Futuristic (rapper)

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Futuristic

| image = Futuristic.jpeg

| caption = Futuristic in 2014

| birth_name = Zachary Lewis Beck{{cite web|last1=Accomazzo|first1=David|url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/moving-at-the-speed-of-futuristic-tempe-rapper-makes-moves-to-go-national-6616732|title=Moving at the Speed of Futuristic: Tempe Rapper Makes Moves to Go National|work=Phoenix New Times|date=August 6, 2014|access-date=January 4, 2020}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1991|06|02}}

| birth_place = Bloomington, Illinois, U.S.

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

| years_active = 2009–present

| spouse = {{marriage|Paris Shantè Rodriguez|2020}}

| website = {{URL|onlyfuturistic.com}}

| origin = Tempe, Arizona, U.S.

| genre = Hip hop

| label = Dropout Records

}}

Zachary Lewis Beck (born June 2, 1991), known professionally as Futuristic, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdWHR9iTpSU|title=Chatting with Futuristic|work=LAHWF|publisher=YouTube|date=May 31, 2017|access-date=March 15, 2019}} He was born in Bloomington, Illinois and currently resides in Tempe, Arizona.{{cite web|last1=Payne|first1=Ogden|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ogdenpayne/2016/02/01/rapper-futuristic-finds-success-with-a-d-i-y-approach-to-the-music-business/#15d2d791414c|title=Rapper Futuristic Finds Success With A D.I.Y. Approach To The Music Business|work=Forbes|date=February 1, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/the-break/2013/05/the-break-presents-futuristic/|title=The Break Presents: Futuristic|work=XXL|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2020}} Futuristic gained recognition after the release of his album, The Rise, along with his single "The Greatest" in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-rise/981624271|title=The Rise by Futuristic|work=Apple Music|date=May 12, 2015|access-date=January 4, 2020}}

Early life

Zachary Lewis Beck was born in Bloomington, Illinois on June 2, 1991. Being one of eight kids, Beck started rapping when he was in the first grade with his brothers in a talent show. When he was in fifth grade, his parents separated and he moved with his mom to Danville, Illinois. Later, he moved to Tempe, Arizona and went to McClintock High School.{{cite web|url=http://www.axs.com/news/futuristic-interviews-on-traveling-local-and-his-grind-to-the-top-13512|title=Futuristic interviews on 'Traveling Local' and his grind to the top|work=AXS TV|date=July 1, 2014|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026114335/http://www.axs.com/news/futuristic-interviews-on-traveling-local-and-his-grind-to-the-top-13512|archive-date=October 26, 2016}} Beck struggled through depression when his grandmother died, and he used music in order to develop himself.

Career

= 2010–2014: Career beginnings =

In September 2010, Futuristic released his first music video which was a remix to J. Cole's song, "Who Dat".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSW_nVmcQIA|title=Who Dat (Official Music Video) Futuristic -Rebel t2i-|work=owensmhs1990|date=September 19, 2010|access-date=January 4, 2020}} In February 2012, Futuristic released his debut studio album, Dream Big, which was followed up in February 2013, with his second studio album, Chasing Down a Dream.{{cite web|url=https://onlyfuturistic.bandcamp.com/album/dream-big|title=Dream Big - Futuristic - Bandcamp|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-date=January 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102035043/https://onlyfuturistic.bandcamp.com/album/dream-big|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/chasing-down-a-dream/602875504|title=Chasing Down a Dream by Futuristic|work=Apple Music|date=February 19, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2020}} The album was supported by the single: "Don't Mind If I Do" featuring vocals from Dizzy Wright and Jarren Benton.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/dont-mind-if-i-do-feat-dizzy-wright-jarren-benton-single/563963178|title=Don't Mind If I Do (feat. Dizzy Wright & Jarren Benton) - Single by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=September 19, 2012|access-date=January 4, 2020}} He then followed that up with his debut extended play, T.G.I.F, in September 2013.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/t-g-i-f/696942233|title=T.G.I.F. by Futuristic|work=Apple Music|date=September 6, 2013|access-date=January 4, 2020}}

Futuristic later went on and released his third studio album, Traveling Local on June 9, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/traveling-local/934550154|title=Traveling Local by Futuristic|work=Apple Music|date=June 9, 2014|access-date=January 4, 2020}} The album was supported by four singles: "I Guess I'll Smoke" featuring vocals from Dizzy Wright and Layzie Bone, "Dirty Chucks", "Plan A" featuring Jarren Benton and Chris Webby and "In the Zone" featuring Collins, J Rob the Chief and Devvon Terrell.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-guess-ill-smoke-feat-dizzy-wright-layzie-bone-single/815282106|title=I Guess I'll Smoke (feat. Dizzy Wright & Layzie Bone) - Single by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=February 3, 2014|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/dirty-chucks-single/852332342|title=Dirty Chucks - Single by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=March 27, 2014|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/plan-a-single/912442639|title=Plan A (feat. Jarren Benton & Chris Webby) - Single by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=June 6, 2014|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/in-zone-feat-collins-j-rob-chief-devvon-terrell-single/919790842|title=In the Zone (feat. Collins, J Rob the Chief & Devvon Terrell) - Single by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=September 9, 2014|access-date=January 4, 2020}} The single, "No Way", was released on September 20, 2014, and was released as the lead single to his fourth studio album.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-way-single/922523439|title=No Way - Single by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=September 20, 2014|access-date=January 4, 2020}}

= 2015–2016: ''The Rise'', ''Coast 2 Coast'', and ''As Seen on the Internet'' =

On March 1, 2015, Futuristic announced his fourth studio album, The Rise, on his website with the released date of May 12.{{cite web|url=http://www.onlyfuturistic.com/blog/therise|title=New Album "The Rise" Coming May 12|work=OnlyFuturistic.com|date=March 1, 2015|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510163300/http://www.onlyfuturistic.com/blog/therise|archive-date=May 10, 2015}} Futuristic released his second single, "The Greatest", on March 14.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-greatest-single/974134543|title=The Greatest - Single by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=March 14, 2015|access-date=January 4, 2020}} The music video was released four days later and shows Futuristic dressed as a nerd rapping for people in his old school, McClintock High School.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py-6nu_douk|title=Futuristic - The Greatest (Official Music Video)|publisher=TheBuffNerds|date=March 18, 2015|access-date=January 4, 2020}} The song and music video gained recognition after it was cross-promoted by another video uploaded by BigDawsTv on the same day tilted "Nerd Raps Fast in Compton!".{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RFbxKqgMGw|title=NERD RAPS FAST IN COMPTON!!|publisher=BigDawsTv|date=March 18, 2015|access-date=January 4, 2020}} The album was released on May 12, 2015, and debuted at number 139 on the US Billboard 200 chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/futuristic/chart-history/tlp/|title=Futuristic - Chart History: Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 4, 2020}} The album also debuted on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Rap Albums charts at number 13 and 10 respectively.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/futuristic/chart-history/blp/|title=Futuristic - Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/futuristic/chart-history/rlp/|title=Futuristic - Chart History: Top Rap Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 4, 2020}}

Futuristic would later contribute vocals to the song, "Hold Each Other", with A Great Big World in July 2015 with the music video being released in September.{{Cite web|last1=Hicks|first1=Gregory|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2272758/a-great-big-world-hold-hold-each-other/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917044843/http://www.mtv.com/news/2272758/a-great-big-world-hold-hold-each-other/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 17, 2015|title=A Great Big World's 'Hold Each Other' Video Douses The World With Color|website=MTV News|date=September 16, 2015|access-date=January 4, 2020}} The song would later chart on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 99, becoming his first Hot 100 entry.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/futuristic/chart-history/hsi/|title=Futuristic – Chart History: Billboard Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 4, 2020}} The song would also chart on the Canadian Hot 100 at number 69.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/futuristic/chart-history/can/|title=Futuristic – Chart History: Canadian Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 4, 2020}}

On December 13, 2015, Futuristic released a remix to the song, "Blasé", with New York singer and rapper Devvon Terrell.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGwnvKItaac|title=DEVVON TERRELL & FUTURISTIC - BLASÉ (remix)|work=DevvonTerrell|date=13 December 2015 |access-date=January 4, 2020}} They later announced that they would be releasing a collaborative album titled, "Coast 2 Coast", and leading up to the release of the album they would release various remixes to popular songs and dubbed them as "12 Days of Christmas" including "Bodied", a remix of Omaha rapper Cameron Brown's "Give Me the Crown" .{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/coast-2-coast/1065212224|title=Coast 2 Coast by Futuristic & Devvon Terrell|work=Apple Music|date=December 25, 2015|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://on.soundcloud.com/jRb2S |title=Give Me the Crown }} The album was released on December 25, 2015, and debuted at number 82 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

On August 26, 2016, Futuristic released his fifth studio album titled, As Seen on the Internet.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/as-seen-on-the-internet/1140184779|title=As Seen on the Internet by Futuristic|work=Apple Music|date=August 26, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020}} The album features guest appearances from Hopsin, Devvon Terrell, Karmin and Goody Grace and went on and charted at number 116 on the US Billboard 200 chart. After the release of the album, Futuristic released eleven music videos all directed by Jakob Owens to promote the album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKh8ba6sK_c|title=Futuristic Talks "As Seen On The Internet" and Using Influencers to Push Content|publisher=Sway's Universe|date=August 22, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2020}}

= 2017–2019: ''Blessings'', ''I Am...'', and ''Zachary Lewis'' =

File:FuturisticNov2018.jpg

In 2017, Futuristic later went on and released various singles from February through November of that year.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/wave/1203252027|title=Wave - Single by FUTURISTIC|website=Apple Music|date=February 14, 2017|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/forget-that-its-over/1302172990|title=Forget That's It Over - Single by FUTURISTIC|website=Apple Music|date=November 6, 2017|access-date=January 4, 2020}} On November 24, 2017, Futuristic released his second extended play titled, What More Could You Ask for?.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/what-more-could-you-ask-for/1308338516|title=What More Could You Ask for? by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=November 24, 2017|access-date=January 4, 2020}} On December 25, 2017, Futuristic released his sixth studio album titled, Blessings.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/blessings/1323310470|title=Blessings by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=December 25, 2017|access-date=January 4, 2020}} The album was supported by three singles: "Epiphany" featuring vocals from NF, "Get It Together" and "Talk" featuring vocals from Tech N9ne and Devvon Terrell.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/epiphany-feat-nf/1215602706|title=Epiphany (feat. NF) - Single by FUTURISTIC|website=Apple Music|date=March 24, 2017|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-it-together-single/1293354596|title=Get It Together - Single by FUTURISTIC|website=Apple Music|date=October 15, 2017|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/talk-feat-tech-n9ne-devvon-terrell-single/1323331716|title=Talk (feat. Tech N9ne & Devvon Terrell) - Single by FUTURISTIC|website=Apple Music|date=December 18, 2017|access-date=January 4, 2020}}

On February 14, 2018, Futuristic released his third extended play titled, Songs About Girls, which included the singles "Wave" and "Forget That's It Over".{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/songs-about-girls/1345030941|title=Songs About Girls by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=February 14, 2018|access-date=January 4, 2020}} He later went on to release various singles throughout the year including: "Nobody Else", "My Own Zone" with Tech N9ne and Dizzy Wright and many more.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/nobody-else-single/1381595058|title=Nobody Else - Single by FUTURISTIC|website=Apple Music|date=May 18, 2018|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-own-zone-feat-futuristic-dizzy-wright-single/1437255528|title=My Own Zone (feat. FUTURISTIC & Dizzy Wright) - Single by Tech N9ne|work=Apple Music|date=September 28, 2018|access-date=January 4, 2020}}

On July 12, 2019, Futuristic released his seventh studio album titled, I Am.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-am/1466626234|title=I Am... by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=July 12, 2019|access-date=January 4, 2020}} The album was supported by four singles: "That's That", "Top 10" featuring gianni & kyle, "48 Hours" and "Up".{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/thats-that-single/1446611162|title=That's That - Single by FUTURISTIC|website=Apple Music|date=January 1, 2019|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/top-ten-single/1463431596|title=Top 10 - Single by FUTURISTIC & gianni & kyle on Apple Music|website=iTunes|date=June 1, 2019|access-date=January 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/2WUA13ys9J42uaj9eJdzir|title=Futuristic - 48 Hours|work=Spotify|access-date=January 17, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/0bcqekcvoElcPPH90Jbw4o|title=Futuristic - Up|work=Spotify|access-date=January 17, 2020}} Futuristic later released his eighth studio album, Zachary Lewis, on September 1, which included the single "Main Homie".{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/zachary-lewis/1477124044|title=Zachary Lewis by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=September 1, 2019|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-date=September 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901135715/https://music.apple.com/us/album/zachary-lewis/1477124044|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/main-homie-single/1448648529|title=Main Homie - Single by FUTURISTIC|website=Apple Music|date=January 15, 2019|access-date=January 4, 2020}} Following the release of Zachary Lewis, He later went on and release music videos for every song on the album.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kegBowVgrof5KTVd3GCnZIYplq4yIsAxQ|title=Zachary Lewis|publisher=onlyfuturistic|access-date=January 4, 2020}}

= 2020–present: ''Still on the Rise'' and ''Featuristic'' =

On January 1, 2020, Futuristic announced on his social media accounts that the single, "Sorry for Y'all", would be released on January 24.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/OnlyFuturistic/status/1212418421549174784|title=Futuristic™ on Twitter: "Coming 1/24"|publisher=Twitter|date=January 1, 2020|access-date=January 4, 2020}} Futuristic's ninth studio album titled, Still on the Rise, was released on May 12, 2020, which is a follow-up to his 2015 album The Rise.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/still-on-the-rise/1506331238|title=Still on the Rise by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=May 12, 2020|access-date=April 15, 2020|archive-date=December 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217033432/https://music.apple.com/us/album/still-on-the-rise/1506331238|url-status=dead}} The album was supported by seven singles: "Sorry for Y'all", "Wishawoods", "Motion", "Champion", "Pull Up" featuring Kap G, "Like This" with Rittz and "OG Now" with Chris Webby.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/wishawoods-single/1497999818|title=Wishawoods - Single by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=February 28, 2020|access-date=February 28, 2020|archive-date=March 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304003048/https://music.apple.com/us/album/wishawoods-single/1497999818|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/motion-single/1500355859|title=Motion - Single by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=March 6, 2020|access-date=March 6, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/champion-single/1501882405|title=Champion - Single by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=March 13, 2020|access-date=March 13, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/pull-up-feat-kap-g-single/1505223385|title=Pull Up (feat. Kap G) - Single by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|access-date=April 24, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/like-this-single/1506316043|title=Like This - Single by FUTURISTIC & Rittz|work=Apple Music|access-date=April 24, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/og-now-single/1506319406|title=OG Now - Single by FUTURISTIC & Chris Webby|work=Apple Music|access-date=April 24, 2020|archive-date=May 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523141016/https://music.apple.com/us/album/og-now-single/1506319406|url-status=dead}}

On September 24, 2020, Futuristic released his tenth studio album titled, Featuristic.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/featuristic/1529981747|title=FEATURISTIC by FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|date=September 23, 2020|access-date=September 24, 2020}} The album was supported by six singles: "Cool AF", with Jzac, "I.O.F.W.R.", with Justina Valentine and Mark Battles, "Skid Row", with Ekoh and Jarren Benton, "Now or Never", with Crypt, "Michael Jordan", with GAWNE and "Come Home", with 24hrs and YBN Almighty Jay.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/cool-af-single/1517451244|title=Cool AF - Single by FUTURISTIC, Dropout Records & JZAC|work=Apple Music|access-date=September 24, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-o-f-w-r-single/1522176339|title=I.O.F.W.R. - Single by FUTURISTIC, Justina Valentine & Mark Battles|work=Apple Music|access-date=September 24, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/skid-row-single/1524519648|title=Skid Row - Single by FUTURISTIC, Ekoh & Jarren Benton|work=Apple Music|access-date=September 24, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/now-or-never-single/1526174480|title=Now or Never - Single by FUTURISTIC, Crypt & Dropout Records|work=Apple Music|access-date=September 24, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/michael-jordan-single/1526925768|title=Michael Jordan - Single by Gawne, Luke Gawne & FUTURISTIC|work=Apple Music|access-date=September 24, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/come-home-single/1527833914|title=Come Home - Single by FUTURISTIC, 24hrs & YBN Almighty Jay|work=Apple Music|access-date=September 24, 2020}}

Personal life

On January 9, 2020, Futuristic announced his engagement to Paris Shantè Rodriguez by proposing to her on a cruise.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/OnlyFuturistic/status/1215293582292193286|title=Futuristic™ on Twitter: "💍 Faked an Ankle Injury and asked her to marry her💍"|publisher=Twitter|date=January 9, 2020|access-date=January 11, 2020}} The pair married on October 13, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/OnlyFuturistic/status/1316469635814813698|title=Futuristic™ on Twitter: "I love you forever"|publisher=Twitter|date=October 14, 2020|access-date=November 8, 2020}}