Vory

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Vory

| image = Vory 2021.jpg

| caption = Vory in 2021

| birth_name = Tavoris Javon Hollins Jr.

| alias = King Vory

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|08|17}}

| birth_place = Houston, Texas, U.S.

| origin = Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.{{cite news |last=Indiana |first=Jake |title=10 Under the Radar Artists to Discover This Week |publisher=High Snobiety |date=November 8, 2017| url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/2017/11/08/discover-new-artists-madison-beer-vory/ |access-date =April 9, 2019}}

| genre = {{hlist|R&B|hip hop}}

| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|rapper|songwriter}}

| discography = Vory discography

| years_active = 2015–present

| label = {{hlist|Electric Feel|Capitol|Dream Chasers (former)}}

| associated_acts = {{hlist|Kanye West|Bryson Tiller|Louis Bell|P.Kaldone|Rich the Kid|Meek Mill}}

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

}}

Tavoris Javon Hollins Jr. (born August 17, 1997), known professionally as Vory (formerly King Vory), is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter. Raised in Louisville, Kentucky, he is perhaps best known for his guest appearances on Kanye West's 2021 songs "God Breathed", "Jonah" (alongside Lil Durk) and "No Child Left Behind" — all of which appear on West's tenth album, Donda. His contributions to the album earned him nominations for Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.

As a lead artist, Hollins began his recording in 2015 and signed with Capitol Records and Electric Feel Entertainment in 2018. He entered a joint venture with Meek Mill's record label, Dream Chasers Records in 2020. His debut studio album, Lost Souls (2022), was met with positive critical reception despite failing to chart. He parted ways with Meek Mill and Dream Chasers in 2024.{{cite web |url=https://hiphopdx.com/singles/id.38547/title.vory-tells-his-side-in-cc-interlude |title=Vory Tells His Side in 'cc interlude' |last=Rohn |first=Jake |date=9 December 2020 |website=HipHopDX |publisher= |access-date=13 June 2024 |quote=}}

Having first gained success as a songwriter, Hollins won a Grammy Award for his work on the Carters' album Everything Is Love (2018). He has also co-written the singles "Don't" (2015) by fellow Kentucky-based singer Bryson Tiller, and "Mob Ties" (2018) by Canadian rapper Drake, both of which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2022, he co-wrote Lil Baby's song "Forever", which peaked within the chart's top ten.

Early life

Hollins was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He later moved to Louisville, Kentucky, at age 16 to live with his father. While there, he met and began collaborating with singer and Louisville native, Bryson Tiller. Vory was initially signed to the Louisville-based record label, FPR Music Group, from 2016 to 2018.https://urbanmaxx.com/2016/04/04/following-his-feature-on-bryson-tillers-dont-louisville-artist-king-vory-signs-bmg-deal/{{cite news |last=Harrison |first=Brad |title=Following His Feature On Bryson Tiller's "Don't", Louisville Artist 'King Vory' Signs BMG Deal |publisher=Urban Maxx |date=April 4, 2016 |url=https://urbanmaxx.com/2016/04/04/following-his-feature-on-bryson-tillers-dont-louisville-artist-king-vory-signs-bmg-deal/ |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-date=November 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103203444/http://urbanmaxx.com/2016/04/04/following-his-feature-on-bryson-tillers-dont-louisville-artist-king-vory-signs-bmg-deal/ |url-status=dead }}

Career

Vory began his career working behind the scenes as a songwriter. In 2015, he first received attention after his guest appearance on fellow Kentucky-based recording artist Bryson Tiller's song "Break Bread", under his former stage name King Vory.{{cite magazine |title=Bryson Tiller f. King Vory – "Break Bread"|magazine=HipHopDX |date=March 12, 2015| url=https://hiphopdx.com/singles/id.30096/title.bryson-tiller-f-king-vory-break-bread |access-date =April 9, 2019}} In 2017, Vory co-wrote his hit song "Don't",{{cite news |last=P |first=Milca |title=Vory Applies More Pressure On "You Got It" |publisher=HotNewHipHop |date=March 23, 2019 |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/vory-applies-more-pressure-on-you-got-it-new-song.1982387.html |access-date =April 9, 2019}} which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine |title=Bryson Tiller – Chart History – Hot 100|magazine=Billboard | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bryson-tiller/chart-history/hsi/ |access-date =April 9, 2019}} while he guest performed on its parent album Trapsoul (2017). In 2016, Vory began independently releasing songs, including "Overdose"{{cite magazine |title=King Vory Releases First Single After Working With Bryson Tiller|magazine=The Source |date=February 9, 2016| url=http://thesource.com/2016/02/09/king-vory-releases-first-single-after-working-with-bryson-tiller/ |access-date =April 9, 2019}} and "My Life A Movie" featuring Blu and produced by Dun Deal.{{cite news |last=Schwartz |first=Danny |title=Vory – My Life A Movie Feat. Blu (Prod. By Dun Deal) |publisher=HotNewHipHop |date=March 24, 2016| url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/king-vory-my-life-a-movie-feat-blu-prod-by-dun-deal-new-song.1969072.html |access-date =April 9, 2019}} Later in July 2016, FPR Music Group released his debut mixtape, Overdose.{{cite news |last=Goddard |first=Kevin |title=Vory Drops Off New Single "Hold Of Me" |publisher=HotNewHipHop |date=November 7, 2017| url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/vory-drops-off-new-single-hold-of-me-new-song.1976185.html |access-date =April 9, 2019}}

After moving to Los Angeles, California, he met Canadian record producer Boi-1da, with whom he would later collaborate on a number of songs.{{cite news |last=Ju |first=Shirley |title=Track of the Week: Vory's "You Got It" |newspaper=LA Weekly |date=April 8, 2019|url=https://www.laweekly.com/music/track-of-the-week-vorys-you-got-it-10145519 |access-date =April 9, 2019}} Throughout 2017, Vory continued releasing singles, including "Try",{{cite magazine |last=Ortiz |first=Edwin |title=Premiere: Vory Drops New Song "Try"|magazine=Complex |date=July 7, 2017| url=https://www.complex.com/music/2017/07/vory-try |access-date =April 9, 2019}} "Do That Shit",{{cite news |last=Kenner |first=Rob |title=PREMIERE: Vory "Do That Shit" |publisher=MASS APPEAL |date=September 8, 2017 |url=http://archive.massappeal.com/vory-do-that-shit-premiere/ |access-date=April 9, 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and "Hold of Me". The latter song was premiered by Zane Lowe on Beats 1 Radio. In 2018, he earned writing credits on numerous songs including Canadian rapper Drake's "Mob Ties" from his fifth studio album Scorpion and American duo The Carters' "Friends" from their collaborate studio album Everything Is Love, which would go on to win a Grammy for his work on the album.{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=May 27, 2021 |title=Vory Is Stepping Out of the Shadows to Become the Star He Knows He Can Be |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/vory-meek-mill-interview-9578683/ |access-date=2022-06-11 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

In August 2018, he signed to Capitol Records and Electric Feel Management and released his debut EP, Lucky Me.{{cite news |last=Rosario |first=Ricky |title=Taking Streaming Services by Surprise is Vory with 'Lucky Me'|publisher=Respect |date=August 23, 2018| url=https://respect-mag.com/2018/08/taking-streaming-services-by-surprise-is-vory-with-lucky-me/ |access-date =April 9, 2019}} He guest featured on Rich the Kid's song "Ring Ring" from his second studio album The World Is Yours 2, which was released on March 22, 2019; and on the same day, Vory released his single, "You Got It". In June 2020, he signed to a joint venture with Meek Mill's Dream Chasers Records and released an eponymous extended play in January of that year. {{Cite web|title=Stream Vory's Self-Titled Album f/ Meek Mill, Starrah, and More|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/12/vorys-new-self-titled-album-listen|access-date=2021-01-04|website=Complex|language=en}} The following year, he made three guest appearances on Kanye West's tenth studio album Donda (2021) — on the tracks "God Breathed", "Jonah", and "No Child Left Behind".{{Cite web |last=Hyman|first=Dan |date=2022-06-10 |title=Vory Is Hip-Hop's Secret Weapon |url=https://www.gq.com/story/vory-lost-souls-interview-kanye|website=GQ}}

In April 2022, Vory guest featured alongside Polo G on the song "Changed On Me" from rapper Fivio Foreign's debut album, B.I.B.L.E.. In June of that year, Vory released his debut album, Lost Souls, which features Kanye West, Nav, Beam, and Yung Bleu, among others.{{Cite web |title=Stream Vory's Debut Album 'Lost Souls' f/ Kanye West and More |url=https://www.complex.com/music/vory-lost-souls-stream |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=Complex |language=en}} In October of that year, he co-wrote the hit song "Forever" for Lil Baby and Fridayy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/lil-baby/forever|title=Forever by Lil Baby (featuring Fridayy) - Songfacts}}

Personal life

In February 2024, security camera footage of Vory was leaked, in which he threatened to kill his girlfriend. Following this, label boss Meek Mill immediately dissociated with the singer and terminated his recording contract, deeming that he has a "mental problem."{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/meek-mill-cuts-ties-with-vory-after-threatening-girlfriend|title=Meek Mill Cuts Ties with Vory After Threatening His Girlfriend|website=Complex Networks }}{{Cite web|url= https://www.rap-up.com/2024/02/14/meek-mill-cuts-ties-with-vory-after-domestic-abuse-claims-by-girlfriend/?amp|title=Meek Mill Cuts Ties With Vory After Alleged Domestic Abuse Of Girlfriend: "He Has A Mental Problem!"|date=February 14, 2024|website=Rap-Up.com}}

Discography

Studio albums

Lost Souls (2022)

Awards

class="wikitable"
Year ! Award ! Category ! Nominee(s) ! Result
rowspan="2"\| 2019 \| rowspan="2"\| Grammy Award \| Best Urban Contemporary Album \| Everything Is Love by The Carters (co-writer of "Friends") \| {{won}}
Album of the Year \| Scorpion by Drake (co-writer of "Mob Ties") \| {{nom}}

class="wikitable"

Year

! Award

! Category

! Nominee(s)

! Result

rowspan="2"| 2019

| rowspan="2"| Grammy Award

| Best Urban Contemporary Album

| Everything Is Love by The Carters (co-writer of "Friends")

| {{won}}

Album of the Year