Lola Brooke
{{Short description|American rapper (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Lola Brooke
| image = Lola Brooke WHTA interview June 2023 1.png
| birth_place = Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
| caption = Brooke in 2023
| birth_name = Shyniece Deneen Thomas
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|02|01}}
| genre = Hip hop
| alias = Big Gator
| years_active = 2016–present
| occupation = Rapper
| label = {{hlist|Team80|Arista}}
}}
Shyniece Deneen Thomas{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/915285434 |title=BACK TO BUSINESS |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=January 28, 2025}} (born February 1, 1994), professionally known as Lola Brooke, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Brooklyn,{{Cite web |last=Cline |first=Georgette |date=2023-05-30 |title=Lola Brooke Continues to Feel the Love, the Brooklyn Way, as She Preps First Project of Her Career |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/lola-brooke-interview-new-project/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=XXL Mag |language=en}} she is best known for her 2021 single "Don't Play with It", which gained popularity on Twitter and TikTok the following year. She signed with Arista Records in 2023.
Life and career
Shyniece Thomas{{Cite web |last=Cline |first=Georgette |date=2023-05-30 |title=Lola Brooke Continues to Feel the Love, the Brooklyn Way, as She Preps First Project of Her Career |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/lola-brooke-interview-new-project/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=XXL Mag |language=en}} was born on February 1, 1994{{Cite tweet |user=lolabrooke718 |date=February 1, 2024 |number=1753212551880458338 |title=Wow happy birthday to meeee 😍😩}}{{cite web |last1=Love |first1=Tirhakah |title='I Don't Have Space to Be Tired of It' |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/lola-brooke-rapper-profile.html |website=Vulture |access-date=March 10, 2024 |date=July 5, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Lola Brooke's Birthday Celebration |url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/lola-brooke-attends-her-birthday-celebration-at-brooklyn-news-photo/1979294698?adppopup=true |publisher=Getty Images |access-date=March 10, 2024 |location=New York, New York |date=February 1, 2024 |quote=Lola Brooke attends her birthday celebration at Brooklyn Chop House Times Square on February 01, 2024 in New York City.}} in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where she was also raised. She is an only child and was raised by her mother, a widow.{{cite web |last1=Ju |first1=Shirley |title=Lola Brooke: Officially "Back 2 Business" |url=https://flaunt.com/blog/lola-brooke |website=Flaunt |access-date=March 26, 2023}} Inspired to learn how to rap by the premiere of the music video for 50 Cent's 2002 song "Wanksta", Lil Wayne's song "Cannon" from his 2006 mixtape Dedication 2, and Meek Mill, she started making music in 2016 with her cousin, Jah, who learned how to make beats using Pro Tools.{{cite web |last1=Marcellus |first1=Kerane |title=Lola Brooke Always Had It In Her |url=http://officemagazine.net/lola-brooke-always-had-it-her |website=Office |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=March 24, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Louie |first1=King |title=My First: Lola Brooke On How 50 Cent 'Wanksta' Changed Her Life |url=https://www.hot97.com/hip-hop-50/my-first-lola-brooke-on-how-50-cent-wanksta-changed-her-life |website=Hot 97 |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=February 8, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=A |first1=Aron |title=Lola Brooke Wants To Make Jay-Z Proud: The "Don't Play With It" Rapper On Brooklyn Drill, Kim Kardashian & Pusha T Co-Signs & More |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/610082-lola-brooke-dont-play-with-it-rapper-interview |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=December 13, 2022}} She worked as a residential aide at a shelter until 2017, when she quit her job to pursue a music career.{{cite web |last1=Okon |first1=Wongo |title=Lola Brooke Interview: Doing It All For The Love Of Music |url=https://uproxx.com/music/lola-brooke-interview-dont-play-with-it/ |website=Uproxx |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=January 9, 2023}}
Brooke signed with Team 80 Productions in 2016.{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Preezy |title=Lola Brooke Signs Recording Contract With Arista Records |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/lola-brooke-signs-record-deal-arista-1234725554/ |website=Vibe |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=January 9, 2023}} She released her breakout single "Don't Play with It" in 2021.{{cite magazine |last1=Lamarre |first1=Carl |title=Lola Brooke: February R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/lola-brooke-interview-february-rb-hip-hop-rookie-of-the-month-1235253755/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=February 14, 2023}} Her first song went viral on Twitter before subsequently getting popular on TikTok and Instagram. Brooke was signed to Arista Records in January 2023 and was an opening act on A Boogie wit da Hoodie's Me v. Myself Tour throughout early 2023.{{cite web |last1=Fondren |first1=Precious |title=Brooklyn drill artist Lola Brooke steps up to the major-label league |url=https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/brooklyn-drill-artist-lola-brooke-steps-up-to-the-major-label-league |website=Gothamist |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=January 11, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Callas |first1=Brad |title=Lola Brooke Releases New Song and Video "So Disrespectful" |url=https://www.complex.com/music/lola-brooke-so-disrespectful |website=Complex |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=March 11, 2023}} Her song "So Disrespectful" and a remix of "Don't Play with It", the latter of which featured American rappers Latto and Yung Miami, were both released in March 2023.{{cite web |last1=Victoria |first1=Kenyatta |title=Lola Brooke Gets 'So Disrespectful' On New Single |url=https://girlsunited.essence.com/article/lola-brooke-new-single/ |website=Essence |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=March 10, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Cho |first1=Regina |title=Lola Brooke taps Latto and Yung Miami for new "Don't Play With It (Remix)" |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-03-24/282213/lola-brooke-latto-yung-miami-dont-play-with-it-remix/ |website=Revolt |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=March 24, 2023}} Also that month, she made a cameo on an episode of the CBS television series East New York.{{cite web |last1=Fu |first1=Eddie |title=Brooklyn Rapper Lola Brooke on New Song "So Disrespectful" and Her Swift Rise: Shake the Room |url=https://consequence.net/2023/03/lola-brooke-interview-so-disrespectful-shake-the-room/ |website=Consequence |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=March 10, 2023}}
File:Lola Brooke WHTA interview Feb 2023.png in 2023]]
Brooke was featured on the Girls Mix version of Ciara's song "Da Girls", alongside Ciara and Lady London, released on April 14, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/news/ciara-taps-lola-brooke-lady-london-for-da-girls-remix/|title=Ciara Taps Lola Brooke & Lady London For 'Da Girls' Remix|website=All Hip Hop|last=Jenn|first=London|date=March 29, 2023|access-date=May 14, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-03-29/282994/lola-brooke-lady-london-ciara-da-girls-remix/|title=Lola Brooke and Lady London put their twist on Ciara's "Da Girls" track|website=Revolt TV|last=Cho|first=Regina|date=March 29, 2023|access-date=May 14, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/da-girls-girls-mix-single/1682045363|title=Ciara - Da Girls (Girls Mix) feat Lola Brooke and Lady London|website=Apple Music|date=April 14, 2023|access-date=May 14, 2023}} An official music video was released on the same day.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8UoEo9aVWw|title=Ciara - Da Girls (Girls Mix) feat Lola Brooke and Lady London.|website=Youtube|date=April 14, 2023|access-date=May 14, 2023}} In June, she was selected as 2023 XXL Freshmen Class.{{Cite web |last=Woods |first=Aleia |date=June 21, 2023 |title=2023 XXL Freshman Class Revealed |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/2023-xxl-freshman-class-revealed/ |website=XXL}} Her debut studio album, Dennis Daughter, was released on November 10, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jon |date=2023-10-23 |title=Lola Brooke shares artwork and star-studded tracklist for 'Dennis Daughter' |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-10-23/331892/lola-brooke-shares-artwork-and-tracklisting-for-dennis-daughter/ |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=Revolt |language=en-US}}
Musical style
Brooke's music is hip hop. Her stage name is a combination of the names of the Looney Tunes character Lola Bunny and Brooklyn. She has listed her biggest influences on her music as Meek Mill, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Foxy Brown, DMX and Lil' Kim and she refers to herself by the nickname Big Gator.
Discography
= Studio albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:11em;" |Title ! scope="col" style="width:18em;" |Album details |
| scope="row" |Dennis Daughter
|
|
|---|
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions, and album name shown ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3.5em;font-size:90%;" | US {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2023-04-08/|title=Billboard Hot 100: Week of April 8, 2023|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 4, 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| US ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| NZ |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Bipolar"
| rowspan="2" |2018 | — || — || — | | rowspan="8" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Not the Same"
| — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Boy!"
| rowspan="2" |2019 | — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Cash Out"
| — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Shittin' Me?
| rowspan="3" |2020 | — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Options"
| — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "My Bop"
| — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Back to Business"
| rowspan="3"| 2021 | — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Don't Play with It" {{small|(featuring Billy B or Latto and Yung Miami)}} | 69 || 21 || — |
| Dennis Daughter |
| scope="row"| "Dummy Ummy"
| — || — || — | | rowspan="6" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "On My Mind"
| rowspan="4"| 2022 | — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Fire in the Booth Pt. 1"
| — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Gator Season"
| — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Here I Come"
| — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "So Disrespectful"
| rowspan="6" | 2023 | — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Blind Em"
| — || — || — | | The PixTape EP |
| scope="row" | "Just Relax"
| — || — || — | | rowspan="2" {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Life's on the Line"
|— |— |— | |
| scope="row" | "You" {{small|(featuring Bryson Tiller)}} | — || — || 30 | | rowspan="2" | Dennis Daughter |
| scope="row" | "Pit Stop" {{small|(featuring French Montana)}} | — || — || — | |
==As featured artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions, and album name shown ! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row"| "Jaquae" {{small|(Just You And I featuring Lola Brooke)}} | rowspan="2" |2018 |Chapter 3 |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Side Nigga" {{small|(Lyrivelli featuring Lola Brooke)}} |HiiiBriiid |
| scope="row"| "It's for Me" {{small|(OT9 Beno featuring Lola Brooke)}} | 2021 | {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Opp" {{small|(Coach Joey featuring Lola Brooke)}} | 2022 |Met Her In New York |
| scope="row"| "Conceited" {{small|(Flo Milli featuring Lola Brooke and Maiya The Don)}} | rowspan="10" | 2023 |
| scope="row"| "Shabooya (Remix)" {{small|(Gloss Up, K Carbon, Slimeroni, Aleza, and Hitkidd featuring Lola Brooke)}} | rowspan="2" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Da Girls (Girls Mix)" {{small|(Ciara featuring Lola Brooke & Lady London)}} |
| scope="row"| "Automobooty" {{small|(NLE Choppa with Lola Brooke & Modesty)}} |
| scope="row"| "Petty" {{small|(Liana Banks featuring Cleotrapa & Lola Brooke)}} | rowspan="1" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Bad Bitches (Remix)" {{small|(BreezyLYN featuring Kali & Lola Brooke)}} |Hood Mona Lisa |
| scope="row"| "Yeah Yeah" {{small|(Juiicy 2xs featuring Lola Brooke)}} | rowspan="1" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Dumb" {{small|(Doe Boy featuring Lola Brooke)}} |Beezy |
| scope="row"| "No Angels" {{small|(Coi Leray featuring Lola Brooke)}} |Coi |
| scope="row"| "Off Top" {{small|(Rican Da Menace featuring Lola Brooke)}} | rowspan="3" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Curious (Remix)" {{small|(Eric Bellinger featuring Lil' Kim & Lola Booke)}} | |
| scope="row"| "Beama" {{small|(Shenseea featuring Lola Brooke)}} | |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
!Award !Year !Nominee !Category !Result !Ref. |
| BET Awards
| rowspan="2" |2023 | rowspan="2" |Herself | rowspan="2" {{nominated}} |
| BET Hip Hop Awards
|Best Breakthrough Hip-hop Artist |