Tory Lanez, born Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson on July 27, 1992, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, is a name known as much for his chart-topping hits as for his controversial legal troubles. As of 2025, Lanez is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for his conviction in the 2020 shooting of fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion, and his net worth is estimated at $2 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Once a rising hip-hop star with the world at his feet, Lanez’s story is now one of talent, turbulence, and tarnished fame.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Tory Lanez endured a difficult childhood. After losing his mother at the age of 11, he bounced between cities like Montreal, Miami, and Atlanta, eventually settling with distant relatives. His father, a traveling missionary, moved frequently, which contributed to Lanez’s unsettled upbringing. Forced to fend for himself from a young age, he began rapping during his teenage years, eventually adopting the stage name “Tory Lanez.”
In 2009, he released his first mixtape, T.L 2 T.O, and his big break came in 2010 when Sean Kingston discovered a freestyle video of him online. The two connected, and Lanez later signed with Kingston’s Time Is Money Entertainment in 2011.
Music Career Highlights
Tory Lanez made his studio album debut in 2016 with I Told You, which included his breakout single “Say It”, peaking at #5 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart and #23 on the Hot 100. That debut album hit #1 on Billboard’s Top Rap Albums and #4 on the Billboard 200, setting the stage for a string of successful releases.
Between 2016 and 2020, Lanez released five major studio projects:
- I Told You (2016)
- Memories Don’t Die (2018)
- Love Me Now? (2018)
- Chixtape 5 (2019)
- Daystar (2020)
His music showcased versatility across genres—from R&B and hip-hop to funk-inspired melodies. Lanez has collaborated with numerous industry names including Meek Mill, Yo Gotti, YG, Soulja Boy, Ty Dolla $ign, Sean Kingston, and Nicki Minaj.
He also established his own independent label, One Umbrella, which began as a clothing brand (Forever Umbrella) before evolving into a full-blown music and talent management company.
Legal Troubles and Conviction
Despite his growing fame, Lanez’s legal battles have overshadowed his music. In July 2020, after a party at Kylie Jenner’s residence, Tory was involved in a violent altercation that led to Megan Thee Stallion being shot in the feet. According to court reports, Lanez yelled “dance, b*tch!” before firing shots as Megan attempted to leave the vehicle.
In December 2022, Lanez was convicted on three felony counts:
- Assault with a semiautomatic firearm
- Possession of a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle
- Discharging a firearm with gross negligence
By August 2023, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. In January 2025, Megan was granted a five-year restraining order against him, citing continued harassment.
Life in Prison and Ongoing Music Projects
Even behind bars, Lanez remains active in music. On May 9, 2025, he posted a photo from within California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, where he’s currently serving time. The post included an announcement for his upcoming 2025 summer album, titled Sl*tty Bass—a genre he describes as a mix of Alone at Prom, Miami bass, Alvin and the Monk$, and sl*tty dark R&B vibes.
However, Lanez’s prison stint has not been without danger. On May 12, 2025, he was reportedly stabbed multiple times in the face while in the prison yard. Though the motive remains unknown, the injuries were described as non-life-threatening, and he was transported to a hospital in Bakersfield, California, for treatment.
Earnings and Current Net Worth
As of December 2024, Tory Lanez’s net worth stood at $2 million, a sharp contrast to what he could have amassed without his legal entanglements. The bulk of his fortune stems from:
- Streaming royalties
- YouTube ad revenue (estimated at $33,000–$38,000 per month in early 2025, according to YouTubers.me)
- Album sales
- Songwriting and production credits
However, substantial losses came in the form of:
- Legal fees
- Loss of touring income
- Brand deals terminated after his conviction
Lanez’s once-promising career trajectory has been significantly hindered by his incarceration, leaving his future in music uncertain.
Family and Personal Life
Lanez keeps his personal life relatively private. He has a son named Kai, born in April 2017, and often mentions the influence fatherhood has had on his outlook. The artist once adopted the alias Argentina Fargo, claiming he was “foreign money”—a reference to his unique style and sound.
Despite his fame, Lanez’s controversial behavior and attitude toward critics have created friction with several artists, including Drake, Jacquees, and Joyner Lucas.
Final Thoughts
Tory Lanez’s journey is a cautionary tale of immense talent tangled with troubling choices. Once hailed as a multi-genre star with a promising future, his current reality is far removed from the stage lights and red carpets. With a net worth of $2 million in 2025, he remains active musically despite being incarcerated, but it’s clear that his legal battles and imprisonment have drastically altered the arc of his career.
Whether he will stage a meaningful comeback upon release remains to be seen. For now, Tory Lanez is an artist whose past brilliance is overshadowed by real-world consequences—and whose legacy hangs in the balance.
