The Evolution of Lil Wayne

See the progression of the Young Money CEO.

A Star Is Born - Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. was only nine years old when he was signed to Cash Money Records, the youngest member of the label at the time. He started as 1/2 of the B.G.'z, and then went on to be a member of the highly successful group the Hot Boys. In 1999, he went solo, with his debut album Tha Block Is Hot reaching platinum status. But it wasn't until his fourth album The Carter that Wayne started to gain his reputation as one of the top rappers in the game.

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A Star Is Born - Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. was only nine years old when he was signed to Cash Money Records, the youngest member of the label at the time. He started as 1/2 of the B.G.'z, and then went on to be a member of the highly successful group the Hot Boys. In 1999, he went solo, with his debut album Tha Block Is Hot reaching platinum status. But it wasn't until his fourth album The Carter that Wayne started to gain his reputation as one of the top rappers in the game.

Mr. Carter - With his star-power rising and the popularity of his Carter series growing rapidly, Lil Wayne released The Carter II in 2005 to much critical acclaim. Wayne began increasing his presence in the music industry, appearing on songs by Destiny's Child ("Soldier") and others.

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Mr. Carter - With his star-power rising and the popularity of his Carter series growing rapidly, Lil Wayne released The Carter II in 2005 to much critical acclaim. Wayne began increasing his presence in the music industry, appearing on songs by Destiny's Child ("Soldier") and others.

Like Father, Like Son - In 2006, Lil Wayne released the collaboration album Like Father, Like Son with Bryan "Baby" Williams, CEO of Cash Money Records. Throughout his career, Birdman has stayed right by Wayne's side. Baby refers to Wayne as his son. (Photo by Arnold Turner/WireImage)

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Like Father, Like Son - In 2006, Lil Wayne released the collaboration album Like Father, Like Son with Bryan "Baby" Williams, CEO of Cash Money Records. Throughout his career, Birdman has stayed right by Wayne's side. Baby refers to Wayne as his son. (Photo by Arnold Turner/WireImage)

Crossover Success - Lil Wayne performed alongside Kid Rock at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Crossover Success - Lil Wayne performed alongside Kid Rock at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

"This Is The Carter..." - In 2008, Lil Wayne released his most successful album to date, The Carter III. The album sold a million records in its first week of release off the success of the number one single "Lollipop." That year, it won the Grammy for Best Rap Album.

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"This Is The Carter..." - In 2008, Lil Wayne released his most successful album to date, The Carter III. The album sold a million records in its first week of release off the success of the number one single "Lollipop." That year, it won the Grammy for Best Rap Album.

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106 & Park Regular - Lil Wayne appeared alongside Mary J. Blige and Nelly at a press conference when the three artists came to 106 & Park to announce the 2008 BET Awards nominees. Wayne, of course, was nominated. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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106 & Park Regular - Lil Wayne appeared alongside Mary J. Blige and Nelly at a press conference when the three artists came to 106 & Park to announce the 2008 BET Awards nominees. Wayne, of course, was nominated. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Moment For Life - 2008 became one of the biggest years for Lil Wayne. He performed at the 2008 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/BET)

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Moment For Life - 2008 became one of the biggest years for Lil Wayne. He performed at the 2008 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/BET)

Grammy Family - In a memorable performance, T.I., Jay-Z and Lil Wayne made history when they performed "Swagga Like Us" together during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Grammy Family - In a memorable performance, T.I., Jay-Z and Lil Wayne made history when they performed "Swagga Like Us" together during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Introducing Young Money - Lil Wayne introduced his Young Money crew to the masses not long after he took the industry by storm. The crew consists of himself, Mack Maine, Dow Jones, Drake, Lil Twist, Lil Chuckee and, later, Nicki Minaj, among others. They released their first collective song "Every Girl" at the start of 2009, and they have been the top crew in hip hop since.

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Introducing Young Money - Lil Wayne introduced his Young Money crew to the masses not long after he took the industry by storm. The crew consists of himself, Mack Maine, Dow Jones, Drake, Lil Twist, Lil Chuckee and, later, Nicki Minaj, among others. They released their first collective song "Every Girl" at the start of 2009, and they have been the top crew in hip hop since.

Road Runner - Wayne hit the road for the I Am Music tour in 2009. Though Weezy was the headliner, other artists such as T-Pain, Keyshia Cole and Keri Hilson helped sell out shows.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Road Runner - Wayne hit the road for the I Am Music tour in 2009. Though Weezy was the headliner, other artists such as T-Pain, Keyshia Cole and Keri Hilson helped sell out shows.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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He's a Winner! - It was a no-brainer. Lil Wayne won the Award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist at the 2009 BET Awards.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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He's a Winner! - It was a no-brainer. Lil Wayne won the Award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist at the 2009 BET Awards.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Rock Star - Rebirth was Lil Wayne's first rock album. Yes, you heard correctly: a rock album. Wayne must have decided that he wasn't going to be defined by any genre when he started taking up guitar lessons and performing at Country Music Awards shows.

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Rock Star - Rebirth was Lil Wayne's first rock album. Yes, you heard correctly: a rock album. Wayne must have decided that he wasn't going to be defined by any genre when he started taking up guitar lessons and performing at Country Music Awards shows.

Grammy FamilyFebruary 13, 2011 - At a Grammy ceremony that was dominated by alternative acts, hip hop was proudly represented by Lil Wayne, Eminem and Drake as Lil Tunechi performed his Eminem-assisted single “Drop the World.” Then Drake joined the two superstars to perform his 2010 single “Forever.” Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage

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At the 52nd annual Grammy Awards, Lil Wayne joined Drake and Eminem onstage for "Forever," one of the year's hottest rap collaborations. Needless to say, CBS had to be on point with the bleep button.(Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage)

Cover Artist - Right before he went to prison, Lil Wayne graced the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, not an easy task for a rapper. Wayne ended up serving eight months in a New York prison on a gun charge.

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Cover Artist - Right before he went to prison, Lil Wayne graced the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, not an easy task for a rapper. Wayne ended up serving eight months in a New York prison on a gun charge.

Only Human - Jail didn't stop Lil Wayne's hustle, as the rapper released I Am Not a Human Being while he was still behind bars. With little promotion, the album still sold approximately 800,000 copies.

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Only Human - Jail didn't stop Lil Wayne's hustle, as the rapper released I Am Not a Human Being while he was still behind bars. With little promotion, the album still sold approximately 800,000 copies.

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Welcome Back, Carter! - In November 2010, Lil Wayne was released from prison. One of the first matters of business that Wayne attended to was the Welcome Home party, hosted by Baby and Cash Money Records. They did it real big in Miami. (Photo by Vallery Jean/FilmMagic)

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Welcome Back, Carter! - In November 2010, Lil Wayne was released from prison. One of the first matters of business that Wayne attended to was the Welcome Home party, hosted by Baby and Cash Money Records. They did it real big in Miami. (Photo by Vallery Jean/FilmMagic)

106 & Party - 106 & Party rang in the New Year with the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations on TV. It was a Young Money/Cash Money New Year's, with a surprise appearance from Lil Wayne. (Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

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106 & Party - 106 & Party rang in the New Year with the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations on TV. It was a Young Money/Cash Money New Year's, with a surprise appearance from Lil Wayne. (Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Back in Business - With his Young Money crew by his side, Weezy showed up at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards back in February. While he was in jail, Nicki Minaj and Drake held down Young Money for Lil Wayne. Now it's his time again. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)

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Back in Business - With his Young Money crew by his side, Weezy showed up at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards back in February. While he was in jail, Nicki Minaj and Drake held down Young Money for Lil Wayne. Now it's his time again. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)