Lil' Flip
Lil' Flip (born Wesley Weston, Jr.) is a American rapper from Houston, Texas. He is known as the "Freestyle King" and a member of the Screwed Up Click.
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Biography
Lil' Flip is one of the most gifted rappers hailing from Houston. As he was growing up he was involved in rapping at his high school. He was soon realized by the legendary DJ Screw and was quickly influenced to rap at freestyle battles to gain respect in his Cloverland neighborhood. At the age of 16 he was signed to Sucka Free Records, a local label founded by CEO, Daune "Humpty Hump" Hobbs and Lil' Flip himself. He was a part of the rap group H.S.E. (Hustlaz Stackin' Endz) and the group release an album that introduced the world to Lil' Flip.
He quickly launched his career when he released his first album The Leprechaun. The album was quickly gaining national attention which spawned the hit single "I Can Do That". The album sold over 100,000 regionally and by that gained attention from Def Jam South, A & R, Scarface. He was briefly signed to Def Jam for a few years, but abruptly left the label after concerns about his financial earnings. He was soon signed to Loud Records and began recording his first national debut album.
While recording his album, he was apparently shot by unknown assilants in a drive-by shooting. He survived the attack and pressed on to finish his album. At the age of 20, Lil' Flip released his sophomore album Undaground Legend, the first album released nationally with the hit single "The Way We Ball", and a remix to his hit "I Can Do That". The album reached platinum status even through it didn't get much promotion from Loud Records or a second video. Lil' Flip is known for his unique style of freestyling screwed (a form of slowed down rap technique) and always releasing double disc CDs whenever he releases an album. He claims all of his success to the late DJ Screw and tattooed his name on his arms. Quickly Lil' Flip was garnishing fame. He was credited for his lyrics to Three Six Mafia, David Banner, Fam-Lay, Young Buck, UGK, Ludacris, among others. He was announcing himself as the "King of The South" among the "Freestyle King".
He recorded his third album U Gotta Feel Me? on Sony Records. His newest album is more commercial and featured Ludacris, Three Six Mafia, and others. The album debut at Number #7 on the Billboard chart and Number #3 on the Hip-Hop/R & B charts. The album quickly became a crossover success with the single "Game Over". The single used the Namco Pac-Man beat and showed Lil' Flip getting a tattoo while rapping to the single. The single reach Number #1 on the hip-hop charts and became an instant success for Lil' Flip. His follow-up single, a lover anthem "Sunshine" featuring newcomer Lea, became the second single on Lil' Flip album. It was gaining numerous requests while being on MTV 2 and BET. The album was certified double platinum.
Other Ventures
Clover G Records is a label started by Lil' Flip in 2004 and signed some of the former acts from Sucka Free to the roster and he's planning on releasing a compilation album in 2005.
Lil' Flip had recorded songs for the video games Electronic Arts Sports NFL Street and NBA Live 2004. Also he was featured as a fighter for the video game Def Jam Vendetta 2: Fight for NY.
Lil' Flip also is involved in a children's foundation in which promotes non-violence through community activities and support groups.
Lil' Flip also invested in his own vodka company, Lucky Nites.
Disputes
While on tour, Lil' Flip and Hump had a dispute over the royalities from his albums sells. He and his cousin (an artist on the label also) left to form their own record label Clover G. Lil' Flip was being sued for breach of contract due to the fact he owed four albums to Sucka Free Records. Lil' Flip decide to form his own label to gain more creative freedom and earn more success from his next album.
NAMCO is suing Lil' Flip for the use of their trademark. The use of the Pac-Man beat for the hit single "Game Over". This lawsuit was one of the many lawsuits filed by RIAA and also federal courts now require all musicians to credit samples from music, even if they are video games.
Also Lil' Flip is engage in a battle with Atlanta rapper T.I. over the dispute on who should be the "King of The South". The two release numerous disses on the mixtapes and radio. The rapper had claimed that T.I. was jealous of his success and wanted to gain attention by dissing him. T.I. countered by stating that Lil' Flip has been disrespecting his name ever sense he's been in the music industry and he felt that he's got to prove to the world that Lil' Flip isn't lyrically strong. T.I. crashed a concert and distributed posters featuring Lil' Flip wearing his leprechaun suit (from his debut album) in gesturing him as a clown. T.I. brags about claiming victory against Lil' Flip in the beef. Most recently, Lil' Flip and T.I. had an alleged altercation in Houston. According to Allhiphop.com, T.I. was on a Houston radio station talking about the situation between him and Lil' Flip, and he managed to take shots at the neighborhood that Lil' Flip grew up in. The rapper was confronted by Lil' Flip and C-Note, and a fight broke out between them. They both continue to feud to this date.
Albums
- The Leprechuan(certified gold)
- Undaground Legend (certified platinum)
- Undaground Legend Remix/Lil' Flip presents 7–1–3
- U Gotta Feel Me? (certified double platinum)
- I Need Me (coming in 2005)
Singles
The Leprechuan
- I Got Flow
- I Can Do That
Undaground Legend
- U See It
- The Way We Ball
- I Can Do That (Remix)
U Gotta Feel Me
- The Ghetto
- Bounce
- Game Over
- Sunshine
Notable Features
- Screwed Up (off Ludacris' Chicken-N-Beer)
- Ridin' Spinners (off Three Six Mafia's Da Unbreakables)
- Rock-N-Roll (off The Neptunes' Clones)
- Like A Pimp (off David Banner's Mississippi: The Album)
- Balla Baby (remix) (off Chingy's Powerballin')
- Naughty Girl (remix) (off Beyonce's Dangerously In Love)
- Certified Gangstas (off The Diplomats' Diplomatic Immunity 2)
External Links
Categories: 1981 births