Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. on September 27, 1982, is an American rapper widely considered one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation and among the greatest rappers of all time. Growing up in New Orleans, he was signed to Cash Money Records at just eleven years old, becoming the label's leading artist until 2018. Lil Wayne's early career included membership in the duo the B G z and later the pioneering Southern hip hop group Hot Boys, which gained national attention with hits like Bling Bling. Wayne’s solo breakthrough came with his debut album Tha Block Is Hot in 1999, followed by successful releases such as Tha Carter series. Tha Carter III marked the peak of his commercial success, earning a Grammy Award and producing hits like Lollipop, A Milli, and Got Money. Known for redefining the mixtape scene, he continued to release chart-topping albums, including Tha Carter IV, Tha Carter V, and Funeral. His career has been marked by experimentation, including the rock-influenced Rebirth, and periods of personal and legal challenges. Beyond his own music, Lil Wayne has significantly influenced modern hip hop by founding Young Money Entertainment, launching the careers of major artists like Drake and Nicki Minaj. With over 120 million records sold worldwide and landmark achievements on the Billboard Hot 100, Lil Wayne remains one of the best-selling and most awarded artists in hip hop, recognized with multiple Grammy, BET, Billboard, MTV, and NAACP awards.