WHAT IT IS: One of music’s most innovative up and comers was signed to Interscope by the label’s John Janick and Joie Manda after the now-24-year-old generated significant buzz with the release of his current single “PRBLMS” on his own via Soundcloud, which allowed him to hone his vision, gain followers and build his brand. He then found a home with the Atlanta-based LVRN before teaming up with Janick and Co. His debut album, FREE 6LACK, peaked at #5 on U.S. rap chart and #8 on the R&B/hip-hop chart a few months ago.
ALBUM: FREE 6LACK
RELEASE DATE: 11/18/16
SINGLE: “PRBLMS”
LIVE: Festivals include BUKU (3/11), MoPop (7/29), Bumbershoot (9/3); March Euro tour, Legend of the Fall 2017 World Tour 4/26-6/9
INTERNET: Averaging 3m monthly Spotify listeners, 21m total single streams; #6 on Pandora’s Trendsetters Chart (1/27); 259k+ Shazams, peaked at #7 in Atlanta, #43 on the U.S. chart at press time; 8.7m+ YouTube views, 83.6k subscribers; 11.6m SoundCloud plays, 120k followers
RADIO: #19 at Urban radio with an audience of 7.7m for the week ending 2/26
PRESS: Complex, Rolling Stone (“10 Artists You Need to Know”), Pigeons and Planes, Noisey, Forbes (“5 Alternative R&B Artists to Look Out For in 2017”), more
BOOKING: Matt Adler/Paradigm
MANAGEMENT: LoveRenaissance