Memphis, Tennessee’s
Lil’ Wyte has announced the title of his first album under a new deal
with 36 Mafia’s Hypnotize Minds/Asylum label deal.
Phinally Phamous
will be the rapper’s sophomore follow up to Doubt Me Now, which
sold almost 130,000 units independently and helped pave the way for his major
label, full length debut.
“It’s like a
dream come true,” Lil’ Wyte said. “It was shocking who it
happened with because Three 6 Mafia are a major influence, they grew up right
around the corner from me. My music comes from the streets, from my life. I’m
one of the rappers that understands the difference between entertainment and
real life.”
The road to his major label
debut was bumpy, but the rapper said he persevered over personal setbacks.
“Friends at school
didn’t want to believe I could rap because I was shutting people down
so hard (in the lunch room rhyme battles,” Wyte reminisced. “It
was only my dedication and devotion that kept me going. I dropped out of school
twice and went back to get my diploma, not just my GED.”
Lil’ Wyte first came
to the attention of producer and label owner Juicy J., also a member of Three
6 Mafia.
“We met Lil’
Wyte in front of the radio station,” Juicy J. recalled. “I get a
lot of demos from artists but I never got a demo from an all white group.”
Juicy J. said he tried to
sign the entire group, but the deal fell apart, so he snagged Lil Wyte.
The first single
on the album is “I Sho Will” and the record is already catching
on at various radio outlets nationwide.
“The fans put Lil’
Wyte in his place and made him successful,” Juicy J. continued. “On
this album Lil’ Wyte has matured and his flow has gotten better.”
Phinally Phamous
is due in stores in 2005.
