Kirk: DaBaby’s Debut Album
DaBaby took the rap game by storm and has no intent on slowing down anytime soon! The Charlotte native has caught the attention of many industry professionals after his hit single “suge” which peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 this past July.
DaBaby, or who the government recognizes as Jonathan Lyndale Kirk was born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. His rap career first started in 2015 under the pseudonym Baby Jesus with “The Ten Minute Mixtape.” Soon after he changed his rap name to DaBaby. Jonathan decided on a whim to turn his life of petty crime around, thus pursuing rap. In no time he had become a fully recognized artist.
With a consistent flow of new music coming out and an aggressive and progressively hard style of music he was undeniable! Today he has performed at the BET Awards, headlined his own tours, and has even performed at South by Southwest as a new artist. His music has ensued a maonumental amount of pride in the state of North Carolina. DaBaby constantly refers to the fact that “he came out of Charlotte” simply because it has been the norm for Atlanta and Atlanta based record labels to bring local Atlanta talent to the table. Any and everybody move to Atlanta to begin there career, I mean let’s be real it’s the black Mecca for all things black business. And with that being said I think that what makes this victory for DaBaby even sweeter. He decided to start rapping while staying authentic to himself, no clout chasing, no ass kissing, didn’t move to Atlanta to chase fame, but literally stayed ten toes to his city and grew there first!
The Queen City native’s debut album with interscope records is named after his late father and pays tribute to his last name. Sadly, Jonathan received word of his father's passing the same afternoon he found out his song went #1. Kirk was an absolute masterpiece. As a debut album Interscope showed up and showed out (as they should) DaBaby has proven time and time again that he is a fluid artist, from slow melodic songs, to features on tracks with artists like Lil Nas X and Lizzo.
SMXLL
The albums track list looks like an All-Star team of heavy hitters in the industry. From features like, Chance The Rapper, Migos, Moneybagg Yo and his longtime friend Stunna 4 Vegas. Kirk is comprised of 13 tracks and each of them speak to his complex personality individually. After having the album on repeat for six consecutive days I think I have read between all the lines, learned all the lyrics, and even had that long lethargic gaze out the window as I fantasized my own movie scene (sitting through a few red lights and hearing about it from the card behind me of course, but it was well worth it.) I have a soft spot for Jonathan because I have spent the better part of the last three years of my life in the god forsaken state of North Carolina; and the only good thing that the state has had to offer in the form of music has been my illustrious HBCU’s Blue and Gold Marching Machine. No shade to J.Cole and Fantasia of course, but watching his growth transpire authentically was magical. It hasn't been many to do it in North Carolina, J.Cole moved to New York, Fantasia made it on American Idol, and everybody else fell to the waste side. Nonetheless DaBaby you did your thing on this one! If I had to say so I would consider myself the president of his fan club (DaBaby- mamas). If you haven’t checked it out, make sure you see what it’s hitting on! And as always you heard it here first!
