Baby Keem

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Baby Keem
Birth nameHykeem Jamaal Carter Jr.
Also known as
  • Two Phone Baby Keem
  • Keem
  • Hykeem Carter
  • BooMan
  • Baby Hykeem
  • Hykeezy
Born (2000-10-22) October 22, 2000 (age 22)
Carson, California, U.S.[1][2]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2017–present
Labels
Websitekeem.science
themelodicblue.com
eerietimes.com

Hykeem Jamaal Carter Jr. (born October 22, 2000), known professionally as Baby Keem, is an American rapper and record producer.[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 and was certified Platinum in April 2022.

His debut studio album The Melodic Blue, was released in September 2021 by pgLang and Columbia Records. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 chart. The single "Family Ties" with 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.

Early life[edit]

He was born in Carson, California.[5] Prior to beginning his rapping career, Hykeem spent his early life (as early as 4 years old) in music studios watching his Aunts & Uncles "burn" CD's using the famous platform LimeWire, which was the most common source of free music listening back in the early 2000's. Just a few years later, he shared his memories of hearing Kanye West's album "808s & Heartbreak" on the radio while living in Las Vegas during the winter of 2009. This sparked his interest for music even more, which spurred his music research the following year. Keem looked up to artists such as Ye, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, Eminem, 50 Cent, along with others.[6]

Keem became a small, yet prominent YouTuber who was involved in the Minecraft Survival Games mini-game scene during the early 2010's. Keem's Minecraft account was under the in game name "hykeemc" and his YouTube account went by the alias "AllMightyModz".[7] Keem was known for being a highly skilled player on The Hive and MCGamer Network servers, amassing more than 1,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel because of his prowess. Keem would frequently hold Skype calls where his fans could play along with him.[8] Today, Keem's channel is inactive, however, the links on his channel direct you to Keem's current SoundCloud account.[9]

It wasn't until 2014 that Hykeem decided to start pursuing his own musical career.[10]

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.[11] 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.[12] In August 2020, it was revealed Baby Keem was included on XXL's 2020 Freshman Class.[13]

On September 18, 2020, Keem returned with the release of two new songs, "Hooligan", and "Sons & Critics Freestyle".[14] He then released "No Sense", on March 5, 2021.[15] On April 30, Keem released "Durag Activity" with Travis Scott.[16] The song was followed by another collaboration with Keem's cousin Kendrick Lamar, titled "Family Ties", which was released on August 27, 2021.[17] These songs are featured on Keem's debut studio album The Melodic Blue, which was released on September 10, 2021.[18][19] 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".[20] Keem also made an appearance on Kanye West's tenth studio album Donda, on the song "Praise God", alongside Travis Scott.[21]

On April 3, 2022, Keem won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance for "Family Ties", along with Kendrick Lamar.[22]

On October 28, 2022, Keem released the deluxe edition of The Melodic Blue.[23]

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."[24]

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.[25]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[26] 		AUS
[27] 		CAN
[28] 		NOR
[29] 		NZ
[30] 		SWE
[31] 		UK
[32]
The Melodic Blue 5 21 5 9 12 59 49

Mixtapes[edit]

List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[36]
The Sound of Bad Habit —
Die for My Bitch
  • Released: July 19, 2019[38]
  • Label: The Orchard, Sony
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
 196

EPs[edit]

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details
Oct
(as Hykeem Carter)
  • Released: November 7, 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Midnight
(as Hykeem Carter)
  • Released: January 16, 2018
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
No Name
(as Hykeem Carter)
  • Released: May 18, 2018
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Hearts & Darts
  • Released: July 12, 2018
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles[edit]

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[39] 		AUS
[40] 		CAN
[41] 		IRE
[42] 		NZ
[43] 		UK
[44]
"Invented It" 2019 — — — — — — Die for My Bitch
"France Freestyle" — — — — — —
"Orange Soda" 98 — 100 — — —
"Hooligan" 2020 — — — — — — The Melodic Blue
"Sons & Critics Freestyle" — — — — — — non-album singles
"No Sense" 2021 — — — — — — The Melodic Blue
"Durag Activity"
(with Travis Scott) 		85 — 53 74 — 96
"Family Ties"
(with Kendrick Lamar) 		18 44 19 32 29 52
"Issues"[20] —[A] — — — —[B] —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs[edit]

List of songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[48] 		US
R&B
[49] 		US
Rap
[50] 		AUS
[51] 		CAN
[52] 		IRE
[42] 		NZ
Hot
[47]
"Honest" 2019 — — — — — 81
[53]		 — Die for My Bitch
"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) 		— — — — — — 24
"16" — — — — — — —
"Bank Account"
(featuring Lil Uzi Vert) 		2022 —[D] 46 — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances[edit]

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Artist(s) Album
"Praise God"[55] 2021 Kanye West, Travis Scott Donda
"Outerspace" Don Toliver Life of a Don
"We Did It Kid" 2022 Kanye West, Migos Donda 2
"Savior" Kendrick Lamar, Sam Dew Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

Music videos[edit]

Year Title Director(s) Artist(s)
2018 "Baby Keem" N/A[56] Baby Keem
"Miss Charlotte" N/A[57]
2019 "Gang Activities" Shia LaBeouf[58]
"Invented It" Neal Farmer[59]
"Honest" James R. Weneta[60]
"Orange Soda" Dave Free[61]
"Moshpit" Jack Begert[62]
2020 "Hooligan" Jake Schreier[63]
2021 "No Sense" Savannah Setten[64]
"Durag Activity" Eliel Ford[65] Baby Keem and Travis Scott
"Family Ties" Dave Free[66] Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar
"The Melodic Blue (Album Trailer)" Dave Free[67] Baby Keem
"Issues" Jake Schreier[68]
"First Order of Business" Dave Free[69]

Tours[edit]

Headlining[edit]

  • Die For My Bitch Tour (2019)
  • The Melodic Blue Tour (2021-2022)

Supporting[edit]

Production credits[edit]

2018[edit]

Various artists - Black Panther: The Album

  • 10. "Redemption Interlude" (performed by Zacari) (additional production)[70]

Jay Rock - Redemption

  • 03. "Knock It Off"[71]
  • 05. "Rotation 112th"[72]

2019[edit]

ScHoolboy Q - CrasH Talk

Various artists - The Lion King: The Gift

2022[edit]

Offset - Blame it on Set

Awards and nominations[edit]

Grammy Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Himself Best New Artist Nominated [77]
Donda (as featured artist) Album of the Year Nominated
"Family Ties" Best Rap Performance Won
Best Rap Song Nominated

BET Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Family Ties" Video of the Year Won [78]
Best Collaboration Nominated
Himself Best New Artist Nominated

Billboard Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Praise God" Top Gospel Song Nominated [79]
"Praise God" Top Christian Song Nominated

NME Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Family Ties" Best Collaboration Nominated [80]

XXL Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Family Ties" Song of the Year Nominated [81]
Video of the Year Nominated

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ "Issues" did not enter the US Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 22 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[46]
  2. ^ "Issues" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 30 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[47]
  3. ^ "Trademark USA" did not enter the US Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number eight on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[46]
  4. ^ "Bank Account" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 15 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[54]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Baby Keem Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  2. ^ "Artist Spotlight: Who Is Baby Keem?". February 3, 2020.
  3. ^ "Artist Spotlight: Who Is Las Vegas Rapper Baby Keem?". February 3, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "Baby Keem: The Full Profile". RapTV. February 4, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  5. ^ "FYI: BABY KEEM". Acclaim Magazine.
  6. ^ Pack, The Rap. "Baby Keem On His Journey, His Relationship W/ Kendrick Lamar, Working W/ Drake + More | The Rap Pack". YouTube. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  7. ^ Survival Games | Ep. 2 | w/AllMightyModz, retrieved August 18, 2022
  8. ^ ★ Minecraft Survival Games | Ep. 7 | The Wrong Hykeem!, retrieved August 18, 2022
  9. ^ "Your Plug - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  10. ^ Pack, The Rap. "Baby Keem On His Journey, His Relationship W/ Kendrick Lamar, Working W/ Drake + More | The Rap Pack".
  11. ^ "Meet Hykeem Carter, The Mysterious Artist Who Has Credits on Multiple TDE Projects". Complex.
  12. ^ "Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free Launch New Company pgLang". Pitchfork. March 5, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  13. ^ Cline, Georgette (August 11, 2020). "XXL 2020 FRESHMAN CLASS REVEALED". XXL. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  14. ^ "hooligan / sons & critics - Single by Baby Keem on Apple Music". September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  15. ^ @babykeem (March 1, 2021). "3/5 👀 ..." (Tweet). Retrieved March 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ @babykeem (April 21, 2021). "durag activity @trvisXX let's gooo..." (Tweet). Retrieved April 22, 2021 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ "Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar team up on "family ties"". The FADER. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  18. ^ "Baby Keem to release new album 'The Melodic Blue' this week". NME. September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  19. ^ "Baby Keem Releasing New Album The Melodic Blue This Week". Pitchfork. September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Powell, Jon (September 9, 2021). "Baby Keem debuts new single during "Fallon" performance". Revolt. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  21. ^ "Kanye West Finally Releases New Album Donda". Pitchfork. August 29, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  22. ^ "Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar Win Best Rap Performance for "Family Ties" at the 2022 Grammys". Pitchfork. April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  23. ^ "Baby Keem Drops 'The Melodic Blue' Deluxe Edition". Complex. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  24. ^ Setaro, Shawn (July 31, 2019). "Baby Keem Has Arrived". Complex.
  25. ^ Rouhani, Neena (September 20, 2021). "Baby Keem Gets Personal: 'My Mission Here Is Much Deeper'". Billboard. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  28. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums". FYIMusicNews. March 13, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  29. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 40 Album uke 37, 2021". VG-lista. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  30. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  31. ^ "Veckolista Album, vecka 37". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  32. ^ "Baby Keem | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  33. ^ "Baby Keem Reveals His Next Release Will Be 'The Melodic Blue'". Uproxx. August 28, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "American certifications – Baby Keem". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  35. ^ a b c d "Canadian certifications – Baby Keem". Music Canada. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  36. ^ "Billboard 200: January 18, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  37. ^ Seamus Fay (October 30, 2018). "The Sound Of A Bad Habit -[Baby Keem]". Lyrical Lemonade. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  38. ^ Justin Ivey (July 18, 2019). "Baby Keem delivers Die For My Bitch Project". HipHopDX. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  39. ^ Peaks on the Hot 100:
  40. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  41. ^ Peaks on the Canadian Hot 100:
  42. ^ a b "Discography Baby Keem". irish-charts.com. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  43. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  44. ^ "Baby Keem and Travis Scott | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  45. ^ "British certifications – Baby Keem". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 14, 2023. Type Baby Keem in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  46. ^ a b "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart: Week of September 25, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  47. ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  48. ^ Peaks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart:
  49. ^ Peaks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart:
  50. ^ Peaks on the Hot Rap Songs chart:
  51. ^ "Discography Kanye West". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  52. ^ Peaks of other charted songs on the Canadian Hot 100:
  53. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  54. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of November 12, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  55. ^ "The Best Features on Kanye West's 'Donda,' Ranked". Complex Networks.
  56. ^ "Baby Keem - Baby Keem (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  57. ^ "Baby Keem - Miss Charlotte (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  58. ^ "Baby Keem - Gang Activities (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  59. ^ "Baby Keem - Invented It (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  60. ^ "Baby Keem - Honest (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  61. ^ "Baby Keem - Orange Soda (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  62. ^ "Baby Keem - Moshpit (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  63. ^ "Baby Keem - Hooligan (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  64. ^ "Baby Keem - No Sense (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  65. ^ "Baby Keem, Travis Scott - Durag Activity (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  66. ^ "Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar - family ties (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  67. ^ "Baby Keem - the melodic blue (Album Trailer)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  68. ^ "Baby Keem - Issues (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  69. ^ "Baby Keem - first order of business (Official Video)". Retrieved December 19, 2021 – via YouTube.
  70. ^ "Zacari – Redemption Interlude". Genius.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  71. ^ "Jay Rock – Knock It Off". Genius.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  72. ^ "Jay Rock – Rotation 112th". Genius.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  73. ^ "ScHoolboy Q – Numb Numb Juice". Genius.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  74. ^ "ScHoolboy Q (Ft. Ty Dolla $ign & YG) – Lies". Genius.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  75. ^ "Beyoncé & Kendrick Lamar – NILE". Genius.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  76. ^ Offset – 54321, retrieved August 29, 2022
  77. ^ "2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List". Grammys.com. November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  78. ^ "Here Are All the 2022 BET Awards Winners: Full List". Billboard. June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  79. ^ "The Weeknd & Doja Cat Lead 2022 Billboard Music Awards Finalists: Full List". Billboard. April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  80. ^ "Griff and Sigrid win Best Collaboration at the BandLab NME Awards 2022". NME. March 2, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  81. ^ XXL Staff. "Here Are the XXL Awards 2022 Winners". XXL Mag. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
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