Bakari Ward (born November 26, 1998), known professionally as Scorey or Scorey Ayee, is an American rapper, and singer-songwriter from Syracuse, New York. He was the first artist signed to Only Dreamers Achieve Records in 2020, a record label created by Chicago rapper Polo G.[1] Scorey describes Polo G as a mentor to him[2] and he has been described as a protégé of Polo G.[3] He is currently working on a studio LP titled 'Love, Scorey' to be released mid 2024.[citation needed]
Scorey | |
|---|---|
 Scorey (left) with rapper Polo G (right) during the Die A Legend Tour | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Bakari Ward |
| Also known as | Scorey AKA Scorey Ayee, Snippet Merchant |
| Born | November 26, 1998 Syracuse, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Labels | |
Early life
editWard grew up listening to rappers such as Lil Wayne, G Herbo and 50 Cent. He mimicked their style and freestyled with his friends. He began recording music in 2018 and taking it seriously in 2019.[2][4]
During his childhood he enjoyed playing basketball and played on a basketball team either from a club or school.
Ward's music is often influenced by his deceased friends. This includes a friend named Leah, who is referenced multiple times in his songs.[5] In addition, he references Zachary “Zuly” Holloway, who is featured in many of his early music videos. Ward's song "Victim" is filmed at a gathering for Holloway's passing.
When Ward was 21, he nearly died after taking fake Percocet pills that contained fentanyl. He was rushed to the hospital after he blacked out, and has since quit taking Percocet.[6]
Career
editScorey's debut single "Freddy Krueger", released on September 1, 2019, caught the attention of rapper Polo G who saw it posted on a friends Instagram story who was signed to the same label as Scorey. From there Polo G contacted him on Instagram. Days later, Polo G invited him to perform with him at Webster Hall in New York City, as part of his Die a Legend tour, along with rappers such as Yungeen Ace, Luh Kel, and Toosii. It was at this point that he also quit his summer job at Green Lakes State Park as a janitor, which helped pay for his studio sessions and videomaking.[4]
During the recording session for Scorey's single "Moods", Polo G asked him to join his startup record label Only Dreamers Achieve, a partnership with Columbia Records. He accepted and became the first artist signed to the label.[1] His single "Dior You" was the first release under the record label, released on March 12, 2021.[citation needed] He later featured in Polo G's third studio album Hall of Fame released in June 2021.[7]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | |
|---|---|---|
| Help Is On The Way | ||
| Love, Scorey |
Extended Plays
edit| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| Catch Me If You Can |
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [8] |
US R&B /HH [9] | ||||
| "Letter to Mom" | 2019 | — | — | Non-album singles | |
| "No Way Out" | — | — | |||
| "Freddy Krueger" | — | — | |||
| "Traffic" | 2020 | — | — | ||
| "Pain Sicken" | — | — | |||
| "Talk To Me" | — | — | |||
| "Storm" | — | — | |||
| "Victim" | — | — | |||
| "Moods" | — | — | |||
| "Die Young" | 2021 | — | — | ||
| "Cappers" (featuring Lil Roc4TS) |
2022 | — | — | ||
| "Wicked Romance" | 2023 | — | — | ||
As featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "FINDERS KEEPERS" (Dro Kenji featuring Scorey and Internet Money) |
2021 | WITH OR WITHOUT YOU |
| "Two Face" (CHIBI LOL featuring Scorey) |
2022 | IF I STILL HAD A HEART |
| "Legend" (Lil Spooki featuring Scorey and Stunna Gambino) |
Non-album single | |
| "Grave Digger" (Shoebox Baby featuring Scorey) |
The Kid That Came Outta Nowhere | |
| "ROCK N ROLL" (AJ Curtis featuring Scorey) |
2024 | Non-album single |
Guest Appreances
edit| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Heartfelt" | 2021 | TOB Duke | Skye |
| "Shoulders" | Lil Romo | So many losses | |
| "Broken Guitars" | Polo G | Hall Of Fame | |
| "Fell in Love" | SKG Tunez | Mr. Rixh@22 | |
| "Chanel Bag (Remix)" | KillBunk | Non-album remix | |
| "Fast Life" | 2022 | G Fredo | 34 Baby |
| "Faceshot" | YungLiv | Before The Fame |
References
edit- ^ a b Lohmann, Patrick (December 15, 2020). "Scorey Ayee, a Syracuse rapper who hit it big this year, buys 'a ton' of toys for Salvation Army". The Post-Standard. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Maryse, Vayda (May 24, 2021). "Get to know Capalot Record's Own Scorey". Kazi Magazine. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ Ruiz, Matthew (June 18, 2021). "Polo G: Hall of Fame Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Ju, Shirley (April 2, 2021). "Syracuse Rapper Scorey Talks Signing To Polo G's Capalot Records & New Single "Dior You"". AllHipHop. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ Smallz, DJ. "Scorey Quit Xanax, Percocet After Fentanyl Overdose From Fake Pressed Pill, Polo G Reaction (part 6)". Youtube. DJ Smallz. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ Scorey Quit Xanax, Percocet After Fentanyl Overdose From Fake Pressed Pill, Polo G Reaction (part 6), retrieved July 18, 2022
- ^ "Polo G Taps Nicki Minaj, Pop Smoke, & Roddy Ricch For 'Hall Of Fame'". Rap-Up. June 3, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ "DDG Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ "DDG Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved February 23, 2021.