| Lil Wayne music- despite the rappers current legal | | | | landmark record "Tha Carter." The public and critics |
| issues- still remains some of the most popular in the | | | | found his new album to be of a much deeper, |
| mainstream today. The New Orleans born rapper has | | | | conceptual nature than his previous work. It |
| put together numerous platinum recordings, inlcuding | | | | appeared, at least on wax, that Lil Wayne might be |
| the three Carter albums, as well as an impressive list | | | | growing up. |
| of collaborative efforts with Cash Money artists such | | | | The follow up "Tha Carter 2" reached a new high |
| as Birdman. Here's a look at the more influential Lil | | | | water mark. It debuted on the charts at #2 and |
| Wayne music over the past fifteen years... | | | | eventually sold over two million copies worldwide. It |
| He was born on September 27, 1982 in New Orleans | | | | also marked the departure of longtime Cash Money |
| Louissiana. A straight A student in school, he never | | | | producer Mannie Fresh; a fact that initially concerned |
| found school the creative outlet he required. At age | | | | critics, as Fresh had been a mentor and the guiding |
| 11, he convinced the manager of Cash Money to | | | | light for Lil Wayne. |
| take him on, and promoted himself by freestyling on | | | | If Lil Wayne music seemed hot then, it only got |
| his answering machine. By 12 - yes, 12- he found | | | | hotter with the third installment. Within its first week |
| himself touring with the Hot Boyz, a Cash Money | | | | of release, Tha Carter 3 went platinum. The hit single |
| fronted hip hop group. | | | | "Lollipop" topped the Billboard charts; a first for Lil |
| Shortly after, he dropped his solo debut album "Tha | | | | Wayne in his music career. Concerns rose over the |
| Block Is Hot." The album won the hearts of fans and | | | | leaking of several songs prior to release 0 most of |
| critics alike, going double platinum and scoring a "Best | | | | which appeared on various mixtapes- but if it did, no |
| New Artist" nomination from The Source. This was | | | | one noticed. |
| perhaps his most important album, in that it | | | | After this release, he began to run into more and |
| established him as a bankable solo artist and not a | | | | more legal trouble. He was routinely incarcerated for |
| novelty act of a teenage MC. | | | | possession of marijuana and firearms. His drink of |
| After the success of "Tha Block Is Hot," Lil Wayne | | | | choice - cough syrup with Hawaiian Punch- began to |
| music took a dive with his two following albums | | | | worry fans, to no avail. he recently was arrested for |
| "Lights Out" and "500 Degreez," neither of which | | | | gun possession and recently plead guilty. The |
| managed to enjoy the commerical success of his first | | | | conviction could bring up to eight months jail time, |
| album. It appeared the teen rap phenom was running | | | | which Lil Wayne will be starting shortly. |
| out of steam. Until, however, the release of his | | | | |