Lil Baby
Dominique Armani Jones,[1] (born December 3, 1994), known professionally as Lil Baby, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. He rose to mainstream fame in 2017 following the release of his mixtape Perfect Timing, becoming one of the most prominent figures in the trap music scene to date.[2][3]
Lil Baby | |
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Jones in November 2018 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Dominique Armani Jones |
Born | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | December 3, 1994
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2016–present |
Labels |
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Associated acts |
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Children | 2 |
Website | www |
Lil Baby's debut studio album Harder Than Ever (2018) was certified RIAA Platinum and included the song "Yes Indeed" with Drake, which peaked at six on the Billboard Hot 100. He went on to release two more mixtapes in 2018, Drip Harder and Street Gossip, the former containing his most popular song "Drip Too Hard", which peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, and the latter peaking at number two on the US Billboard 200. Lil Baby's second studio album, My Turn (2020), peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 and is certified two times platinum by the RIAA. The song "We Paid", from the album which features 42 Dugg, charted at number ten on the Hot 100. In June 2020, he released the single "The Bigger Picture", which peaked at number three on the Hot 100 and became the highest charting song of his career.
Throughout his career, Lil Baby has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and seven BET Awards. He has been crowned as the biggest all-genre 'Artist of the Year' at the Apple Music Awards 2020.
Early life
Dominique Jones was born in Atlanta, Georgia in the Oakland City neighborhood.[4] He was two years old when his father left the family, leaving his single mother to raise him and his two sisters. While he was not struggling academically, Jones would repeatedly get in trouble, resulting in him dropping out of Booker T. Washington High School in the ninth grade.
In early 2012, he was charged for possession with intent to sell among other charges. His original lawyer urged him to take a 2-year plea deal, but Jones refused, and acquired a new lawyer. This new lawyer placed Jones in a special program that would only hold him for a year.[5] While in this program, he got into an altercation with a white prisoner over racial comments. After, Jones' sentencing was replaced with the original 2-year deal. Later in 2013, he had a charge of possession of marijuana, less than an ounce. In 2014, he was arrested again and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell among other things. After being incarcerated for two years, he began his rap career with 4PF (4 Pockets Full) and Quality Control Music.[2][6]
Career
2015–2018: Career beginnings and Harder Than Ever
Shortly after his release from prison, Jones released his mixtape Perfect Timing, with features from Young Thug, Lil Yachty, and others. He released his second mixtape entitled Harder Than Hard on July 18, 2017. On October 9, 2017, Jones released a collaboration mixtape with close friend and fellow Atlanta rapper Marlo, 2 The Hard Way. This mixtape did not create as big an impact as the two former tapes, but still garnered some attention. Jones finally started to break through to the masses with his December 2017 mixtape Too Hard, led by his hit single "Freestyle", which was released as a music video on November 5 to promote the upcoming mixtape. Through the success of the single, Jones attracted much attention towards his mixtape. When the mixtape was finally released, it featured the single "All of a Sudden" with featuring rapper and friend Moneybagg Yo. This mixtape was defining for much of Jones' current career. In May 2018, Baby released his debut studio album, Harder Than Ever, which debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart.[7] The album was supported by the singles, "Southside" and "Yes Indeed" (with Drake), the latter peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. "Life Goes On" featuring Lil Uzi Vert and Gunna charted at 74 on the Billboard Hot 100.[8]
2018–2019: Drip Harder and Street Gossip
After Lil Baby released Harder Than Ever, he released his collaborative mixtape Drip Harder with labelmate and close friend, Gunna on October 5, 2018. The lead single, "Drip Too Hard" went on to become certified RIAA Platinum.[9] and MC Platinum,[10] peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. The mixtape was released under the labels Quality Control, YSL Records and Motown/Capitol. He has an upcoming song with Young Thug and Jahomiie an underrated artist from New York in 2022. that has been a teased for the past 3 years
In September 2018, Baby appeared on the Adult Swim television series FishCenter Live.[11][12] In November 2018, he released his mixtape Street Gossip.[13] and in December 2018, Baby collaborated with Yung Gravy on the latter's single, "Alley Oop".[14]
He starred in How High 2, the sequel to the 2001 stoner film How High, which premiered on April 20, 2019, on MTV.[15] On June 21, 2019, Baby and rapper Future released a single titled "Out the Mud".[16] On July 17, 2019, Lil Baby appeared alongside DaBaby on the single "Baby", released on Quality Control's second studio album, Control the Streets, Volume 2. The song peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100.[17] On November 8, 2019, Baby released his single "Woah" as the lead single for his second studio album My Turn.[18] The song peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. On November 9, 2019, Baby who was featured in YouTuber KSI's song "Down Like That" along with fellow rapper Rick Ross and British producer S-X, performed it for KSI's ringwalk at Staples Center for his fight against YouTuber Logan Paul. On November 15, 2019, Baby released a song from the film Queen & Slim, titled "Catch the Sun", which subsequently appeared on My Turn.
2020: My Turn and "The Bigger Picture"
On January 10, 2020, Lil Baby released the second single, "Sum 2 Prove", for his album, and it reached number 16 on the Hot 100. The album, My Turn, was released on February 28, 2020 and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200.[19] It features guest appearances from Gunna, 42 Dugg, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Wayne, Moneybagg Yo, Young Thug and Rylo Rodriguez. My Turn produced 12 songs that appeared the Billboard Hot 100 chart, giving him a career total of 47 songs on the chart, putting him at a tie with Prince and Paul McCartney.[20] Following the release of the album's deluxe version on May 1, My Turn returned to the top spot on the Billboard 200. On June 12, 2020, Lil Baby released the political song "The Bigger Picture", amid the George Floyd protests. The song also debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Lil Baby's highest-charting song.[21] His song "We Paid" featuring 42 Dugg from the My Turn deluxe also peaked in the top 10 of the Hot 100. In July 2020, Lil Baby was featured on Pop Smoke's "For the Night", from his posthumous debut album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon. The track reached number six on the Hot 100. In September 2020, My Turn became the first album of the year to be certified double platinum by the RIAA. "The Bigger Picture" received two nominations at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards: Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.[22]
Personal life
Sometime in 2016 Jones started dating Jayda Cheaves, and on February 18, 2019, they had a child together.[23] She appeared in the music video for his song "Close Friends".[24] He has two sons, one named Jason, the other named Loyal.[25] Jason is an aspiring rapper like his dad despite being a young child, his stage name is "Baby Jason". [26]
Controversies
Shooting in Birmingham
On March 8, 2020, Lil Baby's concert in Birmingham, Alabama, was halted by gunfire which caused Baby and much of the audience to flee. A video of the incident surfaced on Twitter.[27] Reportedly, one was taken to the hospital after the shooting.[28][29] According to a police officer, the victim's injuries were non life-threatening. No suspect was arrested.[30]
Discography
- Harder Than Ever (2018)
- My Turn (2020)
Awards and nominations
Award | Year[upper-alpha 1] | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
American Music Awards | 2020 | Himself | New Artist of the Year | Nominated | [31] |
"My Turn" | Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album | Nominated | |||
BET Awards | 2019 | Himself | Best New Artist | Won | [32] |
Himself & Gunna | Best Group | Nominated | |||
BET Hip Hop Awards | 2019 | "Drip Too Hard" (with Gunna) | Best Collab, Duo or Group | Nominated | [33] |
2020 | "The Bigger Picture" | Best Hip Hop Video | Nominated | [34] | |
Impact Track | Won | ||||
Himself | Hip-Hop Artist of the Year | Nominated | |||
"My Turn" | Hip-Hop Album of the Year | Nominated | |||
Grammy Awards | 2020 | "Drip Too Hard" (with Gunna) | Best Rap/Sung Performance | Nominated | [35] |
2021 | "The Bigger Picture" | Best Rap Performance | Pending | [22] | |
Best Rap Song | Pending | ||||
MTV Video Music Awards | 2020 | "The Bigger Picture" | Best Video with a Social Message | Nominated | [36] |
"We Paid" (Feat 42 Dugg) | Song of Summer | Nominated | |||
Notes
- Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
References
- "Lil Baby's Future in Hip-Hop Is Already Written". XXL. Archived from the original on 2019-10-04. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
- "Lil Baby "Harder Than Ever" Review". HotNewHipHop. May 23, 2018. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
- "Most recent Georgia Bookings". Georgia.arrests.org. June 16, 2018. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- Clark, Mitchell (September 7, 2018). "Weekly Columns:Lil Baby joins the newest wave of Atlanta-based hip-hop". The Daily Campus. Archived from the original on October 19, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
- "Lil Baby on Going to Prison at 18, Fighting a White Racist (Part 1)". YouTube. 2017-09-09. Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- "Most recent Georgia Bookings". Georgia.arrests.org. June 16, 2018. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- Caulfield, Keith (May 27, 2018). "BTS Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Love Yourself: Tear'". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 28, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
- "Lil Baby Earns First Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 With Drake Collab 'Yes Indeed'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2019-01-26. Retrieved 2019-01-25.
- "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Archived from the original on 2019-02-20. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
- "Drip Too Hard - Single by Lil Baby & Gunna". iTunes Store (US). Archived from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
- "Fishcenter Live - Lil Baby - Adult Swim". Adult Swim. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ""FishCenter" Lil Baby (TV Episode 2018) - IMDb". Internet Movie Database. IMDb.com, Inc. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- "Lil Baby Releases New Project 'Street Gossip'". CapitolRecords. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
- "Lil Baby Assists Yung Gravy On "Alley Oop"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on 2019-08-03. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
- Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (March 7, 2019). "'How High 2': Mike Epps To Reprise Baby Powder Role In MTV Sequel; Premiere Date Set". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
- Blistein, Jon (2019-06-21). "Hear Lil Baby, Future Pull Gold From Grit on New Song 'Out the Mud'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2019-12-16. Retrieved 2019-11-25.
- Saponara, Michael (July 17, 2019). "Lil Baby & DaBaby Connect for 'Baby': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- Saponara, Michael (November 8, 2019). "Lil Baby Wants to Inspire the Street Hustlers With 'Woah'". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- Caulfield, Keith (March 8, 2020). "Lil Baby Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'My Turn'". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 9, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- Coleman III, Vernon. "Lil Baby Ties Prince and Paul McCartney for Number of Billboard Hot 100 Hits". XXL. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- Trust, Gary (June 22, 2020). "6ix9ine & Nicki Minaj's 'Trollz' Launches at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, Lil Baby's 'The Bigger Picture' Debuts at No. 3". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- "2020 Grammy Nominations". Grammy.
- Centeno, Tony. "Lil Baby Welcomes New Son Into World". XXL. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- Lark, Denver (February 13, 2020). "Lil Baby Takes Paris For New "Close Friends" Video". KarenCivil.com. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- "PICS: Rapper Lil Baby & Jayda Celebrate Son Loyal's 1st Birthday | Sandra Rose". sandrarose.com. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- "Lil Baby's Baby Mama Disses Him After Their Son's Rap Debut". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- Hughes, Hilary (March 8, 2020). "Lil Baby's Birmingham Show Ended in Chaos After Shooting". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- Robinson, Carol (March 8, 2020). "Lil Baby rap concert shut down in Birmingham after shots fired; 1 taken to hospital". AL. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- D'Angelo, Bob (March 8, 2020). "1 hospitalized after shots fired at Lil Baby rap concert in Alabama". KIRO-TV. Archived from the original on March 9, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- Aswad, Jem (March 8, 2020). "One Person Shot After Gunfire Erupts at Lil Baby Concert in Alabama". Variety. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- Clemens, Danny (October 26, 2020). "AMA nominations 2020: Roddy Ricch, The Weeknd American Music Awards nominees with 8 nods each". ABC. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- Warner, Denose (June 23, 2019). "Here Are All the Winners From the 2019 BET Awards". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 10, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
- "Cardi B Leads 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards With 10 Nominations: Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 6, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- "Here Are the Nominees for the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards". Complex.
- "2019 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Winners List". Grammy.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-26. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
- HOSKEN, PATRICK (August 30, 2020). "2020 MTV VMA WINNERS: SEE THE FULL LIST". MTV. Retrieved October 27, 2020.