How to Hire PLIES For Your Event!
aka: Algernod Lanier Washington
Born in: Florida
Based in: Florida
Hire: Plies
Plies grew up in Fort Myers, Florida, where he attended Fort Myers Senior High School. He was an outstanding student and even played wide receiver for the football team. After high school, he briefly attended Miami University in Ohio on a football scholarship before transferring to the University of Central Florida. However, he eventually left college to pursue music.
Music Career Beginnings
Plies‘ entry into the music industry began when he and his stepbrother, Big Gates, founded the independent record label Big Gates Records. Initially, Plies had no intention of being a rapper, but after recording a verse for one of their artists, his talent became apparent, and he decided to pursue a career in hip-hop.
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Breakthrough and Major Success
In 2007, Plies signed with Slip-N-Slide Records, a label known for working with artists like Trick Daddy and Trina. That same year, he released his debut studio album:
- “The Real Testament” (2007) – Featured hit singles “Shawty” (feat. T-Pain) and “Hypnotized” (feat. Akon). The album was a commercial success, establishing Plies as a major force in Southern hip-hop.
Following the success of his debut, Plies quickly released three more albums:
- “Definition of Real” (2008) – Included the hit “Bust It Baby Pt. 2” (feat. Ne-Yo), which became one of his biggest songs.
- “Da REAList” (2008) – Continued his raw and unfiltered street-oriented storytelling.
- “Goon Affiliated” (2010) – Featured singles “Becky” and “Medicine” (feat. Keri Hilson).
His ability to balance club anthems, emotional storytelling, and street credibility made him a favorite in the Southern rap scene.
Musical Style and Influence
Plies’ music is characterized by:
- Street Narratives – He often raps about struggles, poverty, and life in the streets.
- Club Anthems – Many of his songs, such as “Shawty” and “Bust It Baby Pt. 2,” are geared towards mainstream audiences.
- Emotional Depth – Tracks like “Ran Off on da Plug Twice” showcase his humor and real-life experiences.
Later Career and Social Media Presence
After stepping back from mainstream releases, Plies remained active in music but became widely known for his comedic social media presence. His Instagram and Twitter videos feature humorous takes on relationships, life advice, and pop culture, helping him maintain relevance.
Personal Life and Controversies
Plies has been involved in various controversies, including legal issues and altercations at concerts. However, he has continued to maintain a loyal fanbase.
Legacy and Impact
Plies‘ influence in hip-hop is undeniable, particularly in Southern rap. His blend of raw lyricism, emotional storytelling, and humor has made him a unique figure in the genre. He remains a respected artist and an internet personality known for his unfiltered takes on life.
“I’m not tryin’ to impress anyone on how hard my struggle was, or how messed up the conditions were where I came from,” says Plies. “I feel like most of the people in my situation come from the same type of background, the same type of environment.”
Hailed as “one of the realest niggas you will ever know,” the Fort Myers-based rapper has already established a phenomenal underground and street presence on the strength of his infamous mixtapes and live show. Plies is a real-life block hugger who happened to learn how to tell his story in rhyme. This is why the streets love him.
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Born in Ft. Myers, Florida, a city famous for its year-round warm weather, pristine sandy beaches, and inviting tourism, Plies was raised on the not-so-sunny side of town. “It’s a small town, but it’s a town that reflects so much to me. You’ve got two separate sides. You’ve got the serious side, then you’ve got the gutter side. I called it Pakistan because kids 11, 12 years old were running around with choppers and shit.” Despite coming of age in the Michigan Court Projects, Plies says he wouldn’t change it for the world. “The only thing adversity does is reintroduce you to yourself.”
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Plies first became involved in music because of his brother. “He started pursuing music, and I saw his vision,” explains Plies. “It wasn’t a dream of mine. It kind of happened accidentally. But at the same time, I’m a believer that nothing happens on accident.”
Accidental or not, Plies and his brother, Big Gates, started Big Gates Records in 1999. The small label had three artists and dropped a handful of independent albums, but not from Plies. In fact, the now rapper refused to touch the mic in the beginning. It wasn’t until he became frustrated trying to teach one of his artists a particular hook that Plies grabbed the mic. “He never could get the hook down, so the next day I let my brother hear the hook, and he told me to stay on there,” recalls Plies. The song, “Tell Dem Krackers Dat,” spread quickly through South Florida and fell into the lap of Miami-based powerhouse Slip-N-Slide. Impressed by Plies‘ movement, the nationally distributed label made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Plies described his major label debut, “The Real Testament,” as “the most anticipated situation in the streets right now.”
But Plies is about more than just moneymaking and busting heads.
“I ain’t got real problems,” says Plies. “I’ve got the problems that come with being successful, but I ain’t got real problems. There’s some dude in the world that just got a life sentence today. That’s a real problem. I make reality music. I don’t make music that’s out of touch. There’s so much in the world that I can talk about that’ll help people through their struggles.” It’s this key philosophy that differentiates Plies from other rappers.
“I like to win in life, but to me, every dude who’s in the prison system has lost it,” explains Plies. “To me, that’s not impressive.”
“I’m always coming up with reality situations in my music,” says Plies. “I never run out of shit to talk about. As long as I’m in these streets, I’ll always have something to talk about.”
His discography includes 4 studio albums, one EP, 18 mixtapes, 25 singles (including 22 as featured artist) and 25 music videos.
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