Lil Wayne Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Lil Wayne’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $170 million, Lil Wayne is an American rapper, producer, and music executive. Over his career, he has garnered various nicknames, such as Birdman Jr., Young Tune, Dr. Carter, Weezyana, Tunechi, among many others. Regardless of the name you choose, his remarkable success is indisputable. Having sold over 200 million records globally, he has received numerous accolades and even outperformed Elvis Presley for the most entries on the “Billboard” Hot 100 chart. His status as one of the best-selling music artists in history equipped him with the experience necessary to launch his music label, Young Money Entertainment.

At just nine years old, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records. After starting as a part of The B.G.’z and later the Hot Boys, he ventured into a solo career with the release of his debut album, “The Block Is Hot,” in 1999. This album achieved Platinum status and marked the beginning of a flourishing solo rap career that has continued to thrive. His album, “Tha Carter IV,” released in the summer of 2011, has sold more than five million copies in the United States since then.

Early Life

Born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Lil Wayne exhibited exceptional talent from an early age despite growing up in the low-income neighborhood of Hollygrove. He was placed in the gifted program in elementary school and participated in the drama club.

By eight years old, Carter had penned his first rap song, which caught the attention of Bryan Williams, widely known as “Birdman,” a year later. As the founder of Cash Money Records, Williams represented Lil Wayne’s first opportunity for success in the industry. Leaving freestyle messages on Birdman’s answering machine ultimately convinced him to give the young artist a chance. After featuring in several songs under the Cash Money label, it became evident that music would be the focal point of Lil Wayne’s career.

However, tragedy struck when Carter was only 12. He accidentally shot himself in the chest with a 9mm pistol and was rushed to the hospital by an off-duty officer due to the life-threatening injury. He later revealed that this incident was a suicide attempt stemming from his mother’s disapproval of his rapping aspirations.

Initial Success

Lil Wayne’s career truly took off when he became a member of the Hot Boys in 1997. The group achieved significant success, frequently topping the “Billboard” R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

Carter, at the age of just 17, was eager to embark on a solo career with the launch of his first album, “Tha Block is Hot,” which came out in 1999. While this initial release marked his entry into the music scene, his subsequent albums, “Lights Out” and “500 Degreez,” did not sustain that momentum, putting him at risk of going unnoticed.

Mainstream Success

Everything shifted in 2004 with the debut of “Tha Carter.” This period, especially when combined with the release of “Tha Carter II” a year later, signified a significant advancement in Lil Wayne’s career. His lyrics became more sophisticated and mature, and his personal style evolved as he sported his iconic dreadlocks. The single “Fireman” stood out as a particular highlight during this period.

The following two years were relatively unfruitful for the artist, despite his collaborations on various tracks with other musicians, such as Fat Joe, Wyclef Jean, and Ludacris. However, in 2008, Lil Wayne made a powerful comeback with “Tha Carter III.” This album included one of his most famous tracks ever, “Lollipop.”

A pivotal moment in Lil Wayne’s career occurred with the release of “Tha Carter IV” in 2011. After another long anticipation period, “Tha Carter V” followed in 2018, achieving similar success levels. In many interviews, the rapper has indicated that “Tha Carter V” may be his final album, expressing a wish to retire and spend more time with his family.

In 2020, Lil Wayne made a return with his album “Funeral,” which debuted at #1 on the “Billboard” 200, marking his fifth U.S. #1 album. He later released the mixtape “No Ceilings 3” and a greatest hits album titled “I Am Music” in 2023. During a 2023 interview, he mentioned that fans could look forward to “Tha Carter VI,” expected to drop “if not December, then at the beginning of the year.”

Young Money Catalog Sale

At Young Money Entertainment, Lil Wayne played a crucial role in signing emerging artists Drake and Nicki Minaj before they gained widespread fame. In July 2020, he sold the Young Money Masters to Universal Music for an impressive $100 million.

Personal Life

As a father of four, Lil Wayne welcomed his first child in 1998 when he was just 16 years old. Although he married the mother of his first child, Toya Johnson, they divorced in 2006. In 2008, the rapper’s first son, Dwayne III, was born, whose mother is a radio personality. The following year, he had another son with actress Lauren London. Additionally, in 2009, another son was born to singer Nivea. Between 2014 and 2015, he was in a relationship with singer Christina Milian. He became engaged to model La’Tecia Thomas, but their engagement was called off in May 2020. In June of the same year, he began dating Denise Bidot, and although they separated in November 2020, they later reconciled.

In 2008, Carter and Cortez Bryant returned to their former high school, McMain Secondary School, asking students to create an invitation for the gala that would launch the One Family Foundation nonprofit.

Substance Abuse and Health Issues

Allegations regarding Carter’s use of the potent substance have surfaced…

For several years, Lil Wayne has been using “Lean.” This alleged dependency has been linked to a series of health emergencies for the rapper, including seizures that required hospitalization. One particularly critical incident took place in 2017 when Lil Wayne had to be hospitalized following two rapid-fire seizures. Despite the speculation, he has consistently refuted any links between a supposed substance issue and the seizures. In 2013, Carter revealed that he deals with epilepsy.

Controversy

Lil Wayne has encountered multiple arrests throughout his career. In 2007, he was apprehended for marijuana possession and criminal possession of a firearm. The rapper faced charges again in 2008 under more severe circumstances. Border Patrol in Arizona discovered his tour bus was filled with weapons and considerable amounts of illegal drugs. Consequently, he faced charges for possession of narcotic drugs with intent to sell, among other felonies.

In 2010, Lil Wayne commenced a one-year prison sentence for firearm-related charges at Rikers Island, subsequently completing a 36-month probationary period as part of a plea negotiation. Ultimately, he spent just eight months in his year-long sentence.

Moreover, Lil Wayne has been involved in various legal disputes within the music industry. He has faced accusations of copyright infringement amid several song-related issues. In other instances, he has neglected to pay royalties to record labels and has canceled performances after already receiving payment.

The rapper has also engaged in several high-profile rivalries, clashing with artists like Juvenile, Young Buck, Pusha T, and Jay-Z.

Lil Wayne Earnings By Year

• 2007: $12 million
• 2008: $13 million
• 2009: $18 million
• 2010: $20 million
• 2011: $15 million
• 2012: $27 million
• 2013: $16 million
• 2014: $23 million
• 2015: $15 million
• 2016: $14 million
• 2017: $16 million
• 2018: $19 million
• 2019: $20 million
• 2020: $100 million
• 2021: $5 million

Total: $333 million

Real Estate

In 2011, Lil Wayne acquired a waterfront residence on an island in Miami for $11.6 million. He invested millions into the property, notably adding a roof-deck skate park and an indoor lagoon for sharks. The home was listed for $18 million in 2015 but eventually saw its price reduced to $12 million before it was sold for $10 million in June 2017. This 20,857-square-foot mansion is situated on La Gorce, a private island in Miami Beach, featuring nine bedrooms, nine bathrooms, three levels complete with an elevator, a pool, and a private dock. Below is a video tour of Lil Wayne’s former La Gorce mansion:

Previously, Lil Wayne owned a condominium in New Orleans that featured a recording studio.

In December 2018, he purchased a new island residence in Miami for $16.75 million. The home was constructed by a developer who acquired the 23,000-square-foot lot in 2013 for $4.4 million. Lil Wayne listed this house for $29.5 million in September 2022, and it eventually sold for $22.6 million in 2023. Here’s a video tour of that property:

In April 2021, Lil Wayne spent $15.4 million to buy a mansion in Hidden Hills, California.