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Lil Wayne

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Lil Wayne, real name Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and label boss, born in New Orleans in 1982. He grew up in the Hollygrove neighbourhood and wrote his first rap at the age of eight. In 1993 he was discovered by Birdman, co-founder of Cash Money Records, who became his mentor. In 1997 he formed the group Hot Boys with B.G., Juvenile and Turk.

Music and breakthrough

His solo debut, Tha Block Is Hot from 1999, was an immediate success. Lights Out followed in 2000 and 500 Degreez in 2002. With Tha Carter in 2004 and Tha Carter II in 2005 he kept growing. He is seen as the man who reinvented the mixtape world in the 2000s. Tha Carter III from 2008 became his biggest record. In 2010 Rebirth appeared, with which he tried to blend rap and rock and which received bad reviews. That year he served an eight-month prison sentence for weapons possession, and his album I Am Not a Human Being appeared during that time.

Influence

The source calls him one of the most influential hip-hop artists of his generation. He won five Grammys and sold more than 120 million records worldwide. His style is marked by the raw, hoarse voice, the quick punchlines and the way he lets a free, associative stream of rhymes be heard.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a track from Tha Carter III and notice the wordplay and Wayne's hoarse voice. Try to hear how he rhymes on unexpected words.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists