Denzel Curry whose full name is Denzel Rae Don Curry was born on February 16, 1995, in Carol City, Florida. He is an American rapper known for his distinct style and powerful lyricism. Of Bahamian and Native American descent, Curry was raised in a challenging environment in Miami Gardens. His mother worked security at stadiums, and his father was a truck driver. His early exposure to poetry in elementary school laid the foundation for his passion for rapping, which began in earnest in the sixth grade.
Curry’s journey into music started at the local Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where he engaged in rap battles. He initially attended Miami’s Design and Architecture High School but was expelled, prompting a transfer to Miami Carol City Senior High School. While still a student, Curry began working on his first mixtape, “King Remembered Underground Tape 1991–1995,” released on September 24, 2011. This project gained significant attention after being featured on the social media page of SpaceGhostPurrp, an influential underground Florida rapper. The exposure led Curry to join SpaceGhostPurrp’s hip-hop collective, Raider Klan.
In 2012, Curry released his second mixtape, “King of the Mischievous South Vol. 1 Underground Tape 1996,” which garnered the attention of prominent figures in the hip-hop community, including Earl Sweatshirt and other members of the Odd Future label. Following this, Curry’s third mixtape, “Strictly for My R.V.I.D.X.R.S.,” was released, inspired by the tragic death of Trayvon Martin, a fellow Carol City resident and high school student.
The disbandment of Raider Klan in 2013 marked a pivotal moment in Curry’s career as he embarked on a solo path. On September 3, 2013, he released his debut studio album, “Nostalgic 64,” featuring collaborations with artists such as JK the Reaper, Lil Ugly Mane, and Robb Bank$. This album solidified Curry’s reputation in the music industry.
Curry continued to build his discography with the release of his first double EP, “32 Zel/Planet Shrooms,” on June 9, 2015. His second full-length album, “Imperial,” was released on March 9, 2016, and re-released later that year on Spotify as a deluxe version. Curry’s rising profile earned him a spot on the cover of XXL’s 2016 Freshmen Class, a significant milestone in his career.
In 2017, Curry explored a new alter ego, Zeltron, and released an EP titled “13,” which included demo tracks such as “Hate Government [demo],” “Equalizer [demo],” and “ZELTRON 6 BILLION ft. Lil Ugly Mane.” He continued to release singles, including “Skywalker” and a remastered version of “32 Zel” featuring Juicy J.
Curry’s third studio album, “Ta13oo,” released in 2018, was a critical and commercial success, debuting at number 28 on the Billboard 200. The album was released in three acts—Light, Gray, and Dark—with singles like “Sumo,” “Percs,” and “Clout Cobain” representing each act. This unique structure showcased Curry’s versatility and thematic depth.
Curry followed up with his fourth studio album, “Zuu,” in 2019, which peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200. His fifth studio album, “Melt My Eyez See Your Future,” was released in 2022, debuting at number 51 on the Billboard 200 and later climbing to number 17 with an extended edition. In 2024, Curry announced “King of the Mischievous South, Vol. 2,” released on July 19.
Throughout his career, Denzel Curry has consistently received critical acclaim for his innovative approach to hip-hop, blending influences from underground rap to mainstream sounds while maintaining a unique and powerful voice in the industry.
