DaBaby’s hit “Suge” has passed one billion streams and was included on RapTV’s list of the Top 10 Best Rap songs of 2019. Billboard has awarded him with two of the top three songs of the summer for 2020. Even still, DaBaby is a fresh face in the rap game, read on to discover 8 facts you didn’t know.
1. The artist formerly known as Baby Jesus
If you thought DaBaby was a bizarre stage name, it was even weirder when he started out performing under the name Baby Jesus. In the intro track on his “God’s Work: Resurrected” mixtape, he says he “Just switched out my name for political reasons.” It’s important to have a positive self image but this was probably a wise decision, which shouldn’t be surprising given that…
2. He’s into marketing
DaBaby isn’t interested in taking his success for granted. He makes decisions in the name of his brand and is all about maintaining focus. When talking about influences, he seems to place staying power on an equal footing with talent.
In an interview with “The Guardian”, DaBaby shared how he studied artists like Future, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West, who he says “came up and consistently progressed” he continued, “I’ve studied all the genius marketers throughout the rap game.” Kanye might seem like he doesn’t have it all together but check out his net worth.
DaBaby knows what he’s about. Though he admits he never studied marketing in school, he says, “I’ve just always been a hustler.” DaBaby attended the University of North Carolina for two years before dropping out. He says he never “even had a major decided at college. I only went to school for my parents.” He is proof you don’t have to be formally educated to turn your passion into a profit. We already mentioned that other extremely wealthy drop out.
3. He’s not quarantining
For someone who seems rather intelligent, this is a pretty questionable move. So many other rappers and celebrities are using this opportunity to step away from work and see how they can make a difference.
Toward the end of March, DaBaby was allegedly still out there making music videos while many of us were doing our best to socially distance and stay healthy. Not wanting to lose your momentum is understandable but this is shady when so many tours, events, and life in general just got canceled.
The video he posted on his Instagram while on set has since been removed. A few weeks later he went live with his childhood crush Raven Symone with about as much social distancing as his hit “Rockstar” had from the radio this summer. I guess even celebrities get starstruck sometimes.
A few months later in July, reality struck and he had more to say about Covid-19. He estimates the revenue he lost due to the pandemic falls in the millions. DaBaby had plenty of positivity to share and mentions enjoying some family time. After putting in so much work this past year, he’s treating it as a pleasant surprise.
He expects work will completely take over his life again when the pandemic ends. DaBaby shows a touch of uncharacteristic naivety when he exclaims, “We survived the pandemic.” “We’re pandemic proof.” Perhaps he is attempting to remind fans to hope for the best, especially when faced with such an uncertain future.
4. He’s ready to get weird with it.
Some would argue that he already has. In 2017 he showed up to SXSW in a diaper just repeating his name “DaBaby, DaBaby,…” In an interview with Rolling Stone, he acknowledged that the world wasn’t ready for his idea of who DaBaby was or would become so he scaled it back, at first. DaBaby muses, “Some of the ideas and the concepts, I come with early on, they would’ve been too much for the viewers.”
He seems eager to show some more of his authentic and unique sense of humor to the world. He explains, “I like to have fun with my videos and performances, that’s the most fun part when it comes to the music. I get to show off my character.”
Achieving rapid success and producing three major projects within a year has refreshed his confidence. “I like pushing the envelope and being creative. I’m a high-level performer. It’s about, how I can take it to another level? I try not to be complacent in my music or with my performances. I gotta keep it fresh and rock out,” he said. Yeah, he’s ready.
5. He’s sick of Trump’s tactics.
By now most of us have experienced the onslaught of political text messages insisting we vote, donate and sell our soul. Well, DaBaby was having none of it. After receiving a robo message from Trump’s campaign, DaBaby eloquently replied “FUCK YALL” and was removed from the list in short order. He only said what we were all thinking.
6. He pulled an IRL “Pretty Woman”
I think most of us have fantasized about that moment. Telling some snob they “made a big mistake, huge.” Showing off all of our wealth that they would have benefited from if only they had been decent. Well, DaBaby, who is worth around $3 million for the record, was unfortunately accused of fraud by a know-nothing store owner.
In a series of Instagram stories, DaBaby shares the story of what happened when he accidentally gave a store owner the wrong zip code.
While attempting to make a purchase over the phone, he made a mistake. It happens to the best of us, right? We forget or get distracted, or for some reason give a zip code we haven’t actually occupied in 10 years. Who can say why mistakes happen? Who even cares?
Instead of giving DaBaby the chance to provide the correct information, you know, like a normal person, the hyper-vigilant owner offers this absolute turd nugget of advice, “If you’re gonna steal people’s cards and steal people’s information, go buy shoes or something that you can resell and get money off of.
At least make money. Don’t call and try to get a thousand dollars worth of stuff. Like seriously, what are you gonna do with this? What are you doing? I would be embarrassed in myself if I was you.”
Embarrassed, seriously? Embarrassment is what that man’s family feels every time someone has to wait on him while he fumbles to add a contact to the “smartphone” he’s had for five years.
DaBaby may be his name but he showed some real maturity by simply replying “ok, sir” before wishing him the “best of luck with his business.” Killing them with kindness seemed to be enough for DaBaby. I don’t think anyone would have blamed him if he had taken the opportunity to throw a little shade back.
7. He doesn’t do beef
No, he’s not a vegan, like rappers A$AP Rocky and RZA. He doesn’t do rap beef. The trash talk and negativity to other artists who probably have much more in common than they’d ever admit.
The two irrelevant rappers starting a feud with each other just to get some media attention. It’s nothing new. His attitude about it is refreshing though, again it goes back to his drive and focus. “You ain’t gonna see me do no battle rap” he elaborates. “That’s going to distract you from the art. That’s going to distract you from the money too.”
For someone who’s not interested in a lyrical feud with a peer, DaBaby certainly doesn’t appear to shy away from physical altercations. There was the female fan who he appeared to smack when he “felt she got too close.” The crowd booed him off the stage and he left without performing. He once again took to Instagram to “apologize.” From the time the video starts, it seems clear he cares more about making a point than an apology.
DaBaby begins the video by holding the flashlight from his phone in front of the camera. First, he says, “I sincerely apologize” then seemed to deflect by saying he couldn’t see who he was hitting. He goes on to say if she had respected his space it wouldn’t have happened. That seems like someone trying to absolve themselves of guilt rather than offer a heartfelt apology.
I’m sure having cameras and people in your personal space is annoying and frustrating but he goes on to admit that he knows he “signed up for it.”
DaBaby again used his celebrity to claim a man refused to delete a picture he took. The man admitted to taking the photo after DaBaby asked him not to but said he deleted it upon request. Either way, it appears as though DaBaby was again caught on film in an altercation.
DaBaby has some growing to do if he thinks he can justify lashing out at fans because his personal space is being invaded. He is a person with limits and boundaries just like everyone else, but, he might want to sort through his need for space and privacy before becoming even more well known and recognized.
He’s certainly achieved success as a rapper, it won’t be long until he’s a household name. Hopefully, he will find a balance he can enjoy because if you didn’t know him before, you do now!
Sources:
https://theblast.com/142520/dababy-blasts-trump-campaign-for-automated-text-message-sent-to-
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9exm9JhKog/?utm_source=ig_embed
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jan/10/dababy-boom-controversial-rapper-taking-over-america
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIL-Yzdnbhg&feature=youtu.be
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/dababy-is-goin-baby-807835/
https://raptv.com/rap-lists/top-10-best-rap-songs-of-2019/
https://raptv.com/uncategorized/kanye-wests-net-worth-is-3-2-billion/
add comment