DDG (rapper) explained

DDG
Birth Name:Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.
Birth Date: October 10, 1997
Birth Place:Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.
Years Active:2015–present
Partner:Halle Bailey (2021–present)
Children:1-->
Module:
Embed:yes
DDG
Years Active:2014–present
Genre:Gaming, vlogs, pranks
Subscribers:
  • 3.04 million (DDG Music)
  • 3.99 million (DDG & Halo)
  • 3.39 million (PontiacMadeDDG VLOGS)
  • 1.56 million (DDG Snaps)
Views:
  • 744 million (DDG Music)
  • 549 million (PontiacMadeDDG VLOGS)
Silver Button:yes
Silver Year:2016; 2016; 2017
Gold Button:yes
Gold Year:2017; 2017; 2018
Stats Update:August, 15, 2024

Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr. (born October 10, 1997), known professionally as DDG, is an American YouTuber and rapper. He started making videos in 2014, expanding his content with YouTube vlogs after graduating high school in 2015 and briefly attended Central Michigan University. He dropped out of college within a year to focus on his YouTube career.

In 2018, Grandberry signed with Epic Records, and co-founded his own label, Zooted Music two years later with managers Eric O'Connor and Dimitri Hurt. His 2020 single "Moonwalking in Calabasas" (remixed featuring Blueface) entered the Billboard Hot 100 and received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Granberry made his boxing debut against Nate Wyatt in June 2021 at the YouTubers vs Tiktokers event, where he defeated Wyatt by unanimous decision.

Early life

Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr. was born in Pontiac, Michigan. He attended International Tech Academy, where he was class valedictorian.[1] After graduating from high school, Darryl enrolled at Central Michigan University, where he later dropped out for what he says was making $30,000 per month being a YouTuber.[2] [3] After dropping out of Central Michigan, Darryl moved to Hollywood, California to be a full-time entertainer.[2]

Career

DDG was interested in music at a young age. He made music as a child in the studio where his father was an audio engineer. His early music included a diss track to Lil Yachty, which was called, "Big Boat".[4] [5] DDG released two songs in 2016 entitled "Balenciagas" and "Free Parties", both produced by Zaytoven. He also teamed up with Famous Dex for a song entitled "Lettuce". The track was initially released on DDG's YouTube channel and had 500,000 views in 1 hour, causing WorldstarHipHop to contact DDG to allow them to exclusively release the video.[6] On November 23, 2017, DDG released a single, "Givenchy", off his debut EP, Take Me Serious. "Givenchy" received over 25 million views on YouTube.[7] Complex identified "Givenchy" as a song "Bout to Blow in 2018".[8] On March 17, 2018, DDG released Take Me Serious. After the release of "Lettuce", DDG was contacted by major record labels,[9] and in June 2018 signed a record deal with Epic Records.[10]

On June 1, 2018, DDG released the single "Arguments", which was certified Gold by the RIAA on April 15, 2020.[11] On March 22, 2019, DDG released his second EP, Sorry 4 the Hold Up. DDG released a music video for the song "Hold Up" from the EP, featuring Queen Naija, and it received over 15 million views on YouTube. On September 20, 2019, DDG released "Push", the first single off his debut album, Valedictorian. DDG released the album on November 1, 2019.

On July 24, 2020, DDG released his single "Moonwalking in Calabasas", which later received two remixes, the first featuring Blueface and the second featuring YG. It became DDG's first song to enter the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 82.[12] The song was certified platinum on June 3, 2021.[13] DDG and record producer OG Parker released the single "Money Long" featuring 42 Dugg on February 26, 2021. DDG released a collaborative mixtape with OG Parker, Die 4 Respect on March 19, 2021. It peaked at number 61 on the Billboard 200. On June 16, 2021, DDG was fan-voted on the tenth spot for the 2021 XXL Freshman List.[14]

On February 18, 2022, DDG released his single "Elon Musk," which featured American-rapper Gunna. According to an interview with Complex Music, the single was a nod to DDG's admiration for the multi-billionaire business magnate and entrepreneur Elon Musk, as well as their similar interests with space travel.[15] According to Forbes, DDG was the first rapper to shoot a music video with NASA's Zero Gravity Training emulating a space mission.[16] [17]

In September 30, 2022, he released a second studio album, It's Not Me It's You, with features from Gunna, NLE Choppa, Polo G, Kevin Gates and Babyface Ray.

In 2022, it was announced that DDG had made the Forbes 2023 30 Under 30 list for music.[18]

Personal life

In 2014 DDG’s 21 year old brother, Darion Breckenridge, was shot and killed inside his car; the killers were never caught. Four years later in 2018 on DJ Vlad’s (also known as Vladtv) YouTube channel, DDG came out and said he knows who killed his brother.[19] The killing of his brother moved DDG away from the “street life” to pursue more creative endeavors.[20]

In 2022, it was announced that DDG and Halle Bailey were dating. In 2024, they announced the birth of their first child together, a son born December 22, 2023.[21]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
Valedictorian
It's Not Me It's You
  • Released: September 30, 2022[22]
  • Label: Epic
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
133
Maybe It's Me...
  • Released: July 14, 2023
  • Label: Epic
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Mixtapes

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;"
Mixtape detailsPeak chart positions
US
[23]
US
R&B/HH
[24]
Die 4 Respect
  • Released: March 19, 2021
  • Label: Epic
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
61 34

Extended plays

List of EPs, with selected details
TitleEP details
Take Me Serious
  • Released: March 17, 2018
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Sorry 4 the Hold Up
  • Released: March 22, 2019
  • Label: Epic
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum(s)
US
[25]
US R&B /HH
[26]
CAN
[27]
WW
[28]
"Balenciagas"2016rowspan="5"
"Free Parties"
"The Reals" 2017
"No Pockets"
"Lettuce"
(featuring Famous Dex)
"Take Me Serious"Take Me Serious
"Givenchy"
"Hood Santa"rowspan="2"
"On My Own"2018
"Bank"Take Me Serious
"Arguments" Valedictorian
"No Label"rowspan="2"
"Young, Rich & Black"
"Run It Up"
(featuring YBN Nahmir, G Herbo, and Blac Youngsta)
Sorry 4 the Hold Up and Valedictorian
"Accountant"
"Hold Up"
(featuring Queen Naija)
2019Sorry 4 the Hold Up and Valedictorian
"13"
"Push"Valedictorian
"Red Light"
(with DC the Don and YBN Almighty Jay)
2020Come as You Are
"Cotton Mouth"rowspan="3"
"Escape"
"Toxic"
"Pull Up"
(with Sad Frosty)
Happy Cult
"OD"rowspan="6"
"New Celine"
(with Paidway T.O)
"Exotics"
"Case"
"She Cheated"
"Well Off"
"Moonwalking in Calabasas"
(solo or featuring Blueface or YG)
81 26 72 185
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum
  • MC: Gold[29]
Die 4 Respect
"Tony Montana"
(with DJ K.i.D)
"Money Long"
(with OG Parker featuring 42 Dugg)
2021Die 4 Respect
"Rule #1"
(with OG Parker featuring Lil Yachty)
"No Kizzy"
(with Paidway T.O)
rowspan="4"
"Lusted"
"If I Go Broke"
"Rucci"
"Elon Musk"[30]
(featuring Gunna)
202248 It's Not Me It's You
"Meat This"
(with Blueface)
"Storyteller"It's Not Me It's You
"Stay In My Circle"
"Rodeo"
"If I Want You"It's Not Me It's You
"9 Lives"[31]
50
"I'm Geekin"
(solo or featuring Luh Tyler)
202333
  • RIAA: Gold
Maybe It's Me

As featured artist

TitleYearAlbum
"Time Is Money"
2017rowspan="4"
"Ice Ice"
2018
"Better Days"
2019
"Done wit It"
2020
"Wraith"
Jokes Up
"Why Would You Leave"
rowspan="4"
"On Your Mind"
"Tony Montana"
"BGC"
2021
"Get Money"
Return to Sender
"Simon Says"
"Choosy"
Almighty: The EP
"Zack & Cody"
First Quarter
"Rich as Us"
rowspan="4"
"Worth It"
"Trap Santa"

Guest appearances

Title! scope="col" style="width:1em;"
YearOther artist(s)Album
"Brinks Truck"2019B.LouXX Mixtape Vol.1 - Breaking the Internet
"2 Girlfriends"Baby Rich
"Watch This"B.LouBOW
"She Ain't Me"2020Ceraadi
  1. GRWM
"Honey Pack (Remix)"2021Bfb Da Packman, Lil YachtyFat Niggas Need Love Too
"Yellow Tape"D3szn4Hunnid Presents: Gang Affiliated
" Astronaut in the Ocean (Remix)"Masked Wolf, G-Eazy
"Fr Fr"DenoBoy Meets World
"No Favours"Lord AfrixanaGodfather of Harlem: Season 2 Soundtrack
"Cabo (Remix)"Bankrol Hayden, Ka$hdamirowspan="2"
"Beethoven (Remix)"Kenndog

Boxing record

Exhibition

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rapper DDG Surprises NYC Students With 'Valedictorian' Pop-Up. BET.com. April 14, 2020.
  2. Web site: Power 106 Nick Cannon: DDG Dropped Out Of College After Building Movement With YouTube Vlogs. November 13, 2019 . April 14, 2020. YouTube.
  3. Web site: WHY I DROPPED OUT OF COLLEGE AT 19 TO FOLLOW MY DREAMS. YouTube. April 14, 2020.
  4. DDG - Big Boat (Lil Yachty Diss Track), OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO. YouTube. April 14, 2020.
  5. Web site: Youtube: LIL YACHTY responds to YouTuber DDG diss 'dumb trash. August 23, 2017 . YouTube. April 14, 2020.
  6. Web site: DDG "Givenchy" (Prod. by TreOnTheBeat) (WSHH Exclusive - Official Music Video). October 11, 2017 . YouTube. April 14, 2020.
  7. Web site: DDG "Givenchy" (Prod. by TreOnTheBeat) (WSHH Exclusive - Official Music Video). November 23, 2017 . YouTube. April 14, 2020.
  8. Web site: Bout To Blow: 10 Dope Songs You Should Be Hearing Everywhere Soon. Complex.com. April 14, 2020.
  9. Web site: DDG Discusses His Music Career & The Rise Of YouTube Rappers On 'For The Record'. Genius.com. April 14, 2020.
  10. Web site: HITS Daily Double : Rumor Mill - FASHION FORWARD. Hitsdailydouble.com. April 14, 2020.
  11. Web site: Gold and Platinum Certifications - DDG - Hood Melody . May 4, 2020 . RIAA . Recording Industry Association of America.
  12. Web site: December 29, 2020. DDG Celebrates Earning His First Hot 100 Chart Entry With "Moonwalking In Calabasas". AllHipHop.
  13. Web site: June 4, 2021. DDG's 'Moonwalking In Calabasas' Goes Platinum - As Blueface Has A Plaque PSA. June 22, 2021. HipHopDX.
  14. Web site: 2021 XXL Freshman Class Revealed - Official Announcement . June 16, 2021 . YouTube . June 18, 2021.
  15. Web site: Gunna Joins DDG on New Song "Elon Musk" . March 17, 2022 . Complex . en.
  16. Web site: November 15, 2022 . 2023 30 under 30: Music . November 29, 2022 . Forbes . en.
  17. Web site: DDG . 2022-11-30 . Forbes . en.
  18. Web site: DDG . 2022-11-30 . Forbes . en.
  19. Web site: EXCLUSIVE: DDG on Brother Being Murdered at 21, Knowing Who Did it, Talking to Police .
  20. Web site: Viral Influencer DDG Isn't the Only Star in His Family — His Siblings Are Internet Celebrities, Too! .
  21. Web site: Halle Bailey Welcomes Baby Son with Boyfriend DDG: 'Welcome to the World My Halo' .
  22. Web site: DDG - It's Not Me It's You . . September 30, 2022.
  23. DDG Chart History: Billboard 200. June 17, 2021. Billboard.
  24. DDG Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. June 17, 2021. Billboard.
  25. DDG Chart History: Billboard Hot 100. Billboard. February 23, 2021.
  26. DDG Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. July 25, 2023.
  27. DDG Chart History: Canadian Hot 100. Billboard. February 23, 2021.
  28. DDG . 2022-05-20 . Billboard . en-US.
  29. Canada. DDG. December 29, 2022.
  30. Web site: Gunna Joins DDG on New Song "Elon Musk". Complex. Mahadevan. Tara C.. February 18, 2022. February 19, 2022.
  31. Web site: Top 40/Rhythmic Future Releases. All Access Music Group. https://web.archive.org/web/20221022214034/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases. October 22, 2022. October 24, 2022.