22Gz

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
22Gz
22Gz in 2020
22Gz in 2020
Background information
Birth nameJeffrey Mark Alexander[1]
Also known as
  • Tutu Blixky[2]
  • The Brooklyn Drill General[3]
  • TuTu Da General[4]
Born (1997-11-29) November 29, 1997 (age 24)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2015-present
LabelsAtlantic[6]

Jeffrey Mark Alexander[1] (born November 29, 1997),[7] known professionally as 22Gz (/tutuˈdʒiːz/ too-too-JEEZ), is a Guyanese-American rapper from the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York. He is 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[]

Jeffrey Alexander was born on November 29, 1997 in the East New York section of Brooklyn, New York. He was raised in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn.[9] His father died before he was born, and his older brother was sentenced to 16 years in prison.[10] He started his entertainment career on the New York City Subway performing showtime dance routines.[11] He is of Guyanese descent.

Musical career[]

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.[10][3][13] 22gz gained attention leading him to signing with Atlantic in 2018 and his Label A&R helping him getting noticed by Kodak Black [14][15][10] One of his first songs released on the label, "Spin the Block", was a collaboration track with Kodak Black.[16]

22Gz released his first mixtape with Atlantic, The Blixky Tape, in July 2019.[17] His follow-up mixtape Growth & Development was released on April 10, 2020, and was co-produced by London-based drill producer Ghosty.[18] 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[]

In 2014, Marcos Leon was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, however the charges were dropped.[10] 22Gz spent five months in jail in 2017 on second-degree murder charges related to a shooting in Miami, however these were later dropped.[19] 22Gz recorded a Facebook Live video from an NYPD holding cell in 2018.[20]

In 2019, Alexander, along with four other New York rappers including Casanova, Pop Smoke, Sheff G, and Don Q, were removed from . NYPD cited "a higher risk of violence" if the artists were to perform.[21] He has beefed with the "Woo's" Including Rappers Like Pop Smoke and Fivio Foreign.

Discography[]

Mixtapes[]

List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Heat.
The Blixky Tape —
Growth & Development
  • Released: April 10, 2020[23]
  • Label: Atlantic, WEA International
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 12
[24]
The Blixky Tape 2 20
[26]

Singles[]

As lead artist[]

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Certifications Album
"Blicky"[10] 2016 Non-album singles
"Up Next!"
(featuring Breezo Blixky & Nas Blixky)[7]
"Suburban"[10]
"Vamanos"[7] 2017
"We On"[27]
(22Gz & Nas Blixky)
"Invest in a Ratchet"[28]
(Big Moose 280 & 22Gz)
"First Day Out / Stuck in the Yams"[29]
"Why"[30] 2018
"Got Those"[31]
"Spin the Block"[16]
(featuring Kodak Black)
"Spazz Out"[32] 2019
"Drifting"[33]
(AXL Beats, Khay and Kush Blixky, Breezy Blixky & 22Gz)
"Sniper Gang (Freestyle)"[34] The Blixky Tape
"Rerock"[35]
(Shawny Binladen & 22Gz) 		Non-album singles
"Telephone"[36]
(22Gz, MaxThaDemon & Ciggy Black)
"Suburban, Pt. 2"[37] Growth & Development
"No Questions"[5] 2020
"YTB (Yellow Tape Blixky)"[39]
(featuring Shawny Binladen & Big Yaya) 		Non-album singles
"Movie"[40]
(CoachDaGhost & 22gz)

As featured artist[]

List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Jet Li, Pt. 2"
(Nick Blixky featuring 22Gz)[41] 		2018 Non-album singles
"Drive the Boat"
(Nick Blixky featuring 22Gz & Nas Blixky)[42] 		2019
"Upset"
(T'up Ty featuring 22Gz)[43] 		Excuse the Way I Came Up
"Faded Remix"
(B1 featuring 22Gz, Ivorian Doll and Dezzie)[44] 		2021 Non-album single

Guest appearances[]

Title Year Other artists Album
"Flexin" 2016 Khay B Flockin, Kush Blixky Blixky
"The Get Back , Pt 1"[45] 2018 T'up Ty T'd Up, Vol. 1
"Sick of Us"[46] Envy Caine 2 Many Situations
"Wita Blixky"[47] 2019 C-Clip Beatz Rap & Beats
"Extra"[48] Rooga Back da Fuck Up
"Hoody Szn"[49] Nym Lo, 183rd, Casanova High Horse
"Up the Score"[50] 2020 Slayter, Maxo Kream World Got Me Fucked Up, Vol. 1

References[]

  1. ^ a b "ASCAP ACE Repertory information for 22Gz's works". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  2. ^ Hensley, Nicole (May 30, 2017). "Brooklyn rapper arrested in Florida parking dispute killing". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "22Gz". Masquerade Atlanta. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Ingvaldsen, Torsten (April 10, 2020). "22Gz Invigorates His Drill Empire With New Mixtape 'Growth & Development'". Hypebeast. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  6. ^ "22Gz". atlanticrecords.com. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Crone, David (2019). "22Gz". All Music. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  8. ^ Skelton, Eric. "How Brooklyn Drill Became the New Sound of New York". Complex.com. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  9. ^ "7 NYC RAPPERS THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR!". Hot97. July 25, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d e f McKinney, Jessica (April 16, 2020). "22Gz, a Pioneer of Brooklyn Drill". Complex. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Pierre, Alphonse (August 4, 2017). "You're Not Paying Attention to New York's Most Exciting New Rap Scene". Vice. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  14. ^ Acevedo, Kai (August 22, 2019). "The Break Presents: 22Gz". XXL. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  15. ^ "Rappers to Watch in 2020". Complex. January 15, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  16. ^ a b Shokeye, Kyle (November 30, 2018). "Premiere: 22Gz and Kodak Black "Spin the Block" in New Video". Complex. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  17. ^ Zhang, Charlie (July 20, 2019). "22Gz Releases Highly-Anticipated Mixtape 'The Blixky Tape'". Hypebeast. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  18. ^ Mowatt, Robyn (2020). "Brooklyn Drill Rapper 22Gz Reigns Supreme On New Mixtape 'Growth & Development'". Okay Player. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "The Blixky Tape". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  23. ^ "Growth & Development". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  24. ^ "Heatseekers Albums Chart: Week of April 24, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  25. ^ "The Blixky Tape 2 by 22Gz" – via music.apple.com.
  26. ^ "Heatseekers Albums Chart: Week of April 2, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  27. ^ "22GZ Nas Blixky - We On". CDUniverse. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  28. ^ "Invest in a Ratchet - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  29. ^ "First Day Out / Stuck in the Yams - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  30. ^ "Why - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  31. ^ "Got Those - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  32. ^ "Spazz Out - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  33. ^ "Drifting - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  34. ^ "Sniper Gang (Freestyle) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  35. ^ "Rerock - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  36. ^ "Telephone - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  37. ^ "Suburban, Pt. 2 - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  38. ^ "Gold & Platinum: 22Gz". Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  39. ^ "YTB (Yellow Tape Blixky) [feat. Shawny Binladen & Big Yaya] - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  40. ^ "Movie - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  41. ^ "Jet Li, Pt. 2 (feat. 22gz)". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  42. ^ Threadcraft, Torry (2020). "Up-And-Coming Brooklyn Rapper Nick Blixky Shot And Killed At 21". Okay Player. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  43. ^ "Upset (feat. 22Gz) [Explicit]". Amazon. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  44. ^ W, Courtney (2 December 2021). "Premiere: B1 Returns With Hard 'Faded' Remix Featuring Dezzie, Ivorian Doll & 22Gz". grmdaily.com. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  45. ^ "T'd Up, Vol. 1". iTunes. 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  46. ^ "2 Many Situations". iTunes. 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  47. ^ "Rap & Beats". Deezer. 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  48. ^ "Back da Fuck Up". Amazon. 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  49. ^ "High Horse - EP". iTunes. 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  50. ^ "World Got Me Fucked Up, Vol. 1". Beatport. 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
Retrieved from ""