DaBaby, born Jonathan Lyndale Kirk on December 22, 1991, is an American rapper from Charlotte, North Carolina, who rose to fame with his 2019 hit “Suge” and became known for his fast-paced flow and chart-topping albums, including Baby on Baby, Kirk, and Blame It on Baby.
Who Is DaBaby?
Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, known professionally as DaBaby, signed with Interscope Records in January 2019 through a joint venture with South Coast Music Group. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, at age six, where he spent most of his early years.
Since picking up the microphone in 2014, the Charlotte rapper demonstrated a keen awareness of how to cultivate presence in the internet era, coupling his bounciest tracks with outrageous videos, crafting a persona by turns rude, violent, goofy, and dead serious.
DaBaby stands at 5 feet 7 inches or 169 centimetres tall. As of 2025, DaBaby has a net worth of $8 million.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
DaBaby attended Zebulon B. Vance High School, where he graduated in 2010, and later attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for two years before leaving to pursue music.
He grew up listening to Eminem, 50 Cent, and Lil Wayne with his two older brothers, beginning to take music seriously between 2014 and 2015.
In 2015, he started his music career by releasing Nonfiction, his debut mixtape, initially performing under the name Baby Jesus, which he eventually changed out of concern that it had become a distraction.
Between 2015 and 2018, DaBaby released 13 mixtapes. In 2017, he released Billion Dollar Baby, Baby Talk, Baby Talk 2, 3, and 4, as well as Back on My Baby Jesus Sh!t. This work ethic would become a defining characteristic of his career.
Breakthrough Success With “Suge”
DaBaby’s debut studio album, Baby on Baby, released in March 2019, spawned the single “Suge”, which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 a month after its release.
The song became a cultural phenomenon. Charles Holmes of Rolling Stone described Kirk’s flow as a “staccato, precise, and brutal rapping style, a syllable-crushing force delivered with such forward momentum it often gives the illusion that he starts rapping before the beat begins”, with “Suge” being the most notable example of this effect.
At the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards held in 2020, Kirk received two nominations, both for “Suge”, in the categories Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.
The single’s music video showcased DaBaby’s comedic personality. In the clip for “Suge,” he can be seen dancing in a mail carrier’s uniform and donning fake bodybuilder muscles, leading rap fans to liken him to animated superstars past like Ludacris and Busta Rhymes.
Chart-Topping Albums and Rapid Rise
His second studio album, Kirk, released in September 2019, debuted atop the Billboard 200 and spawned the hit singles “Intro” and “Bop”. His second album is a tribute to his last name, with the cover being his father holding him as an infant. Kirk’s father died in 2019 shortly after the release of his debut studio album.
That same year, he guest appeared on the singles “Enemies” by Post Malone and “Cash Shit” by Megan Thee Stallion.
His third album, Blame It on Baby, released in April 2020, became his second to peak on the chart and spawned the single “Rockstar” featuring Roddy Ricch, which spent seven non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 in the wake of that year’s George Floyd protests.
In June, Kirk was featured on the remix for the Jack Harlow song “Whats Poppin”, which peaked at number two on the Hot 100 while “Rockstar” was still at the top, making DaBaby the 20th act to occupy the chart’s top 2 positions, and the first since Ariana Grande in 2019.
Musical Style and Influences
Speaking on his influences, Kirk has said he studied artists like Future, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West, who he says “came up and consistently progressed”.
His rapid-fire delivery and energetic performances became his trademark. His energy—he often sounds like he literally can’t wait to get on a track—can be so charismatic and infectious that you forget he’s rapping about how he’s prepared to mow down everyone in his way.
DaBaby’s style features unconventional flows and bouncy trap beats. The combination of aggressive lyrics with playful visuals created a unique brand that separated him from other rappers in the crowded hip-hop landscape.
The 2021 Rolling Loud Controversy
In July 2021, Kirk faced backlash for remarks largely regarded to be homophobic while performing at the Rolling Loud Festival in Miami Gardens, Florida, on July 25.
During his performance, he said: “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two, three weeks, put the cell phone light up.”
The response was immediate and severe. Lollapalooza dropped him from its lineup hours ahead of his scheduled performance on August 1, stating, “Lollapalooza was founded on diversity, inclusivity, respect, and love.” The day after, NYC’s Governors Ball Music Festival followed suit, along with Las Vegas festival Day N Vegas.
Music festivals, including Lollapalooza, The Governors Ball, and Austin City Limits Music Festival, canceled his appearances, and he lost a sponsorship deal with the clothing brand BooHoo.
Celebrities, including Elton John, tweeted, “This fuels stigma and discrimination and is the opposite of what our world needs to fight the AIDS epidemic.” Fashion brand boohooMAN announced on July 28 that it was ending its collaboration with the rapper, stating, “BoohooMAN condemns the use of homophobic language and confirms we will no longer be working with DaBaby.”
In an interview with SiriusXM’s The Heat in March 2022, DaBaby noted that he is “more knowledgeable about tolerance in the business I’m in — for certain things. It’s a learning process.”
Recent Activities and 2025 Updates
On September 16, 2025, Charlotte-based rapper DaBaby released a new song and music video titled “Save Me” related to a deadly August light rail stabbing, described as “a dedication to Iryna Zarutska,” a 23-year-old Ukrainian woman who was stabbed to death on the Charlotte light rail on August 22.
In January 2025, DaBaby told local radio station WFNZ he’s working on music with the Panthers, hoping to create the next anthem for the Carolinas to contend with Petey Pablo’s “Raise”.
In 2025, DaBaby performed in Russia, despite his record label (owned by Universal Music Group) suspending all activities in Russia following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
He maintains 25.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Business Ventures and Label
Billion Dollar Baby Entertainment is an American record label founded by DaBaby in 2017, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. DaBaby spoke about intending to focus on the record label, saying, “I won’t be rapping in five years; I won’t be rapping. I’ll be creating other superstars.”
DaBaby directed his “Ball If I Want To,” “Red Light Green Light,” and “Giving What It’s Supposed to Give” music videos, as well as Rich Dunk’s “Gas Gas” and “Demon” videos and Stunna 4 Vegas’ “Play U Lay” video.
Personal Life
Kirk has a stepson born in 2014 and three daughters born in 2017, 2020, and 2021. His brother, Glen Johnson, died in November 2020, at age 34, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Regarding his religious beliefs, he stated in 2019 that “I’m blessed. I’m covered by the blood of Christ.”
He dated fellow American rapper and singer DaniLeigh in 2020, with the couple splitting in February 2021.
Discography Highlights
Studio Albums
- Baby on Baby (2019) – Platinum certified, peaked at #7 on Billboard 200
- Kirk (2019) – Platinum certified, #1 on Billboard 200
- Blame It on Baby (2020) – Platinum certified, #1 on Billboard 200
- Baby on Baby 2 (2022)
Major Singles
DaBaby received RIAA certifications for his standout hits: “ROCKSTAR” (5X Platinum), “Suge” (4X Platinum), “BOP” (3X Platinum), “VIBEZ” (2X Platinum), “TOES” (2X Platinum), “INTRO” (Platinum), “Goin Baby” (Platinum), and ‘Baby Sitter” (Platinum).
Legacy and Impact
Through his older brothers, he absorbed the wordplay-filled music of Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Nelly, and Eminem. Bored with street life, he started rapping when he was 21.
DaBaby’s journey from releasing mixtapes in Charlotte to becoming one of hip-hop’s biggest names demonstrates his work ethic and unique talent. Despite facing career setbacks from the 2021 controversy, he continues to release music and maintain his fanbase.
Despite his international fame, DaBaby has maintained his Charlotte ties, hosting voter registration drives in north Charlotte and participating in panel discussions about systemic racism and police reform at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture.
His influence on modern hip-hop remains significant, particularly his rapid-fire delivery style and ability to balance aggressive lyrics with comedic visual presentation.
FAQs
What is DaBaby’s real name?
Jonathan Lyndale Kirk.
How old is DaBaby in 2025?
DaBaby was born on December 22, 1991, making him 33 years old in 2025.
What was DaBaby’s biggest hit?
“Rockstar” featuring Roddy Ricch, which spent seven non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.
Where is DaBaby from?
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, but moved to Charlotte, North Carolina at age six.
What record label is DaBaby signed to?
Interscope Records operates through a joint venture with South Coast Music Group.
What happened at Rolling Loud 2021?
DaBaby faced backlash for homophobic remarks and misinformation about HIV/AIDS during his July 25, 2021, performance, leading to multiple festival cancellations and brand deals ending.
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