Lil' Flip

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Lil' Flip

| image = Lil' Flip (52661700367) (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Lil' Flip performing in 2023

| birth_name = Wesley Eric Weston Jr.

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|3|3}}

| alias =

| birth_place = Cloverland, Houston, Texas, U.S.

| genre = Hip hop

| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter|record producer}}

| years_active = 1999–present

| label = {{hlist|Clover G|EMPIRE|SoSouth|Fontana|Loud|Columbia|Sony Urban|Asylum|Warner Bros.|Suckafree}}

| past_member_of = Screwed Up Click

| website =

}}

Wesley Eric Weston Jr.{{cite web |last=Birchmeier |first=Jason |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p437619/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Lil' Flip: Biography |access-date=17 August 2009 |year=2008 |website=AllMusic }}{{cite web |first=Becky |last=Proctor |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-52408290.html |title=Lil' Flip OK After Shooting, Still Plans to Release Album |publisher=University Wire |location=Houston, Texas |date=18 April 2002 |format=Fee required |access-date=17 August 2009 }}{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} (born 3 March 1981), 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.bolnews.com/trending/2024/01/getting-to-know-lil-flip-journey-through-platinum-hits/ |title=Getting to Know Lil' Flip: Journey Through Platinum Hits |date=January 2024 |website=Bolnews.com }}

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".{{cite web |url=http://www.pandora.com/music/artist/lil%2Bflip |title=Lil' Flip Biography |access-date=15 May 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226095027/http://www.pandora.com/music/artist/lil%2Bflip |archive-date=26 February 2011 }}. Pandora.com

In 2002, Columbia Records extended a joint venture recording and distribution deal to Flip and Sucka Free. Reflecting on the partnership, Flip stated: {{blockquote|"We felt that they not only respected what we'd already accomplished on our own, but they also saw the big picture of what me as an artist, and Hump and I as Sucka Free's CEOs were all about."}}

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'' =

In 2004, 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 (Flip)", was followed by "Sunshine", featuring Lea Sunshine. The album sold 200,000 copies in its first week and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in August 2004. That year, he also featured on the "Naughty Girl (Remix)" 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 (Flip)" featuring Young Buck and Bun B, Flip made a guest appearance on Nelly’s album Sweat. He also collaborated on the "Certified Gangstas (Remix)" 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'' =

In 2007, Lil' Flip parted ways with Columbia Records and established his own label, Clover G Records. The label was launched as an imprint under Asylum and Warner Bros. Its first release was Flip’s 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 (Can't Get Away)".

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.{{cite web |last=Arnold |first=Paul W |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9833/title.lil-flip-talks-respect-me-rap-a-lot-records |title=Lil Flip Talks "Respect Me," Rap-A-Lot Records | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=18 September 2009 |access-date=3 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703134136/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9833/title.lil-flip-talks-respect-me-rap-a-lot-records |archive-date=3 July 2011 }}[https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/icxtpc/chicken-n-beer-where-are-they-now/aazlbb "Chicken N Beer: Where Are They Now?"] BET

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.{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/underground-legend-2/id348246782 |title=iTunes – Music – Underground Legend 2 by Lil' Flip |website=iTunes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105143056/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/underground-legend-2/id348246782 |archive-date=5 November 2012 }}

= 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.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/el-jefe/967506405|title=El Jefe|work=iTunes|date=March 17, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120051218/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/el-jefe/id967506405|archive-date=November 20, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/El-Jefe-Explicit-Lil-Flip/dp/B00TPPZ60K|title=Amazon.com: El Jefe [Explicit]: Lil' Flip: MP3 Downloads|website=Amazon|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20151119052224/https://www.amazon.com/El-Jefe-Explicit-Lil-Flip/dp/B00TPPZ60K|archive-date=November 19, 2015}} The album’s lead single, "Game Over II", served as a sequel to his earlier hit single "Game Over (Flip)".{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/game-over-ii-single/id917464922|title=Game Over II – Single|work=iTunes|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121001725/https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/game-over-ii-single/id917464922|archive-date=November 21, 2015}}

The second single from El Jefe was titled "In My Pimp C Voice", a tribute to the late rapper Pimp C.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/in-my-pimp-c-voice-single/id947959320|title=In My Pimp C Voice – Single|work=iTunes|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120205208/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/in-my-pimp-c-voice-single/id947959320|archive-date=November 20, 2015}} The third single, "Bestfriend", featured guest appearances by E.J. Carter and Rev City.{{cite web |url=http://www.hiphopweekly.com/lil-flip-bestfriend-feat-e-j-rev-city/ |title=Lil Flip "Bestfriend" feat. E.J. & Rev City | Hip Hop Weekly |access-date=November 19, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120075548/http://www.hiphopweekly.com/lil-flip-bestfriend-feat-e-j-rev-city/ |archive-date=November 20, 2015 }}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/bestfriend-feat-e-j-rev/966063471|title=Bestfriend (feat. E.J. & Rev City) – Single|work=iTunes|date=February 14, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100528/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bestfriend-feat.-e.j.-rev/id966063471|archive-date=May 18, 2015}}

Other ventures

= Clover G Records =

{{Infobox record label

| name = Clover G Records

| image =

| image_bg =

| parent =

| founded = 2004

| founder = Wesley "Lil' Flip" Weston Jr. (CEO and President)

| status = Active

| distributor = GT Digital / EMPIRE

| genre = Hip-hop, pop, crunk, R&B

| country = United States

| location = Houston, Texas (2004–present)

| url =

}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://sojones.com/news/lil-flp-launches-clover-footwear-and-clothing/|title=Lil Flip Launches Clover Footwear and Clothing Line|work=SoJones|date=May 9, 2004|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413202328/http://sojones.com/news/lil-flp-launches-clover-footwear-and-clothing/|archive-date=April 13, 2015}} Additionally, Lil' Flip has a fashion clothing line called "Clover G Clothing," which is also branded under his self-owned label, Clover G Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.cloverg.com/clover-g-clothing.html|title=Clover G Clothing – Online|work=Clover G Clothing|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416110333/http://www.cloverg.com/clover-g-clothing.html|archive-date=April 16, 2015}}

= 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.{{cite book|url=https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Let-Music-Industry-Fool-ebook/dp/B00JQGR4GW|title=Amazon.com: Don't Let The Music Industry Fool You! eBook: Wesley "Lil' Flip" Weston: Kindle Store|date=April 15, 2014|publisher=Harris Royal Bloodline|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305144932/http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Let-Music-Industry-Fool-ebook/dp/B00JQGR4GW|archive-date=March 5, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dont-let-music-industry-fool/id868215193|title=Don't Let the Music Industry Fool You (Soundtrack)|work=iTunes|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306050155/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dont-let-music-industry-fool/id868215193|archive-date=March 6, 2016}}

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{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/king/1363021753|title=iTunes – Music – King by Lil' Flip|date=March 24, 2018|publisher=iTunes|access-date=March 24, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503163606/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/king/1363021753|archive-date=May 3, 2018}}
2018: Life{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/life/1364226001|title=iTunes – Music – Life by Lil' Flip|date=March 26, 2018|publisher=iTunes|access-date=March 26, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403053611/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/life/1364226001|archive-date=April 3, 2018}}
2019: The Art of Freestyle 2{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-art-of-freestyle-vol-2/1485662180|title=iTunes – Music – The Art of Freestyle 2 by Lil' Flip|date=October 31, 2019|publisher=iTunes|access-date=October 31, 2019}}
2019: The Music Machine{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-music-machine/1489376945|title=iTunes – Music – The Music Machine by Lil' Flip|date=November 29, 2019|publisher=iTunes|access-date=November 29, 2019}}
2020: Feelings{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/feelings/1499022903|title=iTunes – Music – Feelings by Lil' Flip|date=February 14, 2020|publisher=iTunes|access-date=February 14, 2020}}
2020: No Feelings{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-feelings/1498703789|title=iTunes – Music – No Feelings by Lil' Flip|date=February 14, 2020|publisher=iTunes|access-date=February 14, 2020}}
2020: The Leprechaun 2{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-leprechaun-2/1503091337|title=iTunes – Music – The Leprechaun 2 by Lil' Flip|date=March 17, 2020|publisher=iTunes|access-date=March 17, 2020}}
2022: The Art of Freestyle 3{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-art-of-freestyle-3/1641336522|title=iTunes – Music – The Art of Freestyle 3 by Lil' Flip|date=August 26, 2022|publisher=iTunes|access-date=August 26, 2022}}
2022: Fondren Flip{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/fondren-flip/1653637224|title=iTunes – Music – Fondren Flip by Lil' Flip|date=November 11, 2022|publisher=iTunes|access-date=November 11, 2022}}
2023: Worthing Wesley