Desiigner
Desiigner | |
---|---|
Birth name | Sidney Royel Selby III |
Also known as | Designer Royel |
Born |
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States | May 3, 1997
Genres | Trap[1] |
Occupation(s) | |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2014–present |
Labels | |
Associated acts | |
Website |
lifeofdesiigner |
Sidney Royel Selby III (born May 3, 1997), better known by his stage name Desiigner, is an American hip hop recording artist from Brooklyn, New York. He rose to prominence after the release of his debut single "Panda", which later reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. In February 2016, rapper and producer Kanye West (who sampled "Panda" for his seventh album The Life of Pablo), announced Desiigner's signing to his GOOD Music imprint, under the aegis of Def Jam Recordings.
Early life
Sidney Royel Selby III was born on May 3, 1997,[2] in Brooklyn, New York.[3][4] Desiigner was raised by his mother in the crime-ridden Louis Armstrong housing projects in the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood.[5] He began practicing vocals at school choir and church. At the age of 14, after being shot, he embarked on his music career.[6][7]
Career
2014–present: Beginnings and breakthrough
Desiigner embarked on his music career under his original moniker Dezolo,[8] and began putting work on these tracks under the alias of Designer Royel, especially with Royel (as his middle name). His sister convinced him to drop "Royel" and keep the "Designer" part from his stage name, doubling the "I". Under his new pseudonym, Desiigner released his debut track, titled "Zombie Walk", on December 3, 2015. The song was produced by The Shell God.[9] On December 15, 2015, his commercial debut single, titled "Panda" was released on YouTube and SoundCloud.[10] The song released on iTunes five days later, before being re-released on February 2016.[11] On February 11, 2016, Desiigner signed a recording contract with Kanye West's GOOD Music imprint, under the aegis of Def Jam Recordings.[12] After signing a record deal, Desiigner subsequently appeared on two tracks, "Pt. 2" (which features an interpolation of "Panda") and "Freestyle 4", taken from Kanye West's seventh album The Life of Pablo. Desiigner then went on to performed at 2016's South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival.[13][14] In an interview with Billboard, Desiigner confirmed the release of his upcoming mixtape, titled Trap History Month. However, he later announced that he had changed the title of his mixtape to New English, and then slated for the June 2016 release.[1]
On May 5, 2016, producer Mike Dean announced that he would be serving as the executive producer for Desiigner's debut studio album.[15] On May 24, Desiigner announced the title of his debut album to be The Life of Desiigner.[16] In June 2016, XXL magazine revealed their annual "Freshmen Class" for 2016, and Desiigner was included on the list with nine other new artists.[17] In June 2016, "Champions", was released as the lead single from the GOOD Music's upcoming compilation album, Cruel Winter. Desiigner made a guest appearance on this track, also performed by his label-mate Kanye West, along with the other American rappers such as Gucci Mane, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott, Yo Gotti, and Quavo.[18] In the same month, Desiigner made his US television debut, when he performed his single "Panda" at the 2016's BET Awards.[19] On June 26, 2016, Desiigner released his first full-length project, a mixtape titled New English, on Tidal, following a live premiere of the mixtape on June 22.[20][21] In July 2016, American pop singer Demi Lovato brought out Desiigner at her concert in New York.[22] On July 21, 2016, Desiigner premiered the track "Tiimmy Turner", which was released as a single on iTunes the next day.[23]
Legal issues
On September 8, 2016, Desiigner and four other people were arrested in New York City after a 911 caller claimed that he pulled a gun on them, Desiigner was later found in an SUV with four other people and the vehicle was searched and Oxycodone and guns were found in it, he and the other individuals received drug and weapon charges. They were all detained in custody.[24][25] On September 10, 2016, he was acquitted of the felony gun charge, while Oxycontin and prescription drugs were found in his car.[26] On September 12, 2016, it was found that the pills in his car were Steroids, but did not belong to him but his driver.[27]
Musical style
Desiigner's musical style is influenced by southern hip hop, namely trap music which originated in Atlanta, Georgia.[1] His rapping technique and vocals have been compared to that of Atlanta-based rapper Future. When asked about the frequent comparisons, he told Complex: "God gave him a blessing, but he gave me a blessing too. I ain't gonna doubt the man's music. He make beautiful music too. Music is made every day. Big ups to him, big ups to Future. I actually like Future's music. I like his music, you feel me. I’m not a hater or a critic on him, you know, I do me. God bless him, God bless me." [28]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [29] |
US R&B [30] |
US Rap [31] |
CAN [32] | ||
The Life of Desiigner |
|
TBA | |||
Mixtapes
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [29] |
US R&B [30] |
US Rap [31] |
CAN [32] | ||
New English |
|
22 | 14 | 8 | 33 |
Singles
As lead artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album: | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [35] |
US R&B [36] |
US Rap [37] |
AUS [38] |
CAN [39] |
DEN [40] |
FRA [41] |
NZ [42] |
SWE [43] |
UK [44] | ||||
"Panda" | 2015 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 4 | 11 | 7 | New English | |
"Champions" (with Kanye West, Gucci Mane, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott, Yo Gotti and Quavo)[53] |
2016 | 71 | 22 | 15 | — | 73 | — | — | — | — | 128 | Cruel Winter | |
"Tiimmy Turner"[54] | 34 | 10 | 6 | — | 38 | — | 174 | —[upper-alpha 1] | — | 136 | The Life of Desiigner | ||
As featured artist
Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Strapped & Ready" (Rah Smooth featuring Desiigner, Money and Loopy)[56] |
2016 | Non-album single |
"Finesse" (Jim Jones featuring Rich Homie Quan, ASAP Ferg and Desiigner)[57] |
The Kitchen | |
"On the Low" (Phresher featuring Desiigner)[58] |
Non-album singles | |
"Danny DeVito" (Phresher featuring Desiigner and Rowdy Rebel)[59] | ||
"Gucci Snakes" (Tyga featuring Desiigner) |
TBA | |
"Circles" (Pusha T featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Desiigner) |
King Push | |
Guest appearances
Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Pt. 2" | 2016 | Kanye West | The Life of Pablo |
"Freestyle 4" | |||
"Back in My Ways" | Young King, Mekado | N/A | |
"The Difference" | Meek Mill, Quavo | DC4 | |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best New Artist | Himself | Nominated | [60] |
Best Hip-Hop Video | "Panda" | Nominated | |||
American Music Awards | Video of the Year | Nominated | [61] | ||
Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop | Nominated |
Notes
- ↑ "Tiimmy Turner" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 7 on the NZ Heatseekers chart.[55]
References
- 1 2 3 Peltz, Jonathan (April 12, 2016). "'Panda' Rapper Desiigner on Why His Mind Operates in a 'Crazy' Way and Working With Kanye West". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
- ↑ Trust, Gary (April 25, 2016). "Desiigner's 'Panda' Claws to No. 1 on Hot 100, Bringing Americans Back to the Top". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ↑ "The New Wave: Desiigner - "Panda"". Pigeons & Planes. 9 February 2016.
- ↑ emmanuel (19 February 2016). "The Break Presents: Desiigner". XXL Mag.
- ↑ "Desiigner on His Difficult Past and How His No. 1 Hit 'Panda' Gave Him a Way Out".
- ↑ "Everything You Need To Know About Desiigner". HotNewHipHop. February 22, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ↑ "Desiigner Freestyle and talks Panda & Kanye". KISS FM UK. May 3, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
- ↑ "Desiigner - Music Videos, News, Photos, Tour Dates - MTV". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ↑ Desiigner Ft. King Savage- "Zombie Walk" (Prod. By: @TheShellGod). 3 December 2015 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Desiigner- Panda (OFFICIAL SONG) Prod. By: Menace. 20 December 2015 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Panda - Single". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ↑ Danny Schwartz (11 February 2016). "Brooklyn Rapper Desiigner Signs To G.O.O.D. Music". HotNewHipHop.
- ↑ "Desiigner Courts More Future Comparisons, Debuts New Song "Pluto" at SXSW".
- ↑ "Desiigner Debuts New Song "Pluto" & Performs "Panda" at SXSW".
- ↑ J. Pablo Caraballo (6 May 2016). "'Lemonade' Producer Mike Dean Gives the Behind-the-Scenes Scoop on Beyoncé's Opus". Billboard.
- ↑ http://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX -. "Desiigner Announces "Life Of Desiigner" Album". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ↑ "2016 XXL Freshman Class Cover - XXL". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ↑ "Kanye West premieres new single with Gucci Mane, Travis Scott and more off Cruel Winter". XXL. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Desiigner Performs 'Panda' and Turns Up the BET Awards". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ↑ "Desiigner Plays New Song Featuring Pusha T at 'New English' Mixtape Listening Party". XXL. 22 June 2016.
- ↑ "Listen to Desiigner's 'New English' Mixtape". Complex. 26 June 2016.
- ↑ "Demi Lovato & Nick Jonas Bring the 'Future' of Pop Music to Brooklyn".
- ↑ "Tiimmy Turner - Single by Desiigner on Apple Music".
- ↑ "Desiigner charged in gun-pointing road rage incident in Midtown".
- ↑ "Desiigner -- Arrested for Drugs, Intent to Sell and Loaded Gun (UPDATED PHOTOS + VIDEO)".
- ↑ Augustin, Camille (September 10, 2016). "Desiigner acquitted of gun charge". Vibe. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ↑ Simmons, Ted (September 12, 2016). "Drugs found in desiigner's car were steroids". XXL. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ↑ "Interview: Desiigner Talks About the Success of "Panda" and Comparisons to Future". Complex. February 19, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
- 1 2 "Desiigner – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- 1 2 "Desiigner – Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- 1 2 "Desiigner – Chart History: Rap Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- 1 2 "Desiigner – Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Desiigner Announces Debut Album 'The Life of Desiigner'". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ↑ "Desiigner Unveils the Name of His First Mixtape - XXL". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- ↑ Peaks on the Hot 100:
- All except noted: "Desiigner – Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- "Champions": "Kanye West – Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
- ↑ "Desiigner – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ↑ "Desiigner – Chart History: Rap Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ↑ "Discography Desiigner". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ↑ "Desiigner – Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ↑ "Discography Desiigner". danishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ↑ "Desiigner discography" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ↑ "Discography Desiigner". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ↑ "Discography Desiigner". swedishcharts.com (in Swedish). Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ↑ Peaks in the UK:
- All except noted: "Desiigner". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- "Tiimmy Turner": "CHART: CLUK Update 30.07.2016 (wk30)". zobbel.de. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ↑ "RIAA – Desiigner". Recording Industry Association of America. May 3, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
- ↑ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ↑ "Search 'Desiigner' on Keywords and select 'Artist' on Search by". October 14, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
- ↑ "Swedish Certification > Search Desiigner". Sverigetopplistan. May 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Desiigner "Panda"" (in Danish). IFPI Denmark. September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
- ↑ "Gold/Platinum - Music Canada". Music Canada. June 21, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
- ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
- ↑ "Rihanna - Les Certifications" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
- ↑ "Kanye West, Gucci Mane, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott, Yo Gotti, Quavo & Desiigner - Champions". iTunes. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
- ↑ "Desiigner Shares "Timmy Turner" Single Artwork".
- ↑ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 8, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
- ↑ "Strapped & Ready (feat. Desiigner, Money & Loopy) - Single by Rah Smooth". iTunes. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ↑ "Finesse (feat. Rich Homie Quan, A$AP Ferg & Desiigner) - Single by Jim Jones". iTunes. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ↑ "On the Low (feat. Desiigner) - Single by Phresher". iTunes. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ↑ "Danny DeVito (feat. Desiigner & Rowdy Rebel) - Single by Phresher". iTunes. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ↑ "Beyonce, Adele Lead Nominees for 2016 MTV Video Music Awards". Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- ↑ "AMAs 2016: See the Full List of Winners". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2016.