Lil Wayne Biography

Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. aka Lil’wayne was born to Jacida "Cita" Carter and Dwayne Michael Turner on September 27, 1982 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jacida Carter was 19 at the time, in the process of graduating from high school, and involved in an abusive relationship with Turner. Turner abandoned the family soon after Dwayne's birth(he died when Lil’Wayne was fourteen). Jacida later became involved with Reginald "Rabbit" McDonald, who moved the family from the Holly grove neighborhood of New Orleans' 17th Ward to East New Orleans. Rabbit later became Wayne’s stepfather.

After seeing Lil'Wayne dressed in gang affiliated colors, his mommy stopped him from being with Cash Money. Mad at his mommy, Lil Wayne ran away from home with his stepfather�s gun. While playing with the gun, he accidentally shot his-self in the chest. He was rushed to the hospital from almost bleeding to death. While in the hospital, he told the police the gun belonged to his stepfather. His step father was arrested for having an unregistered handgun, then shortly after being released from jail, was abducted, and killed. He has tattoos to commemorate his stepfather’s death & his accident.

At age 11 he dropped out of school to fully pursue a rap career after meeting the Cash Money Records owners, Brian "Baby" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams who signed him to their record label. His free styling abilities impressed the Williams brothers. In 1995 at the age of 12, Wayne made his debut with one of the fellow label mates “B.G.” on the album titled “True Story.”

Unlike other young rappers at that time, he didn’t rap “bubblegum” raps. He did, however, refrain from swearing in his rhymes at his mommyвЂ?s request.

In 1997, Wayne formed the Hot Boys along with Juvenile, Turk, and B.G., and they dropped their seminal debut CD 'Get It How You Live'. The record's success earned the young teenagers fans throughout the south and mid west. He further distinguished himself on the Hot Boys' platinum selling Universal debut 'Guerilla Warfare' released in 1998, followed by their 2003 release “Let Em Burn.”

At the age of 16, Wayne had a daughter named Reginae Carter with Antonia "Toya" Johnson, his high school sweetheart. The two later divorced. Reginae Carter was named after his step father Reginald "Rabbit" Carter.

Wayne launched his solo career with the release of Tha Block Is Hot 1999. This was followed by 'Lights Out' in 2000 and 500 Degreez in reference to Juvenile's 400 Degreez in 2002. In 2004,Lil Wayne released “Tha Carter.” This album is marked as a personal background to his life. It was also Tha Carter that finally earned Lil’Wayne mass relevance outside the south as a lyricist because at that time (and even still today), southern rappers are stereotyped with little to no lyrical ability.

On December 6th, 2005 Wayne released Tha Carter II which further solidified his spot as a contemporary rapper. Tha Carter II sold more than 238,000 copies debuting at number two on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart and has been certified platinum. The lead single off the album "Fireman",became a hit.

Lil’Wayne later enrolled at and is currently attending the University of Houston in Houston, Texas,where he is majoring in political science. Wayne later switched his major to psychology.

Wayne's popularity continued to climb in the years following "Tha Carter" albums, yet no major solo album debuted during this period. Wayne did have a collaboration album with Birdman, called “Like Father, Like Son.” Instead, Wayne reached his audience through a surplus of mix tapes and guest appearances on a variety of pop and hip-hop singles. Of Wayne's many mix tapes, Dedication 2 and Da Drought 3 received the most media exposure and critical review. In 2006, Wayne paired with DJ Drama and made track called "Georgia.......Bush," in which he critized President George W. Bush's response to the tragic effects of Hurricane Katrina on the city of New Orleans.

“Da Drought 3” was released the following year. It contained Wayne rapping over a variety of beats from recent hits by other artists. The impressive flow, varied deliveries, charismic, free-styling that appeared on these mix tapes vaulted him into the public eye, where he was also featured on a lot of recent hits. These hits include the remix of Chris Brown's "Gimme That";Another single, "Make It Rain" with Fat Joe; Lloyd's "You"; DJ Khaled, Akon, T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, and Birdman on