22Gz
22Gz | |
---|---|
![]() 22Gz's May 2017 mugshot | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Jeffrey Mark Alexander[1] |
Also known as | |
Born | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. | November 29, 1997
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
|
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 2015–present |
Labels | Blixky Ent./Atlantic Foundation Media, LLC[6] |
Jeffrey Mark Alexander[1] (born November 29, 1997),[7] known professionally as 22Gz (/tutuˈdʒiːz/ too-too-JEEZ), is an American rapper credited as a pioneer of the Brooklyn drill scene.[3][8] 22Gz released his first major mixtape, The Blixky Tape, through Atlantic Records in 2019.
Early life
[edit]Jeffrey Mark Alexander was born on November 29, 1997, the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City.[9] His father died before he was born. He started his entertainment career on the New York City Subway performing showtime dance routines.[10] He is Guyanese American.[11]
Musical career
[edit]He started releasing songs on SoundCloud at the age of 17 in early 2015. After releasing the singles "Blixky" and "Suburban" in 2016, 22Gz gained a following from his YouTube videos. "Suburban", produced by London-based drill producer AXL Beats,[12] was regarded as one of the first major Brooklyn drill songs to become popular.[13][3][14] 22Gz gained attention, leading him to signing with Atlantic in 2018 and his label A&R helping him getting noticed by Kodak Black.[15][16][13] One of his first songs released on the label, "Spin the Block", was a collaboration track with Kodak Black.[17]
22Gz released his first mixtape with Atlantic, The Blixky Tape, in July 2019.[18] His follow-up mixtape Growth & Development was released on April 10, 2020, and was co-produced by London-based drill producer Ghosty.[19] Torsten Ingvaldsen of Hypebeast praised the mixtape, stating, 22Gz has "riotous energy, bringing forth aggressive lyrics and militant deliveries that continue to sculpt out his fast-paced rise".[5]
Legal controversies
[edit]In 2014, he was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, however the charges were dropped.[13] 22Gz spent five months in jail in 2017 on second-degree murder charges related to a shooting in Miami, however these were later dropped.[20] 22Gz recorded a Facebook Live video from an NYPD holding cell in 2018.[21]
In 2019, Alexander, along with Casanova, Pop Smoke, Sheff G, and Don Q, was removed from the Rolling Loud concert. NYPD cited "a higher risk of violence" if the artists were to perform.[22]
On June 12, 2022, 22Gz was arrested in New York City on attempted murder charges over a March shooting in which three people were injured.[23] He was released on $500,000 bail four days later.[24]
Discography
[edit]Mixtapes
[edit]Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
US Heat. | ||
The Blixky Tape |
|
— |
Growth & Development |
|
12 [27] |
The Blixky Tape 2 |
|
20 [29] |
Growth & Development II |
|
— |
Brooklyn's Most Wanted |
|
— |
Extended plays
[edit]Title | Extended play details |
---|---|
Year of the Blixky |
|
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]Title | Year | Certifications | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"At The Light"(featuring Theo Zanotti) | 2015 | ||
"Blicky"(featuring Nas Blixky & NiikoSuav) | 2016 | Non-album singles | |
"Regular" (featuring Theo Zanotti & Suavee Jew) |
|||
"Flexin" (featuring Khay B Flockin & Kush Binflockin) |
|||
"Up Next!" (featuring Breezo Blixky & Nas Blixky)[7] |
|||
"Suburban"[13] | |||
"Vamanos" (featuring Ju Laden & Theo Zanotti)[7] |
2017 | ||
"Ain't Livin My Life" | |||
"We On"[33] (22Gz & Nas Blixky) |
|||
"Invest in a Ratchet"[34] (Big Moose 280 & 22Gz) |
|||
"First Day Out / Stuck in the Yams"[35] | |||
"Why"[36] | 2018 | ||
"Blicky Da Blicky" | |||
"Got Those"[37] | |||
"Spin the Block"[17] (featuring Kodak Black) |
|||
"Spazz Out"[38] | |||
"Drifting"[39] (AXL Beats, Khay B Flockin, Kush Binflockin, Breezy Blixky & 22Gz) |
2019 | ||
"Sniper Gang (Freestyle)"[40] | The Blixky Tape | ||
"Rerock"[41] (Shawny Binladen & 22Gz) |
Non-album singles | ||
"Telephone"[42] (22Gz, MaxThaDemon & Ciggy Blacc) | |||
"Suburban, Pt. 2"[43] | Growth & Development | ||
"No Questions"[5] | 2020 | ||
"YTB (Yellow Tape Blixky)"[45] (featuring Shawny Binladen & Big Yaya) |
Non-album singles | ||
"Movie"[46] (CoachDaGhost & 22gz) |
As featured artist
[edit]Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Jet Li, Pt. 2" (Nick Blixky featuring 22Gz)[47] |
2018 | Non-album singles |
"Drive the Boat" (Nick Blixky featuring 22Gz & Nas Blixky)[48] |
2019 | |
"Upset" (T'up Ty featuring 22Gz)[49] |
Excuse the Way I Came Up | |
"Faded Remix" (B1 featuring 22Gz, Ivorian Doll and Dezzie)[50] |
2021 | Non-album single |
Guest appearances
[edit]Title | Year | Other artists | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Flexin" | 2016 | Khay B Flockin, Kush Blixky | Blixky |
"The Get Back , Pt 1"[51] | 2018 | T'up Ty | T'd Up, Vol. 1 |
"Sick of Us"[52] | Envy Caine | 2 Many Situations | |
"Wita Blixky"[53] | 2019 | C-Clip Beatz | Rap & Beats |
"Extra"[54] | Rooga | Back da Fuck Up | |
"Hoody Szn"[55] | Nym Lo, 183rd, Casanova | High Horse | |
"Up the Score"[56] | 2020 | Slayter, Maxo Kream | World Got Me Fucked Up, Vol. 1 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "ASCAP ACE Repertory information for 22Gz's works". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ Hensley, Nicole (May 30, 2017). "Brooklyn rapper arrested in Florida parking dispute killing". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c Bijur, Ben (January 27, 2020). "22Gz Proves He's The Brooklyn Drill General In Funk Flex Freestyle". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "22Gz". Masquerade Atlanta. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c Ingvaldsen, Torsten (April 10, 2020). "22Gz Invigorates His Drill Empire With New Mixtape 'Growth & Development'". Hypebeast. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ "22Gz". atlanticrecords.com. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c Crone, David (2019). "22Gz". All Music. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Skelton, Eric. "How Brooklyn Drill Became the New Sound of New York". Complex.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- ^ "7 NYC RAPPERS THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR!". Hot97. July 25, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Seabrook III, Robby (February 22, 2020). "22Gz Wants You to Know He Started It All When It Comes to the Brooklyn Drill Movement". XXL Mag. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Reynolds, Mark (30 March 2022). "Lawsuit: Providence blocked rap artist's performance after resistance from police". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (January 30, 2020). "AXL Beats Is the London Rap Producer Bringing Brooklyn Drill to Drake and Travis Scott". Vice. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d McKinney, Jessica (April 16, 2020). "22Gz, a Pioneer of Brooklyn Drill". Complex. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (August 4, 2017). "You're Not Paying Attention to New York's Most Exciting New Rap Scene". Vice. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Acevedo, Kai (August 22, 2019). "The Break Presents: 22Gz". XXL. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Rappers to Watch in 2020". Complex. January 15, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Shokeye, Kyle (November 30, 2018). "Premiere: 22Gz and Kodak Black "Spin the Block" in New Video". Complex. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Zhang, Charlie (July 20, 2019). "22Gz Releases Highly-Anticipated Mixtape 'The Blixky Tape'". Hypebeast. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Mowatt, Robyn (2020). "Brooklyn Drill Rapper 22Gz Reigns Supreme On New Mixtape 'Growth & Development'". Okay Player. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Madan, Monique Q. (December 30, 2017). "He served time for murder he didn't commit — and the real shooter is dead, cops say". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Tracy, Thomas; Annese, John (February 12, 2018). "Brooklyn cops may face questions over improper search after rapper's jail cell video (WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE)". NY Daily News. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Coscarelli, Joe (October 12, 2019). "5 Rappers not Dropped From New York Music Festival at Police Request". The New York Times. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Donahue, Bill (June 14, 2022). "Rapper 22Gz Arrested in NYC on Attempted Murder Charge". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ Ivey, Justin (2022-06-17). "22Gz Released On Bail Following Arrest For Attempted Murder". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
- ^ "The Blixky Tape". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Growth & Development". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Heatseekers Albums Chart: Week of April 24, 2020". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2021-06-04. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
- ^ "The Blixky Tape 2 by 22Gz" – via music.apple.com.
- ^ "Heatseekers Albums Chart: Week of April 2, 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2021-06-03. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
- ^ "Spotify – 22Gz – Growth & Development II". Spotify. January 12, 2024.
- ^ "Spotify – 22Gz – Brooklyn's Most Wanted". Spotify. June 21, 2024.
- ^ "Year of the Blixky". iTunes. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ "22GZ Nas Blixky - We On". CDUniverse. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Invest in a Ratchet - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "First Day Out / Stuck in the Yams - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Why - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Got Those - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Spazz Out - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Drifting - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Sniper Gang (Freestyle) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Rerock - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Telephone - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Suburban, Pt. 2 - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum: 22Gz". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 2021-11-12. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "YTB (Yellow Tape Blixky) [feat. Shawny Binladen & Big Yaya] - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Movie - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Jet Li, Pt. 2 (feat. 22gz)". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ Threadcraft, Torry (2020). "Up-And-Coming Brooklyn Rapper Nick Blixky Shot And Killed At 21". Okay Player. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Upset (feat. 22Gz) [Explicit]". Amazon. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ W, Courtney (2 December 2021). "Premiere: B1 Returns With Hard 'Faded' Remix Featuring Dezzie, Ivorian Doll & 22Gz". grmdaily.com. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ "T'd Up, Vol. 1". iTunes. 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "2 Many Situations". iTunes. 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Rap & Beats". Deezer. 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "Back da Fuck Up". Amazon. 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "High Horse - EP". iTunes. 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- ^ "World Got Me Fucked Up, Vol. 1". Beatport. 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
- 1997 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American rappers
- 21st-century American male singers
- 21st-century American singers
- African-American male rappers
- American male rappers
- East Coast hip hop musicians
- Rappers from Brooklyn
- American people of Guyanese descent
- Atlantic Records artists
- Drill musicians
- Gangsta rappers
- People from Flatbush, Brooklyn
- Drill musicians from New York City
- 21st-century African-American musicians
- People charged with attempted murder