YG (rapper)
YG | |
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YG in February 2015 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson |
Born |
[1] Compton, California, United States | March 9, 1990
Genres | West coast hip hop |
Occupation(s) |
|
Years active | 2009–present |
Labels |
|
Associated acts |
Keenon Daequan Ray Jackson[2] (born March 9, 1990), better known by his stage name YG, is an American hip hop recording artist from Compton, California. In 2009, he released his debut single, "Toot It and Boot It" featuring Ty Dolla Sign, which peaked at number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] The single's success resulted in him signing to Def Jam Recordings.[4] In the following years, YG released mixtapes such as The Real 4Fingaz and Just Re'd Up 2, among others.
In June 2013, YG signed a deal to Young Jeezy's imprint CTE World. His 2013's single, "My Nigga" featuring Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan, it has peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the highest charting song of his career. He then released the singles "Left, Right" and "Who Do You Love?" featuring Drake, leading up to the release of his debut studio album. His debut album, My Krazy Life, was released on March 18, 2014 by Pu$haz Ink, CTE World and Def Jam, and received critical acclaim and he released his second studio album Still Brazy on June 17, 2016 to critical acclaim.
Career
2012–14: Signing with CTE World and My Krazy Life
In 2012, he announced his debut album, then titled I'm 4rm Bompton, would be exclusively produced by rapper Syla$. Later in June 2013, he revealed that Jeezy's record label CTE World would release the album.[5] He was then featured on Yo Gotti's "Act Right" also featuring Jeezy. It would peak at number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100.[6] He was then prominently featured on the CTE World mixtape, Boss Yo Life Up Gang in August 2013.[7]
On September 4, 2013, YG revealed that his debut album would be released on November 19, 2013 via Def Jam Recordings and that he has changed the album title to My Krazy Life. He also revealed that Drake would be featured on a song titled "Who Do You Love?", produced by DJ Mustard. Shortly thereafter he released the album's lead single "My Nigga" featuring Rich Homie Quan and Jeezy, also produced by DJ Mustard.[8] The song has since peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[9] On December 10, 2013, YG released the DJ Mustard-produced "Left, Right" as the album's second single.[10] The following day, Def Jam announced that My Krazy Life would be released on March 18, 2014[11] and that "Who Do You Love?" featuring Drake would be the album's next single.[12] On February 18, 2014, YG revealed the cover artwork for his debut album My Krazy Life. The artwork features YG posing for a mugshot, with his name and album title detailed in the placard around his neck.[13] It was released on March 18, 2014.
2016: Still Brazy
On June 24, 2015, in an interview with Billboard, YG revealed that his second studio album would be called Still Krazy and it would be released in 2016.[14] On July 15, 2015, YG teased the first single for the album, "Twist My Fingaz" on Instagram.[15] The same day, YG released the single, "Cash Money" featuring Krayzie Bone.[16] The full version of "Twist My Fingaz" was released July 17, 2015.[17] On December 12, 2015, he released the second single, titled "I Want a Benz" featuring rappers Nipsey Hussle and 50 Cent.[18]
Still Brazy was released on June 17, 2016. The third single "Why You Always Hatin?" premiered on OVO Sound Radio on May 21, 2016 featuring rappers Drake and Kamaiyah.[19] On November 25, 2016, he released the "Black Friday" inspired Red Friday, released digitally; it had 8 tracks.[20]
4Hunnid Records
4Hunnid Records | |
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Founded | 2016 |
Founder |
Brandon Moore (President) Keenon "YG" Jackson (CEO) |
Status | Active |
Distributor(s) | Interscope Records |
Genre | Hip hop |
Country of origin | United States |
Location | Los Angeles, California |
Official website |
4hunnid |
YG originally came up with the idea for a label (originally titled Pu$haz Ink), he later attempted to co-found the record label with DJ Mustard and Ty Dolla $ign.[21] Originally the "label" was used as a promotional tool and a brand for YG and DJ Mustard's group of rap collaborators they had grown up with. But as they moved forward in laying the groundwork for the label and its roster, plans for the label were scrapped when their meeting with Capitol Records went south and the three artists decided to go their separate ways.[22]
There were rumors throughout 2016 that YG would be launching a new label under the name 4Hunnid Records. They originally begun when YG released a fashion line prominently featuring the 4Hunnid logo. This was confirmed to be true on August 17, 2016 when Billboard magazine reported that YG signed a distribution deal for the label under the 4Hunnid name with Interscope Records.[22]
Personal life
[23][24] On January 25, 2012, shots were fired during the filming of YG's music video "I'm a Thug". The police shut down and closed the set.[24]
On June 12, 2015, YG was shot one time that created three separate wounds in the hip at a recording studio in Studio City, California.[25] Authorities said that YG was "very uncooperative" when asked about the incident. His manager later revealed that his injuries were not life-threatening and said he was "fine" and recovering.[26] He returned to the studio the next day.[27]
Discography
- My Krazy Life (2014)
- Blame It On the Streets (2014)
- Still Brazy (2016)
Filmography
Films
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | We the Party | C.C. | Support role |
Mac & Devin Go to High School | Student/Smoker | Cameo | |
White T | YG | Performer | |
2014 | Blame It On the Streets | YG | Main role; also executive producer and writer |
Awards and nominations
BET Awards
Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2014[28] | "My Hitta" | Best Collaboration | Nominated |
BET Hip Hop Awards
Year | Nominee/work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2014[29] | "My Hitta" | Best Collabo, Duo or Group | Won |
Track of the Year | |||
Himself | Rookie of the Year | Nominated | |
"My Hitta" | Best Club Banger | ||
"My Hitta" (Remix) | People's Champ Award | ||
References
- ↑ Jason Lymangrover (1990-03-09). "YG | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-06-18.
- ↑ Rapper YG talks about his 'Krazy Life'. LA Times (March 18, 2014). Retrieved on 2016-04-24.
- ↑ Wilkening, Matthew (June 22, 2010). "YG, 'Toot It and Boot It' – New Song". AOL Radio Blog. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
- ↑ "Def Jam again sets its sights on Los Angeles: Compton's YG signs to the major - latimes.com". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. October 14, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
- ↑ "YG Young Jeezy CTE". Complex. June 18, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Yo Gotti". Billboard.com. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ↑ "New Music: Young Jeezy, YG, & Doughboyz Cashout – 'Boss Yo Life Up Gang' [Mixtape]". Rap-Up. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ↑ 9 April 2013 15:33:25 (September 4, 2013). "YG's Debut Gets A Name Change, Release Date And A Drake Feature – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
- ↑ "YG – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ↑ Em (December 11, 2013). "YG – 'Left, Right' (Feat. DJ Mustard) (Official Version)". HipHop-N-More. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ↑ Amaya (December 11, 2013). "YG's Debut Album "My Krazy Life" Set For A March 18th Release Date Def Jam". Defjam.com. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ↑ Tardio, Andres (December 11, 2013). "YG "My Krazy Life" Release Date | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ↑ Tardio, Andres (February 20, 2014). "YG "My Krazy Life" Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
- ↑ "YG Speaks Out for First Time Since Being Shot: 'I'm Hard to Kill' (Exclusive)". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ↑ "YG Previews "Twist My Fingaz" Single Dropping Tomorrow". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ↑ "YG – Cash Money Feat. Krayzie Bone | Stream [New Song]". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ↑ "YG – Twist My Fingaz (Prod. By Terrace Martin) | Stream [New Song]". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ↑ "YG – I Wanna Benz Feat. Nipsey Hussle & 50 Cent (Prod. By London On Da Track) | Stream [New Song]". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
- ↑ Smith, Danny (May 13, 2016). "YG set to premiere single". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
- ↑ Lilah, Rose (22 November 2016). "YG Red Friday released on November 25". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ Balfour, Jay (March 9, 2014). "YG Details Work With DJ Mustard On Snoop Dogg's GGN | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
- 1 2 http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7468479/yg-4hunnid-records-interscope-multi-million-dollar-joint-venture
- ↑ "10 Things You Should Know About YG's Debut Album, 'My Krazy Life'". TheSource. February 20, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
- 1 2 "Rapper YG Talks Snoop Dogg Collaboration, Upcoming Movie & More". Billboard. January 26, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
- ↑ "YG Shot In Los Angeles". BallerStatus.com. June 12, 2015.
- ↑ Rapper YG ‘Fine’ After Being Shot 3 Times, Manager Says. KTLA (June 12, 2015). Retrieved on 2016-04-24.
- ↑ "5 Influential Rappers That Broke The Mental Health Stigma". The Huffington Post. 2016-07-27.
- ↑ "Beyonce & Jay Z Lead 2014 BET Awards". Billboard. January 26, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ↑ Nostro, Lauren. "Here Are the 2014 BET Hip-Hop Award Nominees". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved September 5, 2014.