T-Wayne

Texas rapper T Wayne foresaw his online breakthrough by issuing the 2011 mixtape Trending Topic. Born in Abilene, Texas, the MC was drawn into hip-hop after watching Eminem’s film 8 Mile, whose rap-battle sequences inspired him to begin performing showcases in Dallas while distributing demos, CDs, and mixtapes. Although he linked with Waka Flocka Flame’s Brick Squad imprint in 2013, the association never produced a contract, a development that ultimately suited an artist whose path centered on digital platforms. Uploading tracks to social media, T Wayne scored a 2015 hit with “Nasty Freestyle,” whose opening line prompted fans to pair the song with their own clips, generating more than six million views and securing a deal with 300 Entertainment. The label issued the track as a single later that year, sending it to number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Also in 2015, T Wayne revealed his given name by releasing the mixtape Who Is Ricky Wayne?