Wayne, Bowwow and Romeo all started rapping as kids.
Wayne was 8 when he wrote his first song, and 15 when he first was recorded. His first solo album was at age 17.
Bowwow’s first album came out when he was 13. He dropped the “Lil” from his stage name in April 2002; he told MTV News: “I changed my name because I’m getting older now and it’s too many Lil’s.”
Romeo’s first album came out in 2001, when he was 12. He then dropped the “Lil” from his stage name for the same reasons basically that Bowwow dropped it. As a 5’ 11” basketball player, he was too big to be called “Lil” anything.
Ya’ll may have forgotten, but they aren’t the only ones to start with a diminutive in front of their name. At age 11, Little Stevie Wonder recorded his first album. He has long since dropped the “Little.” It is pretty common for very talented singing kids to be publicized as “Little” or “Lil” what’s-his-name. Then if they keep on singing they drop the “Little” because they aren’t any longer.
I have no idea why “Lil” Mama calls herself that. She was 18 when her big hit came out.