GoldLink
{{Short description|American rapper and singer (born 1993)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image = Goldlink December 2017.png
| caption = GoldLink performing in 2017
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|05|17|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = Washington, D.C., U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|alternative hip hop|R&B|electronica}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2013–present
| label = {{hlist|RCA|Soulection|Squaaash Club}}
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
- The Celestics
- Kaytranada
- Louie Lastic
- Rick Rubin
- Shy Glizzy
- Teddy Walton
}}
| website = {{URL|goldlink.info}}
}}
D'Anthony William Carlos (born May 17, 1993), better known by his stage name GoldLink, is an American rapper and singer from Washington, D.C.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/work/889773440 |title=ACE Repertory |access-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-date=March 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330145422/https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/work/889773440 |url-status=live }} He gained recognition following the release of his debut mixtape The God Complex (2014), which was met with critical acclaim. In 2015, he was chosen as part of the XXL Freshman Class and released his second mixtape, And After That, We Didn't Talk—supported by the singles "Dance on Me" and "Spectrum". He signed with RCA Records to release his 2016 single "Crew" (featuring Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy), which peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100, received sextuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. It preceded the release of his debut studio album At What Cost (2017), which was met with continued positive reception despite trailing the single's commercial success. His second album, Diaspora (2019), entered the Billboard 200 at number 77.
Early life
GoldLink's father was a parks and recreation worker and his mother a secretary at a law firm.{{cite magazine|last1=Nostro|first1=Lauren|title=Who Is GoldLink? The DMV Rapper Talks the Allure of Anonymity, Finding Success, and "The God Complex"|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/07/who-is-goldlink|access-date=April 20, 2016|magazine=Complex|date=July 9, 2014|archive-date=April 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414193619/http://www.complex.com/music/2014/07/who-is-goldlink|url-status=live}} After his parents separated, GoldLink moved to Bowie, Maryland with his mother and eventually settled in Virginia. He graduated from Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria, Virginia.
Career
=2013–16: Beginnings and breakthrough=
GoldLink began his career performing under his birth name D'Anthony Carlos. He began making music as a hobby after graduating high school at Hayfield Secondary School, eventually recording tracks in a local studio in Falls Church, Virginia named Indie Media Lab. He released his first tracks on Bandcamp under the name Gold Link James. It was in 2013 that he began performing as GoldLink, releasing several free tracks on SoundCloud.
GoldLink released his first mixtape The God Complex in July 2014. Complex{{cite magazine|title=The Best Albums of 2014 (so far)|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/06/best-albums-of-2014-so-far/|access-date=April 20, 2016|magazine=Complex|date=June 23, 2014|archive-date=April 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409135612/http://www.complex.com/music/2014/06/best-albums-of-2014-so-far/|url-status=live}} named it one of the best projects released during the first half of 2014, Spin{{cite web|title=GoldLink, The God Complex (Self-Released)|url=http://www.spin.com/2014/12/40-best-hip-hop-albums-2014/goldlink-the-god-complex/|work=Spin|date=December 4, 2014|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009141036/http://www.spin.com/2014/12/40-best-hip-hop-albums-2014/goldlink-the-god-complex/|url-status=live}} placed it at number 19 on its The 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2014, Clash{{cite web|title=Clash's Top Mixtapes Of 2014|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/features/clashs-top-mixtapes-of-2014#view-gallery-image-7|work=Clash|date=October 15, 2014|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-date=October 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010024652/http://www.clashmusic.com/features/clashs-top-mixtapes-of-2014#view-gallery-image-7|url-status=live}} ranked it at number 7 on their Top 10 Mixtapes of 2014 and Pitchfork Media gave the mixtape a 7.9 rating.
GoldLink began collaborating with producer Rick Rubin in 2015.{{cite magazine|last1=Leight|first1=Elias|title=GoldLink Brings His Future Bounce to Brooklyn: Live Review | Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6590855/goldlink-live-review-brooklyn|access-date=December 25, 2017|magazine=Billboard|date=June 10, 2015|archive-date=November 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117103112/http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6590855/goldlink-live-review-brooklyn|url-status=live}} In November 2015 he released the mixtape After That, We Didn't Talk, much of which was considered a follow-up to questions left unanswered from The God Complex.{{cite magazine|last1=Pearce|first1=Sheldon|title=Review: GoldLink Explains It All on 'And After That, We Didn't Talk'|url=http://www.spin.com/2015/11/review-goldlink-explains-it-all-on-and-after-that-we-didnt-talk/|access-date=April 20, 2016|magazine=Spin|date=November 11, 2015|archive-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407195555/http://www.spin.com/2015/11/review-goldlink-explains-it-all-on-and-after-that-we-didnt-talk/|url-status=live}} Pigeons & Planes placed it at number 19 on its Best Albums of 2015 list.{{cite web|title=Best Albums of 2015|url=http://pigeonsandplanes.com/in-depth/2015/12/best-albums-of-2015/596823|work=Pigeons & Planes|date=December 23, 2015|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-date=October 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010004541/http://pigeonsandplanes.com/in-depth/2015/12/best-albums-of-2015/596823|url-status=live}} GoldLink was also named a member of the XXL Freshman Class in 2015. In 2016, GoldLink signed a major deal with RCA Records and revealed he is working on his debut album for the label. He released the single "Fall In Love" featuring rapper Cisero and produced by Canadian band BADBADNOTGOOD and Canadian producer and DJ Kaytranada.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZMw40wX9pM|title=GoldLink - Fall in Love ft. Ciscero|last=GoldLinkVEVO|date=November 22, 2016|access-date=December 25, 2017|via=YouTube|archive-date=January 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122012701/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZMw40wX9pM|url-status=live}} He later released the song "Untitled" with TDE rapper Isaiah Rashad. In December of that year, he saw his furthest commercial success following the release of his single "Crew" (featuring Shy Glizzy and Brent Faiyaz). It entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 45, received six-times platinum certification by the RIAA, and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration; the single also spawned a remix by Georgia rapper Gucci Mane.
=2017–present: ''At What Cost'' and ''Diaspora''=
File:GoldLink Concert 2016 (cropped).png
In February 2017, Goldlink took part in "Red Bull Sound Selects" 3 Days Miami among artists Kelela, Angel Olsen, Brika, and others.{{Cite news|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/red-bull-sound-selects-3-days-in-miami-returns-with-angel-olsen-goldlink-and-kelela-9104989|title=Red Bull Sound Select's 3 Days in Miami Returns With Angel Olsen, Goldlink, and Kelela|last=Duran|first=Jose D.|date=January 31, 2017|work=Miami New Times|access-date=April 20, 2017|archive-date=April 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421014421/http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/red-bull-sound-selects-3-days-in-miami-returns-with-angel-olsen-goldlink-and-kelela-9104989|url-status=live}} On March 24, 2017, he released his debut album, At What Cost. It featured guest appearances from Wale, Shy Glizzy, Steve Lacy, Jazmine Sullivan, Kaytranada, Mýa, Ciscero, Kokayi, Hare Squead, Radiant Children, April George and Lil Dude.{{Cite news|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/03/goldlink-at-what-cost-album-cover-release-date/|title=GoldLink Shares 'At What Cost' Album Cover and Release Date|date=March 16, 2017|access-date=March 23, 2017|work=XXL|archive-date=March 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323235722/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/03/goldlink-at-what-cost-album-cover-release-date/|url-status=live}} The project debuted at number 128 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Apart from "Crew", it also spawned the single "Meditation".
On June 7, 2018, GoldLink was featured on the song "Like I Do" by American singer Christina Aguilera from her eighth studio album, Liberation, which was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
On June 12, 2019, GoldLink released his second studio album Diaspora. In an interview with Wonderland Magazine, he said that he considered "At What Cost" to be his breakout mixtape due to a label agreement and "Diaspora" as his debut album.
On June 18, 2021, GoldLink released his third studio album Haram!.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/17/1007977834/new-music-friday-the-top-7-albums-out-on-june-18|title=New Music Friday: The Top 8 Albums Out On June 18|work=All Songs Considered|date=June 18, 2021|access-date=November 16, 2021}} In the run up to the album release, GoldLink began trolling some of his fellow rappers, tweeting insults and threats at Sheck Wes and sporting a fake facial jewel on his forehead in a July 13, 2021 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon appearance, in apparent mockery of the facial jewelry trend popularized by Lil Uzi Vert and Sauce Walka.{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.63164/title.forehead-diamond-rocking-goldlink-grabs-flo-milli-for-raindrops-performance-on-fallon|title=Forehead Diamond-Rocking GoldLink Grabs Flo Milli For 'Raindrops' Performance on 'Fallon'|first=Devon|last=Jefferson|date=July 13, 2021|access-date=November 6, 2021|work=HipHopDX}}{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/goldlink-disses-sheck-wes-new-album|title=GoldLink Disses Sheck Wes on "White Walls," Announces New Album|first=FNR|last=Tigg|work=Complex|date=June 9, 2021|access-date=November 16, 2021}} In the album's first single, "White Walls," GoldLink continued his disses of Sheck Wes. The feud with Wes dates back to 2019 when GoldLink's then-girlfriend Justine Skye accused Wes of abuse, stalking, and harassment.
Controversy
= Mac Miller comments =
On November 26, 2019, GoldLink wrote a post on Instagram that outlined both his appreciation for Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller, who died of an accidental overdose in 2018, and his belief the late star intentionally cribbed the sound of And After That, We Didn't Talk for Miller's album The Divine Feminine. GoldLink claimed he showed Miller his album while they were on tour together for Miller's previous album GO:OD AM and wrote the rapper loved it and had him play it for the whole touring crew.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/11/27/anderson-paak-goldlink-disrespectful-mac-miller-tribute|title=Anderson .Paak criticizes GoldLink over "disrespectful" Mac Miller tribute|first=David|last=Renshaw|date=November 27, 2019|access-date=November 16, 2021|work=The Fader}} GoldLink pointed to similarities in the albums' structure and use of singer Anderson .Paak for a lead single.{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/music/anderson-paak-goldlink-mac-miller-post-disrespectful/|title=Anderson .Paak Responds To GoldLink's 'Disrespectful' Mac Miller Post|first=Derrick|last=Rossignol|work=UpRoxx|date=November 27, 2019|access-date=November 16, 2021}} Paak responded in an Instagram post of his own, slamming GoldLink for having a "God Complex" and being disrespectful in the wake of their friend's death. On November 28, 2019, GoldLink spoke on the war of words at a concert in Hamburg, Germany, focusing on the love he expressed in the post for Miller and emphasizing he never accused the deceased rapper of stealing or copying.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/goldlink-speaks-on-his-controversial-mac-miller-ig-post-news.96852.html|title=GoldLink Speaks On His Controversial Mac Miller IG Post|first=Mitch|last=Findlay|date=November 28, 2019|work=hotnewhiphop|access-date=November 16, 2021}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Mixtapes=
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
==As featured artist==
=Other certified songs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of other certified songs, showing year released and album name |
| scope="col"| Title
! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Certifications ! scope="col"| Album |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Herside Story" {{small|(with Hare Squead)}} | 2017 | | At What Cost |
| scope="row" | "Black Balloons" {{small|(Denzel Curry featuring Twelve'len and GoldLink)}} | 2019 |
| Ta13oo |
=Guest appearances=
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website}}
{{GoldLink}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:21st-century American male musicians
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:African-American male rappers
Category:21st-century American male rappers
Category:20th-century American male rappers
Category:American hip-hop singers