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.
