The famous rapper who is also known as a recording artist has formed Big Gates Records. Before trying his luck in rap Plies had played football quite seriously till his university days. In the Miami University football team he played as a ‘Wide receiver’ for two years. In 2007 Plies came up with his debut album “The Real Testament” with some fantastic compositions which are highly appreciated throughout the world of music.
Particularly the single tracks like “Shawty” and “Hypnotized” became the favorites to innumerable music lovers of that time. He maintained the successful run with some more praiseworthy albums which include “Da REAList,” “Goon Affiliated” and “Definition of Real.”
With the album, he had also released some genuine hip-hop mixtapes to relish for the rap enthusiasts. His “You Need People Like Me” and “Aristotle” like mixtapes were warmly accepted by the followers of pop music. The footballer turned rapper had donated all money of the song “We Are Trayvon” to Trayvon Martin Foundation.
Apart from his recording schedules, Plies had also engaged himself in the release of some other artists as DJ Khaled, Usher, Ludacris and some more. Some of his albums had received the gold certification. Moreover since his debut album release Plies is earning quite comfortably and with his endorsement, he has gathered enough luxuries for his life. So far Plies had accumulated more than 14 million dollars as his estimated net worth.
Early life
Plies was born as Algernod Lanier Washington on 1st July 1976 in Fort Myers, Florida, United States of America. There is hardly any information available about the rapper’s early life. Plies had not shared his early childhood details with the world hence it is not known that who were his father and mother. He was raised in East Dunbar and got into Fort Myers Senior High School. The rapper had been declared as the best dressed while he was studying at his high school and crowned as Homecoming King. His interest towards football grew at his high school.
While studying in the high, he took up football seriously and got a regular position as a receiver and defensive back. Later when enrolled at the Miami University he represented his team as the wide receiver. He was very serious about the game and had some mission to build a sporting career in football. He regularly played for his team from 1995 till 1997. In the capacity of rookie covering 69 yards, he made nine receptions. Next season Plies for 262 yards made 25 receptions and two touchdowns.
The final year he was rather lagging behind in his performance and ended up with 43 yards and made only five receptions. After successfully playing for his college team he moved to the University of Central Florida. A change was felt, suddenly his interest shifted from the ground to the recording studio and one day he felt to build a career in the music world.
Career
He had a deep interest towards hip hop rap music from the beginning but while playing football never felt like making a career in music. After he played a part in one song ‘Tell Dem Krackers That’ his interest grew in rap and eventually got into the rapping stadium. He joined his stepbrother Ronnell Lawrence Lavatte to open a recording company under the name Big Gates Records in the 90s. Instead of practicing football Plies shifted to improve upon his rapping skill.
In 2004 he got into a contract with Slip-N-Slip. Next year he released his first mixtape titled as ‘100% Real Nigga’. The following year Plies came out with another mixtape titled ‘Bottom to the Top’ hosted by disk jockey Drama.
He was then preparing for some singles and on 12th June 2007 released ‘Shawty’ featured by T-Pain the famous rapper. The debut single was highly acknowledged by the music lovers, and the song became a big hit. Within few days of its release, the song got into the listing of some prestigious charts. Single went up to No.9 on the chart of Billboard Hot 100, and the Hot R&B reached the second position in the category of the Hip-Hop Songs chart. The popularity the single had gone beyond the boundaries of America and was a smash hit in New Zealand. The single was accredited by the RIAA with platinum.
A full-length album was expected by his growing fan base and soon within few months Plies met their expectation. His debut studio album was released with the befitting title ‘The Real Testament.’ The rapper had furnished all qualities of high rap, and like wildfire, the rapper’s popularity kept on growing. More than 96 thousand copies were sold out in the United States in the first week of the release. Claiming the second position on the Billboard Top 200 and the third week closed with another 27 thousand copies. Another two prestigious charts namely Top R&B and Hip-Hop Albums and the Top Rap albums also conferred the second rank. It was disclosed by some source the rapper had earned more than 500 thousand dollars from the sale proceed of this album.
The rapper was already established firmly on the rapping stage with honor, and when he came up with another single titled ‘Hypnotized,’ the single mesmerized the public and the single received the platinum with over 1,000,000 copies of sale. On the Billboard Hot 100 the single went up to 14th rank, it was #22 on Hot R&B Songs and was declared third on the Hot Rap Songs. Mainstream Top 40 saw it on the #23 position. Later in 2008, this song was featured in the movie “Step Up 2: The Street”.
The heat of the first album release was still there when he came up with the second album ‘Definition of Real’ on 10th June 2008. Following the footsteps of his first release, the album was a big commercial success. With a massive 215 thousand release week sale, the album clinched second rank o the Billboard Top 200. The album had been on the run with the other successful release and ultimately peaked at number two on the Top Hip Hop Album and Top Rap Album charts. Eventually, the sophomore album has been the best selling till date with more than 520 thousand copies sold. The rapper made convincing earning from the sale as his first release.
In the same year, Plies came up with his third album “Da REAList” with 16 awesome tracks. Billboard Top Rap Albums saw it on the top and reached 14th rank on the US Billboard Top 200. The first week of the release saw 114 thousand copies going out from the racks of the selling counters. The album was consisting of 3 singles which reached higher ranks on different charts. The singles were ‘Want It Need It,’ ‘Put It On Ya’ and ‘Plenty Money.’ The album does not maintain the performance of the first two releases. With 500 thousand copies sold out the album enriched the rapper with 300 thousand dollars.
The rapper went on a hiatus and returned with the fourth album titled ‘Goon Affiliated’ after two years. The first-week sale went up more than 55,000 copies, and the album reached 5th rank on the US Billboard Top 200. The album made an average impact on the rapping world and Plies made $150 thousand of earning so far. A single ‘Becky’ got the RIAA’s gold certification. Along with his albums, Plies had compiled some popular mix tapes which include “You Need People Like Me,” “On Trial,” “Ain’t No Mixtape Big,” “No Chaser” and many more. In 2010 Plies released his first EP ‘3 Headed Monster’ which was available through digital download.
His popularity took him to the floors of television channels. He appeared on “Access Granted,” “BET News,” and “The Mo’Nique Show’. He was also seen in one documentary on himself titled “The Good, the Bad and the Bling.” The rapper along with his endeavors had also accompanied several other rappers on their compositions. He collaborated with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Gucci Mane, Young Jeez and some more artists. He is also a fabulous artist for the concerts and elite programs. Plies went to South Carolina, Georgia, and California on his Ran off on Da Plug Twice Tour. Last but not the least the rapper is also related to YouTube since 2007 and had gathered more than 216 million views and over 283,000 subscribers.
Personal life
The rapper is presently single but was heard to be some relation with Lira Galore, which lasted for a year. Another name has evolved in his life is the name of singer Brandy Lacole Lyons.
The rapper became the father of his child Nijier Lanier Washington in October 2003 who was born out of his relation with Brandy Lyons. Currently, the rapper lives in Greenwich in one luxurious mansion costing 11 million dollars.
Quick summary:
Full Name: Algernod Lanier Washington
Date of Birth: 1st July 1976
Birth Place: Fort Myers, Florida, United States of America
Age: 42 Years Old
Profession: Hip Hop Rapper, Lyricist and Recording Artist
Height: 5 Feet 5 Inches / 165 cm
Weight: 66 Kg / 145 lbs
Net worth: $14 Million
