Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., born on September 27, 1982, and professionally known as Lil Wayne, is an influential American rapper often regarded as one of the greatest hip hop artists of all time. Raised in New Orleans, he was discovered by rapper Birdman in 1993 and signed to Cash Money Records at the age of eleven. Lil Wayne gained prominence as the leading artist of the label and remained with it until 2018. Initially part of the group B.G.’z, he later formed the Hot Boys in 1997, achieving mainstream success with their album Guerrilla Warfare (1999). Lil Wayne’s solo career soared with his debut album Tha Block Is Hot (1999) and continued through Tha Carter series, with Tha Carter III (2008) marking his breakthrough.
Lil Wayne Biography 2024
Despite some missteps, like his rap-rock album Rebirth (2010) and his jail sentence, Wayne remained a dominant force in hip hop, with Tha Carter V (2018) and Funeral (2020) continuing his success. Throughout his career, he has sold over 120 million records worldwide, winning numerous awards including five Grammys. Lil Wayne founded Young Money Entertainment in 2005, launching the careers of artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Tyga.
Lil Wayne Biography Details
| Born | Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. September 27, 1982 (age 42) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
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| Other names | - Weezy
- Weezy F. Baby
- Tunechi
- President Carter
- Birdman Jr.
- Baby D
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| Education | University of Phoenix |
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| Occupations | - Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
- record executive
- entrepreneur
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| Years active | 1991–present |
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| Works | |
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| Title | - Founder of Young Money Entertainment
- Co-founder of Trukfit Clothing
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| Spouse | |
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| Partners | - Nivea (2002–2003, 2009–2010; ex-fiancée)
- La’Tecia Thomas (2019–2020; ex-fiancée)
- Denise Bidot (2020–2022)
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| Children | 4 |
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| Awards | Full list |
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Lil Wayne Early Life
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. was born on September 27, 1982, and grew up in the tough Hollygrove neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans. His mother, a cook, had him when she was 19, and his parents divorced when he was two, with his father abandoning the family. Carter explained that he chose the name “Wayne” instead of “Dwayne” because he felt disconnected from his father, who had never been in his life. He considers his late stepfather, Reginald “Rabbit” McDonald, as his real father and even has a tattoo in his memory. Carter was part of the gifted program at Lafayette Elementary and later attended Eleanor McMain Secondary School, where he excelled academically and acted in the school play The Wiz.
At 14, he dropped out of Marion Abramson Senior High School to pursue his music career. Carter wrote his first rap song at eight years old and met Bryan “Birdman” Williams, co-founder of Cash Money Records, in 1991. Birdman became his mentor, and Carter frequently recorded freestyle raps on his answering machine. At 12, Carter suffered a near-fatal gunshot wound to the chest. Initially, he claimed the injury was accidental, but in 2018, he revealed it was an attempted suicide after his mother told him to abandon his rap career. Carter credits off-duty officer Robert Hoobler, who he calls “Uncle Bob,” with saving his life by rushing him to the hospital in a police car when an ambulance wasn’t available. Other officers also played a role in ensuring Carter received immediate medical attention.
Lil Wayne Bio
Key Element | Details |
Birth Name | Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. |
Date of Birth | September 27, 1982 |
Hometown | New Orleans, Louisiana |
Influences | Birdman, Juvenile, Cash Money Records |
Education | Enrolled in Lafayette Elementary, Eleanor McMain Secondary School, and Marion Abramson Senior High |
Early Challenges | Near-fatal gunshot wound at age 12, dropped out of high school at age 14 |
Mentorship | Discovered by Birdman, who mentored him at a young age |
Career Beginnings and Group Collaborations
Career Aspect | Years |
First Group | Joined the Hot Boys in 1997, alongside Juvenile, B.G., and Turk |
Group’s Debut | Released Get It How U Live! in 1997 |
Second Album | Guerrilla Warfare (1999) – included hit single “Bling Bling” |
Solo Breakthrough | Released Tha Block Is Hot in 1999 |
Hot Boys’ Breakup | Disbanded after 1999, though a final album, Let ‘Em Burn (2003), was released |
Lil Wayne Rise to Solo Stardom
Album | Key Details |
Tha Block Is Hot (1999) | First solo album, marked breakthrough in rap industry |
Tha Carter Series | Launched in 2004, solidified Lil Wayne’s position in hip hop |
Tha Carter III (2008) | Commercial success, debut single “Lollipop” became a hit |
Mixtape Era | Released multiple successful mixtapes, including Dedication |
Rebirth (2010) | Experimented with rap rock, though received mixed reviews |
Legal Issues and Incarceration
Legal Event | Fact |
2007 Arrest | Arrested for marijuana possession and weapon charges in New York |
2008 Arrest | Charged with drug possession after a border stop in Arizona |
Rikers Island | Served an 8-month sentence in 2010 for weapon possession |
2010 Legal Battles | Faced multiple legal challenges and delays during sentencing |
Pardon | Pardon granted by President Trump in 2021 after firearms charge conviction |
Personal Life and Relationships
Relationship | Year |
First Marriage | Married Toya Johnson in 2004, divorced in 2006 |
Children | Four children from various relationships (Reginae, Dwayne III, Cameron, Neal) |
Former Partners | Nivea, La’Tecia Thomas, Denise Bidot |
Relationship with Toya | Remained friends after divorce, co-parented their daughter Reginae |
Lil Wayne Business Ventures
Business | Details |
Young Money Entertainment | Founded in 2005, signed major artists like Drake and Nicki Minaj |
Trukfit Clothing | Co-founded the clothing brand Trukfit, launched in 2011 |
Cannabis Brand | Launched GKUA Ultra Premium cannabis brand in 2019 |
Sports Media | Collaborated with ESPN, wrote blogs, and appeared on sports shows |
Influence in Music
Influence Area | Details |
Hip Hop Legacy | Considered one of the greatest rappers of all time |
Mixtapes | Helped popularize the mixtape format in hip hop culture |
Collaborations | Worked with major artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Jay-Z |
Innovation | Introduced new rap styles and pushed genre boundaries |
Awards and Accolades
Award | Details |
Grammy Awards | 5 Grammy wins, including Best Rap Album for Tha Carter III |
BET Awards | 11 BET Awards, celebrating his impact in hip hop |
Billboard Music Awards | Multiple wins, reflecting his commercial success |
MTV Video Music Awards | 2 MTV Video Music Awards for his innovative music videos |
Lil Wayne Impact on Modern Hip Hop
Impact Area | Information |
New Generation | Paved the way for artists like Drake and Nicki Minaj |
Lyrical Influence | Known for complex, clever rhymes and punchlines |
Cultural Icon | Became a cultural figure beyond just music |
Mentorship | Actively mentored younger artists within his record label |
Lil Wayne Iconic Albums
Album Name | Year |
Tha Block Is Hot | 1999 |
Tha Carter III | 2008 |
I Am Not a Human Being | 2010 |
Tha Carter IV | 2011 |
Tha Carter V | 2018 |
Controversies and Public Statements
Event | Facts |
U.S. Flag Incident | Criticized for stepping on the American flag in a music video |
Black Lives Matter | Criticized for comments dismissing the movement |
Media Criticism | Faced backlash for his views on various social issues |
Lil Wayne Net Worth
Lil Wayne’s Estimated Net Worth Is $170M.
Lil Wayne Summary
Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans, is a highly influential American rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He rose to fame as a member of Cash Money Records and gained massive success with his solo albums, particularly the Tha Carter series. He has earned numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards, and founded Young Money Entertainment, launching the careers of artists like Drake and Nicki Minaj. Apart from music, he has ventured into business, including a cannabis brand. Despite legal challenges and controversies, Lil Wayne remains one of the most successful and iconic figures in hip hop.
