Baby Keem
Born 2000 · Age 25
American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer (stage name Baby Keem). Gained recognition for production credits on major projects and for his own breakout singles and debut album The Melodic Blue (2021). Cousin of Kendrick Lamar.
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Life & Career Timeline
Experienced family hardship in childhood
Family faced eviction and relied on food stamps; mother had alcohol issues and father was largely absent — formative background.
Born in Carson, California
Hykeem Jamaal Carter Jr. was born in Carson, California.
Raised by grandmother until age 8
Was raised in Las Vegas by his grandmother until age eight; considers her his second mother.
Began producing music using Apple software
At 13 he started producing music on his computer using Apple software.
Began pursuing music career (years active 2014)
Cites 2014 as the beginning of his active music career.
First song created ('Come Thru')
Made his first song 'Come Thru' during his freshman year of high school (later removed from the internet).
Bought first bedroom recording setup ($300)
Borrowed $300 from his grandmother and purchased a small recording setup on Craigslist for his bedroom.
Released EP 'Oct' (under birth name)
Independently released the 9-track EP Oct under his birth name on November 7, 2017; it was later removed from major streaming services.
Produced two songs on Jay Rock's 'Redemption'
Earned production credits on Jay Rock's third studio album Redemption (2018).
Sent sample to Top Dawg Entertainment; contributed to Black Panther soundtrack
After emailing a production sample to Top Dawg Entertainment he earned production credits on Black Panther: The Album (2018).
Released EPs 'No Name' and 'Hearts and Darts'
Released two summer 2018 EPs; Hearts and Darts was his first project under the stage name Baby Keem.
Released EP 'Midnight'
Released his second EP Midnight on January 16, 2018 — his delivery was noted as more confident.
Released debut mixtape 'The Sound of Bad Habit'
Debut mixtape released through The Orchard and Sony Music in October 2018; executive produced by Cardo.
Released debut single 'Orange Soda'
Released 'Orange Soda', which later became a sleeper hit and his breakout as a lead artist.
'Orange Soda' charts and sleeper-hit breakout
'Orange Soda' became a sleeper hit, leading to Baby Keem's first appearances on the Billboard 200, Hot 100 and Emerging Artists charts.
Produced on ScHoolboy Q's 'Crash Talk'
Produced two songs on ScHoolboy Q's fifth album Crash Talk (2019).
Produced for Beyoncé's 'The Lion King: The Gift' and released mixtape 'Die for My Bitch'
On July 19, 2019 he produced a song on Beyoncé's soundtrack The Lion King: The Gift and released his second mixtape Die for My Bitch.
Die for My Bitch Tour (US)
Supported Die for My Bitch with his first concert tour across select US venues from November 12 to November 20, 2019.
Debuted on Billboard Emerging Artists Chart
Began appearing on Billboard charts (Emerging Artists) following 2019 releases.
Released 'Orange Soda' remix featuring Rich the Kid
A remix of his breakout single 'Orange Soda' featuring Rich the Kid was released in 2020.
Announced partnership with pgLang
Appeared in pgLang's visual mission statement; pgLang was founded by Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free — early association/signing to their creative company.
Included in XXL 2020 Freshman Class
Named to XXL magazine's annual Freshman Class (2020), a notable industry recognition for emerging hip-hop artists.
Signed with Columbia Records; released 'Hooligan / Sons & Critics'
Upon signing a recording contract with Columbia Records released the two-song single 'Hooligan / Sons & Critics' on September 18, 2020. 'Sons & Critics' confirmed his familial relation to Kendrick Lamar.
Co-produced most of The Melodic Blue
Co-produced 14 of the 16 standard tracks on The Melodic Blue, demonstrating his dual role as artist and producer.
Released single 'No Sense'
Released the single 'No Sense' on March 5, 2021 ahead of later singles from his debut album.
Released 'Durag Activity' featuring Travis Scott
Released 'Durag Activity', a high-profile collaboration with Travis Scott, on April 30, 2021.
Released 'Family Ties' with Kendrick Lamar
Released 'Family Ties' with cousin Kendrick Lamar on August 27, 2021 — one of the Melodic Blue singles that gained major attention.
Featured on Kanye West's 'Praise God' (Donda)
Featured alongside Travis Scott on Kanye West's song 'Praise God' from the album Donda (2021).
Album debuts at #5 on Billboard 200
The Melodic Blue debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 — his first US top-10 album.
Performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Appeared on The Tonight Show to promote The Melodic Blue and debuted a new single during the performance.
Released debut studio album 'The Melodic Blue'
Debut studio album The Melodic Blue released on September 10, 2021 via PGLang/Columbia — critical success and major career milestone.
Released B-side to The Melodic Blue
Released a B-side to the album on September 22, 2021.
Launched The Melodic Blue Tour
Embarked on The Melodic Blue Tour visiting cities across North America and Europe from November 2021 through July 2022.
Co-opening act on Kendrick Lamar's Big Steppers Tour
Served as co-opening act on the Big Steppers Tour (2022) and appeared in the tour's film companion.
The Melodic Blue certified platinum (RIAA)
The Melodic Blue was certified platinum by the RIAA (date not specified in source).
Multiple award nominations (BET, Billboard, Grammys, NME, XXL)
Received nominations across major awards including BET (Best New Artist), Billboard Music Awards, Grammy nominations (Best New Artist, Album of the Year credit for Donda), and industry nods from NME and XXL.
Credited on album-of-the-year nominated projects
Received Album of the Year nominations as a contributor/featured artist on Kanye West's Donda (64th Grammys) and Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (65th Grammys) credited as featured artist, songwriter and/or producer.
Won Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance ('Family Ties')
'Family Ties' (with Kendrick Lamar) won Best Rap Performance at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards (April 2022).
Contributed to Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers'
Produced two songs and was featured on Kendrick Lamar's fifth album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022).
Released deluxe edition of The Melodic Blue
Released the deluxe edition of The Melodic Blue on October 28, 2022.
'Orange Soda' certified quadruple platinum (RIAA) [source-stated milestone]
According to the summarized sources, 'Orange Soda' received quadruple platinum certification by the RIAA (exact date not specified in source text).
Continued production and high-profile collaborations
Maintained production and feature credits for major artists and toured extensively with high-profile acts, continuing brand growth.
Surprise-released 'The Hillbillies' with Kendrick Lamar
On May 30, 2023 Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar surprise-released the single 'The Hillbillies'.
Headlined Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival (Night 1) as 'The Hillbillies'
Headlined the first night of the 2023 Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival performing as a duo with Kendrick Lamar.
Acting debut and executive produced short film 'The Melodic Blue'
Made his acting debut in the short film adaptation of The Melodic Blue, released December 5, 2023; executive produced through his company Eerie Times.
Ongoing public profile and awards trajectory
Incoming award nominations continue (e.g., 2024 nominations cited for Best Rap Performance) and continued industry visibility.
Announced second studio album 'Child with Wolves'
Announced plans for his second studio album entitled Child with Wolves (TBA).
Key Achievement Ages
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