Algernod Lanier Washington (born July 1, 1976), better known by his stage name Plies, is an American rapper.

His 2007 single, "Shawty" (featuring T-Pain), peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and served as his mainstream breakthrough.

It received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and preceded his debut studio album, The Real Testament (2007), which spawned the top 15 single "Hypnotized" (featuring Akon) and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.

His second album, Definition of Real (2008), matched its chart position and yielded his second top ten single, "Bust It Baby Pt.

His third and fourth albums, Da REAList (2008) and Goon Affiliated (2010), were both met with mixed critical reception; the latter served as his final major label release.

[2] After signing with the label in 2004, Plies released several mixtapes until his contract entered a distribution deal with Atlantic Records two years later.

[6] Plies made guest performances on DJ Khaled's "I'm So Hood", also featuring T-Pain, Trick Daddy and Rick Ross in 2007, which peaked at #19 on the Hot 100 and is included on Khaled second studio album We the Best, and Fat Joe's single "Ain't Sayin' Nothin'" from The Elephant in the Room in early 2008.

He continued to make guest appearances on Usher's "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)" (that version not making Usher's sixth studio album Raymond vs. Raymond), Gucci Mane's "Wasted", from The State vs. Radric Davis and Young Jeezy's "Lose My Mind", from Jeezy's fourth album Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition, all of which made the top 40 of the Hot 100.

On September 22, Plies released his first promotional single from the album titled "Just (The Tip)" featuring Jeremih and Ludacris.

[20] On September 3, Plies released the promotional single titled "Faithful" featuring singer/songwriter Rico Love.

[25][26][27] On February 11, 2015, Plies released the first single off of his upcoming fifth album Purple Heart titled "Find You" featuring appearances from K Camp and Lil Wayne.

On December 13 Plies released the single entitled "Racks Up to My Ear" featuring Young Dolph.

David Jeffries of AllMusic described Plies's debut album The Real Testament as tracks covering both gang life and love.

[3] In July 2008, hip hop website HipHopDX published an investigative report suggesting that Plies exaggerated his criminal background.

[40] Plies' girlfriend Brandy Lacole Lyons gave birth to a son at the University Community Hospital in Tampa, Florida on October 20, 2003.

[41] Between 2015 and 2016, Plies gained a notable following as an Instagram personality for his comedic approach to lifestyle advice and other topics.