Willie the Kid (rapper)

Willie Jackson (born September 25, 1985),[1] known professionally as Willie The Kid, is an American rapper, songwriter, film producer, entrepreneur and tech investor from Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Willie The Kid made his music debut as a founding member of The Aphilliates working closely with DJ Drama and Don Cannon. He is the younger brother of Wu-Tang Clan affiliate La the Darkman.[1]

Willie The Kid appeared on both of DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz: The Album and Gangsta Grillz: The Album (Vol. 2) as well as Lil Wayne's Dedication 2 and Dedication 3 mixtapes.[2] He released his debut album, Absolute Greatness, in September 2008 on Warner Brothers Records.[3] He is lauded for his collaborative EP Masterpiece Theatre produced by The Alchemist in 2013.[4]

Outside of his musical career, Willie The Kid is the co-executive producer of I, Too, Sing America: Langston Hughes Unfurled, the PBS American Masters documentary produced by Datari Turner and directed by Academy Award winner Kevin Willmott.[5] He also wrote, co-produced and starred in his own short film The Fly in 2015.[6]

Willie The Kid is a burgeoning investor and serial entrepreneur. His diverse business portfolio includes: co-founder of GRUSA, co-founder of Motu Viget Spirits Company and co-owner of Ambiance GR Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge alongside business partner Jonathan Jelks.[7] He is also a savvy investor with shareholding stakes in The Midwest Tech Project, the geolocation music app Radi8er and streetwear clothing brand Resistant By Nature.