When he burst onto the music scene in 1997 as the youngest member of the Cash Money Records group, Hot Boys, Lil Wayne, then only 18 years old was already recognised as one of the best rappers to come out of New Orleans.

Lil Wayne... 2008 would bring the record breaking Tha Carter III album

Now, 11 years later, the Grammy-nominated star will be joining multi platinum r&b singer Keyshia Cole on International Night 1, Friday July 18, of Reggae Sumfest 2008.

Born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, but more commonly known to the world as Lil Wayne, he rose to stardom along with his fellow Louisiana native group members Juvenile, BG and Turk with the hit tracks We on fire and I need a hot girl. In 1999 Lil Wayne released his first solo album Tha Block is hot; not only did the album debut at number three on the Billboard charts but it blasted the rapper into mutli-platinum success. After the release of the album, Wayne and the rest of the boys reunited to collaborate with fellow Cash Money Records artiste, The Big Tymers, to produce the internationally branded hit, Bling Bling. Although his subsequent two albums failed to surpass the level of success of his first, both Lights out and 500 Degreez were certified gold in the United States. Known also as Lil Weezy, today, he is one of the most respected and sought after rappers in the Hip-Hop industry, known specifically for his edgy and distinctive underground mix tapes.

In the summer of 2004 Lil Wayne surprised the rap game when he released his Tha Carter album, and soon thereafter was dubbed one of the best rappers alive by his peers. The album's eclectic lyrics and classic beats were a big hit for the Cash Money Millionaires. Following the success of both Tha Carter and Tha Carter II, 2008 would bring the record breaking Tha Carter III. The album's first single, Lollipop became Weezy's first number one hit on the Billboard charts and broke records as it sold over a million copies in its first week alone, an accomplishment that hasn't been made by any artiste since 2005.

Although the young 'money motivated' artiste has never graced the Reggae Sumfest stage before, his unique lyrical style separates him from the rest of his colleagues, making him a definite must see for this year's festival, for what will be a groundbreaking Reggae Sumfest 2008.

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