Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., is a highly influential American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He has sold over 120 million records worldwide and won numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards.
Lil Wayne, the famous rapper, was born on September 27, 1982.
Rapper Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was born on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
At the age of 9, on January 1, 1990, Lil Wayne began his journey as a rapper.
In 1991, he met Bryan “Birdman” Williams, who co-founded Cash Money Records and became his mentor.
In November 1994, Lil Wayne joined the record label Cash Money, marking a significant milestone in his music career.
Lil Wayne signed to Cash Money Records on November 8, 1994, becoming the youngest member of the label.
A year after signing with Cash Money Records, Lil Wayne accidentally shot himself in the chest, narrowly missing his heart by 2 inches.
In 1996, Lil Wayne's stepfather, Rabbit McDonald, was kidnapped and murdered.
On January 1, 1997, Lil Wayne accidentally shot himself but was saved by an off-duty New Orleans police officer, a moment that had a profound impact on his life and career.
Lil Wayne's daughter, Reginae Carter, was born on November 28, 1998.
Lil Wayne released 'Tha Block is Hot' on August 9, 1999, under the Cash Money Records Label. The album achieved platinum certification.
At the age of 16, Lil Wayne launched his solo career with the release of his album 'The Block is Hot'. The album, produced by Mannie Fresh, gained him recognition as a solo artist, especially due to the success of the hit title track.
Lil Wayne's album 'Lights Out' was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for achieving a certain number of sales. This recognition signifies the album's commercial success.
Lil Wayne's album '500 Degreez' achieved gold status, indicating significant sales and popularity.
In 2003, Lil Wayne found success with his first solo mixtape, Da Drought. This mixtape was produced and distributed outside official music-industry channels.
Lil Wayne married his high school sweetheart Antonia Carter on February 14, 2004.
In December 2005, Lil Wayne released Tha Carter II, the follow-up to his original Tha Carter album. The album sold over 238,000 copies in its first week and went on to sell 2,000,000 copies worldwide.
Mr. Carter released his fifth solo album The Carter II which was one of the first albums that did not include work from the longtime producer Mannie Fresh.
Birdman and Lil Wayne created and released an album together titled 'Like Father Like Son'.
Lil Wayne was arrested in New York City after police found him smoking marijuana near a tour bus and discovered a pistol near him. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and marijuana.
Lil Wayne was arrested after a stage performance in NYC. He was charged with possession of a weapon and marijuana.
Lil Wayne was arrested in Boise, Idaho on felony fugitive charges related to possessing a controlled substance. The charges were later dropped after being described as a 'mix-up'.
Lil Wayne worked on many collaborations with artists such as Chris Brown, Jay Z, and Lloyd.
Lil Wayne released The Leak EP digitally on December 25, 2007, which was initially planned as a separate album with leaked songs and additional tracks.
Lil Wayne was arrested on felony drug charges.
Lil Wayne was arrested in Yuma, Arizona after Border Patrol agents found drugs and cash on his tour bus. He faced charges including possession of narcotic drug for sale and possession of dangerous drugs.
Lil Wayne pleaded not guilty to drug-related charges in Arizona. He later pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to probation.
Tha Carter III was released on June 10, 2008, with first-week sales of over 1 million copies, making it the first album to do so since 50 Cent's The Massacre (2005). The album's first single, 'Lollipop', became Lil Wayne's most successful song at the time.
On June 19, 2008, Lil Wayne and T-Pain formed a duo called T-Wayne with plans to release an album titled 'He Raps, He Sings'.
On July 10, 2008, Lil Wayne released his album 'Tha Block Is Hot'.
On July 14, 2008, the Recording Industry Association of America certified Tha Carter III two times platinum, recognizing its commercial success.
Abkco Music Inc filed a lawsuit against Carter on July 24, 2008, for copyright infringement and unfair competition related to the track 'Playing with Fire' from Tha Carter III, which was allegedly derived from The Rolling Stones' 'Play with Fire'. The song was subsequently removed from the album's tracklist.
Lil Wayne became the first hip hop act to perform at the Country Music Association Awards in 2008, playing 'All Summer Long' alongside Kid Rock.
On January 27, 2009, Lil Wayne debuted his single 'Prom Queen' after a live Internet broadcast of his concert in San Diego.
On February 7, 2009, Lil Wayne presented the Top Ten List on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman.
On April 24, 2009, Lil Wayne appeared on The View, discussing his GED and addictions.
On July 29, 2009, Lil Wayne headlined the 'Young Money Presents: America's Most Wanted Music Festival', a concert tour in the United States and Canada.
Lil Wayne's son, Lennox Samuel Ari, was born to actress Lauren London.
Lil Wayne released the No Ceilings Mixtape.
After DNA evidence links the gun to Lil Wayne, he pleads guilty to felony gun possession and is expected to be sentenced to a year in prison.
On December 3, 2009, Lil Wayne released the single 'On Fire', which peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
Lil Wayne appears in a New York courtroom where his sentencing date is set for February 9, 2010. He is expected to start his sentence on the same day.
On December 23, 2009, Lil Wayne released a collaboration album with Young Money, titled 'We Are Young Money'.
On January 31, 2010, Lil Wayne performs the song “Forever” at the Grammy Awards alongside Eminem and Drake, with Travis Barker on drums.
On February 2, 2010, Lil Wayne released 'Rebirth', his sixth solo album which was initially planned as a reissue of 'Tha Carter III'.
On February 9, 2010, Lil Wayne posted a video on Ustream saying goodbye to his fans before his sentencing. He expressed his love and gratitude towards his supporters.
Lil Wayne released a collaboration album with Young Money titled 'We Are Young Money' on February 10, 2010.
The beginning of Lil Wayne's jail term is delayed once again due to a basement fire at the courthouse where he was supposed to be sentenced. The fire was later determined to be accidental. That same night, Wayne makes a surprise appearance on stage with Young Jeezy at Madison Square Garden.
Lil Wayne is finally sentenced and starts serving his jail term. Shortly before the sentencing, he sends out a tweet expressing his thoughts on the law. He assures his fans that he will come back.
Lil Wayne released his seventh solo album and first rock album 'Rebirth' on March 28, 2010.
Lil Wayne introduces a new website, WeezyThanxYou.com, to interact with his fans and share his thoughts on sports. A post discussing Donovan McNabb's move to the Washington Redskins is published on the site 12 days later.
On Mother's Day, Lil Wayne shares a heartfelt tribute titled 'A Mother's Worth' dedicated to his mother and the mothers of his children.
On June 30, 2010, Lil Wayne was sentenced to three years' probation by an Arizona judge as a result of his 2008 arrest in the state on charges of drug and firearm possession. This legal outcome marked a significant development in Lil Wayne's legal battles and had implications for his future activities.
On August 3, 2010, Lil Wayne called in to Funkmaster Flex’s show on New York’s Hot 97. During the call, he mentioned that he didn’t want to bother his proteges Nicki Minaj and Drake with phone calls.
On August 16, 2010, Lil Wayne posted a letter on his website titled “Just Another Day”. In the letter, he talked about playing Uno and working out, expressing boredom and the feeling of time passing slowly.
Lil Wayne released his tenth album, I Am Not a Human Being, on his 28th birthday. The album included the successful single 'Right Above It' which reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
On October 13, 2010, Lil Wayne posted a letter on his blog from solitary confinement, where he had been moved earlier that month. In the letter titled 'I'm Back,' he apologized for his actions that led to his punishment and expressed gratitude for the support he received.
Wayne's album 'I Am Not a Human Being', which was recorded before he began his sentence, achieves the top position on the Billboard albums chart.
A Rikers guard is suspended for spending 45 unauthorized minutes with Wayne in solitary. This incident follows a previous case where a different guard was fired for an alleged unauthorized visit to the rapper.
Bryan Williams (Birdman), co-founder of Lil Wayne’s Cash Money label, reveals plans to acquire a plane with a studio for Wayne to start recording right after his release from jail. The goal is to ensure Wayne's swift return to the studio.
On November 2, 2010, Lil Wayne posts his final letter before being released from prison, titled 'The End of a Long Journey'. In the letter, he expresses gratitude towards his family, fans, and friends, and asserts that he will remain true to himself.
Lil Wayne was released from his one-year prison sentence at Rikers Island on November 4, 2010, due to good behavior.
Detailing the criminal history of rapper Lil Wayne, including his legal issues and troubles with the law.
Lil Wayne released the lead single '6 Foot 7 Foot' featuring Cory Gunz from his album Tha Carter IV.
According to Nielsen SoundScan, Lil Wayne was the seventh all-time best-selling artist for digital track sales with 36,788,000 million to the end of 2011.
Lil Wayne released the third single 'How to Love' from his album Tha Carter IV.
Tha Carter IV, originally scheduled for May 16, was released on August 29, 2011. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
On December 3, 2011, the song 'Let It Rock' by Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne was a hit for 12 weeks.
In 2012, Lil Wayne won the award for Best Male Artist. He was recognized for his talent and contributions to the music industry.
In October 2012, Lil Wayne's private jet made emergency landings in Texas and Louisiana due to seizures. Despite media reports of his condition being severe, his publicist denied it, stating he was treated for a severe migraine and dehydration. This incident led to revelations that Lil Wayne was taking seizure medication.
Lil Wayne announced that Tha Carter V would be his final album as he wanted to pursue other interests.
In March 2013, Lil Wayne was treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after experiencing seizures on a music video set. He was released but reportedly found unconscious later, leading to his admission to the intensive care unit. The seizures were linked to high amounts of codeine in his system.
Lil Wayne released I Am Not a Human Being II on March 26, 2013, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200.
Lil Wayne released Dedication 5, the fifth installment of the 'Dedication' mixtape series, on September 1, 2013.
Cash Money Records Vice President of Promotion Mel Smith tweeted about the upcoming release of Tha Carter V by Lil Wayne.
On January 8, 2014, Lil Wayne received the award for Best Rap Artist. This recognition highlighted his skill and influence in the rap genre.
On February 1, 2014, the song 'The Motto' by Drake featuring Lil Wayne was popular.
During an NBA All-Star Weekend performance, Lil Wayne announced that Tha Carter V would be released on May 5, 2014.
Lil Wayne publicly expressed his frustration with Cash Money Records and Birdman on December 4, 2014, regarding the delay of his album Tha Carter V. This incident highlighted the growing tension between Lil Wayne and the label.
During Vice's 20th anniversary party in Brooklyn, Lil Wayne tells the crowd that he is in a bad situation with his label but assures them that he will soon be out of it.
Mack Maine, president of Young Money, announces in an interview with Miami's 99 Jamz that 'Tha Carter V' will be released in the first quarter of 2015 amidst the label drama and expresses optimism about resolving the issues.
On January 13, 2015, Lil Wayne announced a $51 million lawsuit against Cash Money Records due to the delay of Tha Carter V. This legal action marked a turning point in Lil Wayne's relationship with the label.
Lil Wayne self-released Sorry 4 the Wait 2 as a sequel to his mixtape to make up for the continued delay of Tha Carter V.
Lil Wayne files a $51 million lawsuit against Cash Money, accusing Birdman of contract violations by withholding 'Tha Carter V'. The lawsuit aims to terminate Wayne's contract with Cash Money and take his Young Money artists with him.
Lil Wayne sued Birdman and Cash Money Records for $51 million due to the delay of Tha Carter V and issues with the record label.
In an interview with 'Rolling Stone', Lil Wayne discloses that he and Birdman are not on speaking terms, shedding light on the deteriorating relationship between the two amidst the ongoing disputes.
In a cypher by Young Money, Lil Wayne openly criticizes Birdman, emphasizing that their relationship is strictly professional and not personal.
During a live performance in Jacksonville, Lil Wayne expresses his frustration towards Cash Money by shouting expletives against the record label.
While leaving a nightclub performance in Atlanta, Lil Wayne's tour bus is targeted in a shooting incident. Fortunately, no one is harmed during the attack.
In a collaboration with A$AP Rocky, Lil Wayne takes the opportunity to publicly express his disassociation with Cash Money, solidifying his stance against the label.
Following the shooting incident on Lil Wayne's tour bus, Young Thug's associate, Peewee Roscoe, is apprehended for his involvement in the attack.
Lil Wayne signs a deal with Kolbalt Neighboring Rights, a company that helps artists track and receive their royalty payments worldwide.
Lil Wayne announces a streaming deal with Tidal for his upcoming album 'Free Weezy', becoming a part-owner of the streaming service.
Legal documents reveal Lil Wayne's attempt to remove Birdman from Young Money due to royalty payment issues, fearing that Drake and Nicki Minaj might leave the label.
Lil Wayne drops his album 'Free Weezy' exclusively on Tidal, a platform he has a streaming deal with.
During a performance at Club LIV in Miami, Birdman threw a drink on Lil Wayne, causing a commotion. Reports suggested that the drinks came from Birdman and his entourage.
An indictment from Cobb County, Georgia alleged that Birdman and Young Thug conspired with Peewee Roscoe to kill Lil Wayne in a tour bus shooting. The indictment highlighted connections between Roscoe, Thug, and Birdman.
Following the indictment connecting him to the attempted murder of Lil Wayne, Birdman filed a $50 million lawsuit against Jay Z and Tidal for streaming Lil Wayne's 'Free Weezy' album exclusively. He claimed Cash Money still had exclusive rights to Wayne's music.
Amidst the controversy, Birdman denied any involvement in the tour bus shooting and stated that Lil Wayne meant a lot to him. This statement came after a tumultuous period of accusations and legal actions.
Peewee Roscoe claims that the shooting of Lil Wayne's tour bus was a result of financial dispute between Wayne and Birdman. Roscoe insists that Birdman should be held partially responsible for the incident.
Peewee Roscoe receives a 10-year prison sentence and 10 years of probation for pleading guilty to 6 gang-related counts, including the shooting of Lil Wayne's tour bus. Despite implicating Birdman and Young Thug, they are not formally charged in the case.
After a year of beef, Birdman and Lil Wayne are seen together at Drake's New Year's Eve party, hinting at a potential reconciliation. Reports suggest that a peace agreement was brokered by Mack Maine through a phone call prior to the party.
Birdman and Lil Wayne make a public appearance together on stage in Miami, indicating a further step towards reconciliation after their past disputes.
Birdman and Lil Wayne collaborate in the studio shortly after publicly announcing that they have resolved their issues. This marks a potential reconciliation between the two artists.
Lil Wayne initiates a legal battle against Universal Music Group, seeking $40 million in profits related to artists like Drake and Nicki Minaj. The lawsuit aims to reclaim Wayne's share of earnings that were allegedly used to pay off debts at Cash Money.
Lil Wayne features on Chance the Rapper's mixtape 'Coloring Book' and subtly alludes to his struggles with Cash Money without explicitly naming them. The verse reflects Wayne's desire for artistic freedom and financial independence.
During a live show, Lil Wayne once again vocalizes his discontent with Cash Money by shouting 'F*** Cash Money'. This public display of frustration indicates that the issues between Wayne and the label are far from resolved.
Birdman suggests the possibility of reconciling with Lil Wayne during an interview with Big Boy. He talks about the root of their issues and mentions that they are not enemies despite not seeing eye-to-eye at the moment.
Lil Wayne takes to Twitter to express feelings of defeat and suggests retirement. Rick Ross also gets involved by mentioning trying to get Lil Wayne to join MMG and calling out Birdman.
Lil Wayne clarifies his retirement tweets on a show, explaining that they were made out of frustration with Birdman. He expresses his gratitude towards other rappers who supported him and denounces working with Birdman in the future.
Reports surface that Lil Wayne is withholding the physical recording of 'Tha Carter V' from Birdman, using it as leverage in their legal dispute.
Lil Wayne accuses Birdman of unfairly taking a significant portion of the $100 million Young Money advance, adding to the ongoing tensions between the two.
In September 2016, a judge ruled in favor of Lil Wayne in his legal battle against Birdman. The decision was related to Birdman allegedly taking a large sum of money from the label's advance without proper authorization.
On November 21, 2016, Birdman reportedly called off negotiations with Lil Wayne regarding their lawsuit. This decision came after rumors that a settlement was close, but Birdman changed his mind, possibly due to a performance incident involving Lil Wayne.
In February 2017, Birdman took to Twitter to reveal his plan to share 500 unreleased Cash Money songs over the next five years. This announcement came with a photo showing old tapes and containers filled with music.
On July 5, 2017, Lil Wayne filed a petition accusing Cash Money, Universal, and others of preventing him from receiving money owed from Drake's success. He sought damages and claimed he was being deprived of profits from Young Money artists.
In August 2017, despite ongoing legal issues, Lil Wayne stated that he has the authority to release 'Tha Carter V' whenever he chooses. He emphasized the importance of doing it right for the fans and asserted his ability to drop the album at his discretion.
In September 2017, Lil Wayne had a seizure in a Chicago hospital, leading to the cancellation of a Las Vegas show. He was found unconscious in a hotel room earlier that day. This incident added to the series of seizures he had experienced in the past.
Birdman goes on Instagram Live to address rumors about owing Lil Wayne money, asserting that he raised Wayne and will ensure he is taken care of. He responds aggressively to those questioning his intentions.
After years of delays, Birdman assures fans that Lil Wayne's long-awaited album 'Tha Carter V' will finally be released by the end of the year. He hypes it up as the biggest album of 2018.
Amid reports of Birdman's financial struggles, Lil Wayne may have taken a jab at him in the song 'Vizine' by referencing the consequences of not being able to pay bills.
Lil Wayne and Birdman are seen hugging it out at Club LIV, suggesting a potential reconciliation between the former collaborators after a period of animosity.
Birdman posts a picture on Instagram with Lil Wayne, referring to him as 'my SON,' indicating a positive interaction between the two despite not mentioning the release of 'Tha Carter V.'
Negotiations between Lil Wayne and Birdman reportedly become heated again as the court orders Cash Money to hand over documents regarding a $51 million lawsuit, potentially leading to the end of their business relationship.
Birdman expresses concern about the impact of the lawsuit on their children during an interview, highlighting the strained relationship with Lil Wayne and the need to resolve the issues for the sake of their kids.
After three years, Lil Wayne and Birdman finally reach a settlement in the $51 million lawsuit, with details kept private. Wayne's attorney emphasizes Wayne's ownership of his assets and music, signaling a new chapter for the rapper.
The Georgia Supreme Court overturns the conviction related to Lil Wayne's bus shooting, citing judicial misconduct. Despite the overturn, further legal proceedings are expected in the case.
Cash Money sues Lil Wayne's manager Cortez Bryant over allegations of siphoning Drake's profits, adding another legal battle despite the resolution of the main lawsuit between Lil Wayne and the label.
Birdman publicly apologizes to Lil Wayne, possibly signaling a step towards reconciliation and closure after the turbulent legal and personal disputes between the two.
Amidst speculation and hints from Floyd Mayweather, there is buzz around a rumored release date for 'Tha Carter V'. Fans eagerly anticipate the arrival of Lil Wayne's new album.
After rumors and false starts, Lil Wayne officially announces that 'Tha Carter V' will be dropping on his birthday. This announcement excites fans who have been eagerly awaiting the album.
Tha Carter V was finally released on September 27, 2018, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200.
Lil Wayne finally releases his highly anticipated album 'Tha Carter V' on his birthday. This album marks a significant moment in his career as it is his first album not released under the Cash Money label.
The ongoing dispute between Lil Wayne and Birdman's Cash Money Records has been a long-standing issue in the music industry.
On January 23, 2020, Lil Wayne revealed the release date and artwork for his album 'Funeral'. The album later debuted at number-one on the US Billboard 200.
Lil Wayne's album 'Funeral' was released on January 31, 2020, and debuted at number-one on the US Billboard 200, marking his fifth US number-one album.
On February 2, 2020, Lil Wayne appeared as 'Robot' on season three of The Masked Singer after the Super Bowl LIV, but was the first contestant to be eliminated.
Lil Wayne featured on Lil Baby's track 'Forever' from Baby's album 'My Turn', released on February 28, 2020, and also appeared in the music video for the song.
On April 24, 2020, Lil Wayne, along with Dash Radio, launched his radio show 'Young Money Radio' on Apple Music, featuring discussions on sports, music, and comedy.
On July 3, 2020, Lil Wayne released his eleventh studio album, 'Free Weezy Album (2015)', on streaming services to mark its five-year anniversary.
On August 28, 2020, Lil Wayne released his 2009 mixtape 'No Ceilings' for commercial release, collaborating with ASAP Ferg on the song 'No Ceilings'.
On September 11, 2020, Lil Wayne was featured on YoungBoy Never Broke Again's album 'Top' on the track 'My Window', receiving praise for his verse.
On September 25, 2020, Lil Wayne released the deluxe edition of his twelfth album 'Tha Carter V' to celebrate the album's two-year anniversary.
On October 29, 2020, just before the presidential election, Lil Wayne posted a photo with President Donald Trump on Twitter. In the caption, he mentioned discussing criminal justice reform and Trump's Platinum Plan, aiming to increase access to capital in Black communities by nearly $500 billion.
On November 27, 2020, Lil Wayne released the mixtape 'No Ceilings 3' and announced the upcoming album 'I Am Not a Human Being III' for 2021.
Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge in Florida for transporting a loaded handgun on his private jet. He was later pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In January 2021, President Donald Trump pardoned Lil Wayne, who had been arrested in December 2019 for transporting a loaded handgun on his private jet.
In October 2021, Lil Wayne and Rich the Kid released a collaborative mixtape titled 'Trust Fund Babies', along with a music video for the single 'Feelin' Like Tunechi'.
On March 31, 2023, Lil Wayne released his first ever greatest hits album titled 'I Am Music'.
On September 1, 2023, Lil Wayne released a single titled 'Kat Food' as part of his work on 'Tha Carter VI'.
On November 3, 2023, Lil Wayne was featured on the remix to Ciara and Chris Brown's single 'How We Roll'.