Fourteen year old Lil Chuckee is the youngest rapper signed toLil Wayne’s Young Money Label , and one of theyoungest working in the industry today and was discovered when he was just nine years old! Find out more about him!
New Orleans Dreams
Lil Chuckee, otherwise known as Rashard Chuckee Ballard, comes from New Orleans, Louisiana. Chuckee grew up in a rough part of town, in housing projects known as the Third Ward Calliope Projects. But instead of getting into trouble, which was easy to do in his neighbourhood, Chuckee wanted to emulate people like rappers Master P., Silk the Shocker, and C. Murder, and he already had a gift for rapping and dancing himself.
Becoming Chuckee
Chuckee was a great student school, but knew he wanted to be a rapper, so he chose his middle name, he liked it because of the movie Child’s Play which made it sound fun while also implying he had a mature mind. Chuckee was discovered by Lil Wayne when he was just nine years old he saw him rapping at a video and immediately wanted to sign the talented kid, but Chuckee’s parents insisted he wait a couple of years before signing, parents just don’t understand! Even at 14, Lil Chuckee is still the youngest member of the Young Money Family.
A Terrible Wind
When Hurricane Katrina swept through Lil Chuckee’s hometown destroying people’s lives, rich and poor, he and his family moved to the welcoming city of Atlanta, Georgia. At 11 Chuckee told his parents he was determined to reach his goal of reviving life and culture in the iconic city of New Orleans, no matter what the cost and without quitting. To this day Chuckee has probably done more charity work for Katrina than anyone his age , he has performed in over 250 shows for charity events and started a charity himself called S.O.C.K. (Save Our Community Kids In New Orleans.)
Will You Be In My Video?
Over the last 3 years Lil Chuckee has appeared in 35 music videos and songs (you might remember one of his early appearances in the video for the hit song “Bedrock” ), with heavyweights in the industry like his mentor and label owner Lil Wayne, to T.I., Nelly, Yung Joc, Juvenile, Young Dro, Dem Franchise Boyz, B.G., Huey, Jodey Breeze, and many others. And it doesn’t just stop at videos, he’s also been on several talk shows, like Ellen and Sally Ann Roberts.
Mixtapes and Influences
For those of you who have been waiting to hear more Lil Chuckee, you can! He has a mixtape out right now called Rapper’s Market. Chuckee says some of his biggest musical inspirations are Nas, Jay-Z, Q-Tip, Common, and of course, his mentor Lil Wayne! Check out Lil Chuckee and Lil Twist in their video for Girl I Got You!
