BabyTron | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | James Edward Johnson IV |
Born | Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S. | June 6, 2000
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 2017–present |
Labels |
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Member of | ShittyBoyz |
James Edward Johnson IV[1][2] (born June 6, 2000), known professionally as BabyTron, is an American rapper, known for his punchlines and beat selection as well as for his lyrical work, he initially gained popularity in 2019 with his track "Jesus Shuttlesworth" and is a member of hip hop group ShittyBoyz.[3]
Early life and education
James Edward Johnson IV was born on June 6, 2000, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.[4] He attended Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti.[5]
Career
2017–2021: Early career, Bin Reaper and Bin Reaper 2
BabyTron began taking music seriously at age 17, alongside childhood friends Hezzi Blue and StanWill, and they established the rap trio "ShittyBoyz" while in high school. BabyTron would also consistently release solo songs and mixtapes on streaming platforms.[6] His 2019 solo track "Jesus Shuttlesworth" became viral within the hip hop community,[7] with a variety of memes spawning from the track. The song was featured on his 2019 mixtape Bin Reaper. In 2021, he would feature on the Lil Yachty project, Michigan Boy Boat, on the song "Hybrid".[8] BabyTron released the Bin Reaper 2 album in October 2021 with features from Lil Yachty, Miles Bridges (credited as RTB MB), and ShittyBoyz.[9]
2022–present: Megatron and Bin Reaper 3
BabyTron gained traction in 2022 through his series of tracks that feature him rapping on a multitude of popular beats in one song. This began with "Prince of the Mitten" in January and was followed up with "King of the Galaxy" later that month.[10]
BabyTron released the album Megatron on March 4, 2022, through Empire and The Hip Hop Lab.[11] His song "Emperor of the Universe" was released on May 17, and featured a music video directed by Cole Bennett.[12]
He was named as part of the XXL 2022 Freshman Class on June 14, 2022.[13]
On August 2, his single "Blah Blah Blah" with TrDee was released.[14] ShittyBoyz' second mixtape, Trifecta 2, was released on August 5, 2022.[15]
On September 19, BabyTron announced his next album Bin Reaper 3 .[16] On October 28, 2022, Bin Reaper 3: Old Testament released, peaking at number 69 on the Billboard 200, his first entry on the chart.[17]
On January 5, 2023, BabyTron announced his third album, Bin Reaper 3: New Testament. The album includes features from Lil Yachty, Babyface Ray and Cordae. New Testament acts as a sequel to Bin Reaper 3: Old Testament. The album was released on January 13, 2023 and peaked at number 100 on the Billboard 200.
Following his arrest on February 8, 2023, BabyTron surprise released the EP Out On Bond on February 24.[18]
Legal issues
On February 8, 2023, Johnson was pulled over and arrested after a police officer conducted a probable cause search of his vehicle finding: marijuana, marijuana edibles, psilocybin mushroom edibles, and a handgun. He was booked into Dawson County Jail in Lexington, Nebraska, for Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was released after posting 10% of a $15,000 bond.[19]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
US [20] | ||
Sleeve Nash |
|
— |
Back to the Future |
|
— |
Bin Reaper 2[21] |
|
— |
MegaTron |
|
— |
Bin Reaper 3: Old Testament |
|
69 |
Bin Reaper 3: New Testament |
|
100 [22] |
6 |
|
— |
MegaTron 2 |
|
110 |
Mixtapes
Title | Mixtape details |
---|---|
Different Breed |
|
Bin Reaper |
|
Lewis & Clark |
|
Dookie Brothers 2 (with TrDee) |
|
Luka Troncic |
|
Extended plays
Title | EP details |
---|---|
Pre-Game |
|
Shitty Bronx (with BandGang Biggs) |
|
Dookie Brothers (with TrDee) |
|
They Won't Clear This |
|
Out On Bond |
|
References
- ↑ "Information on BabyTron's songs in ASCAP ACE database". ASCAP. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
- ↑ Metro Detroit's newest hip-hop star BabyTron on breakthrough verge, retrieved 2022-06-15
- ↑ Kelly, Chris (January 25, 2023). "Rap newcomer BabyTron brings postmodern take on hip-hop to Union Stage". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ↑ Meet BabyTron, Your Favorite Rapper’s Favorite Rapper, retrieved 2022-06-15
- ↑ Metro Detroit's newest hip-hop star BabyTron on breakthrough verge, retrieved 2022-06-15
- ↑ Davison, Kahn Santori. "Detroit rap group ShittyBoyz talk about their new album, chemistry, and enjoying success". Detroit Metro Times. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ↑ The Break Presents – BabyTron, retrieved 2022-06-15
- ↑ Meet BabyTron, Your Favorite Rapper’s Favorite Rapper, retrieved 2022-06-15
- ↑ "BabyTron, 'Bin Reaper 2'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ↑ Lafontant, Olivier. "BabyTron Is Toying With Your Favorite Rapper". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ↑ "BabyTron catches dimes like 'MEGATRON' on new album". Our Generation Music. 2022-03-04. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ↑ Cruz, Reanna (2022-05-23). "BabyTron, 'Emperor of the Universe'". NPR. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ↑ 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed, retrieved 2022-06-15
- ↑ "BabyTron & TrDee Share New Joint Track, "Blah Blah Blah"". HotNewHipHop. 2022-08-02. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ↑ "ShittyBoyz: Trifecta 2". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ↑ "BR3 LOADING..." Instagram. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
- ↑ Bin Reaper 3: Old Testament, 2022-10-28, retrieved 2022-10-28
- ↑ "BabyTron Releases Surprise EP 'Out On Bond' About Being Out On Bond". Stereogum. 2023-02-24. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
- ↑ "Michigan rapper arrested in Dawson County". KRVN 880 – KRVN 93.1 – KAMI. 2023-02-20. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
- ↑ @billboardcharts (November 8, 2022). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (2/3)..." (Tweet). Retrieved November 8, 2022 – via Twitter.
- MegaTron 2: "Billboard 200: Week of November 11, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ↑ Ihaza, Jeff. "BabyTron, 'Bin Reaper 2'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ↑ @billboardcharts (January 23, 2023). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200: [...] #192, @zachlanebryan Elisabeth" (Tweet). Retrieved January 24, 2023 – via Twitter.