Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Lil Wayne Biography

Born: September 27, 1982 

A game-changing artist and an impervious celebrity, Lil Wayne began as his career as a near-novelty -- a preteen delivering hardcore hip-hop -- but through years of maturation and reinventing the mixtape game, he developed into a million-selling rapper with a massive body of work, one so inventive and cunning that it makes his famous claim of being the "best rapper alive" worth considering. Born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. and raised in the infamous New Orleans neighborhood of Hollygrove, he was a straight-A student but never felt his true intelligence was expressed through any kind of 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 with aggressive self-promotion, the 11-year-old convinced the Cash Money label to take him on, even if it was just of odd jobs around the office. A year later, in-house producer Mannie Fresh partnered him with the 14-year-old B.G. and dubbed the duo the B.G.'z. Although only B.G.'s name appeared on the cover, the 1995 album True Story has since been accepted as the B.G.'z debut album both by fans and the Cash Money label. The 1997 album Chopper City was supposed to be the follow-up, but when Wayne accidentally shot himself in the chest with a .44, it became a solo B.G. release. 

That same year, he officially took the moniker Lil Wayne, dropping the "D" from his first name in order to separate himself from an absent father. He joined B.G., Juvenile, and Young Turk for another Fresh project, the teen hardcore rap group the Hot Boys, who released their debut album, Get It How U Live!, in 1997. Two years later, Cash Money would sign a distribution deal with the major-label Universal. Mainstream distribution would help that year's Hot Boys album Guerrilla Warfare to reach the number one spot on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 1998, Lil Wayne would appear on Juvenile's hit single "Back That Thing Up," or "Back That Azz Up" as it appeared on Juvie's album 400 Degreez. Wayne would launch his solo career a year later with the album Tha Block Is Hot, featuring the hit single title track. It went double platinum but the rapper was still unknown to Middle America, since his hardcore rhymes and the rough Cash Money sound had not yet crossed over. His second album, Lights Out (2000), failed to match the success of its predecessor but it did go gold, and with an appearance on the Big Tymers' hit single "1 Stunna," his audience was certainly growing. While Fresh was primarily responsible for launching his career, Wayne was now much closer to Fresh's fellow Big Tymer and Cash Money CEO Birdman. When Juvenile left the label, Wayne -- or "Birdman Jr." as he was calling himself -- showed his allegiance to his CEO by releasing an album with a title much hotter than Juvie's breakthrough effort. 500 Degreez landed in 2002 and while it went gold, rumors began flying about Cash Money's financial troubles and possible demise. The rest of the Hot Boys had defected and Wayne's planned 2003 album was scrapped, coming out instead as an underground mixtape called Da Drought.

Wayne became enamored with the mixtape world after Da Drought drew so much attention from the hip-hop press. He used these underground releases to drum up anticipation for his next official album, the breakthrough effort Tha Carter. Released in 2004, the album seemed familiar on one hand with Mannie Fresh's production, but the Wayne on the cover was a dreadlocked surprise, and the rhymes he laid on the tracks showed significant growth. His marketing skills had become sharper, too, and it was no mistake that the album's hit single, "Go DJ," mentioned hip-hop's greatest tastemakers right in the title. It reached number five on the singles chart, and with a guest shot on Destiny's Child's number three single, "Soldier," Wayne had officially crossed over. On the flip side, his street cred was supported by a slew of mixtapes released in 2005, including the popular titles Dedication with DJ Drama and Tha Suffix with DJ Khaled. Cash Money's future was no longer in doubt and traditional music business rules no longer seemed to apply, as tracks would be leaked onto the Internet and various DJs' mixtapes. "Get Something" was another bold move, as a Universal-funded video was made without the track ever seeing official release. 

With his alternative marketing scheme working in overdrive, the 2005 landing of Tha Carter II was a major event, selling over a quarter-million copies the week of its release. "Fireman" and "Shooter" with Robin Thicke were released as singles, while the album -- which for the first time featured no Mannie Fresh productions -- went platinum. It also introduced his Young Money posse, with appearances from Curreny and Nicki Minaj, and initially came with a bonus disc featuring Wayne's greatest hits screwed and chopped by Swishahouse DJ Michael "5000" Watts. A year later he collaborated with Birdman for the Like Father, Like Son album, featuring the hit single "Stuntin' Like My Daddy." His mixtapes were still flooding the underground, including the stunning Dedication 2, which came with an iconic image of the rapper on the cover plus the much talked-about track "Georgia...Bush," a venomous response to President George W. Bush's handling of the Katrina disaster. With no official follow-up to Tha Carter II in sight, numerous collaborative tracks kept the rapper in the mainstream with "Gimme That" by Chris Brown, "Make It Rain" by Fat Joe, and "Duffle Bag Boy" by Playaz Circle becoming three of the biggest hits. 

Tha Carter III was promised for 2007 but didn't arrive until a year later, setting off Wayne's infamous reputation of delayed releases. Part of the problem became unauthorized leaks of the album's tracks, something combated by the official, downloadable EP The Leak released that same year. Preceded by the number one hit "Lollipop," Tha Carter III arrived in May of 2008, selling more than a million copies in its first week of release. An appearance on Saturday Night Live and four Grammy awards -- including Best Rap Album -- spoke to Wayne's mainstream acceptance. He also performed at that year's Country Music Awards with Kid Rock, but rather than rap, he played guitar. The guitar playing was part of Wayne's new involvement with rock music, including his help in signing Kevin Rudolf to Cash Money plus an appearance on Rudolf's massive hit "Let It Rock." His planned rock album was previewed with the 2009 single "Prom Queen," but when the album failed to meet its promised April release, the music press began to portray the rapper as the king of missed street dates. Unconcerned, Wayne forged ahead with his Young Money crew, releasing the underground mixtape Young Money Is the Army, Better Yet the Navy, the aboveground single "Every Girl," plus the official album We Are Young Money that same year. His rock album, Rebirth, would finally appear in early 2010, which coincided with Wayne being sentenced to a nine-month prison term for criminal possession of a weapon. The rapper may have been behind bars on Riker’s Island, but that didn’t stop his ten-song EP I Am Not a Human Being from seeing the light of day in September that same year. David Jeffries, Rovi
Posted by Toms Valerian at 9:58 PM 0 comments

Birdman (Rapper)


Bryan Williams (born February 15, 1969),[1] better known by his stage name Birdman or Baby, is anAmerican rapper and record executive from New Orleans,Louisiana. He is the co-founder of Cash Money Recordsand one half of the duo Big Tymers. Along with his releases with Big Tymers and for his solo career, Birdman recorded a collaboration album and numerous tracks with Lil Wayne.

Contents

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Biography

Early life and career

Birdman was born and raised in Uptown New Orleans.[2]With his brother Ronald "Slim" Williams, Birdman founded Cash Money Records in 1991.[1] He used his first moniker B-32 (Baby with the 32 Golds) and released his only independent album I Need a Bag of Dope in 1993.[3]

Big Tymers

In 1997, he joined rapper Mannie Fresh to form the duoBig Tymers.[1] Big Tymers debuted in 1998 with the album How Ya Luv That? and went on to release I Got That Work in 2000 and Hood Rich in 2002. I Got That Work had the hit singles "Get Your Roll On" and "#1 Stunna"; Hood Rich had "Still Fly", which was nominated for a Grammy, and "Oh Yeah!". Big Money Heavyweight followed in 2003; the group disbanded in 2004.[4]

2002-2004: Birdman and Fast Money

In 2002 Birdman released his self-titled debut studio album, Birdman,[1] with the singles "Do That" and "What Happened to That Boy" (with The Clipse). Since that album, Birdman made guest performances on the singles "Let's Get Down" by Bow Wow, "Hell Yeah" by Ginuwine, and "Bounce Back" byJuvenile.
Birdman released his third studio album Fast Money in 2005;[1] Fast Money spawned the singles "Get Your Shine On" and "Neck of the Woods", both of which featured Lil Wayne. For Lil Wayne, Birdman produced and performed on tracks on Tha Carter and Tha Carter II.

2005-2007: Like Father Like Son and 5 * Stunna

Lil Wayne and Birdman released an album titled Like Father, Like Son. It was certified Gold and spawned three singles, including "Stuntin' Like My Daddy" and "Leather So Soft". He was also featured on the remixes of the bestselling rap singles "We Fly High" by Jim Jones and "Make It Rain" by Fat Joe. In 2007 Birdman released his fourth studio album, 5 * Stunna. The first single, "Pop Bottles," featuring Lil Wayne and Jadakiss, was a hit, as well as the second single "100 Million," which featured Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Dre & DJ Khaled. The third single featuring Lil Wayne, titled "I Run This," was a hit as well.
Birdman performing at Club Nokia in May 2010.

2009: Priceless

Birdman's first single from his album Pricele$$ was "Always Strapped", featuring Lil Wayne, and the second "Written on Her", featuring British singer Jay Sean. "Southside" featuring Lil Wayne is the third single.[5]"Money to Blow" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne is the fourth single. "4 My Town (Play Ball)" featuring Drake and Lil Wayne is the fifth single. "Written on Her" also became Birdman's first UK release in December 2009.[6]

2010-present: Bigger Than Life and future collaboration plans

In 2010 he was going to release an album titled "Priceless 2" a sequel to his previous album, but changed it to "Bigger Than Life."[7] The first single was titled "Loyalty" and featured Lil Wayne and Tyga.[7] Other collaborations will come from Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Bun B andDrake.[7] The album will drop during Q1 of 2011.[8] He released a music video for a possible future single, "My Jewel" which features Bun B and Young Jeezy.[9] He released a second official single "Fire Flame" on November 22, 2010 which features Lil Wayne.[10]
Birdman is set to release an album with Rick Ross titled The H sometime in the future.[11] A secondFather Like Son album with Lil Wayne is to be released during June 2011 around Fathers Day.[12]

Net worth

Birdman has an estimated net worth of over $400 million. Much of that money has come from a variety of business deals with Universal Music Group as well as from sales within Cash Money Records. His total net worth makes him the second richest rapper in history behind Jay-Z.[13]

Legal troubles

Birdman was arrested and charged with possession of more than two ounces of marijuana in November 2007.[14][15] He was released on $1,500 bond.[16]
On October 2009, Birdman, Lil Wayne, Cash Money Records and various music distribution outlets were sued for copyright infringement by Thomas Marasciullo, who claims his voice was used without permission. The rappers asked him to record some "Italian-styled spoken word recordings" in 2006. The lyrics were allegedly used on "Respect" and other tracks from the rappers' collaboration albumLike Father, Like Son and Birdman's 5 * Stunna.[17]

Discography

Main article: Birdman discography
See also: Big Tymers discography
Studio albums
Collaboration albums

Filmography

  • 2000: Baller Blockin
Posted by Toms Valerian at 9:56 PM 0 comments

Bio-graphy of Rihanna

Date of Birth
20 February 1988, St. Michael, Barbados 

Birth Name
Robyn Rihanna Fenty 

Nickname
RiRi 
Caribbean Queen 
The Barbados Babe 
Thunder Thighs 
The Alien Princess 

Height
5' 10" (1.78 m) 

Mini Biography
Rihanna was born on February 20, 1988, in a county in Barbados called St. Michael. She lived the life of a normal island girl going to Combermere, a top sixth form school, similar to grammar schools in the UK. Rihanna won a beauty pageant and performed Mariah Carey's "Hero" in a school talent show. Her life changed forever when one of her friends introduced her to Evan Rodgers, a producer from New York who was in Barbados for vacation with his wife, who is a native. Rodgers arranged for her to go to New York to meet Jay-Z, CEO of Def Jam Records. He heard her sing and knew she was going to be big and for more than just one song. She was 16 when she was signed to Def Jam. Rihnanna's debut album is out now. It's called "Music of the Sun".
IMDb Mini Biography By: gopistons14@yahoo.com 

Trade Mark
Leather outfits
Ever changing hairstyles
Very short hair.

Trivia
Was signed to Def Jam Records
Her musical inspirations include Alicia Keys, Beyoncé Knowles, and Mariah Carey.
Attended Combermere which is a sixth form school similar to technical school in America.
Performed Mariah Carey's "Hero" at her school's talent show.
Won a beauty pageant at her school.
Born to a black Barbadian father Ronald Fenty and a black Guyanese mother Monica Fenty.
She has two younger brothers Rorrey and Rajad.
Stated in an interview that her friend and former Island Def Jam record label artist Fefe Dobson was someone that she admired and looked up to. Having a fellow black artist writing, singing, and performing the music she truly loves.
Ranked #8 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list.
Sampled "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " by Michael Jackson from his " Thriller" album in her song "Please Don't Stop the Music".
Ranked #15 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2008 list.
According to Fashion Lifestyle she's had over 150 hairstyles since her music career took off in 2005. Her trademarks are her Long Straight Brown (2006), Medium Length Black Bob (2007) and Short Cropped look (2008).
Made an estimated $15,000,000 in 2008. (Source) - Forbes Magazine.
Was tagged "The Digital Download Queen" due to her songs being downloaded over 75,000,000 times combined.
Has sold over 12 million albums worldwide in under 4 years. [September 2009].
Her 3rd studio album 'Good Girl Gone Bad' (2007) was the 3rd highest selling album in the world in 2007 and was the 8th highest 2008. It has sold just under 8 million copies worldwide and has spawned 3 number one Hot 100 hits and 2 worldwide number ones.
Appeared on the cover of Italian Vogue for there "Extreme Couture" edition. [September 2009].
Her ex-boyfriend, Chris Brown, was sentenced to five years of probation, six months of community service and one year of domestic violence counseling as a result of his attack on her in February, 2009 [August 29, 2009].
Is good friends with Katy Perry.
Her 3rd single 'Rude Boy', from her 4th studio album 'Rated R', became her sixth US number one single. This makes her the most successful female artist of the last 10 years.
She and then-boyfriend Chris Brown canceled their performance at the Grammys in February 2009 just hours before the show started after Brown was caught up in a late-night domestic dispute, which later turned out to be a physical attack onRihanna.
She's the highest paid female celebrity to sit front row at fashion shows. She's paid an estimated $100,000, followed byBeyoncé Knowles, who is estimated at $80,000.
Is a big fan of Depeche Mode, The Prodigy and Chase & Status. She worked with Chase & Status on her album "Rated R" after calling member Saul Milton up at 3 AM.
Selling 62 million records since 2005, she's the most successful artist over the last decade. She also is the first ever artist ever to have 5, 3X platinum selling digital singles.
Broke her own record by scoring her 7th US number one. "Love The Way You Lie" with Eminem became her 7th number one single in 5 years. This gives her the most number ones from an artist in the last 10 years.

Personal Quotes
All humans are born with the ability to be attracted to both sexes. I mean, I could see myself in a relationship with a girl.
I love the high-risk (guys). I don't like cream puff, corny guys. Usually they are the nice guys, the ones that won't hurt you. They'll pull out the chair for you and the whole nine yards. Everything is perfect and boring. I like the risk, I like the edge. That's the thrill for me.
[On Fashion] Wear the clothes. Don't let them wear you.
[on Jesse Williams] Jesse, who's in my music video for 'Russian Roulette', is so hot!
I love flirting at the moment. I'm single and I'm enjoying my freedom. But I don't give my phone number out that often. But if I'm dating, I check the boy from the top to the bottom.
[on what a man needs to impress her] He has to be good in bed and the size matters. You know what I mean? The inner beauty counts as well, but without a toy it doesn't make it fun.
[On her musical sound change] Everyone was really surprised when i started liking new things and changing my image. I was 16 when i was signed and i'm 22 now. My musical taste and image is going to change naturally. It's not forced, i do what comes natural to me. Sometimes i like to be dark... other times i like to be really light and lady-like.
[On size zero models] Being a size zero is a career in itself so we shouldn't try and be like them, it is not realistic and it is not healthy. You shouldn't be pressured into trying to be thin by the fashion industry, because they only want models that are like human mannequins. They know that if we see an outfit on a mannequin in a shop window we will love it and want to buy it whatever size we are. That's why they have size zero models - they want to sell clothes. But you have to remember that it's not practical or possible for an everyday woman to look like that."
[On Homophobia] I know that a large part of my fanbase is gay. They've shown me love from the start. I mean in this industry, everyone from my glam people to my dancers are gay. You can't be homophobic in this line of work, i'm a popstar! It hurts me when i read fan mail from a fan who have been called names for liking me.
My weight fluctuates, but I don't weigh myself every day. I'm 5ft 8in and weigh around 9st 7lb.
[On Cheryl Cole] I think she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Like, how do you have a face like that, with hair like that and dimples, and a body like that, that's proportioned like that? And you have a successful career, something about that is not right.
[On Russell Brand] I first met him when he was interviewing me on TV. I was sick and it was the worst interview I have ever done... Nothing was funny to me. I thought it was the most stupid interview I ever did in my life. Why am I talking to this idiot? He made me want to throw up again.
I spend more time over there (in London) than I spend in L.A., and that's where I live. London is more like my home.
[On doing a duet with Katy Perry] We're actually working on some music together - hell yeah. I would love to tour with Katy. She's a rock star. And when I see her live, she just brings such a fun vibe, like a colorful rock star.
[On planning Katy Perry's bachelorette party] I have to come up with something cool, because she's getting married in India. So I'm like, 'OK, now what do I do to match that?' That's at the end of the year, so we've got some time to plan that.
[On Katy Perry] When I first met her, her personality was so on point, I felt like she had no edit button, she was really fun and had a great sense of humor.
[On missing her friend, Katy Perry's wedding] I will never ever forgive myself for that, it was a crazy time, it was a crazy week. I'm switching management. I'm really sad that I missed it.
[on having children] I don't really plan on the age. It could be a year from now. It could be 10 years from now. Whenever is right. I mean, I have a lot of other stuff to accomplish before I get to kids. Whenever the time is right, I'll just know. If I had a girl, she'd probably be really rebellious. She would be like a bundle of karma. I would love to bring them up in Barbados.

Posted by Toms Valerian at 9:52 PM 0 comments
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