Last Updated on February 21, 2024
Who Is DaBaby?
Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, popularly known as DaBaby, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter who is famous for his 2019’s debut album, Baby on Baby. DaBaby kicked off his professional music career in 2014. However, he did not gain considerable recognition until late 2018. His debut album peaked at number 7 on the Billboard 200.
DaBaby banked on the success of his first album to release his second album, Kirk, the same year. Kirk performed incredible well too, debuting at number 1 on the Billboard 200. The most successful singles from these two albums include Suge, Intro, and Bop.
The rapper has since released his third album, Blame It on Baby (2020). Just like Kirk, Blame It on Baby also went on to debut at number 1 on the Billboard 200. The album’s most popular hit, Rockstar featuring Roddy Ricch, peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Jonathan Lyndale Kirk |
Popular Name: | DaBaby |
Gender: | Male |
Birth Date: | December 22, 1991 |
Age: | 31 years |
Parents: | Unknown |
Siblings: | Two siblings |
Birth Place: | Cleveland, Ohio |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | African-American |
Education: | Vance High School and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro |
Marital Status: | Single |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | N/A |
Children: | Has a daughter with ex-girlfriend, Meme |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | 4 million |
Source of Wealth: | Rapping |
Height: | 5′ 8″ (1.73 m) |
Weight: | 78 kg; In pounds: 165 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
DaBaby was born on December 22, 1991, in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1999, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he spent the better part of his childhood. He graduated from Vance High School in 2010 and proceeded to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
After studying at the university for two years, DaBaby dropped out so that he could pursue his music dreams. The rapper would later admit that he only went to the university to please his parents, and that he had his interests elsewhere.
As a young kid, DaBaby grew up listening to popular rappers like Lil Wayne, Eminem, and 50 Cent. In 2014, he decided to venture fully into music. He began by releasing his debut mixtape titled Nonfiction. Between 2014 and 2018, DaBaby released a series of mixtapes, mostly performing under the moniker Baby Jesus. He would later abandon the name, claiming that it was controversial and distracting.
His efforts did not go unnoticed. After seeing DaBaby perform his mixtapes around North Carolina, Arnold Taylor, who is the president of the South Coast Music Group label, decided to work with the budding rapper. DaBaby leveraged his deal with the South Coast Music Group to sign short-term distribution contracts with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. He was now a household name in the rap community.
To date, DaBaby has released three sensational albums, namely:
• Baby on Baby (2019)
• Kirk (2019)
• Blame It on Baby (2020)
DaBaby’s Net Worth
As of 2023, DaBaby had a net worth of $4 million. He has earned much of his wealth from album sales. Before the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, the rapper was taking home an estimated salary of $124,000 per month from rapping, songwriting, and his various other endeavors.
DaBaby’s debut album, Baby on Baby (2019), was an instant hit and has since sold more than 500,000 copies. The rapper leveraged the success of his first album to release his second project the same year, titled Kirk. And just like the first album, Kirk was well-received. The most popular singles from these two albums include Suge, Bop, and Intro. Suge has sold more than two million copies in the U.S alone.
It’s important to note that while he broke onto the music scene way back in 2014, it was not until 2019 that DaBaby’s music started selling. So, to have earned $4 million within such a short time span is truly something worth writing home about.
The rapper was harboring some ambitious music tours in 2020 that could have seen a significant rise in his net worth. Unfortunately, he has been unable to embark on any tours due to the coronavirus. According to estimates by his team, DaBaby could lose upwards of $7 million in ticket sales, should the pandemic persist beyond the next couple of months.
How does DaBaby spend his money?
DaBaby leads quite a glamorous public life, so it comes as no surprise that he spends significantly on expensive jewelry collection. Some of the articles in his jewelry collection include a $40,000 Audemars Piguet watch, a $25,000 Billion Dollar Baby charm, and a $20,000 Cuban link. He also spends significantly on luxury cars.
Life Lessons from DaBaby
1. Have serious mentors that you can look up to
Growing up, DaBaby used to listen to music by renowned rappers like Lil Wayne, Eminem, 50 Cent, Future, and Kanye West. He has since admitted that these are his musical mentors. And while he still doesn’t measure up to them in terms of popularity and net worth, DaBaby is definitely on course to becoming one of the best rappers in the industry.
2. Learn from your mistakes
Like many celebrities, DaBaby has been involved in a few legal issues. He once got into a fight at a Walmart store. The fight degenerated into a shootout where a 19-year old man was shot dead. DaBaby admitted involvement, claiming self-defense. After escaping a murder charge by a whisker, the rapper learnt his lesson and has mostly tried to stay out of trouble with the law.
3. Gratitude and positivity are key components of the millionaire mindset
DaBaby is one of the most optimistic rappers, and that clearly shows throughout his interviews. He has also learnt to express gratitude to anyone and anything, ranging from his parents, fans, business partners, mentors, etc.
Quotes by DaBaby
“Some songs I rap before the beat even play and I enjoy doing that. I like walking the beat down.”
“The music I make, it’s so hard. I listen to it 100,000 times before it even drops.”
“When I hear a beat that I can talk my shit on, it takes me there.”
Early on in my life, I got two older brothers; we used to listen to Eminem, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne.
“When I started coming on my music the way I was coming on freestyles – just relentless, at your neck, as soon as the beat starts, that’s when everything really clicked.”
Wrap Up
DaBaby’s rise to the top has been a rather slow but steady process. It took him about five years to nurture his rapping career and when he eventually released his debut album, he never disappointed. Going by his recent form, it’s safe to assume that the rapper has plenty of good times ahead of him.