| Lil' Flip |
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Lil' Flip (born '''Wesley Weston, Jr.''' on March 3 , 1981 ) is an African-American Rapper from Houston, Texas . He is known for his unique freestyling style and for becoming one of the first Houston rap artists to become mainstream and nationally known. Lil' Flip was given the title of "Freestyle King" by the legendary DJ Screw . He is also a member of the Screwed Up Click . Lil' Flip was born in Pineland, Texas and grew up in Houston, Texas. As a teen, he cleaned toliets at his high school. He was discovered by the legendary DJ Screw and was quickly influenced to rap at freestyle battles in order to gain respect in his Cloverland neighborhood. At the age of 16 he was signed to Sucka Free Records , a local label founded by 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 released an album that introduced Lil' Flip to the world. Lil' Flip's career was launched when he released his first album '' The Leprechaun ''. The album quickly gained national attention and spawned the hit single "I Can Do That". The album sold over 100,000 copies regionally and gained attention from Def Jam South, A & R, and well-known Houston rapper Scarface . He was briefly signed to Def Jam, but abruptly left the label a few years later after concerns about his financial earnings. He soon signed to Loud Records and began recording his first national debut album. While recording his album, he was apparently shot by unknown assailants in a drive-by shooting. He survived the attack and pressed on to finish the album. At the age of 20, Lil' Flip released his sophomore album '' Undaground Legend '', his first nationally released album, which included the hit single "The Way We Ball" and a remix to his hit "I Can Do That". The album reached platinum status even though it didn't get much promotion from Loud Records. Lil' Flip recorded his third album '' U Gotta Feel Me '' on Sony Records . This album was more commercial and featured Ludacris , Three Six Mafia , and others. The album debuted at Number #4 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart and Number #3 on the Hip-Hop/R & B charts. It quickly became a crossover success with the Billboard Hot 100 Top 20 single "Game Over". The single used the Namco Pac-Man beat and the video showed Lil' Flip getting a tattoo while rapping to the single. The single reached Number #1 on the hip-hop charts and became an instant success for Lil' Flip. His follow-up single, the lover's anthem "Sunshine" featuring newcomer Lea , became the second single on Lil' Flip's album and went to Number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It gained numerous requests on MTV 2 and BET . The album was certified double platinum. Lil' Flip is known for his unique Screwed style of freestyling (a form of slowed down rap technique) and for always releasing double disc CDs whenever he releases an album. He credits all of his success to the late DJ Screw and has tattooed DJ Screw's name on his arms. Lil' Flip has been credited for his lyrics by Three Six Mafia , David Banner , Fam-Lay , Young Buck , UGK , Ludacris , among others. He has announced himself as the "King of The South" and the "Freestyle King". His newest album "I Need Mine" is scheduled to be released July 2006. The first single is "What it Do" ft. Mannie Fresh. Directed by Gil Green OTHER VENTURES Lil' Flip started the Clover G Records label in 2004 and signed some of the former acts from Sucka Free to the roster. He released a compilation album in 2005 . Lil' Flip has recorded songs for the video games '' ''. Lil' Flip is also involved in a children's foundation which promotes non-violence through community activities and support groups. He has also invested in his own vodka company, ''Lucky Nites''. Lil Flip also has a shoe line out now called "Fly" and a clothing and watchline called Clover G. The watches are with the help of King Johnny and not TV Johnny like everyone thinks. DISPUTES While on tour, Lil' Flip and rapper Hump had a dispute over the royalities from his album sales. Flip and his cousin, rapping under the pseudonym Flopper on the same label, left to form their own record label, Clover G Records. Lil' Flip was sued for breach of contract due to the fact he owed four albums to Sucka Free Records. He decided to form his own label in order to gain more creative freedom and earn more credit from his next album. NAMCO is currently suing Lil' Flip for the use of their Trademark Pac-Man beat for the hit single "Game Over". This lawsuit was one of the many lawsuits filed by the RIAA and federal courts, which now require all musicians to credit samples from music, even if the samples are from video games. The suit has since been settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. Lil' Flip was also engaged in a high-profile battle with , and a fight broke out between them. Gunfire broke out shortly after and those watching the altercation scattered. The feud has since been resolved behind closed doors thanks to Rap-A-Lot Records CEO J. Prince. However, it is obvious that some lingering hostility remains based on various interviews since the conflict was deaded. On T.I.'s forthcoming album "King", there are two tracks which have been disputed by the AllHipHop.com community to be shots at Lil Flip ("What You Know" and "I'm Talkin' to You"). However in an interview with HipHopGame.com on March 24th, 2006, T.I. was quoted as saying he and Flip have no beef. Flip has also gotten embroiled in a feud with Slim Thug and Paul Wall . The dispute started from a track on Z-Ro's 2005 album titled ''Let The Truth Be Told'' titled "From The South". On it, Flip says the following: ::''Ever since 1999, I had diamonds in my grill'' ::''You just rapping that ain't platinum, homie you need to chill'' ::''Cause you embarrassing Texas, nigga you ain't trill'' ::''Nigga you been on my dick, way befo' you got your deal'' ::''These rappers finally get some fame, and think they got it locked'' ::''After your album flop, nigga you gon be on Koch'' ::''My gear clean, from my ear rings to my pinky ring'' ::''If you ain't spend thirty boy, tuck in your piece and chain (Southside)'' Slim Thug perceived this as a shot at him due to the title of his major label debut ' Already Platinum '. He responded on "Buss The Tech" on a Gangsta Grillz mixtape. He alleges that the other members of the Screwed Up Click don't acknowledge him as a true member and questions his street credibility. Flip alleged that the verse was not aimed at Slim Thug, but rather Paul Wall. Flip stated that Paul idolized him even before he got his major deal. He even went so far as to claim that after his 2001 shooting, Paul told him that he was going to get a tattoo in the same spot as the bullet wound. Incidentally, Paul is friends with T.I. and has acted as his DJ at some of his shows, but Flip says that has no bearing on his issues with Paul. Flip has long maintained that Swishahouse has been copying slang and concepts from the Screwed Up Click. He says that phrases like "What it do" (now almost invariably associated with Paul Wall; also the title of the lead single from Flip's fourth album ''I Need Mine'') and styles have been co-opted by his north Houston neighbors. His fellow S.U.C. members don't seem to have any problem with Swishahouse (aside from Z-Ro and Point Blank, who aren't fans of DJ Michael 5000 Watts ; Z-Ro and Watts have recently made peace); in fact, they've been prominently featured on one of Swishahouse's major releases, and Lil' Keke is now a part of their roster. The boiling point could be coming soon as Houston Independent rap legend Big Love readies his return with the Pimp Click Playaz. Big Love has worked with both rival D.J.'s and has allies on both sides of the Slim Thug vs. Lil Flip controversy. His street credibility should very well tilt the masses toward one camp or the other. DISCOGRAPHY
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