{{Short description|American rapper, singer and poet}} {{redirect|Watsky|the art historian|Andrew Watsky}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2017}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = George Watsky | image = George Watsky by Gage Skidmore.jpg | caption = Watsky in June 2012 | birth_name = George Virden Watsky | birth_date = {{birth-date and age|September 15, 1986}} | birth_place = San Francisco, California, U.S. | origin = | genre = {{flatlist| * Alternative hip hop * {{nowrap|slam poetry}} * spoken word * essay * progressive rap }} | occupation = {{flatlist| * Rapper * singer * songwriter * record producer * poet * author * illustrator }} | years_active = 2001–present | label = Steel Wool Media / EMPIRE | associated_acts = | website = {{URL|georgewatsky.com}} }}
'''George Virden Watsky''' (born September 15, 1986) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, poet, author, and illustrator.
Watsky broke out as a rapper with his viral video "Watsky raps fast" in 2011, which featured his trademark chopping style.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6XLswqiX0s |title=Watsky raps fast |website=YouTube |author=gwatsky |date=2011-01-17 |access-date=2025-12-09 }}</ref> He has released seven studio albums: ''Watsky'' (2009), ''Cardboard Castles'' (2013), ''All You Can Do'' (2014), ''x Infinity'' (2016), ''Complaint'' (2019), ''Placement'' (2020), and ''Intention'' (2023). He performs live shows with a backing band called Créme Fraîche.<ref name="Straight">{{cite news| title = The Georgia Straight presents Watsky at the Rio| newspaper = The Georgia Straight| date = July 9, 2016| url = https://www.straight.com/blogra/733851/georgia-straight-presents-watsky-rio| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref> He is also known for his appearances in episodes of ''Epic Rap Battles of History'', and as an author following the publication of ''How to Ruin Everything'' in 2016.<ref name="Uloop"/><ref name="LinkedIn"/>
On May 7, 2020, Watsky set the Guinness World Record for longest rapping marathon, rapping for 33 hours 33 minutes and 19 seconds.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jenkins|first=Craig|date=2020-05-07|title=This Rapper Just Broke the Record for the World's Longest Freestyle|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/05/watsky-breaks-longest-freestyle-record-watch.html|access-date=2021-03-17|website=Vulture|language=en-us}}</ref> Also known for his slam poetry, he was featured on Season 6 of ''Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry''.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sher|first=Allyson|date=January 28, 2011|title=WU-SLam gears up for 3rd annual Grand Slam|url=http://www.studlife.com/news/2011/01/28/wu-slam-gears-up-for-3rd-annual-grand-slam/|journal=Student Life|location=St. Louis|publisher=Washington University Student Media, Inc.|access-date=February 3, 2011}}</ref>
==Early life== George Virden Watsky was born in San Francisco, California, on September 15, 1986,<ref>Ian Atkinson (March 21, 2006) [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=OKTB&p_theme=oktb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1108184CE7E97010&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D Watsky perfection at teen poetry slam]. Oakland Tribune, The (CA)</ref><ref>According to the State of California. ''California Birth Index, 1905–1995''. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. Searchable at http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/39461 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427102456/http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/39461 |date=April 27, 2011 }}</ref> the son of librarian Clare E. (née Miller) and psychotherapist Paul Norman Watsky.<ref name=yubt>{{YouTube|2lNOQ6Xms9U|George Watsky: Jewish Side of the Family}} (November 12, 2011). Retrieved on August 25, 2078.</ref><ref name="Tubefilter"/> His maternal grandfather was Democratic politician Clement Woodnutt Miller. He has a brother who is a pilot and has described himself as "half Jewish" on his father's side.<ref name=yubt/><ref>[http://www.sfbg.com/2008/12/31/hes-not-michael-cera He's not Michael Cera | SF Bay Guardian]. Sfbg.com (December 31, 2008). Retrieved on August 25, 2012.</ref> Watsky attended San Francisco University High School<ref>{{cite news|last1=Eifler|first1=Emily|title=Watsky, a Hopeful Rapper on a Shining Trajectory|url=http://ww2.kqed.org/arts/2013/04/22/watsky_a_hopeful_rapper_on_a_shining_trajectory/|access-date=March 11, 2015|publisher=KQED-FM|date=April 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alumni Honors - San Francisco University High School |url=https://www.sfuhs.org/alumni/community/alumni-honors |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=www.sfuhs.org |language=en-US}}</ref> and Emerson College in Boston.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mogilevskaya|first1=Regina|title=Music Q&A: Hip-Hop Artist and Spoken-Word Poet George Watsky|url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/blog/2013/03/28/george-watsky-spoken-word-poet/|access-date=March 11, 2015|work=Boston Magazine|date=March 28, 2013|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402135516/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/blog/2013/03/28/george-watsky-spoken-word-poet/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = George Watsky <nowiki>|</nowiki> Emerson College Student Showcase |work = Emerson College Student Showcase| date = April 2, 2010| url = http://eclastudentshowcase.wordpress.com/2010/04/02/george-watsky/ |access-date = July 4, 2011}}</ref> He majored in ''Writing and Acting for the Screen and Stage,'' a program he designed through the Interdisciplinary Studies Program at Emerson.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-07-03|title=George Watsky: Rapper, Poet, Author and Emerson Alum|url=https://today.emerson.edu/2019/07/03/george-watsky-rapper-poet-author-and-emerson-alum/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Emerson College Today|language=en-US}}</ref> His talents began to receive national and international acclaim in 2006 when he was the Youth Speaks Grand Slam Poetry Champion, and was also named Brave New Voices International Poetry Slam Champion.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-03-21|title=Watsky perfection at teen poetry slam|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2006/03/21/watsky-perfection-at-teen-poetry-slam/|access-date=2021-03-17|website=East Bay Times|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Career== ===Poetry=== Watsky started slam poetry at the age of 15.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url = http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/58701626|title = Social Climber|last = Rutherford|first = Kevin|date = February 12, 2011|magazine = Billboard}}</ref> As a teen, he won around a dozen slams in the Bay Area, and was on the team that took fourth place in the national contest in 2005.<ref>{{Cite journal| last = Johnson| first = Chip| title = Local poets lift voices at nationals |journal = San Francisco Chronicle| location = San Francisco| date = April 21, 2006| url = https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/johnson/article/Local-poets-lift-voices-at-nationals-2499431.php| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130202031712/http://articles.sfgate.com/2006-04-21/bay-area/17291267_1_youth-culture-teens-hip-hop-concert| url-status = live| archive-date = February 2, 2013| access-date = February 3, 2011 }}</ref>
Watsky's poetry incorporates political and social themes. In 2006, in the midst of a lively performance to a sold-out crowd, Watsky likened politicians' behavior to a common bar pick-up line, and won the night's top score.<ref>{{Cite journal| last = Atkinson| first = Ian| title = Watsky perfection at teen poetry slam| journal = Oakland Tribune| location = Oakland, California | date = March 31, 2006| url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=OKTB&p_theme=oktb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=1108184CE7E97010&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D| access-date = February 3, 2011}}</ref> He also appeared in Season Six, Episode Two of ''Def Poetry Jam'' that year, performing his poem "V for Virgin."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=212iH9jckT8|title=George Watsky- Def Poetry 6 FULL|last=WATSKY!|date=March 30, 2007 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
Reviewing a 2008 performance at Brandeis University, Sarah Bayer wrote, "Skinny, quirky George Watsky was next, with the night's most innovative piece. Watsky, a sophomore at Emerson College and a member of the grand prize-winning team from San Francisco at the National Youth Poetry Slam in 2006, adjusted the microphone to different parts of his body, imitated the sound of rewinding tape and recited binary code (a trope that caught the eye of headliner Saul Williams) in an altogether amusing performance."<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bayer |first=Sarah |title=Spoken word show a grand slam: VOCAL 2008, a benefit concert featuring nationally renowned slam poets, raised money for a local community center. The sold-out show electrified the audience, despite its over four-hour run time. |journal=The Justice |date=January 22, 2008 |url=http://www.thejustice.org/features/spoken-word-show-a-grand-slam-1.2346922 |access-date=February 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807122931/http://www.thejustice.org/features/spoken-word-show-a-grand-slam-1.2346922 |archive-date=August 7, 2011 }}</ref> In 2009, he was also profiled in ''The Boston Globe''; the Arts section reviewed his one-man show "Where the Magic Happens" favorably, and called him a "poetry-slam star."<ref>{{Cite journal| last = Brown| first = Joel| title = Plugging into poetry as a media platform| journal = Boston Globe| location = Boston| date = December 4, 2009| url = http://archive.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2009/12/04/slam_artist_george_watsky_plugs_into_poetry_as_a_media_platform/| access-date = February 3, 2011}}</ref>
Watsky continues to implement spoken word into his current career as a musician with songs like "Tiny Glowing Screens Pt. 1-3", "Cannonball.", “Springtime in New York” and “Dreams & Boxes”.<ref>{{Citation|last=WATSKY!|title=Watsky- Tiny Glowing Screens Pt 2 [Cardboard Castles]|date=March 5, 2013|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SWZ7qWEjUs|access-date=October 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Disc Jockey|title=Watsky - Cannonball (feat. Stephen Stills)|date=August 12, 2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOqCchvc4s8|access-date=October 17, 2016}}</ref>
===Music=== ====2009–2011: ''Watsky'', ''Guilty Pleasures'', and "Pale Kid Raps Fast" ==== [[File:George Watsky TEDxSFED 2011.jpg|thumb|Watsky at TEDxSFED in 2011]] In 2009, Watsky produced a 15-track hip hop album titled ''Watsky''. The next year, he released the album ''Guilty Pleasures'', which he made available as a free download on his website. Produced by Procrastination (San Francisco musician Tobias Butler), ''Guilty Pleasures'' contains mashups between popular songs and those from his first album.
On January 17, 2011, Watsky uploaded a video entitled "Pale kid raps fast" to YouTube, in which he performed a humorous original rap with rapid delivery over the instrumental of "Break Ya Neck" by Busta Rhymes. The video went viral, partly due to support from Reddit and Philip DeFranco<ref name="Tubefilter">{{Cite web| last = Hustvedt| first = Marc| title = George Watsky: YouTube's Poet Rapper Breaks Out| publisher = Tubefilter| date = April 26, 2011| url = http://www.tubefilter.com/2011/04/26/george-watsky-youtube/| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref> (Watsky's music can be heard in the background of DeFranco's news series and SourceFed channel).{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} It accumulated four million views within two days,<ref name="VideoInk">{{Cite web| title = How Rapper Watsky's Major YouTube Video Went Too Viral| publisher = VideoInk| date = August 22, 2014| url = https://thevideoink.com/how-rapper-watskys-major-youtube-video-went-too-viral-eea967eae08c| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref> and eventually exceeded 25 million views despite later being unlisted by Watsky and the title being changed to "Watsky raps fast."<ref name="Observer">{{Cite web| last = Haughton| first = Vanessa| title = Pale Kid Raps Fast: The Rise of Watsky| publisher = Observer| date = July 11, 2014| url = http://observer.com/2014/11/watsky/| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref> He performed a slightly modified version of the rap on ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show'' one week later.<ref>{{cite web| title = George Watsky: The Ellen DeGeneres Show| work = The Ellen DeGeneres Show| publisher = Warner Brothers| date = January 24, 2011| url = http://ellen.warnerbros.com/videos/?autoplay=true&mediaKey=2b68a065-fccc-4233-9bc4-5a7531976e4e}}</ref> Being able to match the speed of the song's rapping was viewed as an Internet challenge, spawning covers by fellow rappers such as Mac Lethal,<ref name="Pitch">{{cite news| last = Mermis| first = Elke| title = [Updated] Mac Lethal raps faster than that pale George Watsky kid| newspaper = The Pitch| date = January 24, 2011| url = http://www.pitch.com/music/article/20586181/updated-mac-lethal-raps-faster-than-that-pale-george-watsky-kid| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref> and YouTube celebrities such as Hank Green<ref name="Bradshaw">{{Cite web| last = Bradshaw| title = George Watsky: How Does That Pale Kid Rap So Fast?| publisher = Bradshaw's Blog| date = January 29, 2011| url = http://hey-bradshaw.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/george-watsky-how-does-that-pale-kid.html| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref> and Bry.<ref name="Bry">{{Cite web| last = O'Reilly| first = Brian| title = New video! IRISH COUPLE RAPS FAST| publisher = Tumblr| date = November 25, 2012| url = http://bryontour.tumblr.com/post/36518762475/new-video-irish-couple-raps-fast-by| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref>
====2012–2013: ''Nothing Like The First Time'' and ''Cardboard Castles''==== thumb|Watsky with a fan in 2013 On June 10, 2012, Watsky released a free mixtape entitled ''Nothing Like The First Time.'' The mixtape coincided with his first official tour of the same name beginning in July, featuring his touring band Créme Fraîche, with support from Dumbfoundead. It included dates in Chicago, New York City, Boston, Northampton, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Toronto, and London.
Watsky released ''Live! At the Troubadour'', a fully mixed concert CD of his Los Angeles show from the Nothing Like The First Time tour, in August 2012. He also started a production company with Brad Simpson called Steel Wool Media.<ref>{{cite web| title = Steel Wool Media| year = 2012| url = http://www.steelwoolmedia.com/| access-date = January 24, 2013}}</ref>
In January 2013, Watsky announced he would be releasing a new album entitled ''Cardboard Castles'' on March 12, 2013. On the same date, he announced tour dates for the Cardboard Castles tour, which included dates in many major cities in the U.S. and Canada such as Austin, New Orleans, Gainesville, Orlando, D.C., Philadelphia, Northampton, Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver and New York City. Tour dates for Europe (including the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands) were released shortly after.<ref>[http://georgewatsky.com/tour/ Cardboard Castle Tour Dates | George Watsky's Official Website]. Sfbg.com (December 31, 2008). Retrieved on August 25, 2012.</ref> The first single from the album, "Strong As An Oak" was released through Steel Wool Media on January 22, 2013. The second single from the album, "Moral of the Story" was released on February 5, 2013. The third single, "Hey, Asshole" was released on February 19, 2013, and features English singer Kate Nash.
The album was released on March 12, 2013, through Welk Music Group, topping the iTunes Hip Hop Charts in the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom due in part to a Twitter campaign.<ref>[https://twitter.com/gwatsky/status/311517507917860865 Twitter / gwatsky: #CardboardCastles is no. 1 in]. Twitter.com. Retrieved on November 19, 2013.</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/gwatsky/status/311560541988597760 Twitter / gwatsky: No. 1 on hip hop No. 10 overall on]. Twitter.com. Retrieved on November 19, 2013.</ref> He then went on his follow-up to the Nothing Like The First Time tour called "Sloppy Seconds."
Watsky made a web-series with YouTube channel LOUD titled ''Watsky's Making an Album''. It consisted of 9 main episodes and many behind the scenes and live videos from the ''Nothing Like The First Time'' tour. The web series was restarted on March 12, 2013, with the first episode of Season 2 (entitled ''Watsky's Releasing An Album''), coinciding with the release of his second album, ''Cardboard Castles''.
In November 2013 the Vans Warped Tour was briefly shut down after Watsky made a stage jump from the 35 ft high rigging during the band's performance in London.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Baggs | first = Michael | title = Vans Warped Tour halted after Watsky + Wax stage accident | journal = Gigwise | date = November 17, 2013 | url = http://www.gigwise.com/news/86131/vans-warped-tour-halted-after-watsky-+-wax-stage-accident#svQdRaUMXRRtb6pA.99 | access-date = November 18, 2013}}</ref> During the stage jump the audience parted. Watsky and also two members of the audience were injured. Watsky apologized after the event via Facebook.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Watsky | first = George | title = This is news to some, but many of you may have heard about the incident today at Warped Tour London | journal = Facebook | date = November 18, 2013 | url = https://www.facebook.com/gwatsky/posts/10152004824739321 | access-date = November 18, 2013}}</ref>
====2014–2015: ''All You Can Do'' and the ''Meaner Than The Average Tour''==== [[File:George Watsky VidCon 2014.jpg|thumb|Watsky performing at VidCon in 2014]] On January 2, 2014, Watsky tweeted that he was beginning work on his third studio album, then tweeted a link to a picture of a microphone with the caption "The Booth #guardianangel" less than a minute later.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/gwatsky/status/418935006979833856|title=WATSKY x INFINITY on Twitter|newspaper=Twitter|access-date=October 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://instagram.com/p/isLw5NBgji/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/isLw5NBgji |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Instagram photo by @gwatsky • Jan 3, 2014 at 2:43am UTC|website=Instagram|access-date=October 17, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> This was the first sign of new music from Watsky since March 2013, when he released his second album, ''Cardboard Castles''.
On May 21, 2014, during one of his Watsky Wednesday vlogs, he announced that the title of his new album would be ''All You Can Do'', as well as explaining that he wanted to keep his family ties in the album (announcing that his father would be on the cover and that he would like his mother to be on an alternate cover) and that the album would be released in August.<ref>{{Citation|last=George Watsky|title=Final Watsky Wednesday (for now!)|date=May 21, 2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McyXfqYnPlw|access-date=October 17, 2016}}</ref> He had tweeted earlier in the month that the first single from ''All You Can Do'' would be released on June 10, 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/gwatsky/status/464218855745654784|title=WATSKY x INFINITY on Twitter|newspaper=Twitter|access-date=October 17, 2016}}</ref>
The album was made available for preorder on June 10, 2014, on iTunes (with a download of the first single," Whoa Whoa Whoa"); a physical copy and limited edition double-vinyl were made available for pre-order on his website. It included collaborations with Anderson .Paak, Dia Frampton and Stephen Stills among others, and is Watsky's highest-charting album to date, reaching number 33 on the ''Billboard'' 200. The All You Can Do Tour spanned across North America, Europe, and Australia, consisting of over 60 headlining shows. His live band Créme Fraîche consists of Max Miller-Loran (keys/trumpet), Kush Mody (keys, bass) Pat Dimitri (guitar), Chukwudi Hodge (drums) and others.
In December 2014, Watsky's YouTube channel was listed on New Media Rockstars Top 100 Channels, ranked at No. 51.<ref>{{cite web|title=The NMR Top 100 YouTube Channels: 75-51!|url= http://newmediarockstars.com/2014/12/the-nmr-top-100-youtube-channels-75-51/|website=New Media Rockstars|access-date=January 6, 2015}}</ref>
On May 30, 2015, Watsky announced through social media that he would be releasing ''All You Can Do: Live From The Regency Ballroom'', the live album that he recorded during the All You Can Do tour, on June 2 on BitTorrent, Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes and SoundCloud. He also announced that he would be embarking on a monthlong club tour, called the ''Meaner Than The Average'' tour, with Créme Fraîche, A-1, and Mikos Da Gawd in late July and August. The focus of the tour would be to hit cities that he didn't get to on the All You Can Do tour. He also said that many of the shows would be in various Canadian cities that he has never performed in.
In January 2016, he announced through various YouTube videos that he would release an album due sometime in the summer.<ref>{{Citation|last=Taryn Southern|title=COCKROACH COCKTAIL CHALLENGE w/ WATSKY! {{!}} Party Fun Times Ep. 7|date=January 19, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RPV3zQz9Zc?t=13m45s|access-date=October 17, 2016}}</ref>
====2016–2017: ''x Infinity'' and ''The Hamilton Mixtape''==== On July 8, 2016, Watsky announced a new album titled ''x Infinity'', as well as an upcoming tour (in America and Europe) on Twitter and Facebook. The album's lead producer is long-time collaborator Kush Mody, while Def Jam Recordings co-founder Russell Simmons was an executive producer. It was released on August 19, 2016, and included Josh Dun, Julia Nunes, and Chaos Chaos as collaborators. The album's bonus track "Exquisite Corpse", referencing the poetry game, features seven guest verses rapped by Dumbfoundead, Grieves, Adam Vida, Wax, Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs, and Chinaka Hodge.<ref name="Justice">{{Cite web| last = Granovsky| first = Brooke| title = x Infinity| publisher = The Justice| date = August 30, 2016| url = http://www.thejustice.org/article/2016/08/x-infinity| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref> Watsky embarked on his ''x Infinity'' tour on September 2, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona, and was slated to finish in Los Angeles at the end of November, but he later added stops in Anchorage, Alaska on December 1, and his final show in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 10, 2016.<ref>{{cite web | title=Tour - George Watsky| website=georgewatsky.com| date=20 October 2023 | url=https://www.georgewatsky.com/#TOUR-anchor | access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref> The album reached 58th on the US ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=gwatsky|number=751560795171926017|title=WATSKY x INFINITY on Twitter}} {{better source|date=March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/New-Watsky-Album-x-Infinity-Gets-August-2016-Release-20160708|title=New Watsky Album 'x Infinity' Gets August 2016 Release|author=BWW News Desk|access-date=October 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://georgewatsky.com/tour/|title=Tour - George Watsky|publisher=George Watsky|language=en-US|access-date=October 17, 2016}}</ref>
In December 2016, Watsky contributed a song to ''The Hamilton Mixtape'', a project of Lin-Manuel Miranda, for whom Watsky previously performed in 2015 at a #Ham4Ham event.<ref name="BroadwayWorld">{{cite web|title = STAGE TUBE: Watsky Raps for the Crowd at Ham4Ham| website = Broadway World| date = September 12, 2015| url = http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/STAGE-TUBE-Watsky-Raps-for-the-Crowd-at-Ham4Ham-20150912| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref> On the mixtape, he performed "An Open Letter" with the artist Shockwave. This was an adapted form of a rap cut from the song "The Adams Administration" in the original show, in which Hamilton refutes insults and rumors spread about him from President John Adams.
====2018–present: ''Complaint'', ''Placement'', Invisible Inc. reunion, and ''Intention''==== In March 2018, Watsky regrouped with his band Invisible Inc. for their ten-year anniversary. The group released a single entitled "Fine Print" and went on tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BgXHtMOBrS-/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BgXHtMOBrS- |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=W▵TSKY on Instagram: "We're selling a v limited run of 200 numbered & signed vinyls for @invisibleincsf 'Fine Print.' Pre-order now at InvisibleincSF.com (There…"|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BgmKIcCBBUA/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BgmKIcCBBUA |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=W▵TSKY on Instagram: "Wow! 😍 My band @invisibleincsf is playing a small handful of small headlining shows in April in the cities we've called home (SF, Boston,…"|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It was announced that their next album, "Fine Print", would premiere on March 30, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BgPWHobBK2A/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BgPWHobBK2A |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=W▵TSKY on Instagram: "i'm in a band we made an album coming 3/30 @invisibleincsf: fine print Art by @cesar_eldiablo"|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Fine Print by Invisible Inc.|date=2018-03-30|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/fine-print/1355947064|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-14}}</ref>
In August 2018, Watsky released a single entitled 'Welcome to the Family'. He announced at a show in October that his next album, “Complaint,” would be released.
On January 11, 2019, Watsky released his fifth album, ''Complaint''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Borders |first1=Amira |title=Review: Watsky's 'COMPLAINT' invites listeners in for a quick digestible piece |url=https://www.dailyemerald.com/arts-culture/review-watsky-s-complaint-invites-listeners-in-for-a-quick-digestible-piece/article_d993fb52-17ce-11e9-aa14-57d0b09dbe87.html |website=Daily Emerald |date=November 7, 2022 |language=en |access-date=June 6, 2020 |archive-date=June 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606231924/https://www.dailyemerald.com/arts-culture/review-watsky-s-complaint-invites-listeners-in-for-a-quick-digestible-piece/article_d993fb52-17ce-11e9-aa14-57d0b09dbe87.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Complaint would later exist to be part of a 3 part album series. On the same day he announced the Complaint tour which spanned from January to April 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Watsky announces 'Complaint' tour 2019 |url=https://www.axs.com/watsky-announces-complaint-tour-2019-135557 |website=AXS}}</ref> The tour traveled most of North America as well as Europe and the United Kingdom with support from Grieves, Beau Young Prince, and Feed the Biirds. On January 15, Watsky released the single "Whitecaps" which was featured off the ''Complaint'' album. In February, Watsky also released a self illustrated book of the ''Complaint'' album lyrics which was sold on his merch site.
On April 27, 2019, Watsky co-hosted The Get Lit Grand Slam Finals at The Theater at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Get Lit slam poetry showdown brings teen performers to downtown L.A. |url=https://www.latimes.com/books/la-et-jc-poetry-getlit-20190423-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |date=24 April 2019}}</ref> The Get Lit program is for high school students studying poetry in organized after school programs where students compete to win scholarships for their team. Shortly after on May 11, 2019, Watsky performed poetry at the Arcosanti, Arizona based music and arts festival FORM. Watsky also released a free VR concert of his Welcome to the Family tour's show in Boulder Colorado which was featured by NextVR. Later in the year, on November 13, 2019, Watsky released the single, "Advanced Placement", which would be his first single release off his 2020 album ''Placement''. A week later he announced his "Advanced Placement Tour", which was scheduled to travel across North America. The tour included support acts from Travis Thompson, Feed the Biirds, Nikki Jean, G Yamazawa, Hollis, Ed Balloon, Grieves, Suppose, A-1, Danny J, Garth, Wax, Chukwudi Hodge, Mikos Da Gawd and a co-headline date in Denver, CO with Hobo Johnson.
On January 31, 2020, Watsky released the single "Undermine" feat. Raquel Rodriguez, which would also appear on his upcoming album ''Placement''. He appeared on Dumbfoundead's podcast ''Fun with Dumb'' on February 20, where he discussed the significance of the album and how it was the second of a three-album series. Which hinted towards the numbers at the bottom of the ''Complaint'' artwork which had 1.3 printed in the corner, and Placement having 2.3 in the corner of the artwork that was announced on February 15. His sixth album, ''Placement'', was self-released on March 6, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Review: Watsky's 'Placement' Crafts a Polarizing New Voice for Hip-Hop's Wunderkind |url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/wypm-placement-watsky-album-review/ |website=Atwood Magazine |date=28 May 2020}}</ref> At this time the tour name changed from the "Advanced Placement Tour" to the "Placement Album Tour". Two days later on March 8, Watsky released his third single from the album, "Best Friend the Floor". The tour was scheduled to start in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on March 24 but due to outbreak of COVID-19 the tour was announced as postponed on March 13. It has since been canceled, with Watsky instead going on the road with his band and crew to work on material for his next album.
Watsky's new album ''Intention'' was released on February 24, 2023. Watsky announced via social media the day prior to his album releasing that ''Intention'' may be his final album, and that it feels like the end of his persona, "Watsky". Although he stated that this might be his final album, he also stated in the same social media post that he will continue to make art.
===Acting=== In May 2013, Watsky appeared in season 4 of ''Arrested Development'' as Chris Kazmierczak.<ref name="Uproxx">{{Cite web| last = Kurp| first = Josh| title = Here's (Nearly) Every Single 'Arrested Development' Season 4 Guest Star| publisher = Uproxx| date = May 26, 2013| url = http://uproxx.com/tv/heres-every-single-arrested-development-season-4-guest-star/| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref>
Watsky has documented the process it takes to create albums in a couple of TV series.<ref>{{cite web|title=George Watsky|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3894607/|website=iMDB|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref> He has also appeared in several ''Epic Rap Battles of History'' videos, rapping as and portraying one of the battling characters. To date, he has played William Shakespeare, the Fourth Doctor from ''Doctor Who'', and Edgar Allan Poe.<ref name="Uloop">{{Cite web| last = Durham| first = Trevor| title = My Night with Watsky| publisher = Uloop| date = September 16, 2016| url = http://www.uloop.com/news/view.php/214326/My-Night-with-Watsky| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref>
Watsky appeared as Tanner in the film ''Blindspotting'', which was released in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blindspotting|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7242142/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_1|website=iMDB|access-date=October 17, 2017}}</ref>
===Writing=== In June 2016, Watsky published a collection of his essays in a book entitled ''How to Ruin Everything''. It entered the top ten in ''The New York Times'' Best Seller list,<ref name="LinkedIn">{{Cite web| last = Levine| first = Tom| title = Watsky book on New York Times Bestseller list| publisher = LinkedIn| date = June 23, 2016| url = https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/watsky-book-new-york-times-bestseller-list-tom-levine| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref> and received public praise from Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Green, Russell Simmons, Hasan Minhaj, Jeff Chang, Adam Mansbach, Rhys Darby, Myq Kaplan, and Chinaka Hodge.<ref name="Penguin">{{Cite web| title = How to Ruin Everything ESSAYS By George Watsky| publisher = Penguin Random House| date = 2016| url = http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/317946/how-to-ruin-everything-by-george-watsky/9780147515995/| access-date = April 28, 2017}}</ref>
=== Rapping world record === On May 6, 2020, Watsky beat the world record for the longest continuous freestyle rap.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Longest rap marathon (individual)|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/395527-longest-rap-marathon-individual|website=Guinness World Records|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-08}}</ref> He rapped for 33 hours, 33 minutes, and 19 seconds, beating the previous record by over seven hours. In attempting to do so, he raised over $140,000 for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.sweetrelief.org/|website=Sweet Relief|language=en|access-date=2020-05-08}}</ref> a non-profit charity which raises money for music artists and crew members affected financially by COVID-19 event cancellations. Watsky held the record for 3 years until Japanese rapper PONEY beat the record at 48 hours in April 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2023/8/japanese-rapper-finally-claims-longest-rap-marathon-after-two-failed-attempts-756012|title=Japanese rapper finally claims longest rap marathon after two failed attempts | Guinness World Records|accessdate=March 3, 2024}}</ref>
==Discography== {{main|George Watsky discography}}
=== Studio albums === *''Watsky'' (2009) *''Cardboard Castles'' (2013) *''All You Can Do'' (2014) *''x Infinity'' (2016) * ''Complaint'' (2019) * ''Placement'' (2020) * ''Intention'' (2023) ===Invisible Inc.=== *''Invisible Inc.'' (2007) *''Fine Print'' (2018)
==Tours== ;Headlining *Nothing Like the First Time Tour {{small|(2012)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://harvardpolitics.com/interviews/george-watsky-rapper-slam-poet/ |title=George Watsky: Rapper and Slam Poet |last1=Shreekumar |first1=Advik |date=April 27, 2014 |website=Harvard Political Review |publisher=Harvard Institute of Politics |access-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715094320/http://harvardpolitics.com/interviews/george-watsky-rapper-slam-poet/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> *Cardboard Castles Tour {{small|(2013)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/05/24/watsky-rapper-cardboard-castles-arrested-development/2116145/ |title=Watsky to aspiring rappers: You can do this, too |last1=della Cava |first1=Marco |date=May 24, 2013 |website=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Company |access-date=July 15, 2018}}</ref> *All You Can Do Tour {{small|(2014)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.axs.com/slam-poet-and-rapper-watsky-to-headline-two-shows-in-nyc-november-4-8-19883 |title=Slam poet and rapper Watsky to headline two shows in NYC, November 4 & 8 |last1=Mester |first1=Amanda |date=September 16, 2014 |website=AXS |publisher=Anschutz Entertainment Group |access-date=July 15, 2018}}</ref> *Meaner Than the Average Tour {{small|(2015)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://allhiphop.com/2015/06/15/exclusive-george-watsky-live-from-the-regency-san-francisco-white-rapper-n-word/ |title=EXCLUSIVE: Watsky Talks New Live Album, The Phoniness Of The Industry & White Rappers Using The N-Word |last1=Kyles |first1=Yohance |date=June 15, 2015 |website=All Hip Hop |access-date=July 15, 2018}}</ref> *x Infinity Tour {{small|(2016)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abqjournal.com/837629/rhyme-and-rhythm.html |title=Hip-hop artist Watsky touring in support of 'x Infinity' album |last1=Gomaz |first1=Adrian |date=September 2, 2016 |website=Albuquerque Journal |access-date=July 15, 2018}}</ref> *Welcome to the Family Tour {{small|(2018)}} *Complaint Tour {{small|(2019)}} *Intention Tour {{small|(2023)}}
;Co-headlining *Hug a Hater Tour {{small|(with Wax) (2013)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.warnermusic.de/news/2013-07-08/im-november-auf-deutschlandtour |title=Im November auf Deutschlandtour |language=de |trans-title=In November on a tour of Germany |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 8, 2013 |website=Warner Music Germany |publisher=Warner Music Group |access-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-date=September 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916040514/https://www.warnermusic.de/news/2013-07-08/im-november-auf-deutschlandtour |url-status=dead }}</ref> *Low Visibility Tour {{small|(with Invisible Inc.) (2018)}}
== Bibliography == * ''Undisputed Backtalk Champion'' (2006){{efn|''Undisputed Backtalk Champion'' is a collection of poetry by Watsky and in associated with Youth Speaks, Inc. It was released with an accompanying audio CD called ''Undisputed Backtalk Champion: Behind the Book'' featuring live poetry slam performances.}} * ''How to Ruin Everything: Essays'' (2016) * ''COMPLAINT Illustrated'' (2019) * ''PLACEMENT Illustrated'' (2020) * ''Watsky Notated'' (2020){{efn|''Watsky Notated'' is a notated music book with transcriptions by frequent collaborator Kush Mody.}}
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website|http://www.georgewatsky.com/}} *{{YouTube|u=gwatsky|George Watsky}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watsky, George}} Category:1986 births Category:American male rappers Category:American comedy rappers Category:American people of Jewish descent Category:American male poets Category:American humorous poets Category:Emerson College alumni Category:Living people Category:Musicians from San Francisco Category:Writers from San Francisco Category:Rappers from the San Francisco Bay Area Category:American twins Category:People with epilepsy Category:American musicians with disabilities Category:American writers with disabilities Category:21st-century American rappers Category:21st-century American poets Category:21st-century American male musicians Category:21st-century American male writers Category:Alternative hip-hop musicians Category:Singers with disabilities Category:Epic Rap Battles of History