Lenard Larry McKelvey (born June 29, 1978), known as Charlamagne tha God, is an American radio host, television personality, and comedian. He co-hosts The Breakfast Club with DJ Envy, and they were inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2020.
Charlamagne also hosted Hell of a Week with Charlamagne tha God on Comedy Central. Previously, he was on The Wendy Williams Experience and founded the Black Effect Podcast Network. Known for his no-filter style, Rolling Stone dubbed him “hip-hop’s Howard Stern.”
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Charlamagne Tha God Net Worth
Charlamagne Tha God has a net worth of $10 million and earns $3 million annually from his current contract. Known for his provocative interview style, he has sparked several controversies and feuds.
Notably, Birdman walked out of The Breakfast Club within minutes, Lil’ Mama was harshly criticized, and Fredro Starr was consoled by Sticky Fingaz after a tense encounter. Other controversial moments involved Beanie Sigel, Lil’ Duval, and even Elizabeth Warren. His confrontational approach often leads to intense reactions from guests.
Early life
Born in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Charlamagne tha God (Lenard Larry McKelvey) is the son of Larry Thomas McKelvey and an English teacher. As a teenager, he was arrested twice for drug-related offenses. After a third arrest, his father initially refused bail, leading McKelvey to seek his mother’s help.
Following 41 days in jail, he attended night school and graduated from Berkeley High School. In 2001, he faced sexual assault accusations, which were later dropped, and he pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor, receiving probation.
Career
After his release from jail, Charlamagne tha God enrolled in night school, focusing on broadcasting, which led to an internship at a radio station. He worked alongside Wendy Williams, and during this time, he adopted his radio name inspired by King Charlemagne and his alias “Charles” from his past.
Known for his blunt interview style, Charlamagne quickly made a name for himself in the Hip-Hop community, which eventually led to friction with Williams. His growing confidence and boldness ultimately led to his departure from her show.
Personal life
Charlamagne Tha God is married to his high school sweetheart, Jessica Gadsden, a fitness coach and personal trainer. They have four daughters together.
Jessica played a crucial role in supporting Charlamagne financially during his early struggles in radio. In 2021, he shared that Jessica drove him to his first radio internship application because his license was suspended at the time.
Why is Charlemagne called the God?
The name “Charlamagne” is inspired by his drug dealer street name, “Charles,” and the historical figure Charlemagne (Charles the Great). He appended “Tha God” to his moniker simply because it “sounded cool.”
Conclusion
Charlamagne Tha God’s journey from Moncks Corner to being a radio royalty is nothing short of inspirational. With his blunt style, he has both enthralled and ruffled feathers. However, his dedication to his craft and ability to reinvent himself has cemented his place in the annals of radio and television history.
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FAQs about Charlamagne Tha God’s Net Worth
- Who is Charlamagne Tha God?
Charlamagne Tha God is an American radio host, television personality, and author. - How did Charlamagne start his career?
He began as an intern at Z93 Jamz in Charleston and later became the second mic to Wendy Williams. - What is Charlamagne’s net worth?
Charlamagne Tha God has a net worth of $10 million. - Why is he called Charlamagne Tha God?
The name is derived from his street name and the historical figure Charlemagne. “Tha God” was added because it sounded cool. - Is Charlamagne still on The Breakfast Club?
Yes, he continues to co-host the nationally syndicated radio show, The Breakfast Club.
