Baby Keem
Baby Keem | |
---|---|
Birth name | Hykeem Jamaal Carter Jr. |
Also known as |
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Born | Carson, California, U.S.[1][2] | October 22, 2000
Origin | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 2017–present |
Labels |
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Associated acts | |
Relatives | Kendrick Lamar (cousin)
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Website | keemworld themelodicblue |
Hykeem Jamaal Carter Jr. (born October 22, 2000), known professionally as Baby Keem, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer from Las Vegas, Nevada.[3][4] He initially gained major recognition following the release of his single "Orange Soda", from his second mixtape Die for My Bitch (2019). He would later collaborate with Kanye West on the song "Praise God", which reached the top 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
His debut studio album The Melodic Blue, was issued in September 2021 by Columbia Records and pgLang. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 chart. The single "Family Ties" featuring his cousin Kendrick Lamar, became his second top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, and received the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance. The album also included the songs "Durag Activity" alongside Travis Scott, and "Range Brothers" with Lamar.
Musical career[edit]
Keem has both songwriting and production credits on his cousin Kendrick Lamar's project, Black Panther: The Album, TDE member Jay Rock's Redemption, Schoolboy Q's Crash Talk, and the song "Nile" from Disney's The Lion King: The Gift.[5] Keem worked with record producer Cardo, on his two mixtapes, The Sound of a Bad Habit (2018) and Die for My Bitch (2019).
In March 2020, Keem was featured in the visual mission statement for Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free's company, pgLang.[6] In August 2020, it was revealed Baby Keem was included on XXL's 2020 Freshman Class.[7]
On September 18, 2020, Keem returned with the release of two new songs, "Hooligan", and "Sons & Critics Freestyle".[8] He then released "No Sense", on March 5, 2021.[9] On April 30, Keem released "Durag Activity" with Travis Scott.[10] The song was followed by another collaboration with Keem’s cousin Kendrick Lamar, titled "Family Ties", which was released on August 27, 2021.[11] These songs are featured on Keem's debut studio album The Melodic Blue, which was released on September 10, 2021.[12][13] The album also included the single "Issues", which Keem performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, a collaboration with Don Toliver titled "Cocoa", as well as previously-teased tracks "Vent" and "Range Brothers".[14] Keem also made an appearance on Kanye West's tenth studio album Donda, on the song "Praise God", alongside Travis Scott.[15]
On April 3, 2022, Keem won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance for "Family Ties", along with Kendrick Lamar.[16]
Artistry[edit]
Influences[edit]
In a 2019 interview, Keem cited American musician Kid Cudi, as a major influence: "I was inspired by Cudi's cadences and shit like that. Kid Cudi's one of my favorite artists."[17]
In a 2021 interview with Billboard, Keem reportedly identified as part of the Mike WiLL Made-It and Metro Boomin generation, saying he derives inspiration from the two producers, as well as from Kanye West.[18]
Discography[edit]
Studio albums[edit]
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [19] |
AUS [20] |
CAN [21] |
NOR [22] |
NZ [23] |
SWE [24] |
UK [25] | |||
The Melodic Blue |
|
5 | 21 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 59 | 49 |
Mixtapes[edit]
Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
US [28] | ||
The Sound of Bad Habit |
|
— |
Die for My Bitch |
|
196 |
EPs[edit]
Title | Details |
---|---|
Oct (as Hykeem Carter) |
|
Midnight (as Hykeem Carter) |
|
No Name (as Hykeem Carter) |
|
Hearts & Darts |
|
Singles[edit]
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [31] |
AUS [32] |
CAN [33] |
IRE [34] |
NZ [35] |
UK [36] | ||||||||
"Invented It" | 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Die for My Bitch | |||||
"France Freestyle" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
"Orange Soda" | 98 | — | 100 | — | — | — |
| ||||||
"Hooligan" | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | non-album singles | |||||
"Sons & Critics Freestyle" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
"No Sense" | 2021 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"Durag Activity" (with Travis Scott) |
85 | — | 53 | 74 | — | 96 | The Melodic Blue | ||||||
"Family Ties" (with Kendrick Lamar) |
18 | 44 | 19 | 32 | 29 | 52 |
| ||||||
"Issues"[14] | —[A] | — | — | — | —[B] | — | |||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Other charted songs[edit]
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [39] |
US R&B [40] |
US Rap [41] |
AUS [42] |
CAN [43] |
IRE [44] |
NZ Hot [38] | ||||
"Praise God" (Kanye West featuring Travis Scott and Baby Keem) |
2021 | 20 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 17 | — | — |
|
Donda |
"Trademark USA" | —[C] | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | The Melodic Blue | ||
"Range Brothers" (with Kendrick Lamar) |
53 | 23 | 20 | — | 61 | 93 | 11 | |||
"Cocoa" (featuring Don Toliver) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 29 | |||
"Lost Souls" (featuring Brent Faiyaz) |
— | 42 | — | — | — | — | 24 | |||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Guest appearances[edit]
Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Praise God"[46] | 2021 | Kanye West, Travis Scott | Donda |
"Outerspace" | Don Toliver | Life of a Don | |
"We Did It Kid" | 2022 | Kanye West, Migos | Donda 2 |
Music videos[edit]
Year | Title | Director(s) | Artist(s) |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | "Baby Keem" | N/A[47] | Baby Keem |
"Miss Charlotte" | N/A[48] | ||
2019 | "Gang Activities" | Shia LaBeouf[49] | |
"INVENTED IT" | Neal Farmer[50] | ||
"HONEST" | James R. Weneta[51] | ||
"ORANGE SODA" | Dave Free[52] | ||
"MOSHPIT" | Jack Begert[53] | ||
2020 | "hooligan" | Jake Schreier[54] | |
2021 | "no sense" | Savannah Setten[55] | |
"durag activity" | Eliel Ford[56] | Baby Keem and Travis Scott | |
"family ties" | Dave Free[57] | Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar | |
"the melodic blue (Album Trailer)" | Dave Free[58] | Baby Keem | |
"issues" | Jake Schreier[59] | ||
"first order of business" | Dave Free[60] |
Production credits[edit]
2018[edit]
Various artists - Black Panther: The Album[edit]
Jay Rock - Redemption[edit]
2019[edit]
ScHoolboy Q - CrasH Talk[edit]
- 04. "Numb Numb Juice" (additional production)[64]
- 06. "Lies" (featuring Ty Dolla $ign and YG) (additional production)[65]
Various artists - The Lion King: The Gift[edit]
- 10. "NILE" (performed by Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar) (additional production)[66]
Awards and nominations[edit]
Grammy Awards[edit]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Himself | Best New Artist | Nominated | [67] |
Donda (as featured artist) | Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
"Family Ties" | Best Rap Performance | Won | ||
Best Rap Song | Nominated |
Billboard Music Awards[edit]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | "Praise God" | Top Gospel Song | Pending | [68] |
"Praise God" | Top Christian Song | Pending |
Notes[edit]
- ^ "Issues" did not enter the US Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 22 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[37]
- ^ "Issues" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 30 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[38]
- ^ "Trademark USA" did not enter the US Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number eight on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[37]
References[edit]
- ^ "Baby Keem Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ "Artist Spotlight: Who Is Baby Keem?". February 3, 2020.
- ^ "Artist Spotlight: Who Is Las Vegas Rapper Baby Keem?". February 3, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
- ^ "Baby Keem: The Full Profile". RapTV. February 4, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
- ^ "Meet Hykeem Carter, The Mysterious Artist Who Has Credits on Multiple TDE Projects". Complex.
- ^ "Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free Launch New Company pgLang". Pitchfork. March 5, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- ^ Cline, Georgette (August 11, 2020). "XXL 2020 FRESHMAN CLASS REVEALED". XXL. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "hooligan / sons & critics - Single by Baby Keem on Apple Music". September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020 – via Apple Music.
- ^ @babykeem (March 1, 2021). "3/5 👀 ..." (Tweet). Retrieved March 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ @babykeem (April 21, 2021). "durag activity @trvisXX let's gooo..." (Tweet). Retrieved April 22, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar team up on "family ties"". The FADER. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- ^ "Baby Keem to release new album 'The Melodic Blue' this week". NME. September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- ^ "Baby Keem Releasing New Album The Melodic Blue This Week". Pitchfork. September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- ^ a b Powell, Jon (September 9, 2021). "Baby Keem debuts new single during "Fallon" performance". Revolt. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ "Kanye West Finally Releases New Album Donda". Pitchfork. August 29, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- ^ "Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar Win Best Rap Performance for "Family Ties" at the 2022 Grammys". Pitchfork. April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
- ^ Setaro, Shawn (July 31, 2019). "Baby Keem Has Arrived". Complex.
- ^ Rouhani, Neena (September 20, 2021). "Baby Keem Gets Personal: 'My Mission Here Is Much Deeper'". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (September 19, 2021). "Drake's 'Certified Lover Boy' Spends Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums". FYIMusicNews. March 13, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
- ^ "VG-lista – Topp 40 Album uke 37, 2021". VG-lista. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ "Veckolista Album, vecka 37". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ "Baby Keem | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ "Baby Keem Reveals His Next Release Will Be 'The Melodic Blue'". Uproxx. August 28, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c "American certifications – Baby Keem". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ "Billboard 200: January 18, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- ^ Seamus Fay (October 30, 2018). "The Sound Of A Bad Habit -[Baby Keem]". Lyrical Lemonade. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
- ^ Justin Ivey (July 18, 2019). "Baby Keem delivers Die For My Bitch Project". HipHopDX. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
- ^ Peaks on the Hot 100:
- "Orange Soda": "Billboard Hot 100: January 18, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- "Durag Activity": "Billboard Hot 100: May 15, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- "Family Ties": "Kendrick Lamar Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- ^ Peaks on the Canadian Hot 100:
- "Orange Soda": "Canadian Hot 100: January 18, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- "Durag Activity": "Canadian Hot 100: May 15, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- "Family Ties": "Kendrick Lamar Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts: Week 18 2021". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- ^ "Baby Keem and Travis Scott | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart: Week of September 25, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
- ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ Peaks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart:
- "Praise God": "Kanye West – Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
- "Range Brothers": "Kendrick Lamar – Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
- ^ Peaks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart:
- "Praise God": "Kanye West – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
- "Range Brothers": "Kendrick Lamar – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
- ^ Peaks on the Hot Rap Songs chart:
- "Praise God": "Kanye West – Chart History: Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
- "Range Brothers": "Kendrick Lamar – Chart History: Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
- ^ "Discography Kanye West". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- ^ Peaks of other charted songs on the Canadian Hot 100:
- "Praise God": "Kanye West – Chart History: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
- "Range Brothers": "Kendrick Lamar – Chart History: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ "American certifications – Baby Keem". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- ^ "The Best Features on Kanye West's 'Donda,' Ranked". Complex Networks.
- ^ "Baby Keem - Baby Keem (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem - Miss Charlotte (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem - Gang Activities (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem - INVENTED IT (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem - Honest (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem - Orange Soda (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem - Moshpit (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem - hooligan (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem - no sense (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem, Travis Scott - durag activity (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar - family ties (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem - the melodic blue (Album Trailer)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem - issues (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Baby Keem - first order of business (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Zacari – Redemption Interlude". Genius.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ "Jay Rock – Knock It Off". Genius.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ "Jay Rock – Rotation 112th". Genius.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ "ScHoolboy Q – Numb Numb Juice". Genius.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ "ScHoolboy Q (Ft. Ty Dolla $ign & YG) – Lies". Genius.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ "Beyoncé & Kendrick Lamar – NILE". Genius.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ "2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List". Grammys.com. November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- ^ "The Weeknd & Doja Cat Lead 2022 Billboard Music Awards Finalists: Full List". April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
- Living people
- 21st-century American rappers
- American hip hop record producers
- Rappers from Nevada
- West Coast hip hop musicians
- 2000 births
- American hip hop singers
- African-American male singer-songwriters
- African-American male rappers
- African-American record producers
- 21st-century African-American male singers
- Singer-songwriters from Nevada
- Grammy Award winners for rap music