GoldLink explained

Birth Name:D'Anthony William Carlos[1]
Birth Date:May 17, 1993
Birth Place:Washington, D.C., U.S.
Years Active:2013–present

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 and received sextuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as well as his first Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance. 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) reached number 77 on the Billboard 200.

Early life

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.

Career

2013–16: Beginnings and breakthrough

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. 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.

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.

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.

2017–present: At What Cost and Diaspora

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. Apart from "Crew", it also spawned the single "Meditation".

On June 7, 2018, GoldLink was featured on the song "Like I Do" by American singer Christina Aguilera from her eighth studio album, Liberation, which was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

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!.[13] 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.[14] [15] 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.

Controversy

Mac Miller comments

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 and wrote the rapper loved it and had him play it for the whole touring crew.[16] GoldLink pointed to similarities in the albums' structure and use of singer Anderson .Paak for a lead single.[17] 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. 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.[18]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
US
[19] 		US
R&B<br />/HH
[20] 		AUS
[21] 		BEL
(FL)
[22] 		NLD
[23]
At What Cost 12736———
Diaspora
  • Released: June 12, 2019[25]
  • Label: RCA, Squaaash Club
  • Format: Digital download, LP, CD
77 40 70 148 87
Haram
  • Released: June 18, 2021[26]
  • Label: RCA, Sony
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
—————
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Mixtapes

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"
Mixtape detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
US
R&B<br />/HH
The God Complex
  • Released: July 22, 2014[27]
  • Label: Squaaash Club
  • Format: Digital download
—
And After That, We Didn't Talk[28]
  • Released: November 8, 2015[29]
  • Label: Soulection
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl
21
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
[30] 		US
R&B<br />/HH
[31]
"Sober Thoughts"2015— —The God Complex
"Dance on Me"[32] — —And After That, We Didn't Talk
"Spectrum"[33] — —
"Fall in Love"
2016— —rowspan="2"
"See I Miss Pt. 2"
— —
"Crew"
45 15
  • RIAA: 7× Platinum
  • BPI

Silver[34]

At What Cost
"Rough Soul"
2017— —
"Meditation"
— —At What Cost
"Got Friends"
[35] 		2018— —
"Loud"
[36] 		— —Electricity[37]
"Zulu Screams"
[38] 		2019— —Diaspora
"Joke Ting"
[39] 		— —
"U Say"
[40] 		— —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, showing year released and album name
TitleYearAlbum
"FBGM"
2015rowspan="2"
"Aquafina"[41]
"Compromise"
FW14
"Sticks and Horses"
[42] 		2016Lover
"Nobody"
Leisure
"Together"
99.9%
"Boo You Know"[43]
2017rowspan="2"
"Far Gone"[44]
"Through Enough"[45]
Silk Canvas
"Wide Open"[46]
So Much For Good Luck
"Nobody"[47]
"Function"[48]
2018Devil's Pie
"Like I Do"[49]
Liberation
"Open"
2019 TKO (The Knock Out)
"Vex Oh"
2019Bubba

Other certified songs

List of other certified songs, showing year released and album name
TitleYearCertificationsAlbum
"Herside Story"
2017
  • RIAA: Gold
At What Cost
"Black Balloons"
2019 Ta13oo

Guest appearances

Title! scope="col"
YearOther artist(s)Album
"Hi Lo"[51] 2018Chloe x HalleThe Kids Are Alright
"Black Balloons"2018Denzel Curry, Twelve'lenTa13oo
"Something Real"[52] 2019Adé, WaleAlways Something
"Prescriptions"lilbootycallJesus Said Run It Back
"Babouche"Jidenna85 to Africa
"Severed Head"2020Gorillaz, Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Awards and nominations

Year Awards Category Nominated work Result
2018Grammy AwardsBest Rap/Sung Performance"Crew" (with Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy)[53]
iHeartRadio Music AwardsBest New Hip-Hop ArtistHimself[54]
BET AwardsBest New Artist[55]
2019Grammy AwardsBest Rap/Sung Performance"Like I Do" (with Christina Aguilera)[56]

Notes and References

  1. News: Lester. Paul. New band of the week: GoldLink (No 76). April 30, 2016. The Guardian. October 23, 2015. April 26, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426180302/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/23/new-band-of-the-week-goldlink-no-76. live.
  2. Web site: ACE Repertory . August 15, 2020 . March 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190330145422/https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/work/889773440 . live .
  3. Nostro. Lauren. Who Is GoldLink? The DMV Rapper Talks the Allure of Anonymity, Finding Success, and "The God Complex". April 20, 2016. Complex. July 9, 2014. April 14, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160414193619/http://www.complex.com/music/2014/07/who-is-goldlink. live.
  4. The Best Albums of 2014 (so far). April 20, 2016. Complex. June 23, 2014. April 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160409135612/http://www.complex.com/music/2014/06/best-albums-of-2014-so-far/. live.
  5. Web site: GoldLink, The God Complex (Self-Released). Spin. December 4, 2014. October 7, 2016. October 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161009141036/http://www.spin.com/2014/12/40-best-hip-hop-albums-2014/goldlink-the-god-complex/. live.
  6. Web site: Clash's Top Mixtapes Of 2014. Clash. October 15, 2014. October 7, 2016. October 10, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161010024652/http://www.clashmusic.com/features/clashs-top-mixtapes-of-2014#view-gallery-image-7. live.
  7. Leight. Elias. GoldLink Brings His Future Bounce to Brooklyn: Live Review | Billboard. December 25, 2017. Billboard. June 10, 2015. November 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171117103112/http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6590855/goldlink-live-review-brooklyn. live.
  8. Pearce. Sheldon. Review: GoldLink Explains It All on 'And After That, We Didn't Talk'. April 20, 2016. Spin. November 11, 2015. April 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160407195555/http://www.spin.com/2015/11/review-goldlink-explains-it-all-on-and-after-that-we-didnt-talk/. live.
  9. Web site: Best Albums of 2015. Pigeons & Planes. December 23, 2015. October 7, 2016. October 10, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161010004541/http://pigeonsandplanes.com/in-depth/2015/12/best-albums-of-2015/596823. live.
  10. Web site: GoldLink - Fall in Love ft. Ciscero. GoldLinkVEVO. November 22, 2016. December 25, 2017. YouTube. January 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180122012701/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZMw40wX9pM. live.
  11. News: Red Bull Sound Select's 3 Days in Miami Returns With Angel Olsen, Goldlink, and Kelela. Duran. Jose D.. January 31, 2017. Miami New Times. April 20, 2017. April 21, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170421014421/http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/red-bull-sound-selects-3-days-in-miami-returns-with-angel-olsen-goldlink-and-kelela-9104989. live.
  12. News: GoldLink Shares 'At What Cost' Album Cover and Release Date. March 16, 2017. March 23, 2017. XXL. March 23, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170323235722/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/03/goldlink-at-what-cost-album-cover-release-date/. live.
  13. Web site: New Music Friday: The Top 8 Albums Out On June 18. All Songs Considered. June 18, 2021. November 16, 2021.
  14. Web site: Forehead Diamond-Rocking GoldLink Grabs Flo Milli For 'Raindrops' Performance on 'Fallon'. Devon. Jefferson. July 13, 2021. November 6, 2021. HipHopDX.
  15. Web site: GoldLink Disses Sheck Wes on "White Walls," Announces New Album. FNR. Tigg. Complex. June 9, 2021. November 16, 2021.
  16. Web site: Anderson .Paak criticizes GoldLink over "disrespectful" Mac Miller tribute. David. Renshaw. November 27, 2019. November 16, 2021. The Fader.
  17. Web site: Anderson .Paak Responds To GoldLink's 'Disrespectful' Mac Miller Post. Derrick. Rossignol. UpRoxx. November 27, 2019. November 16, 2021.
  18. Web site: GoldLink Speaks On His Controversial Mac Miller IG Post. Mitch. Findlay. November 28, 2019. hotnewhiphop. November 16, 2021.
  19. GoldLink Chart History: Billboard 200. Billboard. June 21, 2019. April 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190413023110/https://www.billboard.com/music/GoldLink/chart-history/billboard-200. live.
  20. GoldLink - Chart history. Billboard. June 25, 2019. August 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190815030635/https://www.billboard.com/music/goldlink/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-albums. live.
  21. Web site: ARIA Chart Watch #530. auspOp. June 22, 2019. June 22, 2019. June 22, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190622072003/https://www.auspop.com.au/2019/06/aria-chart-watch-530/. live.
  22. Web site: Discografie GoldLink. Ultratop. June 21, 2019. January 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180103002208/http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=GoldLink. live.
  23. Web site: Discografie GoldLink. dutchcharts.nl. June 21, 2019. September 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926042824/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=GoldLink. live.
  24. United States. Goldlink. November 30, 2022.
  25. Web site: Yoo . Noah . GoldLink Announces New Album Diaspora, Shares New Song: Listen . . May 31, 2019 . May 31, 2019 . May 31, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190531193549/https://pitchfork.com/news/goldlink-announces-new-album-diaspora-shares-new-song-listen/ . live .
  26. Web site: Stream Goldlink's New Album 'Haram!' f/ Flo Milli, NLE Choppa, and More. June 18, 2021. Complex.
  27. Web site: The God Complex (Deluxe Edition) by GoldLink on iTunes . . June 14, 2016 . June 14, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160614184909/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/god-complex-deluxe-edition/id894731122 . live .
  28. News: Murillo. Andres. And After That, We Didn't Talk. April 30, 2016. San Diego Reader. December 6, 2015. April 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160418124052/http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2015/dec/06/cd-and-after-we-didnt-talk/. live.
  29. Web site: And After That, We Didn't Talk by GoldLink on Apple Music. October 8, 2015. Apple.com. December 25, 2017. February 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180223054545/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/and-after-that-we-didnt-talk/id1045700450. live.
  30. GoldLink on Billboard Hot 100. Billboard. November 30, 2022.
  31. GoldLink on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. November 30, 2022.
  32. Web site: Dance On Me - Single by GoldLink on iTunes. iTunes.apple.com. May 25, 2016. August 21, 2015. August 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160825172640/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/dance-on-me-single/id1031317850. live.
  33. Web site: Gordon. Jeremy. GoldLink Announces Debut Album And After That, We Didn't Talk, Shares "Spectrum". Pitchfork.com. May 25, 2016. October 8, 2015. May 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160525233710/http://pitchfork.com/news/61548-goldlink-announces-debut-album-and-after-that-we-didnt-talk-shares-spectrum/. live.
  34. United Kingdom. GoldLink. February 17, 2024.
  35. Web site: Got Friends (feat. Miguel) - Single by GoldLink. iTunes. June 15, 2018. August 16, 2018. September 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180909175201/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/got-friends-feat-miguel-single/1396133800. live.
  36. Web site: Loud - Single by Silk City, GoldLink & Desiigner. iTunes. August 2, 2018. August 3, 2018. August 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180803163438/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/loud-single/1418232357. live.
  37. Web site: Silk City - Record Store Day. recordstoreday.co.uk. April 23, 2019. April 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190423103425/https://recordstoreday.co.uk/releases/rsd-2019/silk-city/. dead.
  38. Web site: Zulu Screams (feat. Maleek Berry & Bibi Bourelly) – Single by GoldLink. iTunes. May 13, 2019. May 26, 2019. September 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926042823/https://music.apple.com/au/album/zulu-screams-feat-maleek-berry-bibi-bourelly-single/1462111699. live.
  39. Web site: Joke Ting (feat. Ari Pen-Smith). iTunes. May 31, 2019. June 10, 2019.
  40. Web site: U Say (feat. Tyler, The Creator & Jay Prince) – Single by GoldLink. iTunes. June 7, 2019. September 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926042823/https://music.apple.com/us/album/u-say-feat-tyler-the-creator-jay-prince/1466671228. live.
  41. Web site: Aquafina (feat. GoldLink & Chaz French) - Single by Falcons. iTunes. April 3, 2018. April 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180403234506/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/aquafina-feat-goldlink-chaz-french-single/1327467140. live.
  42. News: O'Connor. Samantha. George Maple shares 'Sticks and Horses' featuring GoldLink. April 28, 2016. The Four Oh Five. April 28, 2016. April 29, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160429142734/http://www.thefourohfive.com/music/article/george-maple-shares-sticks-and-horses-featuring-goldlink-146. live.
  43. Web site: Boo You Know (feat. GoldLink) - Single by Falcons. iTunes. September 12, 2017. September 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170918013201/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/boo-you-know-feat-goldlink-single/id1226612443. live.
  44. Web site: Far Gone (feat. Johnny Yukon & GoldLink) - Single by BURNS. iTunes. August 25, 2017. September 12, 2017. September 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170913091441/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/far-gone-feat-johnny-yukon-goldlink-single/id1272957501. live.
  45. Web site: Through Enough (feat. GoldLink) - Single by VanJess. iTunes. September 2017. September 12, 2017. September 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170913064257/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/through-enough-feat-goldlink-single/id1275803115. live.
  46. Web site: Wide Open (feat. GoldLink) . iTunes . October 13, 2017. May 11, 2019 . September 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200926042901/https://music.apple.com/au/album/wide-open-feat-goldlink/1295174383?i=1295174387 . live .
  47. Web site: Nobody (feat. Goldlink) - Single by Niia. iTunes. September 29, 2017. April 3, 2018. April 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180403183603/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nobody-feat-goldlink-single/1288102482. live.
  48. Web site: Function (feat. GoldLink, April George & Cheakaity) - Single by Ciscero. iTunes. April 3, 2018. April 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180403173758/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/function-feat-goldlink-april-george-cheakaity-single/1333695933. live.
  49. Web site: Christina Aguilera & Demi Lovato Unveil "Fall In Line" Video. HotNewHipHip. May 23, 2018. May 24, 2018. May 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180525062835/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/christina-aguilera-and-demi-lovato-break-out-of-an-institution-in-fall-in-line-video-new-video.43788.html. live.
  50. Australia. 2024. single. 28 June 2024.
  51. Web site: The Kids Are Alright - Album by Chloe x Halle. Apple Music. March 23, 2018. May 24, 2024. May 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240524073135/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/the-kids-are-alright/1349882013. live.
  52. Web site: ALWAYS SOMETHING - EP by ADÉ. Apple Music. February 15, 2019. July 18, 2019. March 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200320165235/https://music.apple.com/us/album/always-something-ep/1452713849. live.
  53. Web site: 60th GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees List . November 28, 2017 . . November 29, 2017 . January 28, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180128121536/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/60th-grammy-awards-full-nominees-list . live .
  54. Rihanna, Ed Sheeran & Bruno Mars Lead iHeartRadio Music Awards 2018 Nominees. Billboard. January 10, 2018. January 12, 2018. June 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180620024202/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8093669/iheartradio-music-awards-2018-nominees-full-list. live.
  55. Web site: Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B & Migos Among 2018 BET Awards Winners. HipHopDX. June 24, 2018. June 25, 2018. June 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180625011909/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47399/title.2018-bet-awards-winners. live.
  56. News: Grammy Nominations 2019: See The Full List Here. Pitchfork. December 7, 2018. December 7, 2018. December 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181208123955/https://pitchfork.com/news/grammy-nominations-2019-see-the-full-list-here/. live.

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