Looking at the life and career of Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, aka DaBaby, it’s clear various aspects that have shaped his journey. From his humble beginnings to achieving rap stardom, his path has been marked by both significant achievements and personal challenges. And now, he’s seemingly trying to rebrand after a whirlwind of drama and bad PR. It’s been a wild thing to witness.
Early Life and Education – Cleveland to Charlotte: Formative Years
Born on December 22, 1991, in Cleveland, Ohio, Jonathan Lyndale Kirk moved to Charlotte, North Carolina at the age of six. Growing up in Charlotte, he attended Vance High School, now Julius L. Chambers High School, and graduated in 2010. Despite spending two years at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (shocking, honestly), he did not complete his studies, stating that his college attendance was primarily for his parents’ sake. During his early years, he was influenced by rap icons such as Eminem, 50 Cent, and Lil Wayne, a passion shared with his two older brothers.
Rise to Fame: Breaking Into the Mainstream
DaBaby’s journey to fame began with several mixtapes released between 2014 and 2018. His breakthrough came with the 2019 debut album “Baby on Baby,” which featured the top ten Billboard Hot 100 single “Suge.” This marked the start of his ascent in the mainstream music industry.
Commercial Success: Chart-Topping Albums and Singles
DaBaby’s second studio album, “Kirk,” released in 2019, soared to number one on the Billboard 200. The album included hits like “Intro” and “Bop,” which achieved multi-platinum status from the RIAA. His third studio album, “Blame It on Baby,” released in 2020, further cemented his success with another number-one spot on the US charts.
The album’s single “Rockstar,” featuring Roddy Ricch, dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for seven non-consecutive weeks and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Record of the Year.
Collaborations and Features: Expanding Influence in the Music Industry
DaBaby has collaborated with various artists, contributing to his rising prominence. In 2020, he was featured in Jack Harlow’s “Whats Poppin” remix and Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” both peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. His feature on Pop Smoke’s “For the Night” and subsequent iHeartRadio Music Awards wins further showcased his versatility and industry impact. Dude was everywhere at that time, until it all came crashing down.
Personal Life and Struggles: Overcoming Family Tragedies
DaBaby’s personal life has been marked by significant losses. The death of his father in 2019, shortly after his debut album’s release, deeply impacted him, inspiring his second album “Kirk.” Tragically, his brother, Glen Johnson, passed away in November 2020. These events have undoubtedly influenced his music and public persona.
Fatherhood and Relationships: Balancing Fame with Personal Commitments
Da Baby is a father to four children: A stepson born in 2014, and three daughters born in 2017, 2020, and 2021. His relationship and subsequent split with fellow artist DaniLeigh in 2020, which included a publicly documented dispute that most folks still haven’t forgiven him for, have been a part of his personal narrative. He never seemed to take accountability for the way he treated her and their daughter shortly after she gave birth – going Live while kicking them out into the streets after a fight (likely over him bouncing back and forth between Dani and his baby’s mother MeMe). Da Baby calling the cops on Dani and her subsequently catching charges DEF seemingly did him in, public image wise. And it was the first red flag about his toxic ways.
Passion for Sports
With a passion for sports, the Atlanta native aligns himself with the Carolina Panthers. Speaking of the Panthers, you could always explore the sports world further with Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina.
Controversies and Legal Issues: Facing Challenges Beyond Music
DaBaby’s career has been interspersed with various legal issues and controversies. The most notable incident was the Huntersville, North Carolina shooting in 2018, where he shot a 19-year-old man at a Walmart, claiming self-defense.
Charges from this incident were dropped in 2019, but it remains a significant part of his history. Other incidents, including a robbery investigation in Miami and a confrontation with a music promoter over payment disputes, have also brought him into the public eye for reasons beyond his music.
He even dipped into other people’s legal troubles, publicly backing Tory Lanez and severing his good relationship with Megan Thee Stallion by joining Tory in trolling and bullying Meg out of the blue.
Political Views: An Unconventional Political Stance
In the realm of politics, DaBaby has made headlines for his support of Kanye West’s 2020 presidential campaign and Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. His political views may have offered insight into his personal beliefs and the complexities of his character.
He was accused of attacking the LGBTQ community from a huge stage like Rolling Loud, and that was the nail in the coffin. He said some disparaging and false comments about STIs within the community – seemingly trying to troll and get attention from the toxic crowd – that were inherently dangerous to the image of the community, and he even doubled down on them. The homophobia of it all was extremely problematic.
He lost several endorsement deals and was cut from upcoming appearances.
DaBaby’s journey has been one from anonymity to rap stardom…and almost back to anonymity with a series of failed singles. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, he’s still, somehow, getting a rebranding of sorts.
He recently auditioned for “The Voice”, and got all 4 chairs to turn around for him. This DEF wouldn’t have happened at the top of this year, so the powers that be seem to be looking out for him.
His baby mamas have been quiet and he’s still getting booked for performances.
DaBaby‘s ability to navigate the complex terrain of fame, while staying true to his roots and confronting his past, is what made folks become a fan from the beginning. We’re not sure if he deserves this rebranding, but he’s certainly going hard for it.
Photos: Getty
