Most years, Summer Jam – the annual musical showcase that Seattle’s KUBE-FM (93.3) puts on – is the biggest regional hip-hop happening of the year. And it looks that way again for ’08 with the hottest rapper on the planet, Lil Wayne, headlining Sunday’s event at Auburn’s White River Amphitheatre. Here’s a breakdown of his career and who else is on board.

LIL WAYNE

AKA: Dwayne Carter, aka Weezy.

Representin’: New Orleans.

Hit résumé: “Go DJ,” “Lollipop,” Destiny Child’s “Soldier,” etc.

The skinny: Lil Wayne’s swagger and sing-song rhyme style have made him a hit since he was a member of Cash Money Records supergroup, the Hot Boys, in the ’90s. Waynemania reached a fever pitch between the release of his “Tha Carter II” album in 2005 and this year’s sequel, with the rapper making tons of cameos on other artists’ cuts and many dozens of his own being distributed free through underground mix tapes and online leaks.

“The mix tapes were obviously very concerning to us as a label,” Universal Motown president Sylvia Rhone told Rolling Stone. No need to worry, though, Sylvia. “Tha Carter III” went platinum in a week.

BOW WOW

AKA: Shad Gregory Moss.

Representin’: Columbus, Ohio.

Hit résumé: “Bow Wow (That’s My Name),” “Let Me Hold You,” “Fresh Azimiz.”

The skinny: Who knew Bow Wow’s 15 minutes of fame would last nearly a decade and counting? He debuted as cuddly kid rapper Lil Bow Wow in 2000, reminding many of Kris Kross as hits “Bounce with Me” and “Bow Wow (That’s My Name)” made the charts. He crossed over into Hollywood with roles in “Like Mike,” “Johnson Family Vacation,” “Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” and other flicks. And with edgier hits in recent years, he’s made the transition from kid star to grown rapper. Lil Wayne, Lil Jon and Lil Scrappy would have voted against dropping the “lil” from his name, though.

THE GAME

AKA: Jayceon Taylor.

Representin’: Los Angeles.

Hit résumé: “How We Do,” “Hate It or Love It,” “Westside Story.”

The skinny: You’ve heard the gangsta rapper’s hits. You know about the feud with 50 Cent. But did you know the Game was briefly a Coug?

Wait a minute. No, he wasn’t. According to the Washington State University athletic department, that rapper made up a widely circulated story about briefly playing basketball for WSU before being kicked out of school for drug activity. Hmmm. Wonder what other details from his bio might be fictional.

T-PAIN

AKA: Faheem Najm.

Representin’: Tallahassee, Fla.

Hit résumé: “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper),” Flo Rida’s “Low,” Kanye West’s “Good Life.”

The skinny: Digitally enhanced vocals that often recall Roger Troutman. Check. Lyrics about exotic dancers. Check. Hey, we must be talking about T-Pain, the hottest hook man for hire since – well, Akon a few months ago. Can we expect to hear something from his forthcoming “THR33 Ringz” album?

RAY J

AKA: William Ray Norwood Jr.

Representin’: McComb, Miss.

Hit résumé: “Wait a Minute,” “One Wish,” “Sexy Can I.”

The skinny: You knew he had the musical pedigree early on. His dad is gospel singer Willie Norwood, and his big sis is R&B crooner Brandy (with whom he appeared in her UPN show, “Moesha”). This year, Brandy’s bro is out in support of his new album, “All I Feel.”

Ernest A. Jasmin, The News Tribune

What: KUBE 93 Summer Jam, featuring Lil Wayne

When: 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: White River Amphitheatre, 40601 Auburn Enumclaw Road, Auburn

Tickets: $26.50 to $80

Information: Ticketmaster (253-627-8497 in Tacoma, 206-628-0888 in Seattle or www.ticketmaster.com)

On the net: www.kube93.com