Weezy Baby

By Ashley Tibbetts

Most know him as Lil’ Wayne, Weezy, or Young Carter, but many know him as a rap legend. He has come to be one of the biggest names in today music. Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. is a role model for many. Through all the struggles and obstacles he has made it to the top. He is one of today’s most talented rappers. Creating rhymes since he was born. Weezy grew up in Hollygrove, a poverty-stricken and crime-ridden neighborhood in New Orleans. Just after he was born to Dwayne Michael Turner and Jacinda Carter, he was forced to say goodbye to his father who abandoned him and his mother just after his birth. At this time him and his mother were forced to survive in a criminal infested community. Soon enough his mother met Reginald “Rabbit” McDonald, who eventually became his stepfather. Years after his stepfather moved the family out from this poverty to East New Orleans. By that time Lil’ Wayne had begun to develop his interest in hip-hop and rap music.

Weezy was a straight-A student, but never felt that his true intelligence was expressed through a report card. He found music was the best way to express himself, and after taking the name Gangsta D he began writing rhymes. Combining a strong work ethic and aggressive self-promotion at 11 years old convinced the Cash Money label to take him on by rapping at block parties where Weezy caught Cash Money rappers eyes. Through the latter, recording artist Lil’ Wayne met Cash Money Records most powerful people, Brian “Baby” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams. He did leave an impression on the two influential people, but did not get a contract. After this Weezy did not give up. He repeatedly left free style recordings on Baby’s answering machine. At only 11 years old Wayne got his shot to sign with Cash Money, being the Records’ youngest artist.

A year after signing the contract Lil’ Wayne was caught in an incident that almost took his life. When he was 12 years old, Wayne left school early and headed home, according to police records he was sitting non the mattress in the master bedroom and began eating, but he stopped when he noticed a blue-steel Taurus 9 mm handgun. This gun claimed to be an unregistered gun that had belonged to his stepfather. Little Dwayne picked up the gun and began horsing around with it in front of the stereo blaring music. At 1:15 p.m., the boy accidentally fired a bullet through his chest. The slug then shot out of a lower left corner of a window. Somehow, it missed every vital organ. But he was dying. Dwayne dialed 911, wheezing as he spoke. He then awaited an off duty police officers arrival.

After recovering he had his first gig, it was during that time he was forced to drop out of the 10^th grade, had a daughter, Reginae Carter, with his high school sweet heart, Antonia.

Though Lil Wayne had been known in several states by 1999, it wasn’t until he released his solo debut, “Tha Block Is Hot” (1999), that he really got a big break being known all over the states. His solo album peaked at number three on the billboard’s album chart and at number one for the Top R’n’B/Hip-Hop Albums, while at the same time scored a nomination for 2000 Source award for New Artist Of The Year, Solo.

Following his success in 2004 this well-known rapper released his most recognized album yet, “Tha Carter.” Around this time, he collaborated with Destiny’s Child and T.I., earning him some awards such as the 2005 BET Award-Best Collaboration. While his lead single "Fireman" became a hit peaking at number 32 on Billboard Hot 100. Once again, the rapper that is famous for the red bandanna tied on his right arm or leg received positive reviews and gathered notable nomination for the 2006 BET Hip-Hop Award, the 2006 Billboard Music Award and the 2007 BET Award. In the period of 2006 to 2007, he gained more fans by releasing a series of mix tapes, "Dedication" and “Dedication 2” (2006), whereas in 2007, he recorded another Carter-titled album “Tha Carter III.” And in 2007 Weezy received the BET Hip-Hop Award, for MVP of the year.

Now, biggest selling rapper Lil Wayne has spent much of the past year in jail after pleading guilty to gun possession charges. In a statement, Cash Money owners Ronald ‘Slim’ Williams and Brian ‘Baby’ Williams has this to say. “The Cash Money family will continue to supports out artist and friend Lil Wayne in his current court case. We have worked with him since he was a teenager, and have seen him grow into one of the world’s most successful hip-hop artists, with a work ethic that is second to none. Wayne has our love and commitment during this difficult time. We always have and always will stand behind him.”

While Weezy is out of sight of fans, he has a website (weezythanxyou.com) that say how he is doing. This is a great site for fans! When he is released he plans to put an album in stores and shoot more videos for it. Lil Wayne is a legend and that will never change.