Tory Lanez is a popular Canadian rapper and singer best known for his mixtape Lost Cause. Born in Toronto, Canada, his family moved to Montreal before settling in Florida. From a young age, Tory loved rap music. His mother’s death had a significant impact on him. As a teenager, he faced behavioral issues and was sent back to Toronto to live with his grandmother. At 15, he began living independently.
Tory released his debut mixtape, T.L 2 T.O, in 2009 on YouTube. He also started directing his own music videos. By 2014, he was already famous. His mixtape Lost Cause became a huge hit. Two singles from the album, Say It and Luv, were particularly successful. Following this success, Tory signed with Mad Love Records and Interscope Records. He then released two studio albums, I Told You in 2016 and Memories Don’t Die in 2018.
Childhood & Early Life
Tory Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on July 27, 1992. His parents were Sonstar Peterson and Luella. The family was ardently Christian. He was one of four children. After his birth, the family lived in Montreal for a while and then moved to Florida.
In Florida, Tory became fascinated with the thriving rap music scene. He started rapping as a kid and continued through his early childhood. However, his mother passed away from a rare disease when he was 11. This tragedy deeply affected him. His father then became a preacher and missionary, which took them to various places across the U.S. They eventually settled in Georgia, where Tory continued rapping. He met a man named Hakeem, who suggested the stage name “Tory Lanez.”
Tory never fully recovered from his mother’s death. His father’s remarriage brought more emotional troubles. In 2006, he moved to New York, but his condition did not improve. He was later sent back to Toronto to live with his grandmother, who did not take him in. At 15, Tory was homeless and started living with three strangers. He dropped out of school in the tenth grade to pursue music full-time. At 16, he started rapping at outdoor music concerts. Although never formally trained, he had a natural flair for music. Tory then returned to the U.S. and settled in Florida. Lets explore Tory Lanez Siblings: How Many Siblings Does Tory Lanez Have?
Career
In 2009, Tory released his debut mixtape, T.L 2 T.O, on YouTube, showcasing his rapping skills. He also began directing his own music videos. Sean Kingston, a prominent figure in the Florida rap scene, heard Tory rapping to Beamer, Benz, or Bentley by Lloyd Banks and decided to offer him a deal. Tory and Sean met at a Justin Bieber concert, where Sean allowed Tory to perform live. The audience loved it, boosting Tory’s confidence.
In 2010, Tory released four mixtapes: Just Landed, One Verse One Hearse, Playing for Keeps, and Mr. 1 Verse Killah. Sean Kingston then offered him a deal with his label Time is Money Entertainment (TME). With TME, Tory released more mixtapes like Mr. Peterson, Chixtape, and Swavey.
Tory eventually decided to work independently and left the label. He released several more mixtapes in the following years. In 2014, he revealed his Teyana Taylor fanboy persona with the song Teyana, which she responded to with Dreams of Fuckin’ an R & B Bitch. He also started a series called Fargo Fridays, releasing new singles every Friday. Notable singles from this series include I’ll Be There, Talk on Road, and The Godfather.
In 2014, Tory announced a promotional tour for his mixtape Lost Cause, releasing the single The Mission in August. The mixtape, released in October, was a smashing success. The single Luv reached the 19th spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and Say It peaked at the 23rd spot.
In April 2016, Tory announced The Level Up Tour and performed at the Pemberton Music Festival. His success led him to refuse to be featured on the cover of XXL magazine, claiming to be one of the biggest rappers in the industry.
Leading up to his debut album I Told You, Tory continued releasing mixtapes. The album, released in August 2016, debuted at the fourth spot on the US Billboard Hot 200 chart. It received positive reviews and sold 52,000 copies in its first week.
In March 2018, Tory released his second album Memories Don’t Die. The album featured guest appearances from established rappers like Wiz Khalifa and 50 Cent. It debuted at the third spot on the US Billboard 200 chart but received mixed reviews due to its lack of originality.
Personal Life
Tory dated rapper Trina from 2014 to 2015. Known for his eccentric behavior, he had a conflict with security personnel during a March 2018 concert in Texas. He asked his fans to “fuck shit up,” leading to a riot. The organizers almost filed a lawsuit against him.
In an interview, Tory claimed to have ghost-written songs for several rappers, including Akon, TI, and Travis Scott. He has a complicated relationship with fellow Canadian rapper Drake. In 2010, he stated he would pay Drake $10,000 if he didn’t like his songs. Drake didn’t respond until 2016 when he took a dig at Tory in a song. The feud continued with more songs from both sides. Lets read: Who is Tory Lanez wife, Raina Chassagne?
