{{Short description|American rapper (born 1996)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = BlocBoy JB | image = BlocBoy_JB 2019 by Glenn Francis.jpg | caption = BlocBoy JB at the 2019 [[iHeartRadio Music Awards]] | birth_name = James Lee Baker | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|5|19}} | birth_place = [[Memphis, Tennessee]], U.S. | genre = {{hlist|[[Memphis rap]]|[[Trap music|trap]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2018/04/2018-soundcloud-rappers-guide.html|title=Your Cheat Sheet for Telling All the SoundCloud Rappers Apart|website=Vulture|date=April 4, 2018}}</ref>}} | occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter}} | years_active = 2012–present | label = {{hlist|Bloc Nation|Foundation|[[Interscope Records|Interscope]]}} {{Infobox person | child = yes | children = 1 | website = {{URL|blocboy.com}} }} }}
'''James Lee Baker'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://repertoire.bmi.com/Catalog.aspx?detail=writerid&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25&keyid=550390010&subid=0|title=BMI - Repertoire Search|website=repertoire.bmi.com}}</ref> (born May 19, 1996), known professionally as '''BlocBoy JB''', is an American rapper from [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. Baker is best known for his 2018 single "[[Look Alive (BlocBoy JB song)|Look Alive]]" (featuring [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]), which peaked at number five on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="Billboard12">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/drake-hot-100-gods-plan-look-alive/|title=Drake Tops Billboard Hot 100 With 'God's Plan' & Debuts in Top 10 as Featured on BlocBoy JB's 'Look Alive'|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=February 20, 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 20, 2018}}</ref> Its follow-up, "[[Rover (BlocBoy JB song)|Rover]]" (remixed featuring [[21 Savage]]), entered the [[Bubbling Under Hot 100]] chart, while both preceded the release of his seventh mixtape, ''[[Simi (mixtape)|Simi]]'' (2018). He signed with [[Interscope Records]] in August of that year. His debut studio album, ''FatBoy'' (2020) was released two years later and failed to chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ftxji732rUc|title=BlocBoy JB on His Breakout Year, Drake Collab and Viral Dance|website=YouTube.com|date=August 8, 2018 |publisher=Complex}}</ref>
==Early life== James Baker was born on May 19, 1996, in Memphis, Tennessee, and was mostly raised in [[Binghampton, Memphis]]. His name comes from his father, who is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for rape. In 2008, when Baker was 12, his father broke out of prison and traveled to Baker's home to see him for a short period of time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99DANPipzyk|title=BlocBoy JB on His Dad Getting 25 Years, Breaking Out of Prison and Visiting Him (Part 1)|last=djvlad|date=May 9, 2018|access-date=May 9, 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> At the age of 14, Baker became affiliated with the [[Grape Street Watts Crips (gang)|Grape Street Watts Crips]]. Although located in [[Los Angeles]], the gang has an affiliated branch in Memphis called the Peda Roll Mafia. Baker's affiliation is mentioned throughout many of his songs, including "Rover".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://genius.com/14152853|title=BlocBoy JB - Rover 2.0|work=Genius|access-date=May 3, 2018}}</ref> Baker served a month in prison in 2012 for committing a home invasion, and served the rest of his sentence on [[house arrest]]. Baker has said the invasion was "sloppy", and that they performed the invasion with no masks and a [[BB gun]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqr2pzO8wmI|title=BlocBoy JB on Being Locked Up for Home Invasion with BB Gun. Baker had his first child in 2012 named Winter.2)|last=djvlad|date=May 11, 2018|access-date=May 11, 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref>
Baker began making music when he was fourteen when he moved to [[Raleigh, Memphis|Raleigh]] in [[North Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee|North Memphis]] and met [[Tay Keith]] (who later produced "Look Alive"), and the two began making music shortly afterwards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thefader.com/2018/02/12/blocboy-jb-shoot-look-alive-drake-interview|title=BlocBoy JB is now in the running to become America's next top rapper|work=The Fader|access-date=February 27, 2018}}</ref>
==Career==
=== 2012–2016: Early music === Baker started putting out music on his [[SoundCloud]] page in 2012.<ref name="Vibe">{{cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2018/02/everything-we-found-out-about-memphis-rapper-blocboy-jb/|title=Five Things We Found Out About Memphis Rapper, BlocBoy JB |website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|first= Darryl|last=Robertson|date=February 12, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2018}}</ref> He released his first [[mixtape]], ''Who Am I'', in 2016. It featured the track "No Chorus Pt. 6", which reached more than three million views on [[YouTube]].<ref name="XXL">{{cite web |last=Seabrook III |first=Robby |date=February 16, 2018 |title=The Break Presents: BlocBoy JB |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/02/blocboy-jb-interview-the-break/ |access-date=February 20, 2018 |website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]}}</ref>
=== 2017–2018: Shoot dance, ''Billboard'' top 10, and ''XXL'' === The next summer, he released the song "[[Shoot (song)|Shoot]]", which spawned a dance craze called the "shoot dance".<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine |last=Hussein |first=Wandera |date=February 15, 2018 |title=BlocBoy JB: Five Things to Know About the 'Look Alive' Memphis Rapper |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/blocboy-jb-five-things-to-know-8099013/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=February 20, 2018}}</ref><ref name="XXL" /><ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/blocboy-jb-look-alive-ft-drake/|title=Tracks: BlocBoy JB - 'Look Alive' (ft. Drake)|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|first= Sheldon|last=Pearce|date=February 9, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2018}}</ref> Another single, "[[Rover (BlocBoy JB song)|Rover]]", followed in early 2018. The [[Viral video|viral]] hits attracted the attention of Canadian rapper [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]<ref name="Fader">{{cite web |last=Kameir |first=Rawiya |date=February 12, 2018 |title=BlocBoy JB is now in the running to become America's next top rapper |url=http://www.thefader.com/2018/02/12/blocboy-jb-shoot-look-alive-drake-interview |access-date=February 20, 2018 |website=[[The Fader]]}}</ref><ref name="XXL" /><ref name="Pitchfork" /> who it was speculated was going to remix "Rover"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/1/drake-remix-blocboy-jb-shoot|title=Drake Appears to be on the Remix of BlocBoy JB's "Rover"|work=Hypebeast|access-date=February 27, 2018}}</ref> though it resulted in the pair collaborating on a song titled, "[[Look Alive (BlocBoy JB song)|Look Alive]]", which was released in February 2018 and debuted at number six on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart.<ref name="Billboard1">{{cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=February 20, 2018 |title=Drake Tops Billboard Hot 100 With 'God's Plan' & Debuts in Top 10 as Featured on BlocBoy JB's 'Look Alive' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/drake-hot-100-gods-plan-look-alive/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 20, 2018}}</ref>
Following the release of "Look Alive", Baker spurred rumors he would soon sign to Drake's label [[OVO Sound]], saying "Somewhat. I'm trying to see what's my move."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://uproxx.com/hiphop/blocboy-jb-drake-ovo-sound-record-deal/|title=Drake May Have Signed Fast-Rising Memphis Rapper Blocboy JB To OVO|date=February 12, 2018|work=[[Uproxx]]|access-date=February 27, 2018}}</ref> He was also featured on [[Moneybagg Yo]]'s ''[[2 Heartless]]'' project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/02/moneybagg-yo-2-heartless-quavo-blocboy-jb-more/|title=Moneybagg Yo's '2 Heartless' Project Features Quavo and More|website=XXL|date=February 12, 2018 |access-date=February 27, 2018}}</ref> On March 23, 2018, Baker released "Rover 2.0", a remix of "Rover", featuring rapper [[21 Savage]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1988300/blocboy-jb-rover-2-0-feat-21-savage/music/|title=BlocBoy JB – "Rover 2.0" (Feat. 21 Savage)|date=March 23, 2018|work=Stereogum|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> The song was Baker's second lead song to chart on a ''Billboard'' chart, peaking at number two on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles. He was also featured on [[ASAP Rocky]]'s "[[Bad Company (ASAP Rocky song)|Bad Company]]"<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/asap-rocky-new-song-bad-company-blocboy-jb-8262802/|title=A$AP Rocky & BlocBoy JB Take Aim at Their Haters on 'Bad Company': Listen|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> and [[Adam Grandmaison|No Jumper]]'s "Hard" with [[Tay-K]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thefader.com/2018/03/19/tay-k-blocboy-jb-hard|title=Tay-K and BlocBoy JB share "Hard"|work=The Fader|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref>
After releasing the single, "[[Prod by Bloc]]", he announced the mixtape ''[[Simi (mixtape)|Simi]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thefader.com/2018/04/30/blocboy-jb-simi-release-date-cover-art|title=BlocBoy JB announces Simi release date, shares cover art|work=The FADER|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> while also revealing the tracklist which featured [[Lil Pump]], [[YG (rapper)|YG]], Drake and 21 Savage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/96105-blocboy-jb-taps-drake-21-savage-yg-lil-pump-and-more-for-simi-tracklist-news|title=Blocboy JB Taps Drake, 21 Savage, YG, Lil Pump & More For "SIMI" Tracklist|work=HotNewHipHop|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> Baker was named as one of the members of ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]''{{'s}} "2018 Freshman Class" on June 12, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/06/2018-xxl-freshman-cover/|title=XXL 2018 Freshman Class Revealed|publisher=XXL|date=June 12, 2018|access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref>
On October 30, 2018, Baker released his debut extended play, ''[[Don't Think That]]'', which included features from [[Lil Uzi Vert]] and Hoodrich Pablo Juan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/120511-blocboy-jbs-dont-think-that-features-lil-uzi-vert-and-hoodrich-pablo-juan-new-mixtape|title=BlocBoy JB's "Don't Think That" Features Lil Uzi Vert & HoodRich Pablo Juan|website=HotNewHipHop|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=April 4, 2020}}</ref>
=== 2019–present: Eighth mixtape and debut studio album === Baker released his eighth mixtape, ''I Am Me'', on June 14, 2019, which included features from [[Lil Durk]] and [[Moneybagg Yo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.51758/title.blocboy-jb-drops-i-am-me-mixtape|title=BlocBoy JB Drops "I Am Me" Mixtape|website=HipHopDX|date=June 13, 2019|access-date=April 4, 2020}}</ref> [[NLE Choppa]] and Baker, both from [[Memphis, Tennessee]], have done 3 collaborations, named ChopBloc, ChopBloc 2, and ChopBloc 3, respectively.
In March 2020, Baker released his first official song of 2020, "[[Swervin (BlocBoy JB song)|Swervin]]". In May 2020, he released his highly anticipated single "[[No Chorus, Pt. 12]]", which was produced by longtime collaborator [[Tay Keith]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=BlocBoy JB & Tay Keith Reunite On "No Chorus Pt. 12"|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/255491-blocboy-jb-and-tay-keith-reunite-on-no-chorus-pt-12-new-song|website=HotNewHipHop|date=May 19, 2020|access-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref> After a build-up on pre-release singles, Baker's debut studio album, ''FatBoy'', was released on October 9, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BlocBoy JB Drops 'FatBoy' Album|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/10/blocboy-fatboy|url-status=live|access-date=April 28, 2021|website=Complex|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012095210/https://www.complex.com/music/2020/10/blocboy-fatboy|archive-date=October 12, 2020}}</ref>
== Controversies == In October 2017, Baker filmed a [[List of dice games|dice game]] allegedly inside of [[Hamilton High School (Memphis, Tennessee)|Hamilton High School]]. Shortly afterwards, [[Shelby County Schools (Tennessee)|Shelby County Schools]] started investigating the incident.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rapper BlocBoy JB films dice game allegedly inside Hamilton High|url=https://www.actionnews5.com/story/36644435/rapper-blocboy-films-dice-game-allegedly-recorded-inside-hamilton-high/|work=[[WAFB]]|access-date=August 15, 2018}}</ref>
During an Instagram Live on March 16, 2020, Baker jumped from a two-story balcony into his pool, barely clearing the edge and clipping his heel on the side of the pool.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BLOCBOY JB JUMPS OFF BALCONY INTO POOL ... Juuust Dodges Paralysis!!!|url=https://www.tmz.com/2020/03/16/blocboy-jb-jumps-off-balcony-into-pool/|website=TMZ|date=March 16, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2020}}</ref>
In June 2020, [[6ix9ine]] had an Instagram Live with [[DJ Akademiks]]. In the livestream, 6ix9ine targeted Baker, calling him a "one-hit wonder" and asked if he was working at [[Wendy's]]. Baker responded by saying, "Don't mention my name if you ain't on no gangsta shit".<ref>{{Cite web|title=BlocBoy JB Claps Back At 6ix9ine's "One-Hit Wonder" Diss|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/270197-blocboy-jb-claps-back-at-6ix9ines-one-hit-wonder-diss-news|access-date=June 7, 2020|website=HotNewHipHop|date=June 5, 2020}}</ref>
In November 2020, Baker received severe criticism and was accused of [[homophobia]] after he said [[PlayStation]] was "for the gays" and mocked the brand as "GayStation", even saying that [[Xbox]] is for "the street n*ggas".<ref>{{Cite web|title=BlocBoy JB Called Out for Saying PlayStation Is 'For the Gays'|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/11/blocboy-jb-called-out-saying-playstation-is-for-the-gays|access-date=December 18, 2020|website=Complex}}</ref>
Baker is known for popularizing the "shoot" dance, which was incorporated in the ''[[Fortnite]]'' video game, made by [[Epic Games]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/features/lists/facts-about-blocboy-jb/shoot-dance/|title=Where did BlocBoy JB's "shoot dance" come from?|work=Capital XTRA |access-date=October 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/05/blocboy-shoot-dance-fortnite/|title=BlocBoy JB's "Shoot" Dance Is Now on Fortnite|publisher=XXL|date=May 2, 2018|access-date=October 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/09/blocboy-jb-criticizes-fortnite-for-using-shoot-dance-without-credit|title=Blocboy JB Calls Out 'Fortnite' For Co-opting 'Shoot Dance'|publisher=Complex|date=September 10, 2018|access-date=October 12, 2018}}</ref> Following similar lawsuits against Epic Games, Baker filed his own lawsuit against Epic in January 2019, claiming the use of his dance move as a dance emote in-game is infringing on his copyright and personality rights.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/23/18194912/blocboy-jb-fortnite-sues-epic-games-shoot-dance-emote-backpack-kid-2-milly | title = BlocBoy JB sues Epic Games over popular 'Shoot' dance emote | first = Julia | last= Alexander | date = January 23, 2019 | access-date = January 23, 2019 | work = [[The Verge]] }}</ref>
=== Legal issues === In February 2019, Baker was arrested on drug, gun and robbery charges, weeks after a warrant was issued for his arrest.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=BlocBoy JB Arrested on Drug, Gun Charges|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/blocboy-jb-arrest-drugs-guns-robbery-801639/|access-date=May 19, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 28, 2019}}</ref> Later on, in May of that year, Baker was arrested again on gun and drug charges. The arrest happened hours before he was scheduled to perform at the Beale Street Music Festival.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Memphis Rapper BlocBoy JB Arrested Again on Gun, Drug Charges|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/memphis-rapper-blocboy-jb-arrest-gun-drug-charges-830833/|access-date=May 19, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=May 3, 2019}}</ref>
On October 1, 2024, Baker allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel of his car with a loaded handgun and marijuana in his lap; he was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana, and driving on a revoked license.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rapper BlocBoy JB dozes off at busy intersection with loaded gun in his lap, THP says|url=https://wreg.com/news/driver-dozes-off-at-busy-intersection-with-loaded-gun-in-his-lap-thp-says/|website=WREG News Channel 3|date=October 2, 2024 |access-date=October 2, 2024}}</ref>
== Personal life == In 2020, Baker publicly voiced his support for former [[United States]] president [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=BlocBoy JB Says He's Starting to Like President Trump|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2020/03/blocboy-jb-likes-president-trump/|website=XXL|date=March 21, 2020 |access-date=May 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=BlocBoy JB Expresses Fondness For Trump|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/295108-blocboy-jb-expresses-fondness-for-trump-news|website=HotNewHipHop|date=March 21, 2020|access-date=May 20, 2020}}</ref> He has one child.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BlocBoy JB is now in the running to become America's next top rapper|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/02/12/blocboy-jb-shoot-look-alive-drake-interview|website=The FADER|access-date=May 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=BlocBoy JB on Instagram: "Happy Birthday Son I Love You"|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CAcCyy_l7yc/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CAcCyy_l7yc |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|website=Instagram|access-date=May 21, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
==Discography== {{Main|BlocBoy JB discography}}
* ''FatBoy'' (2020) * ''Bacc 2 Da Blocc'' (2022)<ref>{{Cite web|title=BlocBoy JB & Tay Keith Join Forces for 'Bacc 2 da Bloc' Mixtape|url=https://amp-www-complex-com.www.complex.com/music/blocboy-jb-tay-keith-bacc-2-da-bloc-mixtape?amp_js_v=a6&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw==#aoh=16432448743859&referrer=https://www.google.com&_tf=From%20%251$s&share=https://www.complex.com/music/blocboy-jb-tay-keith-bacc-2-da-bloc-mixtape|access-date=2022-01-27|website=[[Complex Networks|Complex]]}}</ref>
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Awards ! Category ! scope="col" | Nominated work ! scope="col" | Result |- |rowspan="3"|2018 |rowspan="3"|[[2018 BET Hip Hop Awards|BET Hip Hop Awards]]<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Here Are All the Winners From the 2018 BET Hip Hop Awards|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8480295/2018-bet-hip-hop-awards-winners-list|magazine=Billboard|date=October 16, 2018|access-date=October 17, 2018}}</ref> |Best New Hip Hop Artist | |{{nom}} |- |Best Collabo, Duo or Group |"Look Alive" {{small|(with Drake)}} |{{nom}} |- |Best Mixtape |''Simi'' |{{won}} |- |}
{{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:JB, BlocBoy}} [[Category:21st-century African-American male rappers]] [[Category:21st-century American male rappers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Rappers from Memphis, Tennessee]] [[Category:1996 births]] [[Category:Crips]] [[Category:Southern hip-hop musicians]] [[Category:21st-century American rappers]] [[Category:Interscope Records artists]] [[Category:21st-century African-American rappers]]