Desiigner

Sidney Royel Selby III, born May 3, 1997, in Brooklyn, New York City, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter who performs under the stage name Desiigner. With Afro-Barbadian and African American heritage, Desiigner is the grandson of the renowned blues musician Sidney “Guitar Crusher” Selby. He grew up in the Louis Armstrong housing projects in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, where he was exposed to music from a young age through school choirs and church. By 14, he had embarked on his musical journey, initially performing under the nickname Dezolo before transitioning to the moniker Designer Royel. His sister’s advice led him to simplify this to Desiigner, a name that would soon become widely recognized in the music industry.

Desiigner’s breakthrough came in December 2015 with the release of his debut track “Zombie Walk,” followed shortly by “Panda” on SoundCloud. The latter quickly gained traction, leading to its commercial release and subsequent rise to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in early 2016. The song’s viral success caught the attention of Kanye West, who signed Desiigner to his label GOOD Music, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings, in February 2016. This affiliation was marked by Desiigner’s appearance on two tracks from West’s album The Life of Pablo — “Pt. 2” and “Freestyle 4.”

Desiigner’s debut mixtape, New English, was released in June 2016 and showcased his energetic style and affinity for trap music, a genre heavily influenced by Southern hip-hop. His follow-up single, “Tiimmy Turner,” which debuted in July 2016, continued his initial success by peaking at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite this promising start, Desiigner’s career has often been characterized by the label of a one-hit wonder, a sentiment reinforced by the limited commercial impact of his subsequent releases.

In 2018, Desiigner released his debut extended play (EP), L.O.D., which marked his second and final major label project. The EP peaked at number 161 on the Billboard 200 and led to the formation of his own label, LOD Records. Under this label, Desiigner released the single “Diva” in 2020, continuing his career independently after departing from GOOD Music in 2019. The departure was attributed to personal struggles, including his father’s health issues and a lack of support from his labelmates, as he revealed in a 2022 interview.

Desiigner’s musical style has drawn comparisons to fellow rapper Future, with whom he shares a similar vocal approach and trap-influenced sound. Despite the comparisons, Desiigner has expressed respect for Future’s work, acknowledging their shared genre but emphasizing his own unique artistic path. His career has not been without controversy, including legal issues and a notable incident in April 2023, where he was charged with indecent exposure on a flight, leading to an apology and a commitment to seek mental health treatment.

Desiigner’s discography includes his mixtape New English and the EP L.O.D., but despite his early success with “Panda,” his subsequent releases have not achieved the same level of commercial success. Nevertheless, his impact on the trap music scene and his distinctive style continue to influence the genre.