)
    Lil Wayne
    My Name Is Lil Wayne (2012)
    Mixtape Coalition
  • Tha Carter IV (2011)
    Lil Wayne
    Tha Carter IV (2011)
    Universal Republic Records
  • I Am Not a Human Being (2010)
    Lil Wayne
    I Am Not a Human Being (2010)
    Universal Music
  • Rebirth (2010)
    Lil Wayne
    Rebirth (2010)
    Motown
  • Tha Carter III (2008)
    Lil Wayne
    Tha Carter III (2008)
    Cash Money
  • Tha Carter II (2005)
    Lil Wayne
    Tha Carter II (2005)
    Cash Money
  • Tha Carter (2004)
    Lil Wayne
    Tha Carter (2004)
    Cash Money
  • 500 Degreez (2002)
    Lil Wayne
    500 Degreez (2002)
    Cash Money Records
  • Lights Out (2000)
    Lil Wayne
    Lights Out (2000)
    Cash Money Records
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