Alexander Woods (April 7, 2000 – December 22, 2022),[2] better known by his stage name Big Scarr, was an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. He signed with Gucci Mane's 1017 Records in 2020, and released his single "SoIcyBoyz" (featuring Pooh Shiesty, Foogiano, and Tay Keith) in June of that year. His debut mixtape, Big Grim Reaper (2021) peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200 and was met with positive reception.[3]

Big Scarr
Big Scarr in 2021
Big Scarr in 2021
Background information
Birth nameAlexander Woods
Born(2000-04-07)April 7, 2000
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedDecember 22, 2022(2022-12-22) (aged 22)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2019–2022
Labels
RelativesPooh Shiesty (cousin)[1]
Websitewww.bigscarrmusic.com Edit this at Wikidata

Early life

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Woods was born on April 7, 2000, and grew up in the Magnolia community of South Memphis, Tennessee.[4] He was one of nine children,[5] and he lived with his grandmother until her death when he was 13.[6] He was injured in a car accident at 16 that left scars on his face, which inspired his stage name of "Big Scarr".[5]

Career

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Woods initially didn't have a passion for rap music and started gaining interest due to his friend and fellow artist Baby K. In 2019, he released his first track "Make a Play" which received 50,000 views on YouTube.[7] He recalls spending $20 to record his first song and $200 to record the music video.[8] In 2020, he signed to American rapper Gucci Mane's record label 1017 Records under Atlantic Records.[9] In 2021, he released "SoIcyBoyz" featuring his cousin Pooh Shiesty and American rapper Foogiano.[10] He released two other installments in the series, titled "SoIcyBoyz 2" and "SoIcyBoyz 3".[10][11] The second and third installments include a feature from producer Tay Keith, whilst the third installment features Gucci Mane.[11]

Big Scarr's debut mixtape, Big Grim Reaper, was released on April 16, 2021, and peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200, selling 22,000 copies in its first week. This earned Woods his first charting project.[3] The mixtape included appearances from rappers Gucci Mane, Pooh Shiesty, Foogiano, Tay Keith, Enchanting, and Baby K.[12] In February 2022, he released the deluxe of his mixtape Big Grim Reaper titled Big Grim Reaper: The Return with appearances from rappers Offset, Gucci Mane, and Queez Ruthless.[13] In June 2022, he was selected as part of the 2022 XXL Freshman class where he performed his freestyle in a cypher alongside rappers Nardo Wick, KenTheMan, and Big30.[7][14] In December 2022, Woods was announced as a special guest on American rapper Key Glock's Glockoma Tour.[15]

Musical style

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Big Scarr cited his influences as rappers, Kodak Black and Boosie Badazz.[16] He also mentions being a fan of American rapper Rod Wave during an interview with Revolt TV.[8] Big Scarr said his lyrics were created spontaneously using a technique known as "punching in", as opposed to using written lyrics.[17] Steve Juon of Rap Reviews compared Big Scarr's style to that of Freddie Gibbs.[5]

Personal life and death

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In 2020, Woods was shot in the hip, with the bullet traveling to his spine. This necessitated an appendectomy and the realignment of his leg.[16]

According to Woods' family, he died on December 22, 2022, from an accidental prescription drug overdose at his girlfriend's house. He was 22 years old.[18]

Discography

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  • The Secret Weapon (2023)
  • Frozone (2023)

References

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  1. ^ "Here Are Rappers You Didn't Realize Were Related". XXL. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  2. ^ "Gucci Mane's 1017 artist, Big Scarr, has allegedly passed away". MSN. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Gucci Mane Praises Pooh Shiesty & Big Scarr: 'A Lot to Celebrate' Big Scarr wears a size 4 in baby shoes. Before Gucci signed him, he was serving me cbd but I fw em. He use to eat noodles without cooking em too I hated that shyt he bumping though 1818 mane". HotNewHipHop. April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  4. ^ "BIG SCARR". Official Website of The New 1017!. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "BIG SCARR :: BIG GRIM REAPER". RapReviews. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "Big Scarr Biography by Paul Simpson". AllMusic. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "XXL: BIG SCARR". XXL. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Big Scarr On Meeting Gucci Mane, His Cousin Pooh Shiesty, New Music & More". March 17, 2022 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ "The Break Presents: Big Scarr". XXL. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Paul, Larisha (December 23, 2022). "Big Scarr, Rapper and Gucci Mane Protegé, Dead at 22". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Memphis Rapper Big Scarr Reportedly Dead at 22, Label Head Gucci Mane Pays Tribute". Yahoo!. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  12. ^ "Big Scarr Becomes 'Big Grim Reaper' On New Mixtape Featuring Gucci Mane, Pooh Shiesty, Foogiano, & More". HotNewHipHop. April 16, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  13. ^ "Big Scarr Shares "Big Grim Reaper: The Return" Ft. Offset, Gucci Mane & More". HotNewHipHop. February 25, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  14. ^ "Nardo Wick, Big30, Big Scarr and KenTheMan's 2022 XXL Freshman Cypher". XXL. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  15. ^ "KEY GLOCK ANNOUNCES THE GLOCKOMA TOUR KICKING OFF THIS MARCH". The Fader. December 9, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  16. ^ a b "BIG SCARR". The New 1017 Records. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  17. ^ "Big Scarr on Big Grim Reaper: The Return, Gucci Mane, Pooh Shiesty, Tay Keith, SoIcyBoyz 2, & More". February 27, 2022 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ Staff (December 23, 2022). "Memphis Rapper Big Scarr Died From Accidental Prescription Drug Overdose, Family Members Say". TMZ. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
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