Challenges in the Life of Lil Wayne in a Detailed Timeline
A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Lil Wayne's life and career.
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., known as Lil Wayne, is a highly influential American rapper from New Orleans. Discovered by Birdman in 1993, he signed with Cash Money Records at age eleven. He became the label's prominent artist for many years until his departure in June 2018. Lil Wayne is often considered one of the greatest and most influential hip hop artists of his generation.
1994: Self-inflicted Gunshot Wound
In 1994, at age 12, Lil Wayne suffered a near-fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, which he later claimed was an attempted suicide.
2006: Trina's Miscarriage
In 2006, Trina suffered a miscarriage from what was later confirmed to be her and Lil Wayne's unborn child, leading to distance between them.
July 2007: Weapon Possession Incident
In July 2007, Lil Wayne was involved in an incident that later led to an 8-month jail sentence for criminal possession of a weapon in 2010.
July 22, 2007: Arrested in New York City
On July 22, 2007, Lil Wayne was arrested in New York City following a performance at the Beacon Theatre for possession of a weapon and marijuana.
October 5, 2007: Arrested in Boise, Idaho
On October 5, 2007, Lil Wayne was arrested on felony fugitive charges after a performance in Boise, Idaho, but the charges were later dropped.
January 23, 2008: Arrested Near Yuma, Arizona
On January 23, 2008, Lil Wayne was arrested near Yuma, Arizona, on drug and weapon charges after Border Patrol agents found marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, and cash on his tour bus.
May 6, 2008: Not Guilty Plea
On May 6, 2008, Lil Wayne returned to court in Arizona and pleaded not guilty to unspecified charges.
July 24, 2008: Copyright Infringement Lawsuit
On July 24, 2008, Abkco Music filed a lawsuit against Lil Wayne for copyright infringement and unfair competition, concerning the song "Playing with Fire" from Tha Carter III.
February 2009: RMF Productions Lawsuit
In February 2009, RMF Productions filed a $1.3 million lawsuit against Lil Wayne after he cancelled three shows for which he received a $100,000 advance.
October 2009: Copyright Infringement Lawsuit by Thomas Marasciullo
In October 2009, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Cash Money Records, and various music distribution outlets were sued for copyright infringement by Thomas Marasciullo, who claimed his voice was used without permission.
October 22, 2009: Guilty Plea for Weapon Possession
On October 22, 2009, Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon.
December 18, 2009: Detained at Border
On December 18, 2009, Lil Wayne and 11 others were detained at the Falfurrias, Texas, border patrol checkpoint after marijuana was found on his tour buses.
February 2, 2010: Release of "Rebirth"
On February 2, 2010, Lil Wayne released his sixth studio album, "Rebirth", which received negative reviews.
March 2, 2010: Sentencing Postponed Again
On March 2, 2010, Lil Wayne's sentencing was postponed again due to a fire in the courthouse basement.
March 8, 2010: Sentenced to Rikers Island
On March 8, 2010, Lil Wayne was given a one-year sentence, which he served on Rikers Island.
March 17, 2010: Bench Warrant Issued
On March 17, 2010, a bench warrant was issued for Lil Wayne after he failed to appear for a final trial management conference.
May 2010: Possession of Contraband
In May 2010, Lil Wayne was found to be in possession of contraband (an MP3 player, charger, and headphones) by Rikers Island correctional staff.
June 2010: Second Engagement Called Off
In June 2010, Nivea ended her relationship with Lil Wayne while pregnant with their son, calling off their engagement for the second time during his prison sentence.
June 22, 2010: Guilty Plea
On June 22, 2010, Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to the charges, leading to a plea deal.
June 30, 2010: Sentenced to Probation
On June 30, 2010, Lil Wayne was sentenced to 36 months of probation as part of his plea deal.
September 27, 2010: Release of "I Am Not a Human Being"
On September 27, 2010, Lil Wayne released his eighth album, "I Am Not a Human Being", on his 28th birthday, during his incarceration.
2010: Release of Rebirth and Incarceration
In February 2010, Lil Wayne released his seventh studio album, Rebirth. In March of 2010, he began serving an 8-month jail sentence.
March 2011: Deezle Lawsuit
In March 2011, producer Deezle (Darius Harrison) sued Lil Wayne and Cash Money Records over unpaid royalties from Tha Carter III.
June 2011: David Kirkwood Lawsuit
In early June 2011, producer David Kirkwood filed a lawsuit against Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records claiming unpaid royalties for his work on Tha Carter IV album.
July 2011: Done Deal Enterprises Lawsuit
In July 2011, Done Deal Enterprises, a production company, filed suit against Lil Wayne and others, claiming copyright infringement related to the song "BedRock" and seeking $15 million in damages.
October 25, 2012: Emergency Landing in Texas
On October 25, 2012, Lil Wayne's private jet made an emergency landing in Texas due to a medical episode, with reports suggesting a seizure, although his publicist cited a severe migraine and dehydration.
November 2012: Seizure Medication
In November 2012, Lil Wayne mentioned in an MTV interview that he was taking seizure medication on doctors' orders, due to previous medical incidents.
November 2012: Ordered to Pay Quincy Jones III
In November 2012, Lil Wayne was ordered to pay Quincy Jones III $2.2 million related to a lawsuit stating he blocked the release of Jones's film The Carter.
March 14, 2013: Hospitalized after Seizures
On March 14, 2013, Lil Wayne was treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after having seizures during a music video shoot with Nicki Minaj.
May 3, 2013: Pepsi Drops Lil Wayne
On May 3, 2013, Pepsi dropped Lil Wayne as a spokesperson for Mountain Dew, due to offensive lyrics he performed about Emmett Till.
March 27, 2014: Tha Carter V Delayed
On March 27, 2014, Lil Wayne's manager, Cortez Bryant, announced that the album Tha Carter V had been delayed.
December 4, 2014: Wayne States Album Will Not Be Released
On December 4, 2014, Lil Wayne stated that Tha Carter V would not be released on its expected release date due to his displeasure with Birdman and Cash Money Records.
2014: Financial Disputes Delay Tha Carter V
In late 2014, Lil Wayne claimed that the release of the album Tha Carter V was postponed due to his financial disputes with Cash Money.
January 2015: Sues Birdman and Cash Money Records
In late January 2015, Lil Wayne sued Birdman and Cash Money Records for $51 million.
June 2016: Seizures during Flight
In June 2016, Lil Wayne had two seizures during a flight from Wisconsin to California, leading to an emergency landing in Omaha, Nebraska.
September 2016: Possible Retirement Hint
In September 2016, Lil Wayne hinted at a possible retirement by tweeting "I AM NOW DEFENSELESS and mentally DEFEATED", followed by stating "I'm done".
September 2018: Revelation of Suicide Attempt
In September 2018, Lil Wayne revealed in interviews that his near-fatal gunshot wound in 1994 was an attempted suicide.
2018: Release of Tha Carter V
In 2018, Lil Wayne released Tha Carter V after long-term delays and label disputes, with 480,000 in first-week sales.
February 2, 2020: The Masked Singer Appearance
On February 2, 2020, Lil Wayne competed in season three of The Masked Singer after the Super Bowl LIV as "Robot" and was the first to be eliminated.
December 12, 2020: Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms Charge
On December 12, 2020, Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to a federal firearms charge after being arrested in Florida for transporting a loaded handgun on his private jet.
