SahBabii
{{short description|American rapper}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = SahBabii
| image = Sahbabii Icebox 2018.jpg
| caption = SahBabii in 2018
| birth_name = Saaheem Malik Valdery
| alias = {{hlist|Sah|King Squid|Young Squid}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|2|24}}
| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| origin = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
| years_active = 2012–present
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|trap|drill|R&B|dirty rap}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter}}
| label = Casting Bait Music Group (current)
Warner Bros. Records (former)
| website = {{URL|sahbabii.com}}
}}
Saaheem Malik Valdery (born February 24, 1997), better known as SahBabii, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois and moved to Atlanta, Georgia in his teens.{{cite news | last=Caramanica| first=Jon| title =Rising Rapper SahBabii Packages Tough Talk in a Sweet Voice| newspaper =The New York Times| date =April 23, 2017 | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/23/arts/music/sahbabii-pull-up-wit-ah-stick-interview.html| accessdate =July 31, 2017}}{{cite news | last=Schwartz| first=Danny| title =Everything You Need To Know About SahBabii| publisher =HotNewHipHop | date =May 1, 2017 | url =http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sahbabii-news.31835.html| accessdate =July 31, 2017}} His song, "Pull Up wit ah Stick" featuring Loso Loaded, gained widespread popularity after its release on his S.A.N.D.A.S. mixtape in 2017.{{cite magazine | last=C.M.| first=Emmanuel| title =The Break Presents: SahBabii| magazine =XXL | date =April 14, 2017 | url =http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/04/sahbabii-interview-the-break/| accessdate =July 31, 2017}}{{cite magazine | last=Kochhar| first=Nazuk| title =SahBabii On Spirituality And The Song That Changed His Life| magazine =The Fader | date =May 5, 2017 | url =http://www.thefader.com/2017/05/05/sahbabii-on-sandas-and-spirituality| accessdate =July 31, 2017}}{{cite magazine | last=C.M.| first=Emmanuel| title =SahBabii on Signing to Warner Bros. Records: "I'm Changing My Life"| magazine =XXL | date =April 11, 2017 | url =http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/04/sahbabii-signs-warner-bros-records/| accessdate =July 31, 2017}}{{cite magazine | last=Kochhar| first=Nazuk| title =SahBabii's "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick" Is Nuts| magazine =The Fader | date =February 16, 2017 | url =http://www.thefader.com/2017/02/16/sahbabii-pull-up-wit-a-stick-sandas| accessdate =July 31, 2017}}{{cite magazine | title =Is Sahbabii The Next Big Thing To Rise From Atlanta?| magazine =The Source | date =April 26, 2017 | url =http://thesource.com/2017/04/26/is-sahbabii-the-next-big-thing-to-rise-from-atlanta/| accessdate =July 31, 2017}}{{cite magazine | last=Rohn| first=Jake| title =From Drake To Young Thug, SahBabii Has The Ultimate Rags To Riches Story| magazine =HipHopDX | date =March 2, 2017 | url =http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.42561/title.from-drake-to-young-thug-sahbabii-has-the-ultimate-rags-to-riches-story#| accessdate =July 31, 2017}} SahBabii peaked at No. 8 on Billboard{{'}}s Next Big Sound chart in July 2017.{{cite magazine|title=Billboardchart for SahBabii|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/7778195/sahbabii/chart|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=July 31, 2017}}
Early life
Saaheem Malik Valdery was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in the city's South Side in the Wentworth Gardens projects. His aunt, TeeBaby, gave him the moniker "SahBabii" at a young age. In early 2010 at the age of 13, his family moved to Atlanta, Georgia in pursuance of his older brother T3's career in music. They moved to Sylvan Hills and lived at 1095 Osborne Street.{{Cite web |title=SahBabii's five stages of grief |url=https://www.mic.com/culture/sahbabii-album-damon |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=Mic |date=October 27, 2021 |language=en}}
Career
Saaheem began recording music under the name 'SahBabii' shortly after arriving in Atlanta. His older brother, T3, helped produce his songs, and SahBabii released two early mixtapes: Pimpin Ain't Eazy (2012) and Glocks & Thots (2013). Alongside music production, SahBabii would also begin posting videogame gameplay of Grand Theft Auto Online to two of his YouTube Channels, one titled "Noᴙmal" and the other titled "Normalty."{{Cite web |title=Normalty - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/@Normalty/featured |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=www.youtube.com}}{{Cite web |title=Noᴙmal - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/@nomal4201/videos |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=www.youtube.com}}
After a nearly three-year hiatus and whilst working at Dick's Sporting Goods,{{Cite web |title=Your Bandersnatch 2018 Artists: Meet SahBabii |url=http://www.universityunion.syr.edu/the-blog/2018/11/1/meet-your-2018-bandersnatch-artists-sahbabii-5d6hj |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=University Union |language=en-US |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113011940/http://www.universityunion.syr.edu/the-blog/2018/11/1/meet-your-2018-bandersnatch-artists-sahbabii-5d6hj |url-status=dead }} SahBabii released a follow-up mixtape, S.A.N.D.A.S., in 2016. S.A.N.D.A.S. was recorded on the music software program, Cubase, using a broken microphone in T3's bedroom. The mixtape featured the single, "Pull Up wit ah Stick" featuring rapper Loso Loaded, which went viral on Instagram after SahBabii posted a 15-second clip of the song before its release.
File:SahBabii for Rolling Loud.png
Soon after, the song made headlines and garnered millions of plays on SoundCloud. The music video for the song was released in February 2017 and is currently sitting at over 70 million views on the WorldStarHipHop YouTube channel.{{cite AV media |date=February 3, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9VIH89musE |title=SahBabii "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick" Feat. Loso Loaded (WSHH Exclusive) |publisher=WORLDSTARHIPHOP |via=YouTube |access-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204041251/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9VIH89musE |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |url-status=live}} In March 2017, SahBabii reportedly signed a $2 million record deal with Warner Bros. Records.{{cite news | last=Walker| first=Angus| title =Atlanta's SahBabii Signs A Deal With Warner Bros. | publisher =HotNewHipHop | date =March 29, 2017 | url =http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/atlantas-sahbabii-signs-a-deal-with-warner-bros-news.30655.html| accessdate =July 31, 2017}}{{Cite web |title=Why in the World Would SahBabii Retire at 22? |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/2019/04/sahbabii-interview-retiring |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=Complex |language=en}} His family also founded the production company, Casting Bait Music Group, and SahBabii's father, Delval, became his manager.
"Pull Up wit ah Stick" was later remixed by Young Thug, T-Pain, Fetty Wap, and Wiz Khalifa. The song was later remixed by Lil Wayne which was released on the Dedication 6 mixtape.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-waynes-d6-reloaded-drops-tomorrow-heres-the-tracklist-news.42872.html|title=Lil wayne drops a freestyle over "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick" [D6]|website=HotNewHipHop|date=January 25, 2018}}{{cite magazine | last=C.M.| first=Emmanuel| title =T-Pain Remixes SahBabii's "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick"| magazine =XXL | date =April 6, 2017 | url =http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2017/04/t-pain-remixes-sahbabiis-pull-up-wit-ah-stick/| accessdate =July 31, 2017}} Drake also expressed interest in adding a verse of his own to the official remix of the song.{{cite magazine | last=Dandridge-Lemco| first=Ben| title =SahBabii Says Drake Is Remixing "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick"| magazine =The Fader | date =February 21, 2017 | url =http://www.thefader.com/2017/02/21/sahbabii-pull-up-wit-ah-stick-drake-remix| accessdate =July 31, 2017}} SahBabii was flown to London, UK by Young Thug where he met also Drake.
In May 2017, it was announced that SahBabii would be remastering and re-releasing S.A.N.D.A.S. with new tracks on the Warner Bros. label. S.A.N.D.A.S. was mainly remastered by audio engineer Alex Tumay and partially by T3, with Tumay remastering tracks 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12, and T3 remastering tracks 4, 5, 7, and 9.{{Cite web |title=Secret Weapon: Alex Tumay Is The Only Engineer Who Can Keep Up With Young Thug |url=https://genius.com/a/secret-weapon-alex-tumay-is-the-only-engineer-who-can-keep-up-with-young-thug |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Genius |language=en}}{{cite tweet |last=Tumay |first=Alex |authorlink=Alex Tumay |user=alextumay |number=872898615538331649 |date=June 8, 2017 |title=.@SahBabii SANDAS Remastered out tomorrow! Tracks 2/3/6/8/10/11/12 Mixed by me Tracks 4/5/7/9 by @itzMrT3 https://t.co/0cClJvJiLf |language=en |access-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113011946/https://twitter.com/alextumay/status/872898615538331649 |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |url-status=live}} It was also announced that producer Mona Scott-Young was interested in shooting a reality television show centered on SahBabii and his family.{{cite news | last=Lilah| first=Rose| title =Sahbabii: "SANDAS" Re-Release, Reality Show With Mona Scott-Young & More | publisher =HotNewHipHop | date =May 19, 2017 | url =http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/sahbabii-sandas-re-release-reality-show-with-mona-scott-young-and-more-new-video.41687.html| accessdate =July 31, 2017}}
Shortly after the end of the S.A.N.D.A.S. press run, SahBabii's professional relationship with Warner Bros. Records came to an end.
His breakthrough full-length project, Squidtastic was released in 2018. This was followed up by the EP 3P, in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/07/atlanta-rapper-sahbabii-barnacles-stream|title=Rising Atlanta Rapper SahBabii Shares New Album 'Barnacles'|work=Complex|last=Pri e|first=Joe|date=July 8, 2020|accessdate=July 9, 2020}}
In early 2019, SahBabii publicly stated that he would retire. However, he decided against this, "because of the fans". He stated, "I couldn't just turn my back on them. I'ma still retire, though. But I just wanted to make sure I give my fans the most music I can give them before I stop".
On July 8, 2020, SahBabii released the album Barnacles. Complex described the album as putting "the focus squarely on SahBabii's distinctive, dreamlike sound. With surreal production and off-kilter vocals, Barnacles is a unique look into what makes his music so appealing". His song Purple Umbrella samples "Star-Stealing Girl" from the Chrono Cross Original Soundtrack by Yasunori Mitsuda.{{Cite web|title=Sahbabii's 'Purple Umbrella' – Discover the Sample Source|url=https://www.whosampled.com/sample/761995/Sahbabii-Purple-Umbrella-Yasunori-Mitsuda-Star-Stealing-Girl/|access-date=November 3, 2021|website=WhoSampled|language=en}}
In February 2020, SahBabii was featured on rapper Trippie Redd's project A Love Letter to You 4 (Deluxe) on the song 'Amazinggg.'{{Citation |title=Trippie Redd (Ft. SahBabii) – Amazinggg |url=https://genius.com/Trippie-redd-amazinggg-lyrics |access-date=November 13, 2022}} On September 16, 2020, SahBabii released his single "Gates to the Sun (POLLEN Singles)" featuring Japanese musician Joji on Spotify. In November 2020, SahBabii was featured on rapper Nav's mixtape project Emergency Tsunami, on the song 'Do Ya Deed'.{{Citation |title=NAV (Ft. SahBabii) – Do Ya Deed |url=https://genius.com/Nav-do-ya-deed-lyrics |access-date=November 13, 2022}}
He made an appearance in early 2021 on the track "Solitaires" with Ateyaba.{{Cite web|date=January 22, 2021|title=Ateyaba et SahBabii jouent les " Solitaires "|url=https://www.booska-p.com/musique/actualites/ateyaba-x-sahbabii/#|access-date=March 30, 2022|website=Booska-P|language=fr}}
Sahbabii's debut studio album, Do It For Demon, was released on October 27, 2021.{{Cite web|date=October 27, 2021|title=SahBabii Drops New Project "Do It For Demon" After Best Friend's Death|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/sahbabii-drops-new-project-do-it-for-demon-after-best-friends-death-new-mixtape.122104.html|access-date=November 3, 2021|website=HotNewHipHop|language=en}} The album is named after and dedicated to his late cousin 'DemonChild' (Demon) who was killed in a shooting in 2020.{{Cite magazine|last=Ihaza|first=Jeff|date=November 3, 2021|title=For Sahbabii, Recording His Debut Album Was Part of The Grieving Process|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/sahbabii-do-it-for-demon-interview-1252200/|access-date=November 3, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}} In an interview with Acclaim magazine in December 2021, SahBabii mentioned that Do It For Demon was the first of his projects that was recorded on professional equipment and that he and T3 built an entirely new studio for it.{{Cite web |last=Navarro |first=Cass |date=December 22, 2021 |title=Acclaim Digital Cover 019: Sahbabii |url=https://www.acclaimmag.com/music/sahbabii/ |access-date=November 12, 2022 |website=Acclaim Magazine |language=en-us}} Mic described the album as "a rousing showcase of the artist's vulnerability", while noting that "the sexual animal references and unpredictable ad-libs that OG fans love are still warranted space".{{Cite web|title=SahBabii's five stages of grief|url=https://www.mic.com/culture/sahbabii-album-damon|access-date=November 3, 2021|website=Mic|date=October 27, 2021 |language=en}}
On December 6, 2022, alongside a massive list of other Hip-Hop artists, SahBabii was the subject of having 41 of his songs leaked and circulated online.{{Cite web |title=kurrco/status/1600315600206643201 |url=https://twitter.com/kurrco/status/1600315600206643201 |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=Twitter |language=en}} On December 26, 2022, SahBabii would post on his Snapchat account, "I've been workin on a new project that's coming very soon next year. None of my most recent music has leaked. Enjoy "LeaKout" until that day comes I appreciate the love."{{cite web | url=https://www.reddit.com/r/sahbabii/comments/zvwxm0/new_album_in_january | title=New album in January | date=December 26, 2022 }} On December 27, 2022, SahBabii released the project LeakOut consisting of music that had been leaked online in the weeks prior.{{Cite web |title=LeakOut by SahBabii |url=https://genius.com/albums/Sahbabii/Leakout |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=Genius |language=en}}
On January 31, 2023, SahBabii released a single titled "How Bout U?"{{Cite web |title=SahBabii returns with "How Bout U?" single |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-02-02/270520/sahbabii-how-bout-u-single/ |access-date=February 4, 2023 |website=REVOLT |language=en-US}} On May 16, 2023, SahBabii released a single titled "Lost All My Feelings."{{Cite web |last1=Sadler |first1=Preezy Brown,Armon |last2=Brown |first2=Preezy |last3=Sadler |first3=Armon |date=2023-05-19 |title=Belly, Post Malone, KAYTRAMINÉ And More Can't-Miss New Music Friday Releases |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/reviews/new-music-friday-belly-post-malone-kaytramine-1234758223/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}}{{Citation |title=Lost All My Feelings |date=2023-05-16 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/02alvopUhHLiySIOSnL5HJ |access-date=2023-06-06 |language=en}}
On November 8, 2024, SahBabii released Saaheem, a studio album titled after his given name.{{Cite web |title=SahBabii Returns With A Sonic Evolution On 'Saaheem' |url=https://www.newwavemagazine.com/single-post/sahbabii-returns-with-a-sonic-evolution-on-saaheem |access-date=December 4, 2024 |website=New Wave Magazine |language=en-US}} The album contains his 2023 single "Lost All My Feelings".
On November 17, 2024, Sahbabii announced his 2025 Resurrection Tour through North America, to promote his album Saaheem.{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=2024-12-17 |title=SahBabii Announces 2025 North American Tour |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/sahbabii-announces-2025-north-american-tour/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}
Influences
In an interview with XXL, Hypebeast, and [https://acclaimmag.com/ Acclaim Mag] SahBabii cited T3, Future, Young Thug, Rich Homie Quan, Ca$h Out and Nujabes as his main influences.{{Cite web |last=Navarro |first=Cass |date=December 22, 2021 |title=Acclaim Digital Cover 019: Sahbabii |url=https://www.acclaimmag.com/music/sahbabii/ |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=Acclaim Magazine |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=C.M. |first=Emmanuel |title=The Break Presents: SahBabii – XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/sahbabii-interview-the-break/ |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=XXL Mag |date=April 15, 2017 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=February 9, 2018 |title=Sahbabii Says He Want to Make Album With Nujabes |url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/2/sahbabii-nujabes-interview |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=HYPEBEAST}}
Controversies
= Feud with rapper Offset =
In May 2017, rapper Offset from the group Migos posted a video on his Instagram account criticizing the recent trend of hip-hop/rap artists wearing inverted crosses jewelry, "All y'all niggas wearing upside-down crosses, these are my little partners man...stop that shit boy, you look lame. All that worship the devil shit. Get with God, man."{{Cite web |last=Berry |first=Peter A. BerryPeter A. |title=SahBabii Throws Shots at Migos on Instagram – XXL |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/sahbabii-throws-shots-migos/ |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=XXL Mag |date=May 22, 2017 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Daryl |title=SahBabii Disses Migos On Social Media; Offset Issues Threats |url=https://www.hiphoplately.com/sahbabii-disses-migos-on-social-media-offset-issues-threats/ |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=www.hiphoplately.com |date=May 23, 2017 |language=en}}
SahBabii angrily responded to Offset on his Instagram account with a post of a screenshot from the original video Offset posted, writing in the caption, "Nigga You Look Lame Fuck You Talm Boud My Cross Gon Stay Upside Down Y'all Niggas Donate $1,000 to Washington But Will Throw $10,000 in a Club I Will Beat Yo Ass." He also made another post with the caption, "Show These Niggas Respect Now Fuck Migos!! We Ain't Going For No Disrespect Nobody Asked This Lame Ass Nigga Opinion."
Offset later responded to SahBabii by posting a video where he claims SahBabii is not affiliated with PDE (Paradise East Apartments in Atlanta), Slaughter Gang, the Mob, and is not originally from Atlanta and also his jewelry is not authentic.{{Citation |title=Offset Says Sahbabii isn't Gangsta |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv9Eaiia-KM |language=en |access-date=November 13, 2022}} He also mentioned that he will come to SahBabii's neighborhood and have SahBabii's own neighborhood associates beat him up. SahBabii then responded in a video where he claims Offset instigated this argument, and then he called Offset a 'faggot' for wearing pigtails and dyeing his hair various colors throughout his career.{{Citation |title=SahBabii "Exposes Offset For Being A Fake GD And Not Really Being From Atlanta" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyTQbOI_p1Q |language=en |access-date=November 13, 2022}} SahBabii continued in another video where he claims his inverted crosses jewelry is not sacrilegious but it is symbolic of the self-created ideology he believes in called 'Unknownism' which aims to seek the truth.{{Citation |title=SahBabii " Explains Upside Down Cross Tattoo And What 666 Means" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUyZ4x8Pr4I |language=en |access-date=November 13, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=NuWorlds |date=July 19, 2020 |title=The Need for a Nu Zen in an Age of Self-Created Religions |url=https://nuzen.medium.com/the-need-for-a-nu-zen-in-an-age-of-self-created-religions-4d8087ee8b8e |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=Medium |language=en}}
A month later in June 2017, SahBabii conducted an interview with DJ Drama and spoke about his negative interactions with Offset and how Offset should not be speaking down on his young musical peers, "But I feel like he don't need to be speaking down on people. I don't speak on no other religions or nothing like that, so I don't think he should be speaking down on young people."{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Daryl |title=SahBabii Talks Offset Beef; Explains Why He Wears 666 & Upside Down Cross |url=https://www.hiphoplately.com/sahbabii-talks-offset-beef-explains-why-he-wears-666-and-upside-down-cross/ |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=www.hiphoplately.com |date=June 7, 2017 |language=en}} He also expressed regret for even responding to Offset's original video as he claims to be a person who does not engage in any feuds or arguments, "I wish I wouldn't never even responded to that, because I ain't the type to do all that Internet beef."
Tours
= Headlining =
[https://www.sahbabii.com/ Resurrection Tour (2025)]
Discography
= Studio albums =
- Barnacles (2020)
- Do It for Demon (2021)
- LeakOut (2022)
- Saaheem (2024) – No. 123 US Billboard 200{{cite tweet|user=billboardcharts|number=1858614569415111043|title=Debuts on this week's #Billboard200...|date=November 18, 2024|access-date=November 19, 2024}}
= Mixtapes =
- Pimpin Ain't Eazy (2012)
- Glocks & Thots (2013)
- S.A.N.D.A.S. (2016)
- S.A.N.D.A.S. (Remastered)
- Squidtastic (2018)
= Extended plays =
- 3P (2019)
= Singles =
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/sahbabii-on-happy-beats-and-bird-noise-ad-libs-w485900 Rolling Stone interview June 2017]
Category:Southern hip-hop musicians
Category:African-American male rappers
Category:21st-century American male rappers
Category:21st-century American singers
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:21st-century American male singers