Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson, known professionally as Tory Lanez, is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer who rose to prominence with his versatile musical style that blends hip-hop, R&B, and pop. First discovered by Sean Kingston, he gained initial recognition for his 2013 mixtape, Conflicts of My Soul: The 416 Story. His debut studio album, I Told You (2016), featured the hit singles “Say It” and “Luv,” which brought him mainstream success. Over the years, he has released several successful albums and mixtapes, establishing himself as a significant figure in the music industry. However, his career has been overshadowed by legal issues, culminating in a 2023 prison sentence.
Tory Lanez Overview
| Name | Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson |
| Date of Birth | July 27, 1992 |
| Age | 32 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Brampton, Ontario, Canada |
| Family | Sonstar Peterson (father), Luella Peterson (mother, deceased) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Profession | Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer |
| Net Worth | Estimated $2 million (as of 2025) |
Early Life and Education of Tory Lanez
Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson was born on July 27, 1992, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, to a Bajan father, Sonstar, and a mother from Curaçao, Luella. His family was based in Montreal before moving to Miami, Florida. Lanez is the youngest of six siblings. At the age of eleven, his mother died of anemia. Following her death, his father became an ordained minister and missionary, which led to the family moving frequently throughout the United States. His father later remarried.
Due to behavioral issues, Lanez was sent to live with cousins in Queens, New York, in 2006. He was later sent to live with his grandmother in Toronto, but she refused to take care of him, leaving him on his own at the age of 15. He has spoken about this difficult period, stating, “I ended up moving downtown with these three dudes that I didn’t really know…From like fifteen to eighteen, I was just fighting them. It was every man for himself.” He dropped out of high school in the tenth grade to focus on his music career.
Tory Lanez’s Career
Career Beginnings
Lanez began his music career in 2009, releasing his debut mixtape T.L 2 T.O. He started directing his own music videos and posting them on YouTube, which caught the attention of Sean Kingston. In 2010, Kingston contacted Lanez and invited him to perform on tour with Justin Bieber. Lanez signed with Kingston’s Time is Money Entertainment in 2011 and released several mixtapes, including Mr. Peterson, Chixtape, and Swavey. He left the label to become an independent artist and continued to release mixtapes such as Sincerely Tory (2012), Conflicts of My Soul: The 416 Story (2013), and Chixtape II (2014).
Rise to Fame
In 2015, Lanez signed with producer Benny Blanco‘s Mad Love Records, an imprint of Interscope Records. His debut single, “Say It,” a modern take on Brownstone’s “If You Love Me,” was released in July 2015 and became a commercial success, peaking at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100. His debut studio album, I Told You, was released in 2016 and featured the hit single “Luv,” which also charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
He followed up with two albums in 2018, Memories Don’t Die and Love Me Now?. His fourth album, Chixtape 5 (2019), peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200. In 2020, he departed from Interscope Records and released his fifth album, Daystar, independently.
Independent Career and Recent Work
As an independent artist, Lanez has continued to release music, including the 1980s-inspired album Alone at Prom (2021) and Sorry 4 What (2022). During the COVID-19 pandemic, he gained significant attention for his “Quarantine Radio” series on Instagram Live, which featured celebrity guests and attracted a large viewership. In 2021, he made headlines for releasing his album When It’s Dark as an NFT, earning a reported $1 million in under a minute. Even while incarcerated, music has been released under his name, including a deluxe version of Alone at Prom and tracks from ‘Lost Tapes’ and ‘Prison Tapes’.
Tory Lanez Personal Life & Family
Tory Lanez is the son of Sonstar and Luella Peterson. His mother passed away when he was eleven. He has a son named Kai, born in 2016, and a daughter named Kylani, born in 2019. The identities of their mothers have not been publicly disclosed. He was reportedly married to Raina Chassagne in June 2023, but they separated a year later. Lanez has been romantically linked to several women in the entertainment industry, including rapper Trina.
Awards and Achievements of Tory Lanez
Tory Lanez has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. Some of his notable accolades include:
- Juno Awards: Rap Recording of the Year (2017)
- Grammy Awards: Nominated for Best R&B Song for “Luv” (2017)
- BET Awards: Nominated for Best New Artist (2016)
- BET Hip Hop Awards: Nominated for Best International Flow (2019)
Tory Lanez Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Tory Lanez’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. This is a significant decrease from previous years, largely due to legal fees and a loss of income from performances and endorsements. His income sources have included music sales, streaming royalties, songwriting credits, touring, and his independent record label, One Umbrella.
Legacy and Influence
Tory Lanez is known for his unique musical style, which he has described as “Swavey”—a fusion of different genres. He has been praised for his versatility, seamlessly switching between rapping and singing. He founded his own independent label, One Umbrella, to champion artistic freedom and control. Despite his musical accomplishments, his public image has been significantly impacted by his legal troubles.
Interesting Facts about Tory Lanez
- His stage name, “Tory Lanez,” was reportedly given to him by a friend named Hakeem for his thrill-seeking tendencies.
- He is a fan of the Notorious B.I.G. and initially went by the nickname “Notorious.”
- Lanez is also a music video director and has directed several of his own videos.
- He is known for his high-energy live performances.
Controversies
Megan Thee Stallion Shooting
In July 2020, Tory Lanez was involved in an incident where fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion was shot in the feet. In December 2022, Lanez was convicted on three felony charges related to the shooting: assault with a semiautomatic handgun, carrying a loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and gross negligence in discharging his firearm. On August 8, 2023, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. As of 2025, he is incarcerated at the California Correctional Institution. Lanez and his legal team have continued to maintain his innocence and have released what they claim is new evidence.
Other Feuds and Incidents
Throughout his career, Lanez has been involved in public feuds with other artists, including Drake, Joyner Lucas, and August Alsina. In 2016, he was accused of inciting a riot at a concert in Texas. He was also investigated for an alleged assault on August Alsina in 2022.
Social Media Presence
Tory Lanez has a significant social media presence. As of mid-2025, he has approximately 11.5 million followers on Instagram. His Instagram Live series, “Quarantine Radio,” was immensely popular during the COVID-19 lockdown, at one point setting a record for the platform with 360,000 live viewers.
Final Words about Tory Lanez
Tory Lanez’s career is a story of talent and turmoil. His musical versatility and entrepreneurial spirit propelled him to the heights of the music industry. However, his legacy will be inextricably linked to his 2023 conviction and prison sentence. Despite his incarceration, his music continues to be released, and he maintains a dedicated fanbase. His future in the music industry remains uncertain, pending the outcome of his legal appeals.
