This article needs to beupdated.(January 2023) |
Brandon George Dickinson(born July 18, 1994), better known by his stage nameLil Bibby,is an American rapper and record executive. Beginning his career in 2011, Bibby released his debutmixtape,Free Crackin 2013. It was followed by two sequels—Free Crack 2(2014) andFree Crack 3(2015)—until he signed withDr. Luke'sKemosabe Records,an imprint ofRCA Records;however, he released no studio albums under the label.
Lil Bibby | |
|---|---|
 Lil Bibby performing in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Brandon George Dickinson[1] |
| Born | July 18, 1994 Chicago,Illinois,U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | |
By 2017, he founded and shifted focus onto expanding his record label,Grade A Productions.The label has signed commercially successful acts such as fellow Chicago native, rapper and singerJuice Wrld,as well as Australian rapper and singerthe Kid Laroi.
Career
edit2011–2013: Career beginnings and debut mixtape
editIn 2013, Lil Bibby released his debutmixtape,Free Crack.He citedDrakeandJadakissas two of his favorite rappers.Vicestated that the mixtape was apparent in both rappers' influences.[3]The mixtape featuresguest appearancesfrom fellow ChicagoansLil HerbandKing L,whileproductionwas handled byHit-Boy,Young ChopandThe Olympicks,among others.[4]DJ Scream hosted this mixtape. The tape combines his distinctive gruff and imposing voice, along with a solid delivery and flow.[5]Music videoswere released for the songs "How We Move" (featuring King L), "Change", "Water" and "Tired of Talkin'".
2013–2015: 2014's Freshman Class,Free Crack 2andFree Crack 3
editIn December 2013, in an interview withXXL,Bibby hinted that the next step for his career could be anEP.[6]In 2014, it was also stated, that the rapper Drake was a huge fan of Bibby and that they'd spoken in 2013, before the release of Bibby's debut mixtape. Bibby said it pushed him onto improve his debut release, adding the tracks "Water" and "Whole Crew".[6]
In January 2014, Bibby appeared onSway's radio show Sway in the Morning. On the show he spoke about the success of his debut mixtape, and also dropped a live freestyle.[7]During the same month, Bibby also featured onNew York's radio station,Hot 97.[8]During the same month, Bibby stated in his interview withBillboard,that he was working on material for anEP,but was waiting on a couple of features.[9]Bibby also appeared on the list of 2014'sXXLFreshman Class.[10]He was the last person selected to the list, due toYoung Thug's last minute cancellation.
In August 2014, he guest featured alongsideYoung ThugandNicki MinajonJuicy J's single "Low,"and was later featured on the remix ofKid Ink's "Main Chick."[11][12]After a few delays, Bibby's sophomore mixtape,Free Crack 2,was released on August 29, 2014. Hosted byDJ Drama,includes guest appearances from Lil Herb,Wiz Khalifa,Juicy J,Kevin Gates,JadakissandAnthony Hamilton,among others. The mixtape has production from Juicy J, Honorable C.N.O.T.E., Sonny Digital andDJ Pain 1,among others. It was released for free digital download and rapidly accumulated over 120,000 downloads.[13]
Free Crack 2was received with critical acclaim.XXL magazineawarded the mixtape an XL, praising the mixtape's authenticity, catchy hooks and production, while also commenting that the mixtape showcases Bibby's "growth as an artist."[14]RedEyeawarded the mixtape three stars out of four, commenting on the tape's maturity and versatility and praising the ability of the song 'Dead or in Prison' to let Bibby's "emotion and natural charisma do the heavy lifting."[15]BETgave the mixtape a positive review, awarding it five stars while commenting on its "new level of depth and introspection, detailing the difficult balance of fame and authenticity and how that effects everyday life in some of America's urban war zones."[16]
In 2015, Lil Bibby received his high school diploma. Initially, he had opted for aGEDand after completing the necessary coursework (with straight A's), he decided to re-enroll in high school. His alma mater was from Chicago'sLiberty High School.[17]A year later, after several universities had offered him scholarships, Bibby considered studyingComputer Engineeringat a university, although he ultimately decided against this.[18][19][20][21][22]
2015–2016:FC3 the Epilogue&Free Crack 4
editIn 2015, Bibby released two singles "Ridah" and "Aww Man" (featuringFuture) for an upcoming album, supposedly the fourth installment in hisFree Crackseries.[23]Both singles failed to reach any domestic charts. In late 2016, Bibby released "Thought It Was A Drought", which was produced by DJ L Beats and Roberto Mario.[citation needed]After a long period without any releases, in early 2018, Bibby began using the hashtag "Free Bibby" on social media, protesting his label's refusal to allow him to release the project.[24]
2017–present: Grade A Productions, Juice Wrld, and The Kid Laroi
editIn 2017, Bibby and his brother George "G-Money" launched the record label Grade A Productions. In an interview withXXL,Bibby discussed his transition from being a rapper to starting a record label:
"I really don't know. I like to make people a lot of money. I got enough knowledge and I've studied this rap stuff and I got enough relationships to help an artist, help his family [and] I get a kick out of it 'cause I see how the label does it and my situation. I feel like just helping people."[25]
That same year, the two discovered then-upcoming fellow Chicago rapperJuice Wrld,after hearing his song "Lucid Dreams".Under the label, Juice Wrld released his debut studio albumGoodbye and Good Riddanceon May 23, 2018, which included the hit singles "All Girls Are the Same",the aforementioned" Lucid Dreams ", and"Lean Wit Me".In March 2019, Juice Wrld released his second studio albumDeath Race for Love,which included two hit singles: "Robbery"and"Hear Me Calling".
In 2019, Bibby discovered upcoming Australian rapper and singerThe Kid Laroi,after hearing his song "Blessings" from his debut EP14 With A Dream.In March of that year, Bibby signed Laroi to Grade A. Under the label, Laroi released his debut mixtapeF*CK LOVEin July 2020, spawning two singles: "Go"featuring labelmate Juice Wrld (a posthumous verse due to his death in December 2019), and"TELL ME WHY".On November 6, Laroi released a deluxe edition ofF*ck LovetitledF*ck Love (Savage)which was followed by the single "SO DONE".[citation needed]
On December 8, 2019, Juice Wrld suffered from an overdose at an airport in Chicago which led to his unexpected death. On January 22, 2020, Grade A announced that posthumous projects from Juice Wrld will be released to honor his legacy. His first posthumous albumLegends Never Diewas released in July of that year, which contained three singles "Righteous","Tell Me U Luv Me"featuringTrippie Redd,and "Life's A Mess"featuringHalsey.In December 2021, it was followed up with his second posthumous albumFighting Demons.Throughout 2020, other posthumous releases from the artist included "Smile"withThe Weeknd,"Real Shit"withBenny Blanco,"Reminds Me Of You"withThe Kid Laroiand "Bad Boy"withYoung Thugin 2021.[citation needed]
On May 27, 2021, Bibby announced Juice Wrld's third and final posthumous album,The Party Never Ends.On September 9, 2024, it was officially announced, withThe Pre-PartyEP.The Pre-Partyconsists of two songs, with an extended version of the EP,The Pre-Party (Extended),releasing on October 14, 2024. The album's supposedlead single,"Lace It"(withBenny BlancoandEminem) was released in December 2023.[26]
On November 29, 2024, after several delays, Grade A released Juice Wrld's fifth and final album,The Party Never Ends.A deluxe version of the album is set to arrive in the following months. A website on which supporters could vote for the songs that are going to release on the deluxe was also set up.[27]
Grade A Productions
edit| Grade A Productions | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Lil Bibby |
| Distributor(s) | Various |
| Genre | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Los Angeles,California |
Grade A Productionsis a record label founded by Lil Bibby in 2017.
Roster
edit| Act | Year signed | Releases | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juice Wrld | 2018 | 5 (3 posthumous) | Jointly withInterscope;died in December 2019 |
| The Kid Laroi | 2019 | 2 (1 extended play) | Jointly withColumbia;left Grade A's management on June 4, 2021, signing with managerScooter Braun[28] |
| Clever[29] | 2019–2021 | 2 (1 extended play) | Jointly withPosty&Republic |
| Stunna Gambino[30] | 2021 | 1 | Jointly withRCA |
| Zzz. | 2022 | 1 | Jointly withWarner |
| Rocco[31] | 4 (Extended plays) | Jointly withKhalaboand Interscope | |
| Nettspend[32] | 2024 | 1 | Jointly with Interscope |
Discography
edit| Year | Album details | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Juice Wrld–Goodbye & Good Riddance
|
|
| 2019 | Juice Wrld –Death Race for Love
|
|
Clever –Who is Clever?
|
| |
| 2020 | Seezyn –Tis
|
|
The Kid Laroi–F*ck Love
|
| |
Juice Wrld –Legends Never Die[33]
|
| |
| 2021 | Clever –Crazy[34]
|
|
| 2021 | Juice Wrld –Fighting Demons
|
|
| 2024 | Juice Wrld –The Party Never Ends
|
|
| 2024 | Nettspend –Bad Ass F*cking Kid
|
|
Personal life
editThis sectionneeds expansion.You can help byadding to it.(March 2024) |
In December 2022, Dickinson acquired an ultra-modern home in Los Angeles for US$7.9 million.[35]
Discography
editExtended plays
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Big Buckz[36] |
|
| FC3: The Epilogue[37] |
|
Mixtapes
edit| Title | Mixtape details |
|---|---|
| Free Crack[38] |
|
| Free Crack 2[39] |
|
| Free Crack 3[40] |
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Know That" | 2013 | Non-album singles |
| "For The Low" | ||
| "Doin Hits" | ||
| "How We Move" (featuringKing L) |
Free Crack | |
| "Stressin'" | ||
| "Tired of Talkin" | 2014 | |
| "Dead or in Prison"[41] | Free Crack 2 | |
| "Sumn" (featuringBlac Youngsta) |
2017 | Non-album singles |
| "Complicated" (featuring Ann Marie) |
As featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US R&B/HH [42] |
US R&B/HH Air. [43] |
US Main. R&B/HH [44] | |||||||||||
| "Ex Bitch" (N-Tune featuring Lil Bibby) |
2013 | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||||||||
| "Crazy" (Gianni Blu featuringKing L,EMP Dasme and Lil Bibby) |
— | — | — | ||||||||||
| "Main Chick"(Remix) (Kid InkfeaturingChris Brown,French Montana,Yo Gotti,Tygaand Lil Bibby)[45] |
2014 | — | — | — | |||||||||
| "Low" (Juicy JfeaturingNicki Minaj,Lil Bibby andYoung Thug) |
44 | 45 | 29 | ||||||||||
| "Proud of Me Now" (A Boogie wit da Hoodiefeaturing Lil Bibby)[46] |
2016 | — | — | — | |||||||||
| "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||||
Guest appearances
edit| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Flexing Finessing" | 2012 | Fredo Santana,Lil Herb | It's a Scary Site |
| "How We Move" | 2013 | King L | March Madness |
| "Fuck for Fame" | Lil Durk,Boss Top | — | |
| "Knock a Hoe" | Katie Got Bandz,Dreezy,Lil Herb | Drillary Clinton | |
| "Do It Like I Do" | YP | Restless | |
| "Kilo" | Tink,Lil Herb | Boss Up | |
| "All I Got" | 2014 | Lil Herb | Welcome to Fazoland |
| "At Night" | Welcome to Fazoland(No DJ Version) | ||
| "Holy Ghost" | Juicy J | Pure THC: The Hustle Continues | |
| "Love Me Freestyle" | Lil Reese | We Are Chiraq Volume 1 | |
| "All I Need" | Kid Ink,Shitty Montana | 4B's | |
| "Mechanical Animals" | Saigon,Memphis Bleek,Kool G Rap | Greatest Story Never Told 3: The Troubled Times of Brian Carenard | |
| "Never Changed" | 2015 | Yo Gotti | Concealed |
| "Faneto (Remix)" | Chief Keef,Lil Herb, King L | — | |
| "Doin Me" | Trae tha Truth,Nipsey Hussle | Tha Truth | |
| "Mirror" | 2017 | G Herbo | Humble Beast |
| "Musty" | Chief Keef,Ballout | The W | |
| "Tommy & Ghost" | 2019 | The Plug,67 | Plug Talk |
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Juice Wrld: Into the Abyss | Himself | [47] |
References
edit- ^Satten, Vanessa (September 25, 2019)."How Lil Bibby Successfully Transitioned From Rapper to Hip-Hop Executive; Label CEO".XXL.Townsquare Media.RetrievedJanuary 30,2021.
- ^"Lil Bibby Signs To Kemosabe Records?".fakeshoredrive.com. May 18, 2015.RetrievedNovember 29,2015.
- ^"Lil Bibby: Setting up the Perfect Shot".Vice Noisey. December 20, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 6,2014.
- ^"Lil Bibby – Free Crack Hosted by DJ Scream".DatPiff.RetrievedFebruary 15,2015.
- ^"Mixtape Review: Lil Bibby, Free Crack".Bet.com.RetrievedFebruary 6,2014.
- ^ab"Lil Bibby say Drake Scared Him".XXL. December 16, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 6,2014.
- ^"Lil Bibby Talks About Chicago's Violent Image, School & Drops A Freestyle On Sway In The Morning".Complex.RetrievedFebruary 6,2014.
- ^"Lil Bibby Talks Free Crack, Chicago, & More".Hip Hop Wired. January 15, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 6,2014.
- ^"Lil Bibby Talks Upcoming EP & Hints at Drake Collaboration".Billboard.January 21, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 6,2014.
- ^"XXL Freshmen 2014 Cover Revealed".XXL.May 5, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 15,2015.
- ^Frydenlund, Zach."Listen to Kid Ink's" Main Chick (Remix) "f/ French Montana, Yo Gotti, Tyga, Lil Bibby & Chris Brown".Complex.RetrievedFebruary 15,2015.
- ^"Juicy J Featuring Lil Bibby" Holy Ghost + "You Don't Know" – XXL ".XXL.July 5, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 15,2015.
- ^"Lil Bibby – Free Crack 2 Hosted by DJ Drama".DatPiff.RetrievedJanuary 24,2015.
- ^"Lil Bibby Serves Up Potent Product On 'Free Crack II' Mixtape – XXL".XXL.September 4, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 15,2015.
- ^"Lil Bibby's 'Free Crack 2': The beginning of something big".Archived fromthe originalon September 5, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 4,2016.
- ^"Mixtape Review: Lil Bibby, Free Crack 2".BET.com.September 9, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 24,2015.
- ^"Lil Bibby Is Officially a High School Graduate".BET.RetrievedOctober 24,2024.
- ^"Lil Bibby Is Going To College For Computer Engineering".The FADER.September 29, 2016.RetrievedOctober 24,2024.
- ^Ivey, Justin (September 29, 2016)."Lil Bibby Is Going to College for Computer Engineering - XXL".XXL Mag.RetrievedOctober 24,2024.
- ^"Lil Bibby Is Going to College This Fall for Computer Engineering".Hypebeast.October 1, 2016.RetrievedOctober 24,2024.
- ^Schwartz, Danny (September 30, 2016)."Lil Bibby To Pursue College Degree In Computer Engineering".HotNewHipHop.RetrievedOctober 24,2024.
- ^"Lil Bibby Enrolling Back In College To Study Computer Engineering".HipHopDX.September 30, 2016.RetrievedOctober 24,2024.
- ^"Lil Bibby Enrolling Back In College To Study Computer Engineering".HipHopDX.September 30, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 15,2017.
- ^"Kollege Kidd on Instagram:" #LilBibby Says 'Free Bibby' Because His Label Won't Let Him Drop #FreeCrack4 😮 #fc4 "".
- ^Satten, Vanessa (September 25, 2019)."How Lil Bibby Successfully Transitioned From Rapper to Hip-Hop Executive".XXL.RetrievedFebruary 22,2021.
- ^Dickinson, Brandon."X (formerly Twitter)".X.
- ^"THE PARTY: VOTING".tpne.net.
- ^Shafer, Ellise (June 3, 2021)."'Without You' Singer The Kid Laroi Signs With Scooter Braun for Management (Exclusive) ".Variety.RetrievedJune 12,2021.
- ^https://www.flaunt.com/blog/flaunt-qampa-clever
- ^https://ourgenerationmusic.com/exclusive/stunna-gambino-interview-nyc-native-continues-to-stun-listeners-in-every-way/
- ^https://consequence.net/2022/08/rocco-she-knows-grade-a-khalabo-music-interscope/
- ^https://open.spotify.com/album/2j74DNrJ8TgnMEukERqnnm
- ^Grant, Shawn (July 10, 2020)."Juice Wrld's Posthumous Album 'Legends Never Die' Is Now Available".The Source.RetrievedMay 29,2021.
- ^Rose, Jordan (March 12, 2021)."Clever Unleashes Debut Album 'Crazy' f/ Lil Wayne, Lil Baby, Chris Brown, and More".Complex.RetrievedMay 29,2021.
- ^Bowman, Wendy (December 20, 2022)."Record Producer Lil Bibby Tunes Into Sleek Los Angeles Contemporary".DIRT.RetrievedJune 16,2023.
- ^"Lil Bibby – Big Buckz".RetrievedJanuary 25,2017.
- ^"FC3 the Epilogue – EP by Lil Bibby".March 8, 2017.
- ^"Lil Bibby – Free Crack Hosted by DJ Scream".RetrievedFebruary 15,2015.
- ^"Lil Bibby – Free Crack 2 Hosted by DJ Drama".RetrievedJanuary 24,2015.
- ^"Lil Bibby – Free Crack 3".RetrievedNovember 29,2015.
- ^"iTunes – Music – Dead or in Prison – Single by Lil Bibby".iTunes.RetrievedFebruary 15,2015.
- ^"Lil Bibby | Billboard".www.billboard.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 8, 2020.
- ^"Lil Bibby".Billboard.
- ^"Lil Bibby".Billboard.
- ^"iTunes – Music – Main Chick Remix (feat. Chris Brown, French Montana, Yo Gotti, Tyga & Lil Bibby) – Single by Kid Ink".iTunes.July 8, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 15,2015.
- ^"Proud of Me Now (feat. Lil Bibby) – Single by A Boogie Wit da Hoodie on Apple Music".iTunes.December 2, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 15,2017.
- ^"'Juice Wrld: Into the Abyss' Review: Gone-Too-Soon Rapper Tells His Story in Elegiac Documentary ".November 13, 2021.
