Lil’ Wayne Timeline
This timeline of Lil’ Wayne’s life and career is used courtesy of www.rapcentral.co.uk . If you want to publish this on your site please do not do so without contacting RapCentral first. LilWayneTapes.com have added our own details and updates to the timeline, but the main body of the text comes from RapCentral.
A Lil’ Wayne Intro:
Lil Wayne was born Dwayne Michael Carter on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Lil Wayne is also known as Birdman J.R., Raw Tune, Weezy F. Baby, Weezy, or Dwayne Carter (using the last name of his step father). Lil Wayne has stated that his favorite rappers are Tupac, Eminem, Pimp Daddy, U.N.L.V., Big Pun and Jay-Z, and underground rapper JO$H.
Lil’ Wayne was signed to Cash Money Records while attending middle school at Eleanor McMain Magnet Secondary School. However, after seeing Lil’ Wayne dressed in gang affiliated colors, his mother pulled the plug on his career with Cash Money. Wayne then ran away from home with his stepfather’s gun. While playing with the gun, Lil’ Wayne accidentally shot himself in the chest and was taken to the hospital after almost bleeding to death. Whilst in the hospital, he let the authorities know that the gun belonged to his step father. His step father was arrested for having an unregistered handgun, then shortly after his release from jail, he was abducted, and killed. Lil’ Wayne now has a large tattoo of the words “Bang Bang” on his chest to commemorate his shooting and also has “In Memory of Rabbit: It’s Up To Me” tattooed on his arm, in honor of his beloved slain step father.
At the age of 11, Wayne dropped out of school to fully pursue a rap career after meeting the Cash Money owner and CEO Ronald “Slim” Brian, “Baby aka Birdman” Williams who would sign him to their recording label. In 1995 at the age of 12, Wayne made his debut with then label mate B.G. on the album titled True Story, since then he hasn’t looked back.
Lil’ Wayne Timeline:
27th September 1982: Lil Wayne was born Dwayne Michael Carter in New Orleans, Louisiana.
1995: Lil’ Wayne made his debut on Cash Money Records at the age of 12, Wayne made his debut with then fellow label mate B.G. on the album titled True Story.
1997: Lil’ Wayne formed the group ‘Hot Boys’ along with fellow rappers 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 midwest.
1998: Weezy further distinguished himself on the Hot Boys’ platinum selling Universal debut ‘Guerilla Warfare’.
November 1999: At age 16, Lil’ Wayne launched his solo career with the release of his debut solo album ‘Tha Block Is Hot’. The Mannie Fresh produced album put Lil’ Wayne on the map as a solo artist thanks to the albums hit title track.
November 1999: Lil’ Wayne topped the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with ‘Tha Block Is Hot‘.
December 1999: Lil’ Wayne’s Tha Block Is Hot album was certified platinum, only a few weeks after its release.
19th December 2000: Lil Wayne released his second solo album Lights Out with the hit single “Shine.” This is the first album where Wayne uses vulgar language. On the track “Everything”, he dedicates the song to his late stepfather Reginald “Rabbit” McDonald.
12th June 2001: Lights Out album was certified Gold by the RIAA.
23rd July 2002: Lil Wayne released his third solo album 500 Degreez with the hit single “Way Of Life.” The album gets its name because it was released after Juveniles album 400 Degreez, who had left Cash Money earlier, and Wayne stated he was going to do better than Juvenile. Lil’ Wayne did not, as Juvenile’s album went multi-platinum Wayne’s album would go on to sell 536,000 copies in the U.S. and 900,000 copies worldwide. This is Wayne’s lowest album in terms of sales but is still considered to be a success by reaching Gold status with very little promotion or marketing support.
August 2002: Lil Wayne topped the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart with 500 Degreez.
September 2002: 500 Degreez was certified gold.
June 2004: Lil’ Wayne released Tha Carter with the hits “Go DJ,” “Bring It Back,” and “Earthquake.” The bulk of the album was produced by Cash Money Records’s former in-house producer Mannie Fresh. Tha Carter preceded Lil Wayne’s work in Tha Drought mixtape and Tha Prefix mixtape, where he freestyled over The Black Album. Tha Carter peaked at number five on the 2004 Billboard 200, and at number two on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. As of May 14, 2008 the album has sold 1,061,606 copies in the U.S. The meaning behind the album’s title is from the 1991 film New Jack City, “The Carter” is the name of Nino Brown’s efficient crackhouse. “Carter” is also Lil Wayne’s last name.
September 2004: Tha Carter was certified gold.
November 2004: Lil Wayne could be heard on the Chingy LP Powerballin on the track “26′s.”
May 2005: The single “Go DJ” from Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter album was certified gold.
22nd September 2005: The video for the first single from Lil’ Waynes upcoming album (due in December 2005) “Fireman” is premiered on BET’s “Access Granted”
December 2005: Lil’ Wayne released his fifth solo album Tha Carter II on December 6th 2005. This is the first album from the Cash Money label that does not feature any work from longtime in-house producer Mannie Fresh. Lil Wayne could also be heard on The Notorious B.I.G. LP Duets: The Final Chapter on the track “I’m With Whateva.”
January 2006: Tha Carter II was certified gold.
February 2006: Tha Carter II was certified platinum. Lil Wayne was nominated for a Grammy Award for Rap/Sung Collaboration (“Soldier” with Destiny’s Child and T.I.).
June 2006: The single “Fireman” was certified gold.
October 2006: Birdman and Lil Wayne released Like Father, Like Son with the hits “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy,” “Leather So Soft,” “Know What I’m Doin,” and “You Ain’t Know.”
November 2006: Lil Wayne could be heard on the Fat Joe LP Me, Myself And I on the tracks “The Profit” and “Make It Rain.”
December 2006: Birdman and Lil Wayne’s album Like Father, Like Son was certified gold.
January 2007: Lil Wayne hit the Top 40 helping out Fat Joe with “Make It Rain.” and also helping out Lloyd with “You.”
May 2007: The singles “Fireman” and “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy” were certified platinum.
July 2007: Lil Wayne was arrested after a performance in New York City and charged with possession of a weapon and marijuana.
November 2007: Lil Wayne could be heard on the Jay-Z LP American Gangster on the track “Hello Brooklyn 2.0″ and on the Chris Brown LP Exclusive on the track “Gimme Whatcha Got.” Lil Wayne hit the Top 40 helping out Wyclef Jean, Akon, and Niaa Bertino, with “Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill).”
December 2007: The single “Leather So Soft” was certified platinum. The EP The Leak was released as a digital download with the tracks “I’m Me,” “Gossip,” “Kush,” “Love Me Or Hate Me,” and “Talkin About It.”
February 2008: Weezy hit the Top 10 helping out Wyclef Jean, Akon, and Niaa Bertino, with “Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill).” Lil Wayne was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (“Make It Rain” with Fat Joe).
March 2008: Lil’ Wayne could be heard on the Fat Joe LP Elephant In The Room on the track “The Crackhouse” and on the Flo Rida LP Mail On Sundays on the track “American Superstar.”
April 2008: Lil’ Wayne hit the Top 40 with the single “Lollipop” taken from his upcoming LP Tha Carter III. Lil’ Wayne topped the Hot Rap Tracks chart and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with “Lollipop.”
May 2008: Lil Wayne topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Rhythmic Airplay chart, and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart with “Lollipop.” Lil Wayne hit the Top 10 with “Lollipop.” Lil Wayne could be heard on the Usher LP Here I Stand on the track “Love In This Club Part II.”
June 2008: Lil Wayne released Tha Carter III. Lil Wayne topped the Billboard 200 LP chart, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, Top Rap Albums chart, Top Digital Albums chart, and Top Internet Albums chart with Tha Carter III. The album sold over 1 million copies its first week of release in the USA which was the biggest 1 week sales total in over 3 years. Lil Wayne also topped the LP charts in Canada with Tha Carter III.
July 2008: Lil Wayne released “A Milli” and topped the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart, and hit the US Top 40. Wayne’s Tha Carter III album was certified 2x platinum.
August 2008: Lil Wayne featured on the Kevin Rudolf track “Let It Rock” which hit the Top 40, as did “My Life“, a track he performed alongside rapper The Game. Lil Wayne topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, Rhythmic chart, Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart with his “A Milli” single.
September 2008: Lil Wayne hit the Top 40, and also topped the Billboard Rhythmic chart with help from T-Pain on the track “Got Money,” taken Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III album. The video for “Lollipop” won a MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video and was nominated for Best Male Video. Lil Wayne also performed live at the awards ceremony. Lil Wayne hit the Top 40 helping out T-Pain with “Can’t Believe It.” Lil Wayne then hit the Top 40 helping out T.I. on his “Swagga Like Us” single featuring alongside Jay-Z and Kanye West. Lil Wayne performed on Saturday Night Live.
October 2008: “Let It Rock”, a track by Kevin Rudolf, featuring Lil Wayne, hit the Top 10.
November 2008:
Lil Wayne won a World Music Award for Top Hip-Hop/Rap Artist of the Year and was also nominated for 3 American Music Awards for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist, Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album, and Artist of the Year. Lil Wayne could be heard on the Ludacris LP Theater Of The Mind, on the track “Last Of A Dying Breed” and also on the Kanye West LP 808′s And Heartbreak on the track “See You In My Nightmares.” Lil Wayne hit the Top 40 with help from Bobby Valentino with “Mrs. Officer“, a track taken from Weezy’s Tha Carter III.
December 2008:
Lil Wayne topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist – Male (singles & albums), Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album Artist – Male, Top Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Artist – Male, Top Hot Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Artist, Top Hot Rhythmic Artist, Top Rap Artist , Top Rap Album Artist , and with the Top Hot Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Song and Top Rap Song (“Lollipop”) and Top Rap Album (Tha Carter III).
Tha Carter III ended 2008 as the #1 selling LP of the year with sales topping 2.8 million. Lil Wayne topped the Rolling Stone ‘Readers Poll’ for Artist of the Year of 2008. Lil Wayne could be heard on the Akon LP Freedom on the track “I’m So Paid.”
February 2009: Lil Wayne’s album Tha Carter III was certified 3x platinum. Lil Wayne won 4 Grammy Awards. He took home awards for Best Rap Solo Performance (“A Milli“), Best Rap Album (Tha Carter III), Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (“Swagga Like This” with Jay-Z, T.I., and Kanye West), Best Rap Song (awarded to the songwriter) (“Lollipop” with S. Garrett, D. Harrison, J. Scheffer and R. Zamor). Lil Wayne was also nominated for Album of the Year (Tha Carter III), Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (“Mr. Carter” (with Jay-Z), Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (“Got Money” with T-Pain), and Best Rap Song (“Swagga Like This” with Jay-Z, T.I., and Kanye West). Lil Wayne also performed at the ceremony. Lil Wayne hit the Top 40 helping out Keri Hilson on her single “Turnin Me On”, which also topped the Billboard Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop chart.
April 2009: Lil Wayne hit on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
June 2009: Lil Wayne featured as a guest artist on rapper Fabolous’ LP, Loso’s Way, on the track “Salute.”
August 2009: Lil Wayne hit the Top 40 and Top 10 helping out Jay Sean with “Down.”
October 2009: Lil Wayne hit the Top 40 with Drake, Kanye West, and Eminem with “Forever” from the Music Inspired By The Film More Than A Game soundtrack. Lil Wayne hit #1 for 3 weeks helping out Jay Sean with “Down.” The track also topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Radio Songs chart, and Pop Songs chart. Lil Wayne featured as a guest artist on the Fat Joe LP Jealous Ones Still Envy 2 (J.O.S.E. 2) on the track “Winding On Me.” Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to gun charges from 2007 and looks to be facing 1 year prison stinit when sentenced early next year.
November 2009: Lil Wayne could be heard on the Weezer LP Raditude on the track “Can’t Stop Partying.” Lil Wayne hit the Top 40 helping out Shakira on her single “Give It Up To Me.”
December 2009: Tha Carter III was inlcuded on the Rolling Stone: ’100 Best Albums of the Decade (2000-2009)’ at # 32.
February 2010: Lil Wayne released his ‘Rebirth’album after numerous delays. The album topped the Billboard Rap Albums chart, R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and Digital Albums chart. Lil’ Wayne appears alognside an all-star choir including the late Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Toni Braxton, and countless others on “We Are The World 25 For Haiti” – a single to benefit the Haitian earthquake relief efforts and the rebuilding of Haiti. Billboard released there 50 sexiest songs of all time and making the cut at number 12 was Lil Wayne with his song Lollipop. Lil Wayne’s sentencing and subsequent reporting to jailfor gun charges from 2007, was delayed until March 2nd due to dental surgery.
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This Lil’ Wayne timeline is used courtesy of www.rapcentral.co.uk . If you want to publish this on your site please do not do so without contacting RapCentral first.