Lil’ Wayne was born as Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. on September 27, 1982 to Dwayne Michael Carter the first and Jacinda Carter. Lil’ Wayne was forced to say goodbye to his father who abandoned him and his mother right after he was born. Lil’ Wayne grew up in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans. Wayne enrolled in the gifted program of Layfayette Elementary School and in the drama club of Eleanor McMain Secondary School. His mother met Reginald McDonald soon after his dad left him, who eventually became his stepfather. Years later his stepfather moved the family out of the poverty-stricken Hollygrove to east New Orleans. By that time Lil’ Wayne had begun to develop his interest in hip-hop and rap music. Influenced by Cash Money Recording artists like Pimp Daddy. Lil’ Wayne revealed he was a fan of tennis, Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Red Sox. But he mostly enjoyed music.
He wrote his first rap song at age eight. At age eleven he met Bryan Williams, rapper and owner of Cash Money Records. Lil’ Wayne recorded freestyle raps on Williams answering machine. Williams would eventually mentor the young Carter and include him in Cash Money distributed songs. When he was twelve he played the part of Tin Man in his middle school drama clubs production of The Wiz. He accidentally shot himself with a .44 caliber gun at age twelve putting him on life support for two weeks. He dropped out of school at age fourteen.
Lil’ Wayne has three children. His first daughter Reginea was born when he was fifteen to his high school sweetheart Antonia Johnson. Wayne and Antonia married on Valentines Day of 2004 and divorced in 2006. His second child Dwayne the third was born October 22, 2008. His third child, Lennox Samuel Ari was born to actress Lauren London on September 9, 2009. He is expecting his fourth child with singer Nivea.
After earning his GED, Wayne enrolled at the University of Houston in January 2005 with plans to major in political science. To earn his degree he had been taking online courses. An article in Urb magazine in March 2007 stated that Wayne had been earning high grades at Houston and by the end of the year Wayne discontinued his education there.
Lil’ Wayne had been known in several states by 1999. It wasn’t until he released his solo debut, “The block is Hot” that he really got his big break being known all over the states. His solo album peaked at number three on Billboards album chart and at number one on Billboards album chart and at number one on the top ten RNB/ Hip Hop albums while at the same time scored nomination for 2000 source award for new artist of the year. In the years to follow the rapper who was originated from the 17th ward of New Orleans released “lights out” and “500 degreez” in 2002. It was supposed to be the album that beat the sales record of Juvenile’s who left Cash Money Records earlier. However the sales of the alum proved to be disappointing selling only 536,000 copies in U.S and 900,000 copies worldwide.
Lil’ Wayne told CBS that he enjoys smoking marijuana. He also stated that he is “not addicted” to which he prefers to call “purple drank” which is codeine cough syrup. He has been arrested many times for use of possession of marijuana and many other drugs. On January 23, 2008 Wayne was arrested alongside with two others. His tour bus was stopped by border patrol agents near Yuma, Arizona. A K-9 unit recovered 105 grams of marijuana, almost 29 grams of cocaine and $22,000 in cash. Lil’ Wayne was charged with four felonies, possession of narcotic drug for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, misconduct involving weapons and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is in jail right now, but will be getting out in the next month.
In June 2004 this young American artist released his most recognized album yet. “The Carter” that peaked at number five on billboard 200 and at number two on the top RNB/ hip-hop albums. Around the time he collaborated with Destiny’s Child and T.I for the noteworthy Destiny’s Child song “Soldier” earning him prominent nominations. Naming some were 2005 award best collaboration and 2006 Grammy award best rap song. Following the accomplishment of album “Tha Carter” that debuted at number two on billboards album chart while its lead single “Fireman” became a hit peaking at number 32 on billboard hot 100. Once again the rapper that is famous for the red bandanna tied on his right arm or leg received positive reviews and gathered notable nomination for the 2006 BET Hip-Hop award. The 2006 billboard music award and the 2007 BET award. In the period 2006-2007, he gained more fans by releasing a series of mix tapes. “Dedication” and “Dedication 2” where as in 2007 he recorded another Carter-titled album “The Carter III” He received an award in 2007 for best hip-hop award for MVP of the year.
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, also known as Lil’ Wayne, Weezy, Weezy F. Baby, Baby Jr or Birdman Jr is known as the best rapper alive. If you like Lil’ Wayne as I much as I do and you want to learn more about it him read the autobiography book and memoir “Lil’ Wayne” By, John Torres.
i think lil wayne is a very good rapper too
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