Lil' Flip


Wesley Eric Weston Jr., better known by his stage name Lil' Flip, is an American rapper. Raised in Houston, Texas, he began his musical career as a freestyle and battle rapper before signing with the local record label Suckafree Records in 1999. Three years later, he secured a joint venture with Columbia Records, achieving mainstream recognition for his 2004 singles "Game Over" and "Sunshine", which peaked at numbers 15 and two on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively.

Musical career

1999–2003: ''The Leprechaun'' and ''Undaground Legend''

In 1999, Lil' Flip secured his first recording contract with the independent Houston, Texas label Sucka Free. On 18 July 2000, he released his debut album, The Leprechaun, which garnered the attention of DJ Screw, the influential founder of the Screwed Up Click. Impressed by his skills, DJ Screw invited Lil' Flip to join the group and bestowed upon him the title of "The Freestyle King".
In 2002, Columbia Records extended a joint venture recording and distribution deal to Flip and Sucka Free. Reflecting on the partnership, Flip stated:
On 27 August 2002, Lil' Flip released his second album, Undaground Legend, which achieved Platinum certification by December of the same year. The album featured the single "The Way We Ball". In 2003, he appeared on a number of notable tracks, including "Like a Pimp" by David Banner, "Tear It Up" by Yung Wun, and "Ridin' Spinners" by Three 6 Mafia. That same year, Flip also contributed a guest verse to Ludacris' track "Screwed Up" from the album Chicken-n-Beer.

2004–05: ''U Gotta Feel Me''

Despite rumors circulating that Lil Flip left Columbia, in February 2004, Lil Flip confirmed he was still signed to the label and in the process of releasing his second album through Columbia. That March, Lil' Flip released his third studio album, and first double-disc project, U Gotta Feel Me. Following a restructuring at his label, Columbia Records, he transitioned to Sony Urban Music, which he believed would provide stronger promotional support. The album’s lead single, "Game Over ", was followed by "Sunshine", featuring Lea Sunshine. The album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in August 2004. That year, he also featured on the "Naughty Girl " with Beyoncé and contributed to Chingy’s Powerballin' with a remix of the hit single "Balla Baby".
In addition to a remix of "Game Over " featuring Young Buck and Bun B, Flip made a guest appearance on Nelly’s album Sweat. He also collaborated on the "Certified Gangstas " alongside Jim Jones and The Game in 2004. The following year, Lil' Flip partnered with Z-Ro to release the collaborative album Kings of the South. In 2005, he featured on Chamillionaire’s debut single "Turn It Up" and appeared on the remix of Bun B's track "Draped Up". Additionally, he contributed to the 2 Fast 2 Furious soundtrack with the song "Rollin' on 20s", featuring fellow Houston rapper Yung Redd.

2007–09: ''I Need Mine'' and ''Respect Me''

On June 30, 2006, it was announced and confirmed that Lil' Flip parted ways with Sony Music and Columbia Records. About a month and a half later, Flip signed to Asylum and Warner Bros. His first release with Asylum and Warner Bros. was his third album and second double-disc project, I Need Mine, which was released on 27 March 2007. The album debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200, selling 43,000 copies in its first week. Two singles were released from the album: "What It Do" and "Ghetto Mindstate ".
Lil' Flip’s planned fifth studio album, Ahead of My Time, was originally slated for release as early as 2007 but faced numerous delays. In an effort to generate anticipation for the project, he released two promotional albums, or "album-before-the-album" releases, in 2009.
On 29 September 2009, he released his fifth album, Respect Me, as a promotional effort for Ahead of My Time. The album was distributed by High Powered Entertainment and E1 Music. Later that year, on 24 December 2009, Lil' Flip released his first fully independent album, Underground Legend 2, through his self-owned label Clover G Records. This release also served as a promotional tool for the upcoming Ahead of My Time.

2010–present: More independent releases

On 6 July 2010, Lil' Flip released Ahead of My Time as his second independent album. Alongside this release, he debuted his artist Damienn Jones with the album Beauty and the Beast. Both projects were distributed independently through Lil' Flip’s self-owned label, Clover G Records.
On 31 October 2013, Lil' Flip released his third independent album, The Black Dr. Kevorkian. Distributed once again by Clover G Records, the album sold over 10,000 copies in its first week.
On 17 March 2015, Lil' Flip released his sixth studio album, El Jefe, which was distributed by SoSouth Records. The album’s lead single, "Game Over II", served as a sequel to his earlier hit single "Game Over ".
The second single from El Jefe was titled "In My Pimp C Voice", a tribute to the late rapper Pimp C. The third single, "Bestfriend", featured guest appearances by E.J. Carter and Rev City.

Other ventures

Clover G Records

Clover G Records or Clover G La Familia is a record label owned by Houston, Texas rapper Lil' Flip. It was established in 2004.

Fashion designing

In 2004, Lil' Flip launched his footwear line, "Clover Footwear," which is branded under his self-owned label, Clover G Records. Additionally, Lil' Flip has a fashion clothing line called "Clover G Clothing," which is also branded under his self-owned label, Clover G Records.

Author

On April 15, 2014, Lil' Flip released his debut book titled "Don't Let the Music Industry Fool You!" The book was accompanied by a soundtrack album.

Discography

Studio albums

  • 2000: The Leprechaun
  • 2002: Undaground Legend
  • 2004: U Gotta Feel Me
  • 2007: I Need Mine
  • 2009: Respect Me
  • 2009: Underground Legend 2
  • 2010: Ahead of My Time
  • 2013: The Black Dr. Kevorkian
  • 2015: El Jefe
  • 2016: The Art of Freestyle
  • 2018: King
  • 2018: Life
  • 2019: The Art of Freestyle 2
  • 2019: The Music Machine
  • 2020: Feelings
  • 2020: No Feelings
  • 2020: The Leprechaun 2
  • 2022: The Art of Freestyle 3
  • 2022: Fondren Flip
  • 2023: ''Worthing Wesley''

    Collaboration albums

  • 2005: Kings of the South
  • 2006: Connected
  • 2007: Still Connected
  • 2008: All Eyez on Us
  • 2008: Still Connected, Pt. 3
  • 2009: Certified
  • 2025: ''Kingz of the South, Vol. 2''

    Soundtrack album

  • 2014: ''Don't Let the Music Industry Fool You''