DDG

Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., known professionally as DDG, is an American rapper, YouTuber, and entrepreneur who has significantly impacted both the digital and music industries. Born on October 10, 1997, in Pontiac, Michigan, DDG attended International Tech Academy, where he excelled academically and graduated as class valedictorian. Following high school, he enrolled at Central Michigan University, but his burgeoning success as a YouTuber, earning $30,000 per month, prompted him to drop out after only a year. He subsequently moved to Hollywood, California, to pursue a full-time career in entertainment.

DDG began his foray into the public eye in 2014, initially creating content on YouTube. He expanded his repertoire to include vlogs, which resonated with a growing audience and solidified his online presence. His early interest in music, influenced by his father’s work as an audio engineer, saw him recording tracks as a child. DDG’s early musical efforts included the diss track “Big Boat” aimed at Lil Yachty and collaborations with prominent producers like Zaytoven on songs such as “Balenciagas” and “Free Parties.” His track “Lettuce,” featuring Famous Dex, garnered significant attention, further establishing his musical career.

In 2017, DDG released “Givenchy,” the lead single from his debut EP Take Me Serious. The track amassed over 25 million views on YouTube and was recognized by Complex as a song “Bout to Blow in 2018.” Following this, he released his debut EP Take Me Serious in March 2018, which led to him signing a record deal with Epic Records later that year. His subsequent single, “Arguments,” released in June 2018, was certified Gold by the RIAA in 2020.

DDG’s second EP, Sorry 4 the Hold Up, dropped in March 2019, featuring the hit “Hold Up” with Queen Naija, which received over 15 million YouTube views. He continued to release popular tracks, including “Push,” the lead single from his debut album Valedictorian, which was released on November 1, 2019.

In 2020, DDG achieved mainstream success with “Moonwalking in Calabasas,” which became his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 82. The track, remixed with Blueface and YG, was certified double platinum by the RIAA. Following this success, he collaborated with OG Parker on the mixtape Die 4 Respect, which debuted at number 61 on the Billboard 200 in 2021. His single “Money Long” featuring 42 Dugg also contributed to his rising fame.

Expanding his creative endeavors, DDG released “Elon Musk” in February 2022, featuring Gunna. The track highlighted his admiration for the entrepreneur and his interest in space travel, with DDG becoming the first rapper to shoot a music video with NASA’s Zero Gravity Training, as reported by Forbes. Later that year, he released his second studio album, It’s Not Me It’s You, featuring notable artists like Gunna, NLE Choppa, Polo G, Kevin Gates, and Babyface Ray.

In recognition of his accomplishments, DDG was named to Forbes’ 2023 30 Under 30 list for music. Beyond his musical and digital content creation achievements, DDG has co-founded his own record label, Zooted Music, with managers Eric O’Connor and Dimitri Hurt, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit. DDG’s journey from a valedictorian in Pontiac to a prominent figure in music and digital entertainment underscores his versatility, dedication, and impact on the industry.