Charismatic and mischievous, Atlanta trap rapper
Foogiano set himself apart from contemporaries with his quick bars, playful lilt, and Southern drawl. Early on, he scored a hit with the single "Molly (Baby Mama)," which later got the remix treatment with
DaBaby. In 2020, he made his mainstream breakthrough as the first signee to
Gucci Mane's New 1017 label, becoming a primary focus on
Gucci's crew compilations
So Icy Summer and
So Icy Gang. That same year,
Foogiano released his official debut full-length,
Gutta Baby.
Born Kwame Brown in Greensboro, Georgia, he started writing poetry as a teenager, transforming his compositions into raps at the insistence of his little brother. In and out of lock-up, he was eventually sentenced to a three-year prison stint. Upon release, he decided to focus his energy on a music career. After winning a competition with Authentic Empire,
Foogiano signed a deal with
Gucci Mane's New 1017 label in 2020, appearing on multiple tracks on
So Icy Summer and
So Icy Gang, Vol. 1. At the end of his whirlwind year, he issued his first album,
Gutta Baby. Packed with classic trap production and his engaging delivery, the set featured guests
DaBaby,
Lil Baby,
Jacquees,
Tay Keith, labelmate
Pooh Shiesty, and the label head himself,
Gucci Mane. ~ Neil Z. Yeung