Algernod Lanier Washington (born July 1, 1976), better known by his stage name Plies, is an American rapper and founder of Big
Gates Records. Born in Fort Myers, Florida, Washington was a wide receiver on the football team of Miami University in Ohio in
1996 and 1997 before he became a rapper. After dropping out of college, he founded Big Gates with his stepbrother. Signed to
Slip-n-Slide Records, from 2007 to 2008 he released three albums. Plies debuted in 2007 with The Real Testament with
successful singles "Shawty" and "Hypnotized". Plies also released two albums in 2008, "Definition of Real" and "Da REAList", and
later released Goon Affiliated in 2010.