Sammie Marquez Benson (born April 8, 1990), known professionally as Blac Youngsta, is an American rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. He signed a recording contract with fellow Memphis-based rapper Yo Gotti's record label, Collective Music Group (CMG) in 2015, which entered a joint venture with Epic Records two years later. He is best known for his 2017 single "Hip Hopper" (featuring Lil Yachty) and its follow-up, "Booty", released the following year—the latter peaked at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100. Both songs received gold certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and preceded the release of his debut studio album 223 (2019), which peaked at number 42 on the Billboard 200.[2][3]
Blac Youngsta | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Sammie Marquez Benson |
Born | [1] Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.[1] | April 8, 1990
Genres | |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2012–present |
Labels | |
Website | heavycamphc.com |
Early life
editBenson was born on April 8, 1990, and raised on McMillan Street, a poor area in South Memphis, Tennessee. Benson and his younger brothers were raised by their grandparents. Despite both of his grandparents having jobs, they earned very little and struggled to put food on the table. Benson's grandfather managed to get him a job at a local grocery store when he was just 7 years old, however, he was fired when the manager caught him placing fake orders to the store in order to take the food home for him and his brothers. After losing his job at the store, Benson began selling drugs and served numerous sentences in prison for drug and gun charges. In 2012, after serving a year in prison, Benson began hosting local block parties which made him locally popular in South Memphis. Shortly after, he began pursuing a career in music, releasing his debut mixtape Fast Bricks in 2012.[1][4]
Career
edit2012–2016: Early career and signing to CMG
editTaking the stage name Blac Youngsta, Benson began taking a career in music more seriously in 2012, releasing three mixtapes as part of his Fast Bricks series, from 2012 to 2014.
His breakout song "Heavy" was released in 2015, and gained the attention of Yo Gotti, who appeared on the song's remix and signed Blac Youngsta to his Collective Music Group label.[citation needed] Blac Youngsta's first mixtape as a member of CMG, I Swear To God, was released on September 24, 2015, and featured guest appearances from Yo Gotti and Boosie Badazz.[5] In March 2016, Blac Youngsta released a mixtape titled Young & Reckless, followed by Fuck Everybody, released in September 2016, with features from Young Thug, Quavo, Jacquees and YFN Lucci.[6][7] He was featured on American rapper Travis Scott’s 2016 single “Coordinate” which was included as the second track from his album Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight (2016).
2017–2019: Epic Records and major label debut
editIn February 2017, Blac Youngsta released Illuminati, his fourth mixtape as a member of CMG, with guest appearances from Kodak Black, Lil Yachty and Slim Jxmmi.[8] After Blac Youngsta turned himself in for his involvement in a shooting targeted towards Yo Gotti's longtime rival, Young Dolph, a "Free Blac Youngsta" grassroots movement was started, with fellow rapper Young Thug releasing a song of the same name on May 17, 2017.[9][10] After his release, Blac Youngsta established his own label imprint under CMG, Heavy Camp, and released a mixtape titled, I'm Innocent, in June 2017, with guest appearances from Slim Jxmmi and Ty Dolla Sign.[11] In December 2017, Blac Youngsta signed his first major label deal with Epic Records.[12]
In February 2018, Youngsta released his debut studio album, 223, through Epic, with guest appearances from Lil Yachty, Travis Scott and French Montana.[13] The album charted on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 42.[14] The album also spawned the successful single "Booty", which charted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 73 and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[15][16][17][18] In August 2018, Blac Youngsta released a sequel to his 2016 mixtape, Fuck Everybody, with Fuck Everybody 2, featuring a sole guest appearance from Lil Pump, which also charted on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 63.[19][20]
In May 2019, Blac Youngsta released his EP, Cut Up.[21] In August 2019, Blac Youngsta announced via Twitter that his second studio album will be called Church on Sunday.[22] In October 2019, Blac Youngsta also announced an international tour of the same name, starting in November 2019.[23] Church on Sunday was released at the end of the same month and the project features guest appearances from major artists including T.I., Yo Gotti, Moneybagg Yo, DaBaby, Jacquees, City Girls, Tory Lanez, G-Eazy, PnB Rock, Wiz Khalifa, Ty Dolla $ign, and Chris Brown.
2020–present: More charting singles
editIn January 2020, he was featured on Moneybagg Yo's song "1 2 3", which would later be released as a single in April 2020 and chart on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, earning him his second charting single on that chart.
Heavy Camp
editHeavy Camp | |
---|---|
Founded | 2017 |
Founder | Sammie Benson (Blac Youngsta) |
Status | Active |
Distributor(s) | Collective Music Group |
Genre | |
Country of origin | U.S |
Location | Memphis, Tennessee |
Official website | https://heavycampshop.com |
Heavy Camp is a record label imprint under Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group (CMG) founded by Blac Youngsta in 2017. Memphis native Julien Anderson was named the label's president in 2019.[24]
Personal life
editOn August 18, 2023, Blac Youngsta's brother was shot and killed at a convenience store in Memphis, Tennessee.[25]
Legal issues
editOn January 8, 2016, police were called to a Wells Fargo branch in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, after Blac Youngsta withdrew $200,000 from his bank account in order to purchase a car. Workers allegedly believed Blac Youngsta was robbing the bank after he was seen leaving the bank with the money. Youngsta and his associates were released at the scene. Youngsta later accused the police and staff at the bank of racial profiling, claiming he was arrested for being "young and black".[26][27]
On May 16, 2017, Blac Youngsta surrendered himself to police on charges related to a shooting involving fellow Memphis rapper Young Dolph, in which Youngsta and his associates are alleged to have fired over 100 rounds into Young Dolph's SUV.[28] Blac Youngsta had maintained that he was innocent before turning himself in. He was released on bond the same day, charged with six counts of discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling or moving vehicle and felony conspiracy.[29] In May 2019, the charges were dropped.[30]
Discography
editStudio albums
editTitle | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
US [31] |
US R&B/HH [3] |
US Rap [32] | ||
223[13] |
|
42 | 22 | 17 |
Church on Sunday[22] |
|
91 | 42 | — |
4LIFE[33] |
|
— | — | — |
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Compilation albums
editTitle | Details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
US [34] | ||
Gangsta Art (with CMG the Label) |
|
11 |
Gangsta Art 2 (with CMG the Label) |
|
— |
Mixtapes
editTitle | Details | Peak chart positions | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [31] |
US R&B/HH [3] |
US Rap [32] | |||
Fast Bricks |
|
— | — | — | |
Fast Bricks 2 |
|
— | — | — | |
Fast Bricks 3[37] |
|
— | — | — | |
I Swear to God[38] |
|
— | — | — | |
Young & Reckless[6] |
|
— | — | — | |
Fuck Everybody[39] |
|
— | — | — | |
Illuminati[40] |
|
— | — | — | |
Can't Fake The Real[41] (with DaBoyDame & Mozzy) |
|
— | — | — | |
I'm Innocent[42] |
|
— | — | — | |
Fuck Everybody 2[43] |
|
63 | 32 | — | |
Code Red[44] (with Moneybagg Yo) |
|
6 | 5 | 4 | |
Fuck Everybody 3 |
|
143 | — | — | |
Bank Appointment |
|
— | — | — | |
Blac Sheep |
|
— | — | — | |
Blac Sheep 2 |
|
— | — | — | |
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Extended plays
editTitle | Details |
---|---|
Cut Up[47] |
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
editTitle | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [48] |
US R&B/HH [49] |
US Main. R&B/HH [50] |
US Rhy. [51] |
US R&B/HH Air. [52] |
US Rap Air. [53] | ||||
"Heavy"[54] (featuring Yo Gotti) |
2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | |
"Beat It"[55] (featuring Rich Homie Quan) |
2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Hip Hopper"[56] (featuring Lil Yachty) |
2017 | —[A] | —[B] | — | — | — | — | Illuminati & 223 | |
"Birthday"[60] | — | — | — | — | — | — | I'm Innocent | ||
"Booty"[61] | 73 | 35 | 4 | 22 | 5 | 6 |
|
I'm Innocent & 223 | |
"Cut Up"[47] (solo or remix featuring Tory Lanez and G-Eazy) |
2019 | — | — | 17 | — | 24 | 18 | Church on Sunday | |
"Lay Down"[62] | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
"Court Tomorrow"[63] | — | — | — | — | — | — | Church On Sunday | ||
"Like a Pro"[64] (featuring DaBaby) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"I Met Tay Keith First" (featuring Lil Baby and Moneybagg Yo) |
2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Fuck Everybody 3 | |
"Where They Do That" | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Saving Money" (featuring DaBaby) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Anythang"[65] | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4LIFE | |
"I'm Assuming"[66] | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Threat"[67] (with 42 Dugg) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Can't Spell"[68] | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
As featured artist
editTitle | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Bub. [69] |
US R&B/HH [49] |
US Main. R&B/HH [50] |
US Rhy. [51] |
US R&B/HH Air. [52] |
US Rap Air. [53] | ||||
"Wait for It"[70] (Yo Gotti featuring Blac Youngsta) |
2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | |
"YNS"[71] (YG featuring Blac Youngsta & YFN Lucci) |
2017 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Goal Line"[72] (T-Pain featuring Blac Youngsta) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | Oblivion | ||
"Sumn"[73] (Lil Bibby featuring Blac Youngsta) scope="row" | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
"Drop"[74] (G-Eazy featuring Blac Youngsta & BlocBoy JB) |
2018 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Cheat On Me" (Tommie Lee featuring Blac Youngsta) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Run It Up"[75] (DDG featuring YBN Nahmir, G Herbo & Blac Youngsta) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Blac Money"[76] (Moneybagg Yo featuring Blac Youngsta) |
2019 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 43va Heartless[77] | |
"1 2 3"[78] (Moneybagg Yo featuring Blac Youngsta) |
2020 | 1 | 43 | 5 | 36 | 6 | 12 |
|
Time Served[80] |
"Steppers" (Yo Gotti, Moneybagg Yo and 42 Dugg featuring CMG the Label, EST Gee, Mozzy and Blac Youngsta) |
2022 | 4 | 26 | — | — | — | — | Gangsta Art | |
"Gangsta Art" (Yo Gotti and Moneybagg Yo featuring EST Gee, Mozzy, Lehla Samia, 42 Dugg and Blac Youngsta) |
17 | 41 | — | — | — | — |
Notes
Awards and nominations
editASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards
editYear | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2019[81] | "Booty" | Award Winning R&B/Hip Hop Songs | Won |
Tours
editHeadlining
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Blac Youngsta". HotNewHipHop. February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta". Genius.
- ^ a b c "Blac Youngsta Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Has A Serious Story To Share". Vibe. March 29, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta – I Swear To God". HotNewHipHop. September 24, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ a b Youngsta, Blac [@blacyoungstafb] (March 20, 2016). "RT @LiveMixtapes: [Mixtape] @BlacYoungstaFB – Young & Reckless :: #GetItLIVE! http://livemixtap.es/u01 @LiveMixtapes #CMG" (Tweet). Retrieved May 18, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ Weinstein, Max (September 8, 2016). "Blac Youngsta Drops 'F*#k Everybody' Mixtape Featuring Young Thug, YFN Lucci and More – XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Drops His Highly Anticipated "Illuminati"". Vibe. February 28, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "100 bullets and 80 days later, rapper and 2 others surrender to Charlotte police". charlotteobserver. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ Thug, Young [@youngthug] (May 17, 2017). "#FREEBLACYOUNGSTA OUT NOW http://soundcloud.com/yslrecords pic.twitter.com/oG67AHYDRs" (Tweet). Retrieved March 28, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta – I'm Innocent". HotNewHipHop. June 9, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Signs With Epic Records". HotNewHipHop. December 2, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ a b II, C. Vernon Coleman (February 23, 2018). "Listen to Blac Youngsta's New Album '2.23' – XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta 223 Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Has Elaborate Plans For His "Booty" Single". HipHopDX. February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Booty Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Makes Billboard Hot 100 Debut with 'Booty'". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "RIAA 2018 First Time Gold & Platinum Recipients" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ Berry, Peter A. (August 29, 2018). "Blac Youngsta's 'F!*k Everybody 2' Tracklist Features Lil Pump – XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Fu*k Everybody 2 Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Returns With "Cut Up" EP". HotNewHipHop. May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
- ^ a b Youngsta, Blac (August 14, 2019). "CHURCH ON SUNDAY pic.twitter.com/98BjN6JrQe". @BlacYoungstaFB. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
- ^ a b Youngsta, Blac (October 27, 2019). "MY CHURCH ON SUNDAY INTERNATIONAL TOUR STARTS NEXT WEEK. I CANT WAIT TO PERFORM FOR YALL WHO'S COMING OUT?!?!?!?!pic.twitter.com/8g33ATuDvP". @BlacYoungstaFB. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- ^ "Balancing the Grind With Melissa Keklak, CEO of MMKpr & President at Heavy Camp Label". Balance The Grind | Conversations On Work, Life & Balance. May 21, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ Price, Joe. "Blac Youngsta Mourns Brother Who Was Fatally Shot In Memphis: 'Life Will Never Be the Same'". Complex. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ "Rapper detained outside bank". CNN. January 10, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ Allah, Sha Be (January 10, 2016). "ATL Rapper Blac Youngsta Arrested Outside Wells Fargo Bank After Withdrawing $200K". Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ Weinstein, Max (May 16, 2017). "Blac Youngsta Arrested for Young Dolph Charlotte Shooting – XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ "Memphis rapper Blac Youngsta released on bond after shooting". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ Centeno, Tony M. (May 13, 2019). "Blac Youngsta's Lawyer Says Attempted Young Dolph Shooting Case Has Been Dropped". XXL Mag. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
- ^ a b "Blac Youngsta 223 Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
- ^ a b "Blac Youngsta Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta - 4LIFE". Apple Music. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
- ^ @billboardcharts (July 25, 2022). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (1/2)..." (Tweet). Retrieved July 26, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Yo Gotti and CMG The Label paints some 'Gangsta Art' on new album". Revolt.
- ^ Schube, Will (September 29, 2023). "GloRilla, Yo Gotti, EST Gee, And More Star On CMG The Label's 'Gangsta Art 2'". udiscovermusic. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
- ^ Spinrilla.com [@spinrilla] (September 22, 2014). "[Mixtape] Blac Youngsta – Fast Bricks 3 @BlacYoungStafb @DJTooSmoothTV »http://spnr.la/77b8rsyJ" (Tweet). Retrieved May 18, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta – I Swear To God". HotNewHipHop. September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
- ^ "Fuck Everybody". HotNewHipHop. September 8, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
- ^ "Illuminati". HotNewHipHop. February 24, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
- ^ Can't Fake the Real by DaBoyDame, Blac Youngsta & Mozzy, May 19, 2017, retrieved May 19, 2019
- ^ "Blac Youngsta – I'm Innocent". HotNewHipHop. June 9, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
- ^ "Stream Blac Youngsta's "Fu*k Everybody 2" Mixtape". HotNewHipHop. August 31, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
- ^ ""Code Red" by Moneybagg Yo & Blac Youngsta Mixtape". Apple Music. September 18, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "Bank Appointment by Blac Youngsta on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Comes Through With "Blac Sheep," His Second Project Of The Year". HotNewHipHop. April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ a b Cut Up – Single by Blac Youngsta, May 3, 2019, retrieved May 19, 2019
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "Blac Youngsta Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "Blac Youngsta Chart History: Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ a b "Blac Youngsta Chart History: Rhythmic Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ a b "Blac Youngsta Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ a b "Blac Youngsta Chart History: Rap Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ Heavy (feat. Yo Gotti) – Single by Blac Youngsta, September 11, 2015, retrieved May 19, 2019
- ^ Beat It (feat. Rich Homie Quan) – Single by Blac Youngsta, July 19, 2016, retrieved May 19, 2019
- ^ Hip Hopper (feat. Lil Yachty) – Single by Blac Youngsta, April 28, 2017, retrieved May 19, 2019
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Chart History: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2019.[dead link ]
- ^ a b "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ Birthday – Single by Blac Youngsta, May 18, 2017, retrieved May 22, 2019
- ^ Booty by Blac Youngsta, February 23, 2018, retrieved May 19, 2019
- ^ Cut Up – Single by Blac Youngsta, May 3, 2019, retrieved May 19, 2019
- ^ Court Tomorrow – Single by Blac Youngsta, August 15, 2019, retrieved August 15, 2019
- ^ Like a Pro (feat. DaBaby) – Single, November 22, 2019, retrieved November 22, 2019
- ^ "Anythang - Single by Blac Youngsta on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
- ^ "I'm Assuming - Single by Blac Youngsta on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
- ^ "Threat - Single by Blac Youngsta & 42 Dugg on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
- ^ "Can't Spell - Single by Blac Youngsta on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ^ Wait for It (feat. Blac Youngsta) – Single by Yo Gotti, September 2, 2016, retrieved May 22, 2019
- ^ YNS (feat. Blac Youngsta & YFN Lucci) – Single by YG, July 28, 2017, retrieved May 22, 2019
- ^ Goal Line (feat. Blac Youngsta) – Single by T-Pain, September 29, 2017, retrieved May 22, 2019
- ^ Sumn (feat. Blac Youngsta) – Single by Lil Bibby, December 6, 2017, retrieved May 22, 2019
- ^ Drop (feat. Blac Youngsta & BlocBoy JB) – Single by G-Eazy, June 24, 2018, retrieved May 22, 2019
- ^ Run It Up (feat. YBN Nahmir, G Herbo & Blac Youngsta) – Single by DDG, October 24, 2018, retrieved May 22, 2019
- ^ Blac Money (feat. Blac Youngsta) – Single by Moneybagg Yo, May 21, 2019, retrieved May 22, 2019
- ^ 43VA HEARTLESS by Moneybagg Yo, May 24, 2019, retrieved May 24, 2019
- ^ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". AllAccess. Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- ^ "RIAA certifications – Moneybagg Yo". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
- ^ Time Served by Moneybagg Yo, January 10, 2020, retrieved January 10, 2020
- ^ "2019 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards". ASCAP. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ Gotti, Yo [@YoGotti] (November 5, 2015). "News: Blac Youngsta "I Swear To God" Tour Announced (26 Dates) http://bit.ly/20xrgoS" (Tweet). Retrieved May 18, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gotti, Yo [@YoGotti] (March 16, 2016). "News: Blac Youngsta Announces "Young & Reckless Tour" Dates For March & April http://bit.ly/1UzQm3R" (Tweet). Retrieved May 18, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ India, Lindsey (June 5, 2017). "Blac Youngsta Is Going on Tour – XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
- ^ "Blac Youngsta – PULL UP TOUR TICKETS ON SALE NOW!". Facebook. September 28, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2019.