Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, better known as DaBaby, is an American rapper who gained recognition after releasing mixtapes between 2014 and 2018. In 2019, he signed with Interscope Records and South Coast Music Group, leading to the release of his debut album "Baby on Baby." The album achieved commercial success, particularly with the hit single "Suge," which reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
December 22, 1991: Birth of Jonathan Lyndale Kirk
Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, later known as DaBaby, was born on December 22, 1991.
2010: DaBaby Graduates High School
DaBaby graduated from Vance High School (now Julius L. Chambers High School) in 2010.
2014: DaBaby Becomes a Stepfather
DaBaby became a stepfather in 2014.
2014: DaBaby's Early Mixtapes
DaBaby began his music career releasing mixtapes between 2014 and 2018, including "Nonfiction", "God's Work" series, "Baby Talk" series, "Billion Dollar Baby", and "Back on My Baby Jesus Sh*t".
2014: DaBaby's Start in Music
DaBaby began taking music seriously between 2014 and 2015.
2015: DaBaby's Debut Mixtape Release
DaBaby released his debut mixtape, "Nonfiction", in 2015, marking the beginning of his music career under the name Baby Jesus.
2017: DaBaby Founds Billion Dollar Baby Entertainment
DaBaby founded his own record label, Billion Dollar Baby Entertainment, in 2017. He expressed his ambition to transition from rapping to developing other artists.
2017: DaBaby's First Daughter is Born
DaBaby's first daughter was born in 2017.
November 2018: DaBaby Involved in Fatal Shooting at Walmart
In November 2018, DaBaby was involved in a shooting at a Walmart in Huntersville, North Carolina, where he fatally shot a 19-year-old man. DaBaby claimed self-defense, and while the most serious charges were dropped, he pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon.
January 2019: DaBaby Launches Billion Dollar Baby Entertainment
DaBaby launched his own imprint, Billion Dollar Baby Entertainment, after signing with Interscope Records.
January 2019: DaBaby Signs with Interscope Records
In January 2019, DaBaby signed a joint venture deal with Interscope Records and South Coast Music Group.
March 2019: DaBaby Pleads Guilty to Concealed Weapon Charge
In March 2019, DaBaby pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon in relation to the 2018 Walmart shooting.
March 2019: Debut Album "Baby on Baby" Release
DaBaby released his debut studio album, "Baby on Baby", through Interscope and South Coast Music Group.
April 13, 2019: "Suge" Debuts on Billboard Hot 100
DaBaby's single "Suge" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 87 on April 13, 2019.
June 8, 2019: "Suge" Reaches Billboard Hot 100 Top 10
DaBaby's single "Suge" reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on June 8, 2019.
July 2019: DaBaby Featured on Dreamville's "Revenge of the Dreamers III"
DaBaby's guest verse on "Under the Sun" from Dreamville's "Revenge of the Dreamers III" was critically acclaimed, with many considering it his best verse of 2019.
August 2019: DaBaby Announces Second Album "Kirk"
DaBaby announced his second album, "Kirk", named after his surname.
September 2019: Release of "Kirk" and Notable Appearances
DaBaby released "Kirk", which debuted atop the Billboard 200. He also appeared on tracks like Post Malone's "Enemies" and remixes for YG, Lizzo, and Lil Nas X.
2019: DaBaby's Father Dies
DaBaby's father died in 2019, shortly after the release of his debut studio album. His second album serves as a tribute to his father.
2019: DaBaby Tops Billboard Hot 100 Entries
DaBaby had 22 songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100, the most of any artist that year.
2019: DaBaby Occupies Top Two Spots on Billboard Hot 100
DaBaby became the 20th act to simultaneously occupy the top two spots on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Rockstar" at number one and the "Whats Poppin" remix at number two.
2019: Releases of "Kirk", Collaborations, and Chart Success
DaBaby released his second album, "Kirk", which topped the Billboard 200. He collaborated on hits like Post Malone's "Enemies" and Megan Thee Stallion's "Cash Shit".
January 2020: DaBaby Arrested for Battery and Robbery
DaBaby was arrested in Miami in January 2020 in connection with a robbery investigation. He was later charged with battery for his alleged involvement in the assault and robbery of a music promoter who reportedly underpaid him for a performance. DaBaby was released from jail after 48 hours.
April 2020: "Blame It on Baby" Release and Chart Success
DaBaby's third album, "Blame It on Baby", was released and debuted atop the Billboard 200, featuring the hit single "Rockstar" with Roddy Ricch.
July 2020: DaBaby Releases "No Dribble" with Stunna 4 Vegas
DaBaby released "No Dribble" with his signee Stunna 4 Vegas.
August 2020: Deluxe Edition of "Blame It on Baby"
DaBaby released the deluxe edition of "Blame It on Baby", referring to it as a "brand new album".
November 2020: DaBaby Releases Debut EP, "My Brother's Keeper (Long Live G)"
DaBaby released his debut EP, "My Brother's Keeper (Long Live G)", dedicated to his late brother.
November 2020: DaBaby's Brother, Glen Johnson, Dies
In November 2020, DaBaby's brother, Glen Johnson, passed away at the age of 34 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
2020: "Blame It on Baby" and Grammy Nomination
DaBaby's third album, "Blame It on Baby", topped the charts, featuring the hit "Rockstar". He received a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year.
2020: DaBaby's Second Daughter is Born
DaBaby's second daughter was born in 2020.
2020: Collaborations and Chart-Topping Hits
DaBaby collaborated on Jack Harlow's "Whats Poppin" remix and Dua Lipa's "Levitating", both peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
2020: DaBaby and DaniLeigh Begin Dating
DaBaby began dating rapper and singer DaniLeigh in 2020.
2020: DaBaby Slaps Female Fan During Concert
During his "Up Close N Personal" tour in 2020, DaBaby slapped a female fan in the face before his scheduled performance in Tampa, Florida. The incident, which he claimed was a reaction to the fan getting too close with her phone's flash, led to the concert being canceled and drew significant backlash.
January 2021: DaBaby Releases "Masterpiece"
DaBaby released the single "Masterpiece" with a music video directed by Gemini Visions, referencing his personal life and legal issues.
February 2021: DaBaby and DaniLeigh Split
DaBaby and fellow rapper DaniLeigh ended their relationship in February 2021. It was later revealed that DaniLeigh was pregnant with DaBaby's child.
July 2021: DaBaby's Homophobic Remarks at Rolling Loud Festival
In July 2021, DaBaby made homophobic remarks during his performance at the Rolling Loud Festival in Miami Gardens, Florida. His comments sparked widespread condemnation and resulted in him being dropped from several music festivals, including Lollapalooza, Governors Ball, and Austin City Limits.
2021: "Levitating" Remix Success
DaBaby's feature on the remix of Dua Lipa's "Levitating" helped propel the song to number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
2021: DaBaby's Third Daughter is Born
DaBaby's third daughter was born in 2021.
February 2022: DaBaby and Crew Assault DaniLeigh's Brother
DaBaby and members of his entourage were involved in a physical altercation with Brandon Bills, the brother of DaBaby's ex-girlfriend DaniLeigh, at a bowling alley in Los Angeles in February 2022.
March 2022: Release of "Better Than You" Mixtape
DaBaby released the mixtape "Better Than You" with YoungBoy Never Broke Again in March 2022.
April 2022: Surveillance Footage of 2018 Walmart Shooting Released; DaBaby Shoots Trespasser
Rolling Stone published the surveillance tape from the 2018 Walmart shooting incident in April 2022, which reignited public scrutiny. That same month, DaBaby shot a trespasser on his property in Troutman, North Carolina. No charges were filed in the Troutman incident.
2022: New Releases and Controversies
DaBaby released the mixtape "Better than You" with YoungBoy Never Broke Again and his fourth album, "Baby on Baby 2", amidst public controversies.