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22Gz

{{Short description|American rapper (born 1997)}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = 22Gz

| image = File:22gz 2017 mugshot.webp

| caption = 22GZ's May 2017 mugshot

| birth_name = Jeffrey Mark Alexander

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|11|29}}

| birth_place = Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| alias = {{flatlist|

  • TutuBlixky{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/brooklyn-rapper-arrested-florida-parking-dispute-killing-article-1.3206075 |title=Brooklyn rapper arrested in Florida parking dispute killing |first=Nicole |last=Hensley |date=May 30, 2017 |website=New York Daily News |access-date=October 27, 2020}}
  • The Brooklyn Drill General
  • TuTu Da General{{Cite web|url=http://www.masqueradeatlanta.com/attraction/22gz-2/ |title=22Gz |website=Masquerade Atlanta |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

}}

| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer}}

| instrument = Vocals

| years_active = 2015–present

| label = Blixky Ent./Atlantic

Foundation Media, LLC{{cite web |title=22Gz |url=https://press.atlanticrecords.com/22gz/ |website=atlanticrecords.com |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

}}

Jeffrey Mark Alexander{{Cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/writer/Jeffrey%20Alexander/performer/22GZ?searchFilter=SVW&page=1|title=ASCAP ACE Repertory information for 22GZ's works|website=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|access-date=March 20, 2021}} (November 29, 1997),{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/22gz-mn0003774097/biography |title=22Gz |first=David |last=Crone |year=2019 |website=All Music |access-date=October 27, 2020}} known professionally as 22Gz ({{IPAc-en|t|u|t|u|'|dʒ|i:|z}} {{respell|too|too|JEEZ}}), is an American rapper, and songwriter credited as a pioneer of the Brooklyn drill scene.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/22gz-proves-hes-the-brooklyn-drill-general-in-funk-flex-freestyle-news.101657.html|title=22Gz Proves He's The Brooklyn Drill General In Funk Flex Freestyle|first=Ben|last=Bijur|date=January 27, 2020|website=HotNewHipHop|access-date=October 27, 2020}}{{Cite web|title=How Brooklyn Drill Became the New Sound of New York|url=https://story.complex.com/brooklyn-drill-the-new-sound-of-new-york|first=Eric|last=Skelton|access-date=August 12, 2020|website=Complex.com|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915222946/http://story.complex.com/brooklyn-drill-the-new-sound-of-new-york/|url-status=dead}} 22Gz released his first major mixtape, The Blixky Tape, through Atlantic Records in 2019.

Early life

Jeffrey Mark Alexander was born on November 29, 1997, the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hot97.com/hip-hop-news/featured/7-nyc-rappers-that-should-be-on-your-radar/ |title=7 NYC RAPPERS THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR! |date=July 25, 2019 |website=Hot97 |access-date=October 27, 2020}} His father died before he was born.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXVrJCdyVUA |title=22Gz Interview: Being Recognized In Jail, Growing Up Without A Dad, Why He Left NY + Freestyle |date=2022-01-05 |last=Saige Jones |access-date=2024-10-20 |via=YouTube}} He is of Guyanese descent.{{cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Mark |date=30 March 2022 |title=Lawsuit: Providence blocked rap artist's performance after resistance from police |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/03/30/providence-ri-license-board-blocked-22-gz-concert-after-intervention-police-aclu-lawsuit/7205893001/ |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=The Providence Journal}} He started his entertainment career on the New York City Subway performing showtime dance routines.{{Cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/video/2020/02/22gz-interview-brooklyn-drill/|title=22Gz Wants You to Know He Started It All When It Comes to the Brooklyn Drill Movement|first=Robby |last=Seabrook III|website=XXL Mag|date=February 22, 2020|access-date=October 27, 2020}}

Career

He started releasing songs on SoundCloud at the age of 17 in early 2015. After releasing the singles "Blixky" and "Suburban" in 2016, 22Gz gained a following from his YouTube videos. "Suburban", produced by London-based drill producer AXL Beats,{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/axl-beats-drake-travis-scott/ |title=AXL Beats Is the London Rap Producer Bringing Brooklyn Drill to Drake and Travis Scott |first=Alphonse |last=Pierre |date=January 30, 2020 |website=Vice |access-date=October 27, 2020}} was regarded as one of the first major Brooklyn drill songs to become popular.{{Cite web |last=McKinney |first=Jessica |date=April 16, 2020 |title=22Gz, a Pioneer of Brooklyn Drill |url=https://www.complex.com/music/22gz-interview-brooklyn-drill |access-date=October 27, 2020 |website=Complex}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zmxb93/youre-not-paying-attention-to-new-yorks-most-exciting-new-rap-scene |title=You're Not Paying Attention to New York's Most Exciting New Rap Scene |first=Alphonse |last=Pierre |date=August 4, 2017 |website=Vice |access-date=October 27, 2020}} 22Gz gained attention, leading him to sign with Atlantic in 2018 and his label A&R helping him getting noticed by Kodak Black.{{Cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2019/08/22gz-interview-the-break/|title=The Break Presents: 22Gz|first=Kai|last=Acevedo|work=XXL|date=August 22, 2019 |access-date=October 27, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/rappers-to-watch-2020/|title=Rappers to Watch in 2020|website=Complex|date=January 15, 2020 |access-date=October 27, 2020}} One of his first songs released on the label, "Spin the Block", was a collaboration track with Kodak Black.{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/11/22gz-kodak-black-spin-the-block-video |title=Premiere: 22Gz and Kodak Black "Spin the Block" in New Video |first=Kyle |last=Shokeye |date=November 30, 2018 |website=Complex |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

22Gz released his first mixtape with Atlantic, The Blixky Tape, in July 2019.{{cite web|last=Zhang|first=Charlie|title=22Gz Releases Highly-Anticipated Mixtape 'The Blixky Tape'|url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/7/22gz-the-blixky-tape-album-stream|work=Hypebeast|date=July 20, 2019 |access-date=October 27, 2020}} His follow-up mixtape Growth & Development was released on April 10, 2020, and was co-produced by London-based drill producer Ghosty.{{Cite web|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/22gz-growth-and-development-mixtape.html |title=Brooklyn Drill Rapper 22Gz Reigns Supreme On New Mixtape 'Growth & Development' |first=Robyn |last=Mowatt |year=2020 |website=Okay Player |access-date=October 27, 2020}} Torsten Ingvaldsen of Hypebeast praised the mixtape, stating, 22Gz has "riotous energy, bringing forth aggressive lyrics and militant deliveries that continue to sculpt out his fast-paced rise".{{Cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2020/4/22gz-growth-and-development-mixtape-stream|title=22Gz Invigorates His Drill Empire With New Mixtape 'Growth & Development'|work=Hypebeast|last=Ingvaldsen|first=Torsten|date=April 10, 2020 |accessdate=April 10, 2020}}

Legal controversies

In 2014, he was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, however the charges were dropped. 22Gz spent five months in jail in 2017 on second-degree murder charges related to a shooting in Miami, however these were later dropped.{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article192266649.html |title=He served time for murder he didn't commit — and the real shooter is dead, cops say |first=Monique Q. |last=Madan |date=December 30, 2017 |website=Miami Herald |access-date=October 27, 2020}} 22Gz recorded a Facebook Live video from an NYPD holding cell in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/brooklyn-rapper-video-show-gang-suspects-weed-cell-article-1.3815061 |title=Brooklyn cops may face questions over improper search after rapper's jail cell video (WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE) |first1=Thomas |last1=Tracy |first2=John |last2=Annese |date=February 12, 2018 |website=NY Daily News |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

In 2019, Alexander, along with Casanova, Pop Smoke, Sheff G, and Don Q, was removed from the Rolling Loud concert. NYPD cited "a higher risk of violence" if the artists were to perform.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/12/arts/music/rolling-loud-nypd-gangs.html|title=5 Rappers not Dropped From New York Music Festival at Police Request|first=Joe|last=Coscarelli|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 12, 2019|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}

On June 12, 2022, 22Gz was arrested in New York City on attempted murder charges over a March shooting in which three people were injured.{{Cite magazine|last=Donahue|first=Bill|title=Rapper 22Gz Arrested in NYC on Attempted Murder Charge|url=https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/22gz-arrested-attempted-murder-charge-1235087544/|date=June 14, 2022|access-date=June 14, 2022|magazine=Billboard}} He was released on $500,000 bail four days later.{{Cite web |last=Ivey |first=Justin |date=2022-06-17 |title=22Gz Released On Bail Following Arrest For Attempted Murder |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/22gz-released-on-bail-following-arrest-for-attempted-murder/ |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=AllHipHop |language=en-US}}

Discography

=Mixtapes=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of mixtapes, with selected details

! rowspan="2" |Title

! rowspan="2" |Mixtape details

!Peak chart positions

scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US
Heat.
scope="row" | The Blixky Tape

|

|—

scope="row" | Growth & Development

|

  • Released: April 10, 2020{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/growth-development/1506325415|title=Growth & Development|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}
  • Label: Atlantic Records, WEA International
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming

|12
{{Cite magazine|title=Heatseekers Albums Chart: Week of April 24, 2020|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2020-04-24|url-status=live|access-date=June 2, 2021|magazine=Billboard|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210604054112/https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2020-04-24 |archive-date = 2021-06-04 }}

scope="row" | The Blixky Tape 2

|

  • Released: March 19, 2021{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-blixky-tape-2/1557548785|title=The Blixky Tape 2 by 22Gz|via=music.apple.com}}
  • Label: Atlantic Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming

|20
{{Cite magazine|title=Heatseekers Albums Chart: Week of April 2, 2021|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2021-04-02|url-status=live|access-date=June 2, 2021|magazine=Billboard|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210603014200/https://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2021-04-02 |archive-date = 2021-06-03 }}

scope="row" | Growth & Development II

|

  • Released: January 12, 2024{{cite web|title=Spotify – 22Gz – Growth & Development II|website=Spotify |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/72f2YzzvDIJLIrR5k8jCAm|date=January 12, 2024}}
  • Label: Blixky Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

|—

scope="row" | Brooklyn's Most Wanted

|

  • Released: June 21, 2024{{cite web|title=Spotify – 22Gz – Brooklyn's Most Wanted|website=Spotify |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1h4Vwt71rwTZe5KhXgrx5h|date=June 21, 2024}}
  • Label: Blixky Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

|—

scope="row" | Hidden Gemz

|

  • Released: February 21, 2025{{cite web|title=Spotify – 22Gz – Hidden Gemz|website=Spotify |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/3jGjtfG1BVCQ3gOq17PDAo|date=February 21, 2025}}
  • Label: Blixky Entertainment, BetterVibesOnly
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

|—

=Extended plays=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of extended plays, with selected details

! Title

! Extended play details

scope="row"| Year of the Blixky

|

  • Released: December 9, 2022{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/year-of-the-blixky-ep/1657414272|title=Year of the Blixky|website=iTunes|accessdate=December 15, 2022}}
  • Label: Atlantic Records
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

=Singles=

==As lead artist==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of singles, showing year released and album name

! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:18em;"| Title

! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Year

! scope="col"| Certifications

! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Album

scope="row"| "12 Bars"

| rowspan="2"|2015

| rowspan="17" {{N/a|Non-album singles}}

scope="row"| "At The Light"
{{small|(featuring Theo Zanotti)}}

|

scope="row"| "Blicky"
{{small|(featuring Nas Blixky & NiikoSuav)}}

| rowspan="4"|2016

|

scope="row"| "Regular"
{{small|(featuring Theo Zanotti & Suavee Jew)}}

|

scope="row"| "Up Next!"
{{small|(featuring Breezo Blixky & Nas Blixky)}}

|

scope="row"| "Suburban"

|

scope="row"| "Vamanos"
{{small|(featuring Ju Laden & Theo Zanotti)}}

| rowspan="5"|2017

|

scope="row"| "Ain't Livin My Life"

|

scope="row"| "Invest in a Ratchet"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/invest-in-a-ratchet-single/1271520023|title=Invest in a Ratchet - Single|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}
{{small|(featuring Big Moose 280)}}

|

scope="row"| "We On"{{cite web|url=https://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=11224761 |title=22GZ Nas Blixky - We On |website=CDUniverse|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}
{{small|(featuring Nas Blixky)}}

|

scope="row"| "First Day Out / Stuck in the Yams"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/first-day-out-stuck-in-the-yams-single/1329788137|title=First Day Out / Stuck in the Yams - Single|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}

|

scope="row"| "Why"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/why-single/1436920932 |title=Why - Single|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}

| rowspan="5"|2018

|

scope="row"| "Blicky Da Blicky"

|

scope="row"| "Got Those"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/got-those-single/1437574373 |title=Got Those - Single|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}

|

scope="row"| "Spin the Block"
{{small|(featuring Kodak Black)}}

|

scope="row"| "Spazz Out"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/spazz-out-single/1452915963 |title=Spazz Out - Single|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}
{{small|(featuring PNV Jay & Leeky Bandz)}}

|

scope="row"| "Drifting"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/drifting-single/1453922728 |title=Drifting - Single|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}
{{small|(AXL Beats, Khay B Flockin, Kush Binflockin, & Breezy Blixky)}}

| rowspan="5"|2019

|

scope="row"| "Sniper Gang (Freestyle)"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/sniper-gang-freestyle-single/1455539064 |title=Sniper Gang (Freestyle) - Single|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}

|

| The Blixky Tape

scope="row"| "Rerock"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/rerock-single/1473452707 |title=Rerock - Single|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}
{{small|(featuring Shawny Binladen)}}

|

| rowspan="2" {{N/a|Non-album singles}}

scope="row"| "Telephone"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/telephone-single/1479809489 |title=Telephone - Single|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}
{{small|(featuring MaxThaDemon & Ciggy Blacc)}}
scope="row"| "Suburban, Pt. 2"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gr/album/suburban-pt-2-single/1488800368 |title=Suburban, Pt. 2 - Single|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}

|

  • RIAA: Gold{{cite web|title=Gold & Platinum: 22Gz| website=Recording Industry Association of America |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=22gz#search_section|url-status=live|access-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211112033426/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=22gz |archive-date = 2021-11-12 }}

| rowspan="2"|Growth & Development

scope="row"| "No Questions"

| rowspan="4"|2020

scope="row"| "YTB (Yellow Tape Blixky)"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/ytb-yellow-tape-blixky-feat-shawny-binladen-big-yaya-single/1514670542 |title=YTB (Yellow Tape Blixky) [feat. Shawny Binladen & Big Yaya] - Single|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}
{{small|(featuring Shawny Binladen & Big Yaya)}}

|

| rowspan="3" {{N/a|Non-album singles}}

scope="row"| "Do The Most"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/movie-single/1531386916 |title=Movie - Single|website=iTunes|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}
{{small|(featuring PeeGunna)}}
scope="row"| "Movie"
{{small|(Featuring CoachDaGhost)}}

==As featured artist==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of singles, showing year released and album name

! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:18em;"| Title

! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Year

! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Album

scope="row"| "Flexin"
{{small|(Khay B Flockin featuring 22GZ & Kush Binflockin)}}

| 2016

| rowspan="3" {{N/a|Non-album singles}}

scope="row"| "Jet Li, Pt. 2"
{{small|(Nick Blixky featuring 22GZ)}}{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/jet-li-pt-2-feat-22GZ-single/1443554603 |title=Jet Li, Pt. 2 (feat. 22GZ) |website=iTunes |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

| 2018

scope="row"| "Drive the Boat"
{{small|(Nick Blixky featuring 22GZ & Nas Blixky)}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/news/nick-blixky-killed.html|title=Up-And-Coming Brooklyn Rapper Nick Blixky Shot And Killed At 21 |year=2020 |first=Torry |last=Threadcraft |website=Okay Player |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

| rowspan="2" |2019

scope="row"| "Upset"
{{small|(T'up Ty featuring 22GZ)}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Upset-feat-22Gz-Explicit-Tup/dp/B082VMVSS6 |title=Upset (feat. 22GZ) [Explicit] |website=Amazon |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

| Excuse the Way I Came Up

scope="row"| "Faded Remix"
{{small|(B1 featuring 22GZ, Ivorian Doll and Dezzie)}}{{Cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/b1-faded-remix-dezzie-ivorian-doll-22GZ|title=Premiere: B1 Returns With Hard 'Faded' Remix Featuring Dezzie, Ivorian Doll & 22GZ|first=Courtney|last=W|date=2 December 2021|website=grmdaily.com|access-date=2 December 2021}}

|2021

|{{N/a|Non-album single}}

= Guest appearances =

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;"
scope="col"| Title

! scope="col"| Year

! scope="col"| Other artists

! scope="col"| Album

scope="row"| "Flexin"

| 2016

| Khay B Flockin, Kush Blixky

| Blixky

scope="row"| "The Get Back , Pt 1"{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/td-up-vol-1/1440184938?app=music |title=T'd Up, Vol. 1 |year=2018 |website=iTunes |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

| rowspan="2"|2018

| T'up Ty

| T'd Up, Vol. 1

scope="row"| "Sick of Us"{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/2-many-situations/1402217417 |title=2 Many Situations |year=2018 |website=iTunes |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

| Envy Caine

| 2 Many Situations

scope="row"| "Wita Blixky"{{Cite web|url=https://www.deezer.com/en/album/105197922 |title=Rap & Beats |year=2019 |website=Deezer |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

| rowspan="3"|2019

| C-Clip Beatz

| Rap & Beats

scope="row"| "Extra"{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WJ8NMHR/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp |title=Back da Fuck Up |year=2019 |website=Amazon |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

| Rooga

| Back da Fuck Up

scope="row"| "Hoody Szn"{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/high-horse-ep/1483229570 |title=High Horse - EP |year=2019 |website=iTunes |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

| Nym Lo, 183rd, Casanova

| High Horse

scope="row"| "Up the Score"{{Cite web|url=https://www.beatport.com/release/world-got-me-fucked-up-vol-1/3026393 |title=World Got Me Fucked Up, Vol. 1 |year=2020 |website=Beatport |access-date=October 27, 2020}}

| 2020

| Slayter, Maxo Kream

| World Got Me Fucked Up, Vol. 1

References

{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:22Gz}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American rappers

Category:21st-century American singers

Category:African-American male rappers

Category:21st-century American male rappers

Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians

Category:Rappers from Brooklyn

Category:American people of Guyanese descent

Category:Atlantic Records artists

Category:American drill musicians

Category:Gangsta rappers

Category:People from Flatbush, Brooklyn

Category:21st-century African-American musicians

Category:People charged with attempted murder

Category:Brooklyn drill musicians