Lil Baby

Dominique Armani Jones, known professionally as Lil Baby, was born on December 3, 1994, and has risen to become one of the most prominent figures in the American rap scene. His journey to stardom began with the release of his 2017 mixtapes “Harder Than Hard” and “Too Hard,” the former featuring the hit single “My Dawg,” which marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Lil Baby’s association with Quality Control Music, an imprint of Motown and Capitol Records, facilitated the release of his debut studio album, “Harder Than Ever,” in 2018. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, bolstered by the success of the single “Yes Indeed,” a collaboration with Drake that reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100.

2018 proved to be a prolific year for Lil Baby as he released two more projects: the collaborative mixtape “Drip Harder” with fellow Georgia-based rapper Gunna, featuring the hit singles “Drip Too Hard” and “Close Friends,” and the commercial mixtape “Street Gossip,” which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.

Lil Baby’s second studio album, “My Turn” (2020), marked a significant milestone in his career, debuting atop the Billboard 200 and receiving quadruple platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album included the hit single “We Paid” (with 42 Dugg) and the protest-inspired track “The Bigger Picture,” which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and garnered two Grammy nominations for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.

In 2021, Lil Baby collaborated with Chicago rapper Lil Durk on the album “The Voice of the Heroes,” which also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. His collaboration with Kanye West and The Weeknd on the single “Hurricane” earned him a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance. Continuing his success, Lil Baby released his third studio album, “It’s Only Me,” in 2022, which once again topped the Billboard 200.

Lil Baby has also won an MTV Video Music Award, two BET Awards, and was named Artist of the Year at the 2020 Apple Music Awards. In addition to his music career, he founded the record label Glass Window Entertainment (formerly 4PF) in 2023, signing artists like 42 Dugg and Rylo Rodriguez.

Lil Baby’s early years were marked by his presence in the studio of Quality Control Records as a drug dealer. Label founder Kevin “Coach K” Lee encouraged him to pursue rapping, recognizing his potential and influence. With mentorship from rappers Young Thug and Gunna, Lil Baby released his first mixtape, “Perfect Timing,” in April 2017, featuring appearances from Young Thug and Lil Yachty. Subsequent mixtapes, including “2 The Hard Way” with Marlo and “Too Hard,” which featured the hit single “Freestyle,” solidified his place in the rap industry.

As his career gained momentum, Lil Baby continued to release successful singles and collaborate with prominent artists. His political track “The Bigger Picture” and collaborations like “Wants and Needs” with Drake and “Girls Want Girls” from Drake’s album “Certified Lover Boy” further established his reputation. In 2022, he released singles “In A Minute” and “Right On,” which both charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

Lil Baby’s influence extends beyond music, as evidenced by the documentary “Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2022 and was later released on Amazon Prime Video. His impact on the rap industry and popular culture continues to grow, making him one of the most influential artists of his generation.