Plies (rapper)
Encyclopedia
Algernod Lanier Washington (born July 1, 1976), better known by his stage name
Plies, is an American rapper
and founder of Big Gates Records. Born in Fort Myers, Florida
, Washington was a wide receiver
on the football team
of Miami University
in Ohio in 1996 and 1997 before he became a rapper. After dropping out of college, he founded Big Gates with his stepbrother. Signed to Slip-n-Slide Records
, from 2007 to 2008 he released three albums. Plies debuted in 2007 with The Real Testament
with successful singles "Shawty
" and "Hypnotized
". Plies also released two albums in 2008, Definition of Real
and Da REAList
, and later released Goon Affiliated
in 2010.
and grew up in the East Dunbar area of Fort Myers. While at Fort Myers Senior High School
, he played receiver and defensive back in its football team, was crowned Homecoming King, and was named the "Best Dressed" student of his class.
He attended Miami University
and under the name Nod Washington was wide receiver on its football team
in 1996 and 1997, then transferred to the University of Central Florida
and dropped out. In 1996, his sophomore year, Washington had 25 receptions for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns, the second-most receptions of his team for the season. The next season, Washington played only one game and had one 9-yard reception.
In the late 1990s, Plies and his stepbrother Ronnell Lawrence Lavatte, also known as Big Gates, established an independent record label, Big Gates Records. Although Plies initially refused to rap, after a demonstration for one of his artists, Big Gates decided to keep Plies' verse on the track "Tell Dem Krackers Dat". Big Gates and Plies promoted the single and traveled many times to Miami, which eventually led to a deal for Plies on Slip-n-Slide Records. Plies's girlfriend Brandy Lacole Lyons gave birth to a son, Nijier Lanier Washington, at the University Community Hospital in Tampa, Florida
on October 20, 2003. After signing to Slip-n-Slide in 2004, Plies released several mixtapes.
On July 2, 2006, after a shooting at a Gainesville, Florida
nightclub, Plies was charged with illegal possession of a concealed weapon, and members of his entourage were charged with attempted murder. The shooting, in which 5 people were injured, started after Plies' microphone was cut off for Lil' Boosie to perform, after Plies' performance ran over time. According to the promoter Jonathan Smith, Plies became "enraged". A fight began with fists and shouting, and ended with at least six rounds of bullets being fired.
was released in August 2007. His debut single "Shawty" featuring T-Pain
topped the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart and peaked at number nine on the Hot 100. "Hypnotized
", the second single, featured Akon
, and peaked at number three on the Rap chart and 14 on the Hot 100. The third single was "I Am the Club". On February 29, 2008, the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) certified the album Gold for having sold over 500,000 units; five days later the RIAA did the same for singles "Shawty" and "Hypnotized". Plies made a guest performance on Fat Joe
's single "Ain't Sayin' Nuthin" from The Elephant in the Room
in early 2008.
Definition of Real
, his second album, was released in June 2008, 10 months after releasing his first album. The lead single was "Bust It Baby Pt. 2
" featuring Ne-Yo
, which peaked at number two on both the Hot Rap Tracks and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks charts and number seven on the Hot 100. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling over 214,000 copies its first week. The next single was "Please Excuse My Hands
", featuring Jamie Foxx
and The-Dream
. RIAA certified Gold "Bust It Baby" on September 17 and Definition of Real October 14. In the same year Plies released his third album, Da REAList
, in December 2008, six months after the release of his second album. The first official single off this album is "Put It on Ya
", featuring Chris J. The album debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200
with 114,000 copies sold in its first week. The second single is "Want It, Need It
", featuring Ashanti
. He did a guest performance on Ludacris
's single "Nasty Girl" from Ludacris's album Theater of the Mind
.
" (that version not making the Usher's sixth studio album Raymond vs. Raymond
and Young Jeezy
's "Lose My Mind
".
.. Plies was featured on R&B singer Bobby V single Phone # which debuted on the R&B charts at 55. Plies released two mixtapes in 2011, including "I Fuck With The DJ" and "Aristotle".
and love. Similarly, Jeffries described the lyrical content of Da REAList as having "a spectrum that runs from irresponsible gun talk to irresponsible sex talk". A profile of Plies in the December 2008 issue of Vibe magazine observed that Plies constantly referred to himself as "real" in his music and album titles. However, it pointed out that the word "has virtually synonymous with 'criminal' and, in some cases, almost superseded the idea of being able to actually rap". In July 2008, hip hop website HipHopDX published an investigative report suggesting that Plies exaggerated his criminal background.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Plies, is an American rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
and founder of Big Gates Records. Born in Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
, Washington was a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
on the football team
Miami RedHawks football
The Miami University RedHawks, known as the Miami Redskins before 1996, are a NCAA Division I FBS college football program that competes in the Mid-American Conference...
of Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in Ohio in 1996 and 1997 before he became a rapper. After dropping out of college, he founded Big Gates with his stepbrother. Signed to Slip-n-Slide Records
Slip-n-Slide Records
-History:Ted Lucas founded the label in 1994. Slip-n-Slide signed local rapper Trick Daddy Dollars in its early years; he debuted in 1997 with the locally popular album Based on a True Story and broke into mainstream success the next year with www.thug.com having dropped "Dollars" from his stage name...
, from 2007 to 2008 he released three albums. Plies debuted in 2007 with The Real Testament
The Real Testament
-Chart positions:...
with successful singles "Shawty
Shawty
"Shawty" is the title of a 2007 single by rapper Plies featuring T-Pain. It is Plies' debut single off his album The Real Testament and samples "Fantasy" by Earth, Wind & Fire.-Remixes:...
" and "Hypnotized
Hypnotized (Plies song)
"Hypnotized" is the second single from Plies' debut album, The Real Testament. The track is produced by Akon, as well as featured. The video for the single was released. The single made the top twenty of the Billboard Hot 100, at #14. The song is featured on the soundtrack of the film Step Up 2 the...
". Plies also released two albums in 2008, Definition of Real
Definition of Real
-Chart positions:...
and Da REAList
Da REAList
-Chart positions:...
, and later released Goon Affiliated
Goon Affiliated
Goon Affiliated is the fourth studio album by American rapper Plies. The album was released by Atlantic Records on June 8, 2010.- Background :...
in 2010.
Early life
Plies was born Algernod Lanier Washington in Fort Myers, FloridaFort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
and grew up in the East Dunbar area of Fort Myers. While at Fort Myers Senior High School
Fort Myers Senior High School
Fort Myers Senior High School is a public school in Fort Myers, Florida. It was opened October 19, 1911, making it one of the oldest schools in the state of Florida, and the oldest in Lee County. It is managed by the Lee County School District...
, he played receiver and defensive back in its football team, was crowned Homecoming King, and was named the "Best Dressed" student of his class.
He attended Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
and under the name Nod Washington was wide receiver on its football team
Miami RedHawks football
The Miami University RedHawks, known as the Miami Redskins before 1996, are a NCAA Division I FBS college football program that competes in the Mid-American Conference...
in 1996 and 1997, then transferred to the University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
and dropped out. In 1996, his sophomore year, Washington had 25 receptions for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns, the second-most receptions of his team for the season. The next season, Washington played only one game and had one 9-yard reception.
In the late 1990s, Plies and his stepbrother Ronnell Lawrence Lavatte, also known as Big Gates, established an independent record label, Big Gates Records. Although Plies initially refused to rap, after a demonstration for one of his artists, Big Gates decided to keep Plies' verse on the track "Tell Dem Krackers Dat". Big Gates and Plies promoted the single and traveled many times to Miami, which eventually led to a deal for Plies on Slip-n-Slide Records. Plies's girlfriend Brandy Lacole Lyons gave birth to a son, Nijier Lanier Washington, at the University Community Hospital in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
on October 20, 2003. After signing to Slip-n-Slide in 2004, Plies released several mixtapes.
On July 2, 2006, after a shooting at a Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
nightclub, Plies was charged with illegal possession of a concealed weapon, and members of his entourage were charged with attempted murder. The shooting, in which 5 people were injured, started after Plies' microphone was cut off for Lil' Boosie to perform, after Plies' performance ran over time. According to the promoter Jonathan Smith, Plies became "enraged". A fight began with fists and shouting, and ended with at least six rounds of bullets being fired.
2007: The Real Testament
The Real TestamentThe Real Testament
-Chart positions:...
was released in August 2007. His debut single "Shawty" featuring T-Pain
T-Pain
Faheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
topped the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart and peaked at number nine on the Hot 100. "Hypnotized
Hypnotized (Plies song)
"Hypnotized" is the second single from Plies' debut album, The Real Testament. The track is produced by Akon, as well as featured. The video for the single was released. The single made the top twenty of the Billboard Hot 100, at #14. The song is featured on the soundtrack of the film Step Up 2 the...
", the second single, featured Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
, and peaked at number three on the Rap chart and 14 on the Hot 100. The third single was "I Am the Club". On February 29, 2008, the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
(RIAA) certified the album Gold for having sold over 500,000 units; five days later the RIAA did the same for singles "Shawty" and "Hypnotized". Plies made a guest performance on Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
's single "Ain't Sayin' Nuthin" from The Elephant in the Room
The Elephant in the Room
The Elephant in the Room is the eighth studio album by Fat Joe. It was released on March 11, 2008.-Track listing:-Chart positions:...
in early 2008.
2008: Definition of Real & Da REAList
Definition of Real
Definition of Real
-Chart positions:...
, his second album, was released in June 2008, 10 months after releasing his first album. The lead single was "Bust It Baby Pt. 2
Bust It Baby
"Bust It Baby" is a single by Plies released on January 25, 2008. It is the first single from Plies' second album, Definition of Real. This was featured as a bonus track on his album, while "Bust It Baby Pt. 2" is the official track on the album. It features Ne-Yo...
" featuring Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, which peaked at number two on both the Hot Rap Tracks and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks charts and number seven on the Hot 100. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling over 214,000 copies its first week. The next single was "Please Excuse My Hands
Please Excuse My Hands
"Please Excuse My Hands" is the second single off Plies's second album, Definition of Real. It features Jamie Foxx and The-Dream. It received positive reviews from music critics.-Music video:...
", featuring Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx
Eric Marlon Bishop , professionally known as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, singer-songwriter, stand-up comedian, and talk radio host. As an actor, his work in the film Ray earned him the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actor as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a...
and The-Dream
The-Dream
Terius Youngdell Nash , better known by his stage name The-Dream, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He is known for co-writing "Umbrella" for Rihanna and "Single Ladies " for Beyoncé, as well as for his three solo albums, Love Hate, Love vs...
. RIAA certified Gold "Bust It Baby" on September 17 and Definition of Real October 14. In the same year Plies released his third album, Da REAList
Da REAList
-Chart positions:...
, in December 2008, six months after the release of his second album. The first official single off this album is "Put It on Ya
Put It on Ya
"Put It on Ya" is a song performed by American hip hop artist; Plies. The song features newcoming R&B artist Chris J, and is produced by No I.D., and was co-written by Kon Live recording duo, Rock City . It is the first official single from Plies' third studio album Da REAList.-Background:The...
", featuring Chris J. The album debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
with 114,000 copies sold in its first week. The second single is "Want It, Need It
Want It, Need It
"Want It, Need It" is a song by American rapper Plies and features R&B singer Ashanti. It is the second single from his third studio album Da REAList. So far the single has received positive reviews. It samples "Two Occasions" by The Deele...
", featuring Ashanti
Ashanti (singer)
Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, and model. She rose to fame in the early 2000s. Ashanti is most famous for her eponymous debut album, which featured the hit song "Foolish", and sold over 503,000 copies in its first week of release...
. He did a guest performance on Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
's single "Nasty Girl" from Ludacris's album Theater of the Mind
Theater of the Mind
Though the album was well received by music critics, it debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, selling 214,000 copies in its first week, making it his sixth top 5 album. It was his first album since 2000's Back for the First Time and 2001's Word of Mouf to not reach number one status, and his...
.
2009-2010: Goon Affiliated
In an interview with Plies and according to Slip-n-Slide Records, the rapper announced that he completed a fourth album. Tentatively, he planned to release it on February 16, 2009, but stated that the exact date depended on the success of his third album. The album ended up being released on June 8, 2010. He continued to make guest appearances on Usher's "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)
"Hey Daddy " is a song by American R&B singer, Usher. The song is the first single in the United States from Usher's sixth studio album Raymond v. Raymond, following the buzz single "Papers". The song was written by longtime Usher collaborator Rico Love, Usher, Plies and The Runners and it was also...
" (that version not making the Usher's sixth studio album Raymond vs. Raymond
Raymond vs. Raymond
Raymond v. Raymond is the sixth studio album by American R&B recording artist Usher, released March 26, 2010. Production for the album took place during 2008 to 2010 and was handled by several producers, including Jermaine Dupri, The Runners, Ester Dean, Polow da Don, RedOne, Jim Jonsin, Danja,...
and Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
's "Lose My Mind
Lose My Mind
"Lose My Mind" is the first single released from Young Jeezy's upcoming album, Thug Motivation 103. The song features rapper Plies. The song was also released on Jeezy's mixtape "Trap or Die II". It is nominated for Best Rap Performance By Duo or Group at the 2011 Grammy's.-Music video:The music...
".
2010-present
Plies worked on his mixtape, "You Need People Like Me", which was released Friday September 3, 2010. On September 3,"You Need People Like Me" was a song entitled Boosie which was dedicated to Lil BoosieLil Boosie
Torrence Hatch , better known by his stage name Lil Boosie, is an American rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Hatch was bestowed the nickname Boosie by his family, and he was raised in southside Baton Rouge...
.. Plies was featured on R&B singer Bobby V single Phone # which debuted on the R&B charts at 55. Plies released two mixtapes in 2011, including "I Fuck With The DJ" and "Aristotle".
Lyricism and public persona
David Jeffries of allmusic described Plies's debut album The Real Testament as tracks covering both gang lifeGangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
and love. Similarly, Jeffries described the lyrical content of Da REAList as having "a spectrum that runs from irresponsible gun talk to irresponsible sex talk". A profile of Plies in the December 2008 issue of Vibe magazine observed that Plies constantly referred to himself as "real" in his music and album titles. However, it pointed out that the word "has virtually synonymous with 'criminal' and, in some cases, almost superseded the idea of being able to actually rap". In July 2008, hip hop website HipHopDX published an investigative report suggesting that Plies exaggerated his criminal background.
Discography
- The Real TestamentThe Real Testament-Chart positions:...
(2007) - Definition of RealDefinition of Real-Chart positions:...
(2008) - Da REAListDa REAList-Chart positions:...
(2008) - Goon AffiliatedGoon AffiliatedGoon Affiliated is the fourth studio album by American rapper Plies. The album was released by Atlantic Records on June 8, 2010.- Background :...
(2010) - Purple Heart (2012)
Awards and nominations
- BET Hip-Hop Awards
- 2008: Ringtone of the Year ("Bust It Baby Pt 2" with Ne-YoNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
) (Nominated) - 2008: People's Champ Award ("Bust It Baby Pt 2" with Ne-YoNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
) (Nominated) - 2008: Best Collaboration ("Bust It Baby Pt 2" with Ne-YoNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
) (Nominated)
- 2008: Ringtone of the Year ("Bust It Baby Pt 2" with Ne-Yo
- Ozone Awards
- 2007: Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("Shawty" with T-PainT-PainFaheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
) (Won) - 2008: Best Rap Album (The Real TestamentThe Real Testament-Chart positions:...
) (Nominated) - 2008: Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("Bust It Baby Pt. 2Bust It Baby"Bust It Baby" is a single by Plies released on January 25, 2008. It is the first single from Plies' second album, Definition of Real. This was featured as a bonus track on his album, while "Bust It Baby Pt. 2" is the official track on the album. It features Ne-Yo...
" with Ne-YoNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
) (Nominated) - 2008: Club Banger of the Year ("I'm So HoodI'm So Hood"I'm So Hood" is the second single off DJ Khaled's album We the Best . The song features Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, Plies and T-Pain. "I'm So Hood" was Khaled's best-known song and highest charting song until "I'm on One" peaked at #10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2011.-Video:The video was shot in...
" with DJ KhaledDJ KhaledKhaled bin Abdul Khaled , better known by his stage name DJ Khaled, is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, and record label executive. He is a radio host for the Miami-based urban music radio station WEDR and the DJ for the hip hop group Terror Squad. In 2006, Khaled released his...
, Trick DaddyTrick DaddyMaurice Young , better known by his stage name Trick Daddy, is a certified platinum American rapper and producer from Miami, Florida.-Music career:...
, T-PainT-PainFaheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
and Rick RossRick Ross (rapper)William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
) (Nominated)
- 2007: Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("Shawty" with T-Pain
- Grammy Awards
- 2011: Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group ("Lose My Mind" with Young JeezyYoung JeezyJay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
) (Nominated)
- 2011: Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group ("Lose My Mind" with Young Jeezy