Marquis Amonte King (born December 12, 1992),[3] better known by the stage name Shy Glizzy (stylized as $hy Glizzy), is an American rapper from Southeast, Washington, D.C.[4] He is best known for his guest appearance alongside Brent Faiyaz on GoldLink's 2016 single "Crew", which peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.

Shy Glizzy
Shy Glizzy in 2018
Shy Glizzy in 2018
Background information
Birth nameMarquis Amonte King
Also known as
Born (1992-12-12) December 12, 1992 (age 31)
Washington DC, U.S.[2]
OriginSoutheast, Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres
OccupationRapper
Years active2010–present
Labels
Children1
Websiteglizzygang.com

Background

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Shy Glizzy was born Marquis Amonte King on December 12, 1992, at Greater Southeast Community Hospital and grew up in Southeast DC. [3]

He received his nickname "Shy" during early childhood.[5] As a teenager, he began reading the Quran, then the daily newspaper and stacks of biographies, before starting to write raps.[3] He was initially "trying to write a book, but it ended up being a song."[6] Shy has stated he did not listen to rap music growing up but rather go-go music, which he credits for helping to create his own unique sound.[3]

Career

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2011–2013

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In 2011, Shy Glizzy released his debut project, titled No Brain, in January. He released his second mixtape, Streets Hottest Youngin, on October 31.[7]

On June 6, 2012, Shy released his third mixtape titled Law. He was featured by Complex on its list of "10 New DMV Rappers To Watch Out For."[8] The Washington City Paper's Ramon Ramirez referred to it as "a well-connected tape [which] sometimes feels like it wants to be a major-label-debut", featuring guest appearances from Project Pat and Wale and production from Beat Billionaire, but described Shy as being "less polished, and more frenetic, while his hooks are repetitive and droning but also hungry and catchy."[9]

On November 14, 2012, Shy released his fourth mixtape, Fly Money, an 11-track collaborative project with Jose Guapo. On December 12, he released his fifth mixtape, Fxck Rap, featuring a guest appearance from Trinidad James and production from Speaker Knockerz.[10]

On March 16, 2013, Shy Glizzy was listed by Complex as one of "15 Unsigned Rappers Who Should Get a Deal After SXSW".[11] On April 3, he announced his sixth mixtape, Law 2,[12] which went on to be released on August 1, and included guest appearances from the likes of Migos, Yo Gotti, Starlito and Kevin Gates.[13]

2014–2016

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On January 7, 2014, Shy Glizzy was listed by Fact as one of "10 Rappers to Watch in 2014".[14] On January 20, he announced his seventh mixtape, Young Jefe, which went on to be released on February 17, and included guest appearances from the likes of Young Scooter, PeeWee Longway, Young Thug, Plies and Gudda Gudda.[15] From that mixtape, the hit single "Awwsome" turned into the biggest song of his career and peaked at number 45 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[16] It spawned a remix off the record that features A$AP Rocky and 2 Chainz that grabbed more than 750,000 streams on SoundCloud in the first week of its release.[17]

On June 3, 2015, Shy Glizzy was selected as part of the XXL magazine Freshman Class list.[18] That same day he released his ninth mixtape, Be Careful, a 16-track collaborative project with his Glizzy Gang collective which included members 30 Glizzy, Goo Glizzy and 3 Glizzy.[19] On August 28, Shy announced his 10th mixtape, For Trappers Only, entirely produced by Zaytoven to be released on September 30.[20] It included guest appearances from the likes of Boosie Badazz, Yo Gotti and Ty Dolla $ign.

On July 8, 2016, Shy Glizzy announced his 11th mixtape, Young Jefe 2, to be released on July 15.[21]

In a December 2014 interview with The Fader, when asked about his thoughts on DMV rap, Shy responded "DMV still didn't become a thing. Nobody opened up a lane for DMV rap [...] I opened up my lane. I opened up Glizzy Gang lane, the southeast DC lane."[22] However, in a January 2017 interview with The Fader, when asked about the state of DC's rap scene, Shy responded "I'm trying to open up that lane so more youngsters can come through. No one else ever opened that door for me [...] I got a whole culture—the D, the M, and the V—to put on for."[23]

2017–present

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On January 6, 2017, Shy Glizzy released an EP, The World is Yours, under the stage name Jefe.[23][24] HipHopDX's Aaron McKrell described it as "an energetic but hollow offering" but praised Shy Glizzy's delivery and "ability to manipulate vocal sonics." He rated the project 2.7 out of 5.[25] Pitchfork's Sheldon Pearce stated that it "isn't King at the peak of his powers [...] Here, he mostly seems content to roll leisurely through verses" and showed "no sense of urgency." He rated the project 6.9 out of 10.[26]

The single "Take Me Away" was released on September 29, dedicated to the memory of 30 Glizzy who was found dead a few weeks earlier.[27] He released his 12th mixtape Quiet Storm on December 12,[28] which he described as his "best body of work yet."[29]

In 2018, Shy Glizzy released his debut studio album, Fully Loaded, on October 18, which included guest appearances from YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug, Gunna, and Rick Ross.[30] The album received positive reviews[31][32] and peaked at number 35 on the US Billboard 200, selling 14,446 album-equivalent units in the first week.[33] It was announced that Glizzy will embark on nationwide tour with Atlanta rapper Gunna on his Drip or Drown 2 tour.

In an April 2019 interview with HipHopDX's Daniela Evgenivna, Glizzy announced he would be releasing his second studio album titled Covered 'N Blood on April 19.[34] He described the album as being more personal than the feature packed Fully Loaded stating "It's a really deep album. A lot of my music is like a diary. This one is about what I've been going through the last few months."[34] On April 19, Covered n' Blood was released as Glizzy's second Billboard 200-charting record, peaking at 156. Shy ended 2019 with a second mixtape titled Aloha, inspired by and recorded on the island of Hawaii.[35]

On April 10, 2020, he released the single "Lonely Vibes".[36] He released the song "Right Or Wrong" with Lil Uzi Vert on June 19.[37] On September 18, 2020, Shy Glizzy released his new project, Young Jefe 3. It was preceded by a video for "Forever Tre 7", featuring No Savage, a new signee to Glizzy's label, Glizzy Gang Records, an imprint under 300 Entertainment.[38]

Personal life

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In 2012, King stated that he is Muslim.[39]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[40]
Fully Loaded[41]
  • Released: October 12, 2018
  • Label: 300 Entertainment, Glizzy Gang
  • Format: Digital download
35
Flowers[42]
  • Released: February 10, 2023
  • Label: 300 Entertainment, Glizzy Gang
  • Format: Digital download
List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
R&B/HH

[43]
The World Is Yours
(as Jefe)
37
Aloha

Mixtapes

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List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[40]
US
R&B/HH

[46]
No Brainer
  • Released: January 19, 2011
Streets Hottest Youngin
  • Released: October 31, 2011
Law
  • Released: June 6, 2012
Fly Money
(with Jose Guapo)
  • Released: November 14, 2012
Fxck Rap
  • Released: December 12, 2012
Law 2
  • Released: August 1, 2013
Young Jefe
  • Released: February 17, 2014
Law 3: Now or Never
  • Released: December 2, 2014
47
Be Careful
(with Glizzy Gang)
  • Released: June 3, 2015
For Trappers Only
(with Zaytoven)
  • Released: September 30, 2015
Young Jefe 2
  • Released: July 15, 2016
134 14
Quiet Storm
  • Released: December 12, 2017
Covered n' Blood
  • Released: April 19, 2019
  • Label: 300 Entertainment, Glizzy Gang
  • Format: Digital download
156
Young Jefe 3
  • Released: September 18, 2020
  • Label: 300 Entertainment, Glizzy Gang
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
118

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
R&B
/HH

[47]
"Awwsome"
(Solo or remix featuring 2 Chainz and ASAP Rocky)
2014 45 Young Jefe
"Funeral" (Remix)
(featuring Jeezy)
2015 Non-album singles
"Fan Club"
(featuring Lil Uzi Vert)
2016
"Take Me Away" 2017 Quiet Storm
"Do You Understand?"
(featuring Gunna and Tory Lanez)
2018 Fully Loaded
"Where We Come From"[49]
(featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again)
"Lonely Vibes" 2020 Young Jefe 3
"Right Or Wrong"
(featuring Lil Uzi Vert)
"Borderline"
(featuring EST Gee)
2022 Flowers
"MMY Freestyle"[50] Non-album singles
"Steppin On Sh!t"[51] Flowers
"Underrated"[52]
"Slime-U-Out"
(featuring 21 Savage)[53]
"Fools Fall N Love"
(featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again)[54]
2023
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
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List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[55]
US
R&B
/HH

[47]
"Crew"
(GoldLink featuring Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy)
2016 45 15
  • RIAA: 6× Platinum[56]
At What Cost

Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Category Nominated work Result
2013 O Music Awards[57] Make a Band Famous Himself Nominated
2018 Grammy Awards[58] Best Rap/Sung Performance "Crew" (with GoldLink and Brent Faiyaz) Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Shy Glizzy Changes Name to Jefe, Drops New Song 'One' – XXL. Xxlmag.com. Retrieved on January 9, 2017.
  2. ^ "Rough Cuts". WashingtonCityPaper.com.
  3. ^ a b c d Richards, Chris (May 21, 2015). "Six months on the trail with Shy Glizzy, Washington's latest budding rap star". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  4. ^ "Shy Glizzy – Fxck Rap [Mixtape Review]". Metrojolt. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  5. ^ "Jefe, Formerly Shy Glizzy, Has Become DC's Most Important New Rap Voice". Noisey. January 11, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  6. ^ Nosnitsky, Andrew (March 19, 2013). "Gen F: Shy Glizzy". Fader. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  7. ^ Laurels, True (March 16, 2018). "I Made a Shy Glizzy Madness Bracket Because No One Else Is Brave Enough To". Noisey. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  8. ^ Kimble, Julian (June 6, 2012). "10 New DMV Rappers To Watch Out For". Complex. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  9. ^ "Shy Glizzy's Law Reviewed". Washington City Paper. June 15, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  10. ^ Zeichner, Naomi. "Download Shy Glizzy's Fxck Rap Mixtape". Fader. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  11. ^ "15 Unsigned Rappers Who Should Get a Deal After SXSW". Complex. March 16, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  12. ^ "ShyGlizzy". Twitter. April 3, 2013.
  13. ^ Goddard, Kevin (August 2, 2013). "Shy Glizzy – Law 2". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  14. ^ "10 Rappers to Watch in 2014". Complex. January 7, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  15. ^ Lilah, Rose (February 17, 2014). "Shy Glizzy – Young Jefe". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  16. ^ "Shy Glizzy – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  17. ^ Krastz, Roger. "Shy Glizzy Says Birdman Inspired Him To Get In The Studio With Boosie Badazz". XXL Mag. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  18. ^ "Here's Who Made the 2015 XXL Freshman Class Cover". MTV News. June 3, 2015. Archived from the original on June 9, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  19. ^ "Shy Glizzy Drops "Be Careful" Mixtape with Glizzy Gang". Respect. June 4, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  20. ^ "Shy Glizzy Announces New Mixtape With Zaytoven". XXL. August 28, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
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  22. ^ Younger, Briana (December 10, 2014). "Shy Glizzy On Being "Awwsome"". The Fader. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  23. ^ a b Dandridge-Lemco, Ben. "Shy Glizzy Is Changing His Name To Jefe And Releasing A New Project". The FADER. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  24. ^ Cook-Wilson, Winston (January 3, 2017). "Shy Glizzy Changes Name to Jefe, Releases Zaytoven-Produced "One"". Spin. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  25. ^ "Review: Shy Glizzy's Switch to Jefe Doesn't Help "The World is Yours" EP". January 14, 2017.
  26. ^ "Jefe: The World is Yours". Pitchfork.
  27. ^ Weinstein, Max. "Shy Glizzy Is Back With New Song 'Take Me Away' – XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  28. ^ Goddard, Kevin (December 12, 2017). "Stream Shy Glizzy's "Quiet Storm" Project". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  29. ^ "Shy Glizzy talks his Grammy nom, new 'Quiet Storm' EP and losing his brother". Revolt TV. January 31, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  30. ^ Lamarre, Carl. "Stream Shy Glizzy's New Album 'Fully Loaded' Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, Young Thug & Gunna: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  31. ^ Pearce, Sheldon. "Shy Glizzy: Fully Loaded review". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  32. ^ Blackwell, Marcus (October 29, 2018). "Review: Shy Glizzy Covers All Bases On "Fully Loaded"". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  33. ^ "Hip Hop Album Sales: Quavo's "Quavo Huncho" Catapults To No. 2 On Billboard 200". HipHopDX. October 22, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  34. ^ a b "Shy Glizzy Discusses New Album "Covered In Blood" & Nipsey Hussle's Life Lessons". HipHopDX. April 7, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  35. ^ Release, Press (August 30, 2019). "SHY GLIZZY RELEASES NEW EP 'ALOHA'". Elicit Magazine. Elicit Magazine. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  36. ^ "Shy Glizzy Is Back With New Track "Lonely Vibes"". Complex. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  37. ^ "Lil Uzi Vert Joins Shy Glizzy on New Song "Right or Wrong"". Complex. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  38. ^ Regina, Cho (September 14, 2020). "Shy Glizzy drops new video "Forever Tre 7" featuring No Savage". Revolt. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  39. ^ "ShyGlizzy". Twitter. June 24, 2012. Archived from the original on March 15, 2019.
  40. ^ a b "Shy Glizzy Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  41. ^ "Fully Loaded by Shy Glizzy". Apple Music. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  42. ^ "Flowers by Shy Glizzy". Apple Music. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  43. ^ "Jefe – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  44. ^ The World Is Yours by Jefe on Apple Music. Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved on January 9, 2017.
  45. ^ Aloha – EP by Shy Glizzy on Apple Music. Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved on November 21, 2019.
  46. ^ "Shy Glizzy – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  47. ^ a b
  48. ^ "American certifications – Shy Glizzy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  49. ^ "Where We Come From (feat. YoungBoy Never Broke Again) on Apple Music". September 7, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2023 – via Apple Music.
  50. ^ "MMY Freestyle on Apple Music". October 21, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023 – via Apple Music.
  51. ^ "Steppin On Sh!t on Apple Music". November 18, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023 – via Apple Music.
  52. ^ "Underrated on Apple Music". November 25, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023 – via Apple Music.
  53. ^ "Slime-U-Out (feat. 21 Savage) on Apple Music". December 9, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023 – via Apple Music.
  54. ^ A., Aron (February 3, 2023). "Shy Glizzy & NBA Youngboy Unite On "Fools Fall N Love"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  55. ^ "GoldLink on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  56. ^ "American certifications – Shy Glizzy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  57. ^ "Frank Ocean, Beck Lead O Music Awards Nominees". Billboard. May 16, 2013. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
  58. ^ "60th GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees List". The Recording Academy. November 28, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.