Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.
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When Lil Wayne signed to Cash Money Records at age 12 in 1995, he became its youngest member. Tha Carter III sold over a million copies its first week in 2008 and won a Grammy for Best Rap Album. Known for prolific mixtapes and lyrical wordplay, Wayne is frequently called one of hip-hop’s all-time greats.
Names, aliases, and relatives of Lil' Wayne — birth name, kin, and personal ties.
Lil' Wayne by the numbers — life, work, and family.
Lil' Wayne — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
At age 12, Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. was the youngest rapper to sign with Cash Money Records in 1995.
He attended Eleanor McMain Secondary School and Marion Abramson High School in New Orleans, Louisiana.
His early exposure to the city’s music scene, along with admiration for Prince and Kurt Cobain, shaped his eclectic style.
As a teenager, he joined the group Hot Boys and worked closely with Birdman, whom he calls Pa.
The 2004 album Tha Carter introduced Wayne to a wider audience, followed by Tha Carter II in 2005.
His 2008 album Tha Carter III debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold over one million copies in its first week, a feat not seen since 50 Cent’s The Massacre in 2005.
The lead single Lollipop became a massive hit; its music video was filmed at the Maloof brothers’ mansion in Las Vegas.
Wayne continued the Carter series and served as CEO of Young Money Entertainment, signing artists like Drake and Nicki Minaj.
He also released a collaboration album with Birdman and appeared on TV shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Saturday Night Live.
Lil Wayne married Toya Johnson on February 14, 2004; they divorced in 2006. Their daughter Reginae Carter was born on November 29, 1998, before the marriage.
Wayne has three other children: son Dwayne Michael Tuney Carter III born October 22, 2008 with Sarah Vivan, son Kameron Samuel Ari Carter born September 9, 2009 with Lauren London, and son Neal Carter born November 30, 2009 with Nivea.
He was engaged to Trina from September 2005 to November 2006, and to Nivea in two separate periods. As of June 2020, he was in a relationship with model Denise Bidot.
Wayne suffers from epilepsy and has served time for criminal possession of a weapon and marijuana.
Lil Wayne influenced hip-hop through his Young Money label, where he mentored Drake and Nicki Minaj.
His Tha Carter series redefined rap lyricism and wordplay, and the 2008 album Tha Carter III earned a Grammy for Best Rap Album.
Despite a 2010 prison sentence, Wayne released successful albums like I Am Not a Human Being and Tha Carter IV.
In 2019, he appeared on The Masked Singer as the Robot.
Wayne is remembered for his work ethic, signature dreadlocks, and ability to adapt his style across eras.
Browse the complete filmography of Lil' Wayne — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.
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Lil' Wayne's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.
Little-known facts about Lil' Wayne — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
Majored in psychology while attending the University of Houston.
Lists Prince as a favorite musician and biggest influence; his songs often reference Prince hits. Also inspired by Kurt Cobain, as he has been a major Nirvana fan since childhood.
Has four children: daughter Reginae Carter born November 29, 1998 with ex-wife Toya Johnson, and sons Dwayne Michael Tuney Carter III born October 22, 2008 with Sarah Vivan, Kameron Samuel Ari Carter born September 9, 2009 with Lauren London, and Neal Carter born November 30, 2009 with Nivea.
Serves as CEO of Young Money Entertainment and president of Cash Money Records.
His debut album Tha Block is Hot carries an explicit lyrics sticker, but he could not curse on the album because he was a minor.
Consistently refers to Birdman as Pa.
His sixth studio album Tha Carter III sold over one million copies in its first week, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and earning platinum certification. It was the first album to reach platinum in a week since 50 Cent’s The Massacre in 2005.
Served a prison sentence for criminal possession of a weapon and marijuana.
Founded Young Money Entertainment, modeling it after Cash Money Records.
Currently resides in Houston, Texas, after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
Suffers from epilepsy.
Records for Cash Money/Universal Records.
The music video for Lollipop was filmed at the Maloof brothers’ mansion in the Southern Highlands Golf Club in Las Vegas.
Estimated net worth is $135 million.
Actively runs his label Young Money Entertainment.
Released each Carter album to huge sales while building his record label.
Favorite sports teams are the Boston Red Sox, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Was engaged to Trina from September 2005 to November 2006.
Was a member of the group Hot Boys.
Worked on his fifth album Tha Carter II.
Friends with Birdman, Sean Diddy Combs, Rick Ross, Ye, Christina Milian, and Chris Brown.
Was engaged to Nivea twice: from December 11, 2002 to August 2003, and from June 9, 2009 to July 2010.
Was friends with Kobe Bryant.
Released Tha Carter III after much anticipation and hype.
Has consistently built up his Carter series of albums, including a Mr. Carter EP.
As of June 2020, was in a relationship with model Denise Bidot.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Lil' Wayne.
Celebrities similar to Lil' Wayne — same craft, ranked by reach.
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