Lil Zane

American rapper (born 1982)

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).

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.

In 1999, his first ever single, "Money Stretch", was included in the Next Friday soundtrack. 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. 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. 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.

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.

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.

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. On March 8, 2011, Zane released a promo single off his mixtape The Missing Link Volume 1 called "Must Be Nice". On April 28, 2011, a rumor circulated that Zane signed to Cash Money Records. Later, the statement was proven false. On June 7, 2011, Zane released a new single called "My Girl". 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 world star hip hop alone. 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). On September 18, 2013, Zane announced that the lead single off his upcoming album is called "Roof Gone". 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").

Zane acted in several movies and television shows, including Cuttin' da Mustard, The Parkers, One on One, A Day in the Life, Motives, The Fighting Temptations, Dr. Dolittle 2, and Finding Forrester .

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?

YearTitleRoleNotes2000Finding ForresterDamon credited as Zane Copeland Jr.2001Dr. Dolittle 2Eric2003The Fighting TemptationsDerekcredited as Zane Copeland Jr.2004MotivesM'Kaicredited as Zane Copeland Jr.2006The Sun Will RiseMalachi2007After AutumnDerrick Parks2008Skeletons in the DesertMarcus Jackson2008Cuttin Da MustardPatrick2009A Day in the LifeRed 2014The 4th QuarterAustin GravesTV movie2017Love by ChanceTravis2017When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story (TV Movie)DJ PierreTV movie2017Good StreetsRyan2019The BottomTrapWeb Series (2 episodes)2022GutterLil' Angry2022Boxed InVonPeacock original