Lil Wayne

Posted on 08.6.2004

Lil Wayne
Real name: Da’Wayne Carter
Birthday: September 27, 1982
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana

Initially known best as the youngest Hot Boy, Lil Wayne grew up quickly and enjoyed a steady stream of hits in the process. The New Orleans rapper began his long stint with Cash Money as part of the Hot Boys, a popular late-’90s supergroup also comprised of Juvenile, Turk, and B.G. that set the stage for respective solo careers. Juvenile and B.G. made their solo debuts first in 1999 and racked up a pair of simultaneous big hits, "Back That Azz Up" and "Bling Bling," respectively.

Lil Wayne made his solo debut later that year and similarly came out of the gate with a huge hit, the title track of his album, Tha Block Is Hot (1999). Following this wave of astounding success in 1999, the Cash Money frenzy simmered a little bit thereafter.

During the two years between Lil Wayne’s second album, Lights Out (2000), and his third, 500 Degreez (2002), Cash Money consequently purged itself of Hot Boys, dropping Juvenile, B.G., and Turk while retaining only Lil Wayne. The label’s loyalty paid off, as 500 Degreez sold massively, driven by the single "Way of Life." Tha Carter was released two years later, powered by the hit single "Go DJ."

It should also be noted that Wayne is the first known person to use the now-popular slang term "Drop It Like Its Hot." He first said it in the 1999 hit by Juvenile, "Back That Thang Up." By 2004, the term was so popular that legendary rapper Snoop Dogg used it as a comeback hit. He also coined to more popular phrase, "Bling-Bling".

Following acclamations for Tha Carter, newly minted Def Jam president Jay-Z entered into a bidding war with Cash Money for Wayne’s services. Wayne eventually resigned with Cash Money and earned himself a new label, "Young Money," distributed through Cash Money/Universal which first featured his crew Squad Up. But the group soon broke, and now Lil Wayne has a new group named Young Money. The Group consists of Curren$y, a local rapper previously on C-Murder’s TRU Records, Boo of Boo and Gotti, and a new up and coming rapper named Mack Maine also from the Hollygrove area of New Orleans.

Lil Wayne is currently studying Sports Management at the University of Houston. Lil Wayne is also the President of Cash Money Records as Brian "Baby AKA #1 Stunna AKA Birdman" Williams still remains as the owner. Lil Waynes new album set to release in 2006 is called "Tha Carter II". He says that he will make 5 Carters.

Lil wayne discography:

Lil Wayne albums:

Lil Wayne Tha Carter 2 (2005)
Lil wayne Lil" Wayne-Suffix (Mixtape)
Lil Wayne Dedication (Gangsta Grillz) (mixtape)
Lil Wayne Tha Carter (2004)
Lil Wayne Lights Out (2000)
Lil Wayne Tha Block Is Hot (1999)

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