Vernell was born in Waco, Texas, but moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana at an early age.[citation needed][when?] He began rapping as a teenager, and was signed to Trill Entertainment in 2007 when he was just 15 years old; he joined the trio rap group "3 Deep" with two other Trill Entertainment artists Mouse & Shell. The same year, he featured as a guest artist on fellow rapper Webbie's single "Independent". In 2010, the rappers once again collaborated on the album Trill 4 Life In 2011, there was a shooting at one of his concerts, after which one of his associates was arrested for second-degree murder.