Biography
Lil Baby is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter who rose to fame after his release from prison in early 2017. Determined to turn his life around, he quickly became one of the leading figures in the trap music scene. His breakthrough mixtape, “Perfect Timing,” featuring artists like Young Thug and Lil Yachty, was a nod to the new opportunities he found after his release.
Since then, Lil Baby has dominated the rap industry, earning billions of streams and shaping the modern hip-hop landscape. He has received multiple accolades, including three Grammy nominations, two American Music Awards, and seven BET Awards. In 2020, he was named Apple Music’s Artist of the Year. With a consistent stream of critically and commercially successful releases, Lil Baby stands as one of the most influential success stories in contemporary rap.
Profile
- Name: Lil Baby
- Birth name: Dominique Armani Jones
- Birthday: December 3, 1994
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Height: 176 cm
- Instagram: @lilbaby
- Twitter: @whamcbfw4
Career
Lil Baby began his rap career after being encouraged by Quality Control Records founder Kevin “Coach K” Lee, who saw potential in his style and street credibility. Initially involved in street activities, he turned to music with guidance from Young Thug and Gunna. In 2017, he dropped several mixtapes, including Perfect Timing, Harder Than Hard, 2 The Hard Way (a collaboration with Marlo), and Too Hard, which featured his breakout hit, “Freestyle.” His momentum led to the release of his debut studio album, Harder Than Ever (2018), which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The album’s hit single, “Yes Indeed” with Drake, propelled him further into mainstream success.
That same year, he co-founded his own label, 4PF (later renamed Glass Window Entertainment), signing artists like 42 Dugg and Rylo Rodriguez. His next project, Drip Harder (2018), a joint mixtape with Gunna, became a massive success, with its lead single, “Drip Too Hard,” achieving Diamond certification. He followed up with the mixtape Street Gossip (2018) and ventured into acting, starring in How High 2 (2019). His 2019 single “Woah” built anticipation for his sophomore album, My Turn (2020), which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album produced multiple charting hits and solidified his dominance in the rap scene.
In June 2020, amid the George Floyd protests, Lil Baby released The Bigger Picture, a socially conscious track addressing police brutality and racial injustice. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Grammy nominations for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. Later that year, My Turn became the first album of 2020 to be certified double platinum by the RIAA. In 2021, he collaborated with Lil Durk on the joint album The Voice of the Heroes, which also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. His work with top artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Future kept him at the forefront of hip-hop.
In 2022, his documentary Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was later released on Amazon Prime Video. His third studio album, It’s Only Me (2022), debuted at No. 1, continuing his streak of chart-topping projects. Throughout 2023 and 2024, he remained active with a series of singles and collaborations, leading up to his highly anticipated fourth studio album, WHAM (2025). The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, featuring a star-studded lineup including Young Thug, Future, Travis Scott, and GloRilla. With an impressive catalog and a reputation as one of hip-hop’s most consistent hitmakers, Lil Baby continues to shape the sound of modern rap.
Personal Life
Hustling Beginnings
Lil Baby grew up in the Oakland City neighborhood of Southwest Atlanta, Georgia. Raised by his single mother after his father left when he was two, he and his siblings lived in poverty, relying on food stamps and government assistance. From a young age, he showed a sharp mind and quick learning ability, surprising his mother by mastering skills like inline skating without instruction. He also had a strong memory, impressing Baptist preachers by quoting Bible verses before he could even read, earning the nickname “little preacher man.”
However, his teenage years took a different turn. He dropped out of Booker T. Washington High School in ninth grade and became involved in drug dealing. Between 2012 and 2014, he faced multiple arrests for burglary, drug possession, and intent to sell, leading to a two-year incarceration. During his time in jail, Quality Control Music’s Pee and Coach K encouraged him to consider rapping, recognizing his natural charisma and talent.
Family and Relationships
Lil Baby is a father to two sons. His first child, Jason, was born from his previous relationship with Ayesha Howard, also known as Lil Ms. Golden on social media. Their relationship ended on bad terms, with Howard openly stating that the breakup made it difficult for her to trust others emotionally.
In 2019, Lil Baby welcomed his second son with model and entrepreneur Jayda Cheaves. On February 18, he shared a glimpse of the newborn on Instagram, referring to him as “Baby L.A.” Cheaves also posted the same image, though they kept further details about their son private.
Lil Baby and Cheaves had a well-known relationship, with Cheaves even appearing in the rapper’s music video for “Close Friends.” Despite their connection, the couple later parted ways.
Notably, Lil Baby was fortunate to be present for the birth of his second child, as it happened just days after his arrest for reckless driving in Georgia. Following his release from jail, he shared images of the bruises he sustained during the incident.
Advocacy and Social Impact
Lil Baby has been vocal about social justice issues, particularly in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. In May 2021, he joined Floyd’s family at the White House on the anniversary of Floyd’s death to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. During the meeting, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a bill aimed at banning chokeholds, restricting the use of deadly force, and making it easier to prosecute police officers for misconduct.
When asked about the meeting’s priorities, Lil Baby emphasized the importance of getting the bill passed. Originally, Biden had hoped to sign it into law by the anniversary of Floyd’s death, but progress in Congress stalled. Despite the delay, Floyd’s family expressed their hope that the bill would ultimately be enacted in the right way.
Lil Baby has also used his music as a platform for activism. In 2020, he released “The Bigger Picture,” a song addressing police brutality and systemic racism, inspired by the deaths of Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The track earned Grammy nominations for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. At the awards ceremony, he performed the song alongside Killer Mike, activist Tamika Mallory, and actor Kendrick Sampson, further cementing his role as an advocate for change.
Legal Issues
In February 2019, he was arrested in Atlanta for reckless driving.
In July 2021, while attending Paris Fashion Week with NBA star James Harden, he was arrested in the 8th arrondissement of Paris for allegedly transporting drugs. Police stopped a car he was in after detecting the smell of cannabis and reportedly found around 20 grams of marijuana. Harden was searched but not detained, while Lil Baby was taken into custody for questioning. He was released the following day after agreeing to pay a fine.
In August 2024, Lil Baby was arrested again, this time in Las Vegas, for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. He was taken to the Clark County Detention Center and held on a $5,000 bail. The arrest followed a night of celebration for James Harden’s birthday, where he was seen partying with stars like Travis Scott and Chris Brown.
Net Worth
Lil Baby has become a major force in hip-hop since his 2017 debut, earning a reported $8 million net worth. His breakthrough came with My Dawg, leading to a deal with Quality Control Records. His albums Harder Than Ever (2018), My Turn (2020), and It’s Only Me (2022) all achieved platinum status, with hits like Yes Indeed and Drip Too Hard selling millions.
Beyond music, he earns around $400,000 per show and charges six figures for features. In 2023, he opened The Seafood Menu Restaurant and Lounge in Atlanta, but it closed within months, possibly due to the tragic death of his business partner. Despite setbacks, Lil Baby remains a dominant figure in music and business.
Fun Facts
- Lil Baby got his stage name from some of his older friends, with whom he used to hang out a lot.
- Lil Baby lists hot wings as his favorite food.
- Lil Baby has known Quality Control label mates The Migos before he got famous.
- Lil Baby never planned to be a rapper but realized he had skills after his first studio session.
- Lil Baby hopes to one day head his own label, like Def Jam or like Roc Nation.
