GoldLink | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | D'Anthony William Carlos [1] |
Born | Washington, D.C., U.S. | May 17, 1993
Genres | |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2013–present |
Labels |
|
Website | goldlink |
D'Anthony William Carlos (born May 17, 1993), better known by his stage name GoldLink, is an American rapper and singer from Washington, D.C. [2] He gained recognition following the release of his debut mixtape The God Complex (2014), which was met with critical acclaim. In 2015, he was chosen as part of the XXL Freshman Class and released his second mixtape, And After That, We Didn't Talk —supported by the singles "Dance on Me" and "Spectrum". He signed with RCA Records to release his 2016 single "Crew" (featuring Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy), which peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100, received sextuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. It preceded the release of his debut studio album At What Cost (2017), which was met with continued positive reception despite trailing the single's commercial success. His second album, Diaspora (2019), entered the Billboard 200 at number 77.
GoldLink's father was a parks and recreation worker and his mother a secretary at a law firm. [3] After his parents separated, GoldLink moved to Bowie, Maryland with his mother and eventually settled in Virginia. He graduated from Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria, Virginia. [3]
GoldLink began his career performing under his birth name D'Anthony Carlos. He began making music as a hobby after graduating high school at Hayfield Secondary School, eventually recording tracks in a local studio in Falls Church, Virginia named Indie Media Lab. [3] He released his first tracks on Bandcamp under the name Gold Link James. It was in 2013 that he began performing as GoldLink, releasing several free tracks on SoundCloud. [3]
GoldLink released his first mixtape The God Complex in July 2014. Complex [4] named it one of the best projects released during the first half of 2014, Spin [5] placed it at number 19 on its The 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2014, Clash [6] ranked it at number 7 on their Top 10 Mixtapes of 2014 and Pitchfork Media gave the mixtape a 7.9 rating. [3]
GoldLink began collaborating with producer Rick Rubin in 2015. [7] In November 2015 he released the mixtape After That, We Didn't Talk, much of which was considered a follow-up to questions left unanswered from The God Complex. [8] Pigeons & Planes placed it at number 19 on its Best Albums of 2015 list. [9] GoldLink was also named a member of the XXL Freshman Class in 2015. [7] In 2016, GoldLink signed a major deal with RCA Records and revealed he is working on his debut album for the label. He released the single "Fall In Love" featuring rapper Cisero and produced by Canadian band BADBADNOTGOOD and Canadian producer and DJ Kaytranada. [10] He later released the song "Untitled" with TDE rapper Isaiah Rashad. In December of that year, he saw his furthest commercial success following the release of his single "Crew" (featuring Shy Glizzy and Brent Faiyaz). It entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 45, received six-times platinum certification by the RIAA, and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration; the single also spawned a remix by Georgia rapper Gucci Mane.
In February 2017, Goldlink took part in "Red Bull Sound Selects" 3 Days Miami among artists Kelela, Angel Olsen, Brika, and others. [11] On March 24, 2017, he released his debut album, At What Cost . It featured guest appearances from Wale, Shy Glizzy, Steve Lacy, Jazmine Sullivan, Kaytranada, Mýa, Ciscero, Kokayi, Hare Squead, Radiant Children, April George and Lil Dude. [12] The project debuted at number 128 on the US Billboard 200 chart. [13] Apart from "Crew", it also spawned the single "Meditation". [14]
On June 7, 2018, GoldLink was featured on the song "Like I Do" by American singer Christina Aguilera from her eighth studio album, Liberation , [15] which was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. [16]
On June 12, 2019, GoldLink released his second studio album Diaspora. In an interview with Wonderland Magazine, he said that he considered "At What Cost" to be his breakout mixtape due to a label agreement and "Diaspora" as his debut album.
On June 18, 2021, GoldLink released his third studio album Haram!. [17] In the run up to the album release, GoldLink began trolling some of his fellow rappers, tweeting insults and threats at Sheck Wes and sporting a fake facial jewel on his forehead in a July 13, 2021 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon appearance, in apparent mockery of the facial jewelry trend popularized by Lil Uzi Vert and Sauce Walka. [18] [19] In the album's first single, "White Walls," GoldLink continued his disses of Sheck Wes. The feud with Wes dates back to 2019 when GoldLink's then-girlfriend Justine Skye accused Wes of abuse, stalking, and harassment. [19]
On November 26, 2019, GoldLink wrote a post on Instagram that outlined both his appreciation for Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller, who died of an accidental overdose in 2018, and his belief the late star intentionally cribbed the sound of And After That, We Didn't Talk for Miller's album The Divine Feminine . GoldLink claimed he showed Miller his album while they were on tour together for Miller's previous album GO:OD AM and wrote the rapper loved it and had him play it for the whole touring crew. [20] GoldLink pointed to similarities in the albums' structure and use of singer Anderson .Paak for a lead single. [21] Paak responded in an Instagram post of his own, slamming GoldLink for having a "God Complex" and being disrespectful in the wake of their friend's death. [20] [21] On November 28, 2019, GoldLink spoke on the war of words at a concert in Hamburg, Germany, focusing on the love he expressed in the post for Miller and emphasizing he never accused the deceased rapper of stealing or copying. [22]
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [13] | US R&B /HH [23] | AUS [24] | BEL (FL) [25] | NLD [26] | |||||||
At What Cost |
| 127 | 36 | — | — | — | |||||
Diaspora | 77 | 40 | 70 | 148 | 87 | ||||||
Haram! | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Title | Mixtape details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US R&B /HH [23] | |||||||||||
The God Complex |
| — | |||||||||
And After That, We Didn't Talk [31] |
| 21 | |||||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [14] | US R&B /HH [33] | ||||||||||
"Sober Thoughts" | 2015 | — | — | The God Complex | |||||||
"Dance on Me" [34] | — | — | And After That, We Didn't Talk | ||||||||
"Spectrum" [35] | — | — | |||||||||
"Fall in Love" (featuring Ciscero) | 2016 | — | — | Non-album singles | |||||||
"See I Miss Pt. 2" (featuring Marsha Ambrosius) | — | — | |||||||||
"Crew" (featuring Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy) | 45 | 15 | At What Cost | ||||||||
"Rough Soul" (featuring April George) | 2017 | — | — | Non-album single | |||||||
"Meditation" (featuring Kaytranada and Jazmine Sullivan) | — | — | At What Cost | ||||||||
"Got Friends" (featuring Miguel) [37] | 2018 | — | — | Non-album single | |||||||
"Loud" (with Silk City and Desiigner) [38] | — | — | Electricity [39] | ||||||||
"Zulu Screams" (featuring Maleek Berry and Bibi Bourelly) [40] | 2019 | — | — | Diaspora | |||||||
"Joke Ting" (featuring Ari Pen-Smith) [41] | — | — | |||||||||
"U Say" (featuring Tyler, the Creator and Jay Prince) [42] | — | — | |||||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"FBGM" (BMB Spacekid featuring GoldLink) | 2015 | Non-album singles |
"Aquafina" [43] (Falcons featuring GoldLink and Chaz French) | ||
"Compromise" (Christian Rich featuring GoldLink) | FW14 | |
"Sticks and Horses" (George Maple featuring GoldLink) [44] | 2016 | Lover |
"Nobody" (LEISURE featuring GoldLink) | Leisure | |
"Together" (Kaytranada featuring AlunaGeorge & GoldLink) | 99.9% | |
"Boo You Know" [45] (Falcons featuring GoldLink) | 2017 | Non-album singles |
"Far Gone" [46] (Burns featuring Johnny Yukon and GoldLink) | ||
"Through Enough" [47] (VanJess featuring GoldLink) | Silk Canvas | |
"Wide Open" [48] (Deante' Hitchcock featuring GoldLink) | So Much For Good Luck | |
"Nobody" [49] (Niia featuring GoldLink) | Non-album single | |
"Function" [50] (Ciscero featuring GoldLink, April George and Cheakaity) | 2018 | Devil's Pie |
"Like I Do" [15] (Christina Aguilera featuring GoldLink) | Liberation | |
"Open" (Mýa featuring GoldLink) | 2019 | TKO (The Knock Out) |
"Vex Oh" (Kaytranada featuring GoldLink, Eight9Fly & Ari PenSmith) | 2019 | Bubba |
Title | Year | Certifications | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Herside Story" (with Hare Squead) | 2017 |
| At What Cost |
"Black Balloons" (Denzel Curry featuring Twelve'len and GoldLink) | 2019 | Ta13oo | |
Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Hi Lo" [52] | 2018 | Chloe x Halle | The Kids Are Alright |
"Black Balloons" | 2018 | Denzel Curry, Twelve'len | Ta13oo |
"Something Real" [53] | 2019 | Adé, Wale | Always Something |
"Prescriptions" | lilbootycall | Jesus Said Run It Back | |
"Babouche" | Jidenna | 85 to Africa | |
"Severed Head" | 2020 | Gorillaz, Unknown Mortal Orchestra | Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez |
Year | Awards | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Grammy Awards | Best Rap/Sung Performance | "Crew" (with Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy) | Nominated | [16] |
iHeartRadio Music Awards | Best New Hip-Hop Artist | Himself | Nominated | [54] | |
BET Awards | Best New Artist | Nominated | [55] | ||
2019 | Grammy Awards | Best Rap/Sung Performance | "Like I Do" (with Christina Aguilera) | Nominated | [56] |
The discography of American rapper T.I. consists of eleven studio albums, one compilation album, one remix album, four extended plays (EPs), 13 mixtapes, 110 singles and 11 promotional singles. He has also released one music video album and over 60 music videos, the details of which are included in his videography.
The discography of American singer T-Pain consists of seven studio albums, one compilation album, one soundtrack album, one instrumental album, seven mixtapes, 21 singles and nineteen music videos.
The discography ofMaster P, a U.S. rapper and record producer, also known as entrepreneur P. Miller, consists of fourteen studio albums, 40 singles, 16 compilation albums, one collaboration album, and 33 music videos.
The discography of American rapper B.o.B consists of seven studio albums, five compilation albums, three extended plays (EPs), 26 mixtapes, 51 singles, 14 promotional singles, and 76 music videos.
The discography of American rapper Tyga consists of seven studio albums, three compilation albums, twenty mixtapes, sixty-seven singles and forty-six music videos. In 2008, Tyga released his first studio album, No Introduction, on the record label Decaydance Records. The album was led by the single "Coconut Juice", which peaked at number 94 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and marked Tyga's first song to enter on the chart. In 2010, Tyga and Virginia singer Chris Brown released the collaborative mixtape Fan of a Fan (2010), which included their hit single "Deuces", which peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Tyga's first song to chart on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it peaked atop.
The discography of American rapper Wale consists of seven studio albums, three compilation albums, ten mixtapes, one extended play, sixty-five singles, two promotional singles and forty-one music videos. In 2005, Wale started his music career by releasing mixtapes in the Washington, D.C. area. His debut mixtape was titled Paint a Picture. Following that, Wale released his second mixtape in 2006, Hate Is the New Love. Thar same year, Wale signed with a local record label in Studio 43. In 2007, Wale was discovered by Mark Ronson and signed with his record label Allido Records, who released his third mixtape, 100 Miles & Running in July of that year.
The discography of Moroccan-American rapper French Montana consists of five studio albums, twenty-six mixtapes, 51 singles including 57 as featured artist, 32 music videos and 18 promotional singles.
Dijon Isaiah McFarlane, known professionally as Mustard, is an American record producer and DJ. A frequent collaborator of fellow California-based artists YG and Ty Dolla Sign, he has produced several singles and albums for both rappers, as well as other prominent acts in hip hop and R&B. He first saw recognition for his work on Tyga's 2011 single "Rack City".
American rapper ASAP Ferg has released two studio albums, three mixtapes, one extended play and forty eight singles.
The discography of Kid Ink, an American rapper, consists of four studio albums, three extended plays, eight mixtapes and thirty-six singles.
Rodriquez Jacquees Broadnax, known mononymously as Jacquees, is an American R&B singer from Decatur, Georgia. He signed with Birdman's Cash Money Records in 2014, and first gained recognition with his 2016 single, "B.E.D."; the song peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Bryan James Sledge, better known by his stage name BJ the Chicago Kid, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Sledge is best known for frequently collaborating with Top Dawg Entertainment recording artists Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay Rock. He has also worked with several other prominent rappers, such as Freddie Gibbs, Warren G, Nekfeu, Chance the Rapper, Big K.R.I.T., GLC, Kanye West, Anderson .Paak, and Joey Badass, among numerous others.
Jeffery Lamar Williams, known professionally as Young Thug, is an American rapper. Known for his eccentric vocal style and fashion, he is considered an influential figure in modern hip hop and trap music, and a pioneer of the mumble rap microgenre. Williams embarked on a musical career in 2011, releasing a series of mixtapes beginning with I Came from Nothing. In 2013, he signed with fellow Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane's 1017 Records and gained further attention and praise for his debut mixtape with the label, 1017 Thug, released in February of that year.
The discography of American rapper Chance the Rapper consists of one studio album, five mixtapes and 27 singles.
Deja Monét Trimble, known professionally as Dej Loaf, is an American rapper and singer from Detroit, Michigan. She is best known for her 2014 single "Try Me" and its 2015 follow-up, "Back Up". The latter received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and served as lead single for her debut extended play ...And See That's the Thing (2015), which was released by Columbia Records. Both songs, along with her guest appearance on Kid Ink's 2015 single "Be Real", peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut studio album, Sell Sole II (2020), was met with positive critical reception despite failing to chart.
American rapper Jaden Smith has released three studio albums, three mixtapes, three extended plays, 16 singles and 28 music videos. In 2010, Smith collaborated with singer Justin Bieber on the song "Never Say Never", which peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 and later becoming certified 5× platinum by the RIAA. Smith released his debut mixtape, The Cool Cafe: Cool Tape Vol. 1, in October 2012, which was followed up by CTV2, a sequel to his mixtape, on November 18, 2014. He then released a three-track collaborative EP with producer Daniel D'artiste titled This Is the Album in February 2015.
Marc Griffin, known professionally as Marc E. Bassy, is an American singer and songwriter from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the former vocalist of the Los Angeles-based pop band 2AM Club. His solo works include his 2014 mixtape Only the Poets, 2015 release East Hollywood, and the 2016 EP Groovy People, including the single "You & Me" featuring G-Eazy.
Terry Sanchez Wallace Jr., known professionally as Tee Grizzley, is an American rapper. He first began posting music online in 2011; following a two year prison sentence, he released the song "First Day Out" in 2017. It quickly gained viral status—earning two million views on YouTube in under three weeks—due to a social media challenge enacted by basketball player LeBron James, after which the song peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100 and led him to sign with 300 Entertainment. Its release preceded his debut mixtape My Moment (2017), and was followed by the single "From the D to the A", which received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His collaborative mixtape with Lil Durk, Bloodas (2018), was followed by his debut studio album, Activated (2018).
Jeffrey Mark Alexander, known professionally as 22Gz, is an American rapper credited as a pioneer of the Brooklyn drill scene. 22Gz released his first major mixtape, The Blixky Tape, through Atlantic Records in 2019.