"The more time you spend contemplating what you should have done ... you lose valuable time planning what you can and will do."

• Born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. on Sept. 27, 1982, in New Orleans, Louisiana

• Lil Wayne broke through with his 1999 debut album, Tha Block Is Hot, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. His first No. 1 hit, "Lollipop," featuring Static Major, was featured on 2008's Tha Carter Three.

• The rapper received his first GRAMMY nomination for 2005 as a featured artist on Destiny's Child's "Soldier." He earned his first GRAMMY wins when he took home four awards at the 51st GRAMMYs for 2008, including Best Rap Album (Tha Carter III) and Best Rap Song ("Lollipop").

• Lil Wayne made his GRAMMY stage debut at the 51st GRAMMYs when he performed "Swagga Like Us" with M.I.A., T.I., Jay Z, and Kanye West. Later in the telecast, he joined Robin Thicke, Allen Toussaint and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band for a performance of "Big Chief."

• Lil Wayne founded the record label Young Money Entertainment, an imprint of Cash Money Records, which has released No. 1 album from artists such as Drake and Nicki Minaj. 

• Lil Wayne has participated in Cash Money Records' annual turkey giveaway in New Orleans, distributing turkeys to those in need.