Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson, known professionally as Tory Lanez, was born on July 27, 1992, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. His father is from Barbados, and his mother was from Curaçao. Following his mother's death when he was eleven, his father became an ordained minister and missionary, leading to the family moving frequently throughout the United States. After a period of being on his own from the age of 15, Lanez began to focus on his music career. He released his debut mixtape, T.L 2 T.O, in 2009.
Musical Career
Lanez initially gained recognition through a series of mixtapes. A significant release was Conflicts of My Soul: The 416 Story in 2013. In 2015, he signed with producer Benny Blanco's Mad Love Records and Interscope Records. His debut studio album, I Told You, was released in 2016 and featured the successful singles "Say It" and "Luv," which both charted on the Billboard Hot 100. "Say It" peaked at number 23, and "Luv" reached number 19.
He continued to release a prolific amount of music, including several albums and his popular Chixtape series. His albums Memories Don't Die (2018) and Love Me Now? (2018) achieved commercial success. In 2019, he released Chixtape 5, which debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200. His first project as an independent artist, Daystar, was released in 2020. His subsequent albums include Alone at Prom (2021) and Sorry 4 What (2022).
Musical Style
Tory Lanez is known for his versatile musical style that blends R&B, hip-hop, and pop. His music often incorporates elements of dancehall and trap, and he is recognized for his ability to switch between rapping and singing. He is also known for his use of Auto-Tune and vocal manipulation.
Legal Issues and Conviction
In July 2020, following a party, Lanez was involved in an incident where fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion was shot in the feet. In October 2020, Lanez was charged with felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, personal use of a firearm, and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. He pleaded not guilty.
In December 2022, a jury convicted Lanez on all three felony charges. On August 8, 2023, he was sentenced to 10 years in state prison. As of early 2025, Lanez is incarcerated at the California Men's Colony. He continues to maintain his innocence.