Jonathan Lyndale Kirk (born: December 22, 1991), professionally known as DaBaby (formerly Baby Jesus), is an American rapper and songwriter from Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. He is best known for his singles "Suge" and "Bop", peaking at numbers seven and eleven respectively on the Billboard Hot 100.
Along with the success of "Suge", his debut studio album "Baby" on Baby peaked at number 7 on the Billboard 200. He released his second studio album, Kirk, 6 months later. It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, becoming his first album to top the chart.
Early life[]
Jonathan Lyndale Kirk was born on December 21, 1991, in Cleveland, Ohio. However, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1999, where he would spend most of his early years. He attended and graduated from Vance High School in 2010.
Career[]
In 2015, DaBaby, known as Baby Jesus at the time, started off his music career by releasing Nonfiction, his debut mixtape. He later followed this up with his God's Work mixtape series, Baby Talk mixtape series, Billion Dollar Baby, and Back on My Baby Jesus Sh*t.
On March 1, 2019, Kirk's debut studio album Baby on Baby, was released via Interscope Records. He is also signed to South Coast Music Group and has a joint contract with both labels. The thirteen-track project features guest appearances from Offset, Rich Homie Quan, Rich the Kid and Stunna 4 Vegas. Baby on Baby debuted at number 25 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States. Kirk's song "Suge", debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 87 on the chart dated April 13, 2019, and later reached the top 10, on the chart dated June 8, 2019. DaBaby was featured on the cover of XXL's Freshman Class of 2019.
DaBaby featured on various hit songs throughout mid-2019, including Megan Thee Stallion's "Cash Shit" and Quality Control's "Baby", both of which reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. On July 5, 2019, DaBaby was featured on Dreamville Records' newly released compilation album Revenge of the Dreamers, on the opening track, "Under the Sun". He received acclaim for his guest feature, with various publications ranking it as his best verse of 2019, including Complex magazine calling it a "defining breakout moment for a new rap superstar".
In August 2019, he announced that his second album would be titled Kirk, a tribute to his last name. It was released on September 27, and debuted atop the United States Billboard 200. Its sole single, "Intro", was also successful, peaking at number 13 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart. Around that time, DaBaby also made notable appearances on singles such as Post Malone's "Enemies", which peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, and on the remixes to YG's "Stop Snitchin", Lizzo's "Truth Hurts", and Lil Nas X's "Panini", released on May 24, August 23, and September 13, 2019, respectively. On October 24, he made a cameo appearance in the music video for up-and-coming rapper Rich Dunk's breakthrough single "High School".
DaBaby closed 2019 having the most entries (22) on the Billboard Hot 100 for the year.
Family[]
Kirk used to have a brother, Glen, who died from a self inflicted gunshot wound.
He has a daughter with his ex-girlfriend, MeMe. He also co-parents her six-year-old son from her previous relationship.
Memes[]
His career became an internet meme in 2021 when internet users began using the phrase "Less Go" from one of his songs. His picture was already widely spread across the web.
Other memes[]
- People edited his head on vehicles and named it "DaBaby Convertible", referencing the lyrics from his 2019 song "Suge", "I will turn a n*gga into a convertible".
- Like "LESS GOO", the lyrics "I PULL UP" are also frequently quoted online.
- After he was canceled for his homophobic remarks, Twitter users began referring to him as "DaMiscarriage" and "DaAbortion"
Tours[]
- Baby on Baby Tour (2019)
- Kirk Tour (2019)
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- He is 5'5.
- in the spring of 2021 Canadian based vinyl figure company Youtooz would confirm a figure for DaBaby, although would never be released likely due to the homophobic remarks made at Rolling Loud following the announcement.
