Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September 27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, record executive, entrepreneur, and actor from New Orleans, Louisiana. He joined the Cash Money Records collective as a teenager. He worked with B.G. on the album "True Story" and eventually recorded for the label. "Get It How U Live", released in 1997, was Lil Wayne's first album with Hot Boys, and "Tha Block is Hot", his solo debut, came out 1999. "Block" debuted in the top ten on the American Billboard 200 chart and Lil Wayne was nominated for "Best New Artist" from magazine the same year. Following this success, Wayne soon featured on other rappers' singles, including "Bling Bling" by B.G. and "#1 Stunna" by the Big Tymers in 2000.