Dwayne Carter a.k.a Dwayne Carter a.k.a Lil Wayne Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne Lil Wayne

Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. (born (born September 27, 1982), better known by September 27, 1982), better known by his stage name his stage name Lil WayneLil Wayne, is an , is an American Grammy award-winning American Grammy award-winning rapper. Formerly a member of the rap rapper. Formerly a member of the rap group the hot boys, he joined the cash group the hot boys, he joined the cash money records collective as a teenager. money records collective as a teenager. Get it how u live!, released in 1997, was Get it how u live!, released in 1997, was Lil Wayne's first album with Hot Boys, Lil Wayne's first album with Hot Boys, and Tha block is hot, his solo debut, and Tha block is hot, his solo debut, came out in 1999.came out in 1999.

Early life Early life Lil Wayne was born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. and Lil Wayne was born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. and

grew up in the Holleygrove neighborhood of new grew up in the Holleygrove neighborhood of new Orleans, Louisiana .Carter enrolled in the gifted Orleans, Louisiana .Carter enrolled in the gifted program of Lafayette Elementary School and in the program of Lafayette Elementary School and in the drama club of Eleanor McCain Secondary School. drama club of Eleanor McCain Secondary School. He wrote his first rap song at age eight. At age He wrote his first rap song at age eight. At age eleven, he met Bryan Williams, rapper and owner eleven, he met Bryan Williams, rapper and owner of Cash Money Records. Lil Wayne recorded of Cash Money Records. Lil Wayne recorded freestyle raps on Williams' answering machine; freestyle raps on Williams' answering machine; Williams would eventually mentor the young Carter Williams would eventually mentor the young Carter and include him in Cash Money-distributed songs. and include him in Cash Money-distributed songs. When he was 12, he played the part of the Tin Man When he was 12, he played the part of the Tin Man in his middle school drama club's production of in his middle school drama club's production of The The Wiz. Wiz. He claims that he accidentally shot himself He claims that he accidentally shot himself with a .44 caliber gun at that age. He dropped out with a .44 caliber gun at that age. He dropped out of school at age 14. of school at age 14.

From rap to rock From rap to rock Wayne stated that he would release a debut rock Wayne stated that he would release a debut rock

album titled album titled RebirthRebirth. The album was originally . The album was originally scheduled for a April 7, 2009 release, however scheduled for a April 7, 2009 release, however after numerous delays, the album is now to be after numerous delays, the album is now to be released on November 24, 2009. "Prom Queen", released on November 24, 2009. "Prom Queen", the first buzz single, debuted on January 27 the first buzz single, debuted on January 27 immediately after a live Internet broadcast on immediately after a live Internet broadcast on Ustream of his concert in San Diego. "Prom Ustream of his concert in San Diego. "Prom Queen" peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 Queen" peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. "Hot Revolver", the second buzz single, charts. "Hot Revolver", the second buzz single, debuted on iTunes on March 17 and peaked at debuted on iTunes on March 17 and peaked at #33 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.#33 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.