Sy Ari Brockington (born January 8, 1986), known professionally as Sy Ari da Kid, is an American singer, songwriter and rapper.
Sy Ari da Kid | |
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Birth name | Sy Ari Brockington |
Also known as | Sy Ari da Kid |
Born | New York City, U.S. | January 8, 1986
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2011–present |
Labels | Arrogant Music, Cash Money, Republic |
Early life
editBrockington was born in The Bronx, New York City but moved to Atlanta, Georgia at the age of nine.[1] As a child he dreamed of being a professional basketball player, but soon turned to rap after the influence of his brother and cousin. He attended Robert L. Osborne High School, alongside rapper K Camp. After graduation, Brockington would appear in battle raps on Atlanta's HOT 107.9 FM, where he was noted for 11 consecutive victories.[2]
Career
editBrockington taught himself to produce and record with Pro Tools, which soon caught the attention of Grammy Award winning songwriter and producer Brian Michael Cox. Signed to December First Publishing Group, Brockington later launched his independent label. Arrogant Music was launched in 2006, for which he serves as the CEO and main recording artist.[3]
He released some mixtapes in 2011, including The Ultrasound, his first formal solo project. A further three mixtapes came in January 2012, including The Best of Da Kid Part One and Part Two. The collective mixtapes featured 106 tracks, used by Brockington to showcase his lyrical ability and versatility.[4]
In the following years, he continued to release multiple mixtapes while working with artists including Waka Flocka Flame, Future, Travis Porter and Roscoe Dash. On February 4, 2016, Brockington released B4 the Heartbreak, which featured Bryson Tiller on "Priorities". The mixtape also included features from Chasity, Lewis Sky and Tink.[5] He later confirmed a follow-up album was in the making, titled 2Soon. It was released through Cash Money in 2017.[6][7]
Artistry
editTalking about his musical process, Brockington said, "I don't write. I like to freestyle until I come off with a good hook or a good start to a verse. I don't like creating from scratch with other artists and producers as much as I should." He also felt he was not narrowed down by a single genre. He said, "I'm not an Atlanta or New York rapper, I feel I'm beyond a rapper. I like all genres of music and can create them as well".[8]
In late 2015, rumours circulated that Brockington was ghostwriting for Canadian rapper Drake. After releasing a song with Quentin Miller, who Meek Mill exposed as a co-writer for Drake, Brockington was forced to distance himself from the suggestions.[2]
Personal life
editBrockington is a single father, something he regularly discusses in interviews. He describes how he wants to be a voice for single fathers, of which there are few in his industry who openly speak about the topic.[9]
Discography
edit- The Ultrasound (2011)
- Kendall's Bumsauce (2012)
- Bad Boys For Life (2012)
- The Definition of Definition (2012)
- Kendall's Bumsauce 2 (2012)
- Workaholics (2012)
- Civil War 2: 2 Sides of a Story (2013)
- The Lake Show (2013)
- The Ultrasound 2: The Birth (2014)
- S.O.O.N. (Something Out Of Nothing) (2015)
- The Heartbreak Kid 3 (2015)
- Politically End Correct (2015)
- B4 the Heartbreak (2016)
- 2 Soon (2017)
- 2 Weeks No Diss (2017)
- Better Safe Than Sy Ari (2018)
- After The Heartbreak (2018)
- Emancipation Proclamation (2019)
- 2 Sides Of A Story (with Paxquiao) (2019)
- It Was Unwritten (2020)
- A Toxic Heartbreak (2020)
- 3 to 5 Business Days (2020)
- Anti Industry Me (2020)
- It's Not You It's Me (2021)
- Sy Ari Not Sorry (2021)
- Alone But Not Lonely (2021)
- The Shadow in the Shade (2022)
- The Shadow in the Shade 2 (2022)
- Toxicity at it’s Finest (2023)
- Northside Dreams, Southside Nightmares (2023)
- Sy Ari & R&B Friends (2023)
References
edit- ^ "Sy Ari Da Kid/SXSW 2015 Event Schedule". SXSW Schedule 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ a b Kyles, Yohance (September 2, 2015). "#ATLRiseUp: Sy Ari Da Kid's Versatility Is Making Him The Man In Atlanta". AllHipHop. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ Kaiser, N. (October 19, 2013). "Sy Ari Da Kid: TUOAFN". Rising Hype.
- ^ eMinor. "SY ARI DA KID Bio | ReverbNation". ReverbNation. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ Hite, Kelly (February 12, 2016). "[Listen] Sy Ari Da Kid Teams Up With Bryson Tiller For "Priorities"". The Source. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ Goddard, Kevin (June 9, 2016), "Sy Ari Da Kid - Somethin For The People | Stream [New Song]", HotNewHipHop, retrieved June 23, 2016
- ^ "Sy Ari da Kid Speaks on What It's Like to Work with Birdman & Responds to Rick Ross Beef Rumors". July 12, 2017.
- ^ DodgerOnDeck (March 4, 2014). "Source Exclusive: Interview with Up And Coming Artist Sy Ari Da Kid". The Source. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ Balfour, Jay (July 25, 2013). "Sy Ari Da Kid Talks Battle Rap Career, His Upcoming LP With Bumpy Knuckles". HipHopDX.