Zane Copeland, Jr., better known as Lil' Zane or simply Zane, is an American rapper. He is perhaps best known for his single "Callin' Me" (featuring 112) from his debut studio album Young World: The Future (2000).[1][2]
Early life
At age 10, Zane was inspired by Another Bad Creation and Kris Kross. He got more serious about his eventual career and started rehearsing with his cousin E. Greene. He was first recognized by his fans when he was in a group called Kronic signed to RCA Records. They were signed from 1993 to 1996. They never put out any projects. He began entering local Atlanta talent shows upon the dissolution of the group. Then in 1999, he started touring with 112 while recording his debut album.
Music career
1999–2002: Young World: The Future
In 1999, his first ever single, "Money Stretch", was included in the Next Fridaysoundtrack. In 2000, Lil' Zane released his debut album Young World: The Future which featured his smash single "Callin Me". The album debut at No. 165 on the Billboard 200 with 7,000 copies sold in the first week but then peaked in its second week at No. 25 with 40,000 copies sold. To date, the album sold 490,000 copies.[3] The album also hit at No. 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. In 2001, he made appearance on the Hardball soundtrack on the track of the same name with Bow Wow, Lil Wayne and Sammie.[4] He later stated in an interview that he was working on an album titled It Ain't Over. He later decided to change the title to The Big Zane Theory.
2003: The Big Zane Theory
In 2003, Lil Zane released his second album, The Big Zane Theory. With the album, he formally changed his stage name from Lil' Zane to simply Zane. Copeland explained "Zane is my real name, that's the name that's on my birth certificate and my mom likes that name" for changing his name in a BallerStatus.net interview. The album failed to match the success of Zane's previous album, as it charted at No. 191 on the Billboard 200's chart with 6,423 copies sold. It also charted at No. 39 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The only single that was released on the album was "Tonite I'm Yours" which peaked at No. 87 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The album sold 40,000 copies in total soon afterwards Zane would leave Priority Records due to lack of financial compensation, artist support, and promotion to go on a five-year hiatus from music to focus on his acting career.[5]
2004–2008: Under the Radar and Tha Return
On December 30, 2004, it was announced that Zane has formed a new record label by the name of "3 Mill Entertainment" together with MAM Group, Inc. He announced that he had started working on his third album, Under the Radar. The album was to feature artist like Real Young, Raz B, Jon B, Bone Crusher, Akon, Drum Up (LaMar and LaNelle Seymour), and Rich Boy. The album was going to get released in Spring 2005, but then was pushed back to fall and was never released. In late 2006, Zane started to work on another new album, Tha Return. The album was released on February 26, 2008. The album failed to match the success of Zane's previous albums, as it failed to make it to any Billboard charts. The only single that was released on the album was "Like This" which also failed to chart also. The single has gotten over 150,000 views on YouTube to date and is known as Zane's comeback single.[6][7][8][9]
2010–present: My World: My Future
In 2010, he made special appearance at the ten-year anniversary of 106 & Park in Los Angeles with Ray J and Tony Marsley also known as AK. He announced he was releasing a mixtape entitled The Missing Link and a new single entitled "Put It In My Lap". March 1, 2010, Zane was featured on We Are The World: The Next Generation. The song has gotten over 2,000,000 views on YouTube alone.[10] On March 8, 2011, Zane released a promo single off his mixtape The Missing Link Volume 1 called "Must Be Nice".[11] On April 28, 2011, a rumor circulated that Zane signed to Cash Money Records. Later, the statement was proven false.[12] On June 7, 2011, Zane released a new single called "My Girl".[13] On February 2, 2012, Zane announced the title of his fourth album called My World: My Future along with a release of a single called "Sippin Hennessy" featuring Tupac Shakur. The song has gotten over 100,000 views on YouTube and 150,000 views on WorldStarHipHop alone.[14][15] On May 14, 2013, Zane released a new song called "When I Get Home" featuring Young Joe which is featured on his mixtapes Champagne & Dirty Sprite and R.A.W (Raps About Women).[16] On September 18, 2013, Zane announced that the lead single off his upcoming album is called "Roof Gone".[17] As of January 1, 2016, it is known that Zane is now working with battle rapper Levi Fresco to help ghostwrite his upcoming single ("Don't Spill My Liquor") and album ("Life I Live").[18]
In 2004, Zane signed a two-year agreement with MAM Group, Inc, Inc which granted him his own record label 3 Mill Entertainment (3ME) but then changed it to U.S. Entertainment in 2006. Then in 2010, he changed it again to Money Making Muzik (MMM) after buying B1 Music Group for a significant amount of money which is yet to be disclosed. In 2010, Zane signed many talents including spotlight Florida artist Soulja P and others.
Current artists
Lil Zane (2004–present)
Soulja P (2011–present)
D Phlo (2012–present)
Former artists
Real Young (2004–2006)
Drum Up (2005–2006)
Miss Honey (2010–2012)
Indyspensablz (2011–2012)
cool Gang (2012)
G$C (2012)
Ya Gurl Ree (2012)
J RockStar (2012)
Fly High Gang (2012)
Other
Zane wrote and performed an original track as the main menu theme for the game Die Hard Trilogy 2.[19][20]
Controversy
Young Buck
On September 20, 2011, Lil Zane said on Street Disciplez Radio, G-Unit CEO 50 Cent would have made more money by signing him over former group member Young Buck. In addition to revealing his interest in working with 50 Cent, Zane also taunted Buck's music. "Yo, he's garbage, he's garbage," Zane told radio host EI8HT referring to Young Buck. "He's garbage though, I don't think he's a good rapper. He might be a good person but you know, he probably feels the same way about me. So the feeling's mutual, you know? But I don't think he's the best rapper. I think I would have made 50 Cent a little more money. I think 50 needs to sign me, man. I think it needs to be 50 & 60 Cent or something because I'm more like 60 Cent. You know what I'm saying?[21]
Discography
Studio albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
"We Are The World: The Next Generation" (with H. Wood City, Brian McKnight Jr., Taylor Parks, Bobby Tinsley, Tori Kelly, Montana Tucker, Mishon, Tyna Q, Sy Sylvers, Solre, Raz B, Kristy Flores, Marcel Dion, Bobbie Riley, Deja Riley, Naturi Naughton, Porscha Coleman, Ariana Pierce, Alyxx Dione, Lil Mama, Prima J, Lil' Fizz, J-Boog, Chani, Karen Flores)[10]
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2011
"De Gna (Go)" (Official Avo featuring Lil' Zane & Novva)
"Official website". Archived from the original on April 28, 2006. Retrieved October 7, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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