J-Kwon

With the release of his timeless 2004 club classic “Tipsy,” St. Louis rapper J-Kwon rose to international stardom before he was even old enough to drink. • At 12, Kwon was expelled from school and kicked out of his house. The homeless preteen slept at friends’ houses and in his uncle’s car. • While homeless, Kwon began battle rapping and spent his nights penning lyrics to the glow of a lighter. • In 2003, Kwon auditioned for L.A. Reid and Jermaine Dupri. He mooned the former and insulted the latter’s height—and in doing so, he earned himself a deal with So So Def Recordings. • Kwon released his debut album, Hood Hop, in 2004. The single “Tipsy” went platinum and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. • In 2005, Kwon featured on Bow Wow’s “Fresh Azimiz,” off his platinum-certified Wanted. The single gave Kwon his second Top 40 pop hit.