Lil Wayne Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Lil Wayne’s Net Worth?

An American rapper, producer, and music executive, Lil Wayne boasts a net worth of $170 million. Throughout his career, he has been known by many names, such as Birdman Jr., Young Tune, Dr. Carter, Weezyana, Tunechi, among others. Regardless of the moniker used, his success is undeniable. With over 200 million records sold globally, numerous awards, and the distinction of surpassing Elvis Presley for the most entries on the “Billboard” Hot 100 chart, Wayne’s impact on the music industry is monumental. His experience as one of history’s top-selling musical artists enabled him to launch his own label, Young Money Entertainment.

At just nine years old, Lil Wayne signed with Cash Money Records. He began his career as a member of The B.G.’z and later with the Hot Boys before embarking on a solo path, debuting with the album “The Block Is Hot” in 1999. This album earned Platinum status, kickstarting a highly successful rap career that continues to thrive. His 2011 release, “Tha Carter IV,” has sold over five million copies in the United States alone.

Early Life

Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., known as Lil Wayne, was born on September 27, 1982, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Despite growing up in the low-income area of Hollygrove, his talents were recognized from an early age. He participated in the gifted program during elementary school and was also a member of the drama club.

At the age of eight, he penned his first rap song, and within a year, he caught the attention of Bryan Williams, also known as “Birdman.” As the owner of Cash Money Records, Birdman provided the opportunity that Carter needed to rise to fame. His freestyles left on Birdman’s answering machine convinced Williams to give him a chance. Following several appearances on Cash Money tracks, it became evident that Lil Wayne was destined for a career in music.

However, tragedy struck when he was 12 years old. He accidentally shot himself in the chest with a 9mm pistol and had to be rushed to the hospital by an off-duty officer for what was a life-threatening injury. Wayne later revealed that this incident was a suicide attempt, driven by his mother’s disapproval of his aspirations in rap.

Initial Success

The true start of Lil Wayne’s professional journey came in 1997 when he joined the Hot Boys. The group’s popularity soared, seeing them achieve top positions on the “Billboard” R&B/Hip-Hop chart multiple times. By the time he…

At just 17 years old, Lil Wayne embarked on a solo career with the release of his debut album, “Tha Block is Hot,” in 1999. Although this initial album certainly established his presence in the industry, his subsequent two releases, “Lights Out” and “500 Degreez,” did not build upon that success, putting him at risk of fading into obscurity.

Mainstream Success

Everything shifted in 2004 with the launch of “Tha Carter.” Alongside the follow-up album released a year later, “Tha Carter II,” this period marked significant progress in Lil Wayne’s career. His lyrics became more sophisticated and mature, and his signature image began to form as he cultivated his iconic dreadlocks. The single “Fireman” stood out as a highlight during this time.

The following two years were relatively quiet for the rapper, even though he made appearances on many tracks by other artists such as Fat Joe, Wyclef Jean, and Ludacris. In 2008, Lil Wayne made a powerful comeback with “Tha Carter III,” which included one of his biggest hits, “Lollipop.”

The next significant milestone arrived with “Tha Carter IV” in 2011. After a lengthy wait, “Tha Carter V” debuted in 2018, achieving similar success. In several interviews, the rapper has indicated that “Tha Carter V” would be his final album, expressing a wish to retire and devote more time to 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 subsequently released the mixtape “No Ceilings 3” and the greatest hits album “I Am Music” in 2023. During a 2023 interview, he mentioned that fans might anticipate “Tha Carter VI” to drop “if not December, then the top of the year.”

Young Money Catalog Sale

Through Young Money Entertainment, Lil Wayne played a pivotal role in signing both Drake and Nicki Minaj when they were relatively unknown. In July 2020, he sold the Young Money Masters to Universal Music for a whopping $100 million.

Personal Life

As the father of four children, Lil Wayne welcomed his first child in 1998 when he was just 16 years old. Although he married the child’s mother, Toya Johnson, in 2006, the couple divorced soon after. In 2008, he became a father again, welcoming his son Dwayne III with a radio broadcaster. Another son was born in 2009, this time with actress Lauren London. He welcomed another child in 2009 with singer Nivea. Between 2014 and 2015, he was in a relationship with singer Christina Milian. His engagement to model La’Tecia Thomas ended in May 2020, and he started dating Denise Bidot in June 2020. After a brief split in November 2020, the pair reconciled.

In 2008, Lil Wayne and Cortez Bryant returned to their former school, McMain Secondary School, to engage students in creating an invitation for the gala that was meant to introduce the nonprofit, One Family Foundation.

Substance Abuse and Health Issues

Allegations have surfaced regarding Carter’s abuse of a potent substance known as…

The rapper has been associated with “Lean” for several years. This alleged dependency has been linked to a series of health issues, including seizures that required hospitalization. One of the most critical events took place in 2017 when Lil Wayne had to be hospitalized due to experiencing two seizures in rapid succession. Although these allegations persist, he has consistently denied any link between an alleged substance abuse problem and the seizures. In 2013, Carter revealed that he has epilepsy.

Controversy

Multiple arrests have occurred for Lil Wayne. In 2007, he faced arrest for marijuana possession and criminal weapon possession. The following year, in 2008, he was arrested again, this time facing more severe charges. Border Patrol apprehended Carter in Arizona, where his tour bus revealed a cache of weapons and a substantial amount of illegal drugs. He was charged with various felonies, including possession of narcotic drugs for sale.

In 2010, Lil Wayne began serving a one-year sentence for weapons-related charges at Rikers Island, subsequently completing 36 months of probation as part of a plea agreement. Ultimately, he served only eight months of his year-long sentence.

Additionally, Lil Wayne has encountered several legal disputes within the music industry, where accusations of copyright infringement have arisen due to various issues with his music. In other instances, he has been reported to have failed to pay royalties to record labels and canceled performances for which he had already received payment.

Moreover, Lil Wayne has been involved in several well-known feuds, clashing with individuals such as 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 invested $11.6 million in a waterfront property located on a Miami island. He subsequently put millions into renovations, including a notable roof-deck skate park and an indoor shark tank lagoon. He initially listed the home for $18 million in 2015, eventually reducing the price to $12 million before accepting $10 million in June 2017. This expansive mansion, which spans 20,857 square feet, is situated on La Gorce Island in Miami Beach. It features nine bedrooms, nine bathrooms, three levels with an elevator, a pool, and a private dock. Here’s a video tour of Lil Wayne’s former La Gorce mansion:

A condominium in New Orleans, complete with a recording studio, was formerly owned by Lil Wayne.

In December 2018, he acquired a new island home in Miami for $16.75 million. This property was developed on speculation by a builder who purchased the 23,000-square-foot lot in 2013 for $4.4 million. In September 2022, Lil Wayne listed this home for $29.5 million, which sold in 2023 for $22.6 million. Here’s a video tour of that property:

In April 2021, Lil Wayne purchased a mansion in Hidden Hills, California, for $15.4 million.