From Lil Wayne to Lil Uzi Vert, A Guide to the Most Talked About ‘Lil’ Rappers

Credit: Getty Images

From Lil Wayne to Lil Uzi Vert, A Guide to the Most Talked About ‘Lil’ Rappers

From Lil Wayne to Lil Mama to Lil Uzi Vert, Us Weekly presents a guide of the most talked about rappers with "lil" in their names.

Credit: Getty Images

From Lil Wayne to Lil Uzi Vert, A Guide to the Most Talked About ‘Lil’ Rappers

From Lil Wayne to Lil Mama to Lil Uzi Vert, Us Weekly presents a guide of the most talked about rappers with "lil" in their names.

Credit: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne (real name: Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.) was signed to Cash Money Records when he was a teenager. He has since released 13 studio albums and won five Grammys (and scored 26 nominations). Lil Wayne also serves as the CEO of his own label imprint, Young Money Entertainment.  

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Lil Tay

At just 9 years old, Lil Tay, whose birth name is Claire according to The Blast, gained popularity on Instagram and Youtube in 2018. She debuted her first single, “Money Way,” in March. Lil Tay is also known for her allegedly fighting with Bhad Bhabie (Danielle Bregoli of the “Cash Me Outside” fame) at Coachella. 

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Lil Xan

Lil Xan (real name: Diego Leanos) picked his stage name based on the prescription drug Xanax, which he previously revealed he used to be addicted to. He is best known for his track “Betrayed,” which peaked at No. 64 on the Billboard Hot 100, and for his brief relationship with Noah Cyrus. In September 2018, Lil Xan made headlines after he was hospitalized for eating too many Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

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Lil Peep

Born Gustav "Gus" Elijah Åhr, Lil Peep started releasing his music online in 2014. His debut album, Come Over When You’re Sober Pt. 1, was subsequently released in August 2017. Three months later, the rapper, who struggled with drug addiction, died on November 15, 2017. Following his death, his album entered the Billboard 200.

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Lil Pump

Lil Pump (real name: Gazzy Garcia), who released his self-titled debut studio album in October 2017, is best known for his track “Gucci Gang,” which hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year. He was nominated for a Billboard Music Award and MTV Video Music Award in 2018. 

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Lil Uzi Vert

Lil Uzi Vert (real name Symere Woods) signed a record deal after the release of his mixtape Luv Is Rage in 2015. His collaboration with Migos on the single “Bad and Boujee” hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts in January 2017. He won Song of the Summer at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards for “Xo Tour Llif3” and was nominated for Best New Artist at 2018 Grammys. His second album, Eternal Atake, was announced in 2018. 

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Lil' Kim

Born Kimberly Denise Jones, Lil’ Kim rose to fame with her debut studio album, Hard Core, in 1996, which spawned her singles “No Time,” “Crush on You” and “Not Tonight.” She is one of the only female rappers to have three platinum-certified studio albums. Lil’ Kim won a Grammy in 2002 for “Lady Marmalade,” her collaboration with Pink, Christina Aguilera and Mya. She also has five solo nominations. 

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Lil Yachty

Lil Yachty (real name: Miles Parks McCollum) released his first singles “One Night” and “Minnesota” in August 2015. Months later, he walked in Kanye West’s Yeezy season 3 fashion show at Madison Square Garden. Lil Yachty and D.R.A.M.’s track “Broccoli” peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016. He has two studio albums: Teenage Emotions and Lil Boat 2. 

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Lil Bow Wow

At the age of 13, Lil’ Bow Wow (real name: Shad Gregory Moss) released his debut album, Beware of Dog, in 2000. After releasing his second album, Doggy Bag, in 2001, he announced he was dropping the “Lil” from his name. 

"I changed my name because I'm getting older now and it's too many Lil's. All these Lil' rappers, I'm just kind of getting real irritated by it,” he told MTV News in April 2002. “I said, 'You know what? Drop the Lil'. Forget it. I'm Bow Wow. Besides, I'm growing up, I'm not little anymore.” 

He has since released four albums and appeared in a series of movies, including Like Mike and Lottery Ticket. 

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Lil Dicky

Born David Andrew Burd, Lil Dicky or LD, went viral on Youtube in 2013 with the song “Ex-Boyfriend.” He releasing 30 more songs online, he launched a Kickstarter to fund his debut album, Professional Rapper. “Freaky Friday,” his collaboration with Chris Brown, peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018. 

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Lil Mama

After Lil Mama (real name: Niatia Jessica Kirkland) appeared on Dr. Luke’s remix of Avril Lavigne’s “Girlfriend" in 2006, her hit single “Lip Gloss” peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2007. The rapper, who has sold more than 1 million records worldwide, is also known judging America’s Best Dance Crew for seven seasons. 

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Lil Jon

Lil Jon (real name: Jonathan Smith) released five albums with his group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz from 1995 to 2004. After going solo, he won a Grammy for “Yeah!,” his collaboration with Usher and Ludacris in 2005. Lil Jon released his solo album, Crunk Rock, in 2010 and was nominate for Best Music Video at the 2015 Grammy Awards for “Turn Down for What” featuring DJ Snake. 

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Lil Romeo

Born Percy Romeo Miller Jr, Lil Romeo rose to fame with his debut single “My Baby” in 2001, released by his father Master P’s record label No Limit Records. His self-titled debut album sold over 500,000 copies and landed at No. 6 on the Billboard charts. After starring in his own Nickelodeon series titled Romeo! and releasing three more albums, Lil Romeo changed his name to simply Romeo. He has since released five more albums or EPs and continued to act and host.