Osiris Jahkail Williams[2] (born September 7, 1998), known professionally as YK Osiris, is an American rapper, and singer-songwriter. He is best known for his 2019 single "Worth It," which peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100 and received triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song preceded the release of his debut studio album, The Golden Child in October of that year, which was met with lukewarm critical and commercial response. The year prior, he first gained popularity from his 2018 song "Valentine," which received platinum certification by the RIAA and led him to sign with Def Jam Recordings. He was dropped from the label in 2022.

YK Osiris
YK Osiris in 2019
YK Osiris in 2019
Background information
Birth nameOsiris Jahkail Williams
Born (1998-09-07) September 7, 1998 (age 26)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.[1]
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2017–present
Labels

Life and career

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Williams was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He began creating music at a young age. Williams first uploaded songs under his birth name, posting his song "Fake Love" in 2017 before using the moniker "YK Osiris" (initialism for Young King Osiris) for future productions.[3][4]

In 2018, he signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings, stemming from the virality of his song "Valentine".[5] In the following year, he released a follow up single "Worth It", which became his most successful single, and remains as his only Billboard Hot 100 entry as a lead artist to date.[6] In October 2019, he released his debut studio album, The Golden Child, under Def Jam Recordings; in December 2022, he was released from the label.[7] The same year, he made his second entry on the Billboard Hot 100 for his performance on DaBaby's song "Gospel"—peaking at number 55. In July 2023, he released a single titled "Dear Fans".[8]

In 2024, YK Osiris signed with Drummer Records, and released the single "Time Goes By" in February of that year.[9]

Personal life

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On August 22, 2018, Williams's tour bus was shot at as it traveled along Interstate 64 in St. Louis, Missouri. Williams was not harmed, but four others inside the bus were shot and wounded.[10]

In November 2019, Williams was arrested in Fulton County, Georgia for aggravated assault after allegedly choking and biting his girlfriend.[11][12]

In the summer of 2023, Williams stirred online controversy after a clip leaked of him attempting to kiss rapper Sukihana, while taping a basketball game, provided by Revolt, a digital cable network founded by Sean "Diddy" Combs.[2] After he gained backlash for what users assumed was attempted sexual assault, he apologized to his fans and Sukihana, who later forgave the artist.[13][14]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[15]
US R&B
/HH

[16]
US
R&B

[17]
The Golden Child 90 45 8
Dear Fans

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[21]
US
R&B/HH

[22]
US
Rap

[23]
US
Main.
R&B/HH

[24]
US
Chr.

[25]
CAN
[26]
NZ
Hot

[27]
"Valentine"[28] 2018 36 The Golden Child
"Timing"[29] Non-album singles
"4 & a Baby"[30]
(with Lennox Cartel)
"Run It Up"[31]
"Ride 4 Me"[32]
(with Big40)
"Worth It"[33] 2019 48 18 15 7 87 The Golden Child
"Freaky Dancer"[35]
(featuring DaBaby)
Non-album single
"Shakira"[36] The Golden Child
"Ride"[18]
(featuring Kehlani)
33 30
"Set Me Free"[37]
(with Lecrae)
2020 15 Restoration
"Leave Me On Read"[38] Non-album singles
"Money Keep Coming"[39]
"This Christmas"[40] 2021
"Be My Girl"[41] 2022
"Dear Fans"[42]

(solo or remix with Lloyd)

2023 Dear Fans
"Time Goes By"[9] 2024
"They Don't Love You"

Other charted songs

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[21]
US
R&B/HH

[22]
CAN
[26]
"Gospel"
(DaBaby featuring Gucci Mane, Chance the Rapper and YK Osiris)
2019 55 32 82 Kirk

References

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  1. ^ Biography by Fred Thomas (September 7, 1998). "YK Osiris | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Ushe, Naledi (June 15, 2023). "Rapper YK Osiris apologizes after he 'violated Sukihana's boundaries' in attempt to kiss her". USA Today.
  3. ^ "YK Osiris". Def Jam. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  4. ^ "YK Osiris | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  5. ^ "Exclusive: YK Osiris Talks Signing with Def Jam & Upcoming Star Collaborations". HipHop-n-More. August 28, 2018.
  6. ^ "YK Osiris Scores First Billboard Hot 100 Hit With 'Worth It'". Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  7. ^ Grant, Shawn (July 13, 2023). "YK Osiris Dropped from Def Jam Roster". The Source. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  8. ^ Ech, Joey (July 12, 2023). "YK Osiris Gets Emotional After Releasing First Independent Song Since Reportedly Being Dropped by Def Jam Recordings - Watch". XXL Mag. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Grant, Shawn (February 2, 2024). "YK Osiris Unveils Emotional Ballad "Time Goes By" Reflecting Love and Redemption". The Source. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  10. ^ "Rapper's tour van shot up in Missouri after performance". News Tribune. August 24, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  11. ^ Galbraith, Alex (November 6, 2019). "YK Osiris Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Girlfriend (UPDATE)". Complex. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  12. ^ Hansen, Zachary (November 6, 2019). "Rapper YK Osiris arrested, accused of choking girlfriend, biting her face". KIRO 7. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  13. ^ "Sukihana Opens Up About YK Osiris' Forced Kiss: 'I Just Wanted To Sweep It Under The Rug'". HipHopDX. July 14, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  14. ^ Gilbert, Natalee (July 13, 2023). "Sukihana Admits YK Osiris Forcing a Kiss on Her Was Uncomfortable, But She Didn't Want to Embarrass Him or Herself". XXL Mag. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  15. ^ @billboardcharts (October 21, 2019). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (3/3)" (Tweet). Retrieved October 22, 2019 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ "YK Osiris Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  17. ^ "YK Osiris Chart History: Top R&B Albums". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "The Golden Child by YK Osiris on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  19. ^ a b c "American certifications – YK Osiris". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  20. ^ Coleman II, C. Vernon (July 19, 2024). "August 2024 New Music Releases". XXL Mag. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "YK Osiris Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  22. ^ a b "YK Osiris Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  23. ^ "YK Osiris Chart History: Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  24. ^ "YK Osiris Chart History: Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  25. ^ "YK Osiris Chart History: Hot Christian Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  26. ^ a b "YK Osiris Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  27. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 14, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  28. ^ "Valentine – Single by YK Osiris on Apple Music". Apple Music. April 20, 2018.
  29. ^ "Timing – Single by YK Osiris on Apple Music". Apple Music. July 6, 2018.
  30. ^ "4 & A Baby – Single by Lennox Cartel and YK Osiris on Apple Music". Apple Music.
  31. ^ "Run It Up – Single by YK Osiris on Apple Music". Apple Music. August 17, 2018.
  32. ^ "Ride 4 Me – Single by Big40 & YK Osiris on Apple Music". Apple Music. September 3, 2018.
  33. ^ "Top 100 Songs: August 17, 2019". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  34. ^ "Certified Awards" (enter "YK Osiris" into the "Keywords" box, then select "Search"). British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  35. ^ "Freaky Dancer – Single by YK Osiris featuring DaBaby on Apple Music". Apple Music. June 21, 2019.
  36. ^ "Shakira – Single by YK Osiris on Apple Music". Apple Music. August 2, 2019.
  37. ^ "Set Me Free - Single by Lecrae & YK Osiris on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  38. ^ Duong, Paul (June 12, 2020). "New Video: YK Osiris "Leave Me On Read"". Rap Radar. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  39. ^ "YK Osiris Shares New Single & Video 'Money Keep Coming'". HipHop-N-More. September 25, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  40. ^ Schube, Will (December 17, 2021). "YK Osiris Gives Fans A Holiday Treat With 'This Christmas'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  41. ^ Schube, Will (July 22, 2022). "YK Osiris Returns With New Song And Video, 'Be My Girl'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  42. ^ Sadler, Armon (July 12, 2023). "YK Osiris Releases "Dear Fans" Music Video Following Sukihana Drama". Vibe. Retrieved August 16, 2024.