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Future (rapper)

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Future
A black man with a blue sweater, Orange glasses, and bleached dreadlocks singing into a microphone
Wilburn performing in May 2019
Born
Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn

(1983-11-20) November 20, 1983 (age 41)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Other names
  • Meathead[1]
  • Nayvadius Cash[2]
  • Future Hendrix[3]
  • Caeser Lee
Occupations
Years active2009–present
PartnerCiara (2013–14; ex-fiancée)
Children6
RelativesRico Wade (cousin)[4]
AwardsList of awards and nominations
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
Labels
WebsiteOfficial Website

Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn (born November 20, 1983), known professionally as Future, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Wilburn first became involved in music as part of the Dungeon Family collective, where he was nicknamed "the Future". After amassing a series of mixtapes between 2010 and 2011, Future signed a major record label deal with Epic Records and Rocko's A1 Recordings, which helped launch Future's own label imprint, Freebandz. He subsequently released his debut album, Pluto, in April 2012 to positive reviews. Future's second album, Honest, was released in April 2014, surpassing his debut on the album charts.

Between late 2014 and early 2015, he released a trio of mixtapes to critical praise: Monster (2014), Beast Mode (2015), and 56 Nights (2015). His next releases, DS2 (2015), What a Time to Be Alive (2015, in collaboration with Drake), Evol (2016), Future (2017), Hndrxx (2017), and The Wizrd (2019) all debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200. Future and Hndrxx made him the first artist since 2014 to debut two albums in consecutive weeks atop of that chart. Future has also released several singles certified gold or higher by the RIAA, including "Turn On the Lights", "Move That Dope", "Fuck Up Some Commas", "Where Ya At", "Jumpman", "Low Life" and "Mask Off".

Life and career

1983–2010: Early life and career beginnings

Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn[7] was born on November 20, 1983[7][8] in Atlanta, Georgia.[9][10][11] He began using his stage name while performing as one of the members of the musical collective The Dungeon Family, where he was nicknamed "The Future". His first cousin, record producer, and Dungeon Family member Rico Wade, encouraged him to sharpen his writing skills and pursue a career as a rapper; as well as providing temporary respite from street life.[12] He attended Columbia High School. Future voices his praise of Wade's musical influence and instruction, calling him the "mastermind" behind his sound.[11] He soon came under the wing of Atlanta rapper Rocko, who signed Future to his label, A1 Recordings. Since then his work ethic has driven him to his success.[13]

From 2010 to early 2011, Future released a series of mixtapes including 1000, Dirty Sprite and True Story.[13][14] The latter included the single "Tony Montana", in reference to the Scarface film.[14][15] During that time, Future was also partnering with rapper Gucci Mane on their collaborative album Free Bricks, and co-wrote and featured on YC's single "Racks".[16][17] He gained popularity after his songs were played by DJ Esco at Magic City,[18] a strip club in Atlanta deemed "largely responsible for launching the careers of artists."[19]

2011–2014: Pluto and Honest

Main articles: Pluto (Future album), Pluto 3D, Honest (Future album), and Monster (mixtape)

Future signed a major label recording contract with Epic Records in September 2011, days before the release of his next mixtape, Streetz Calling.[20] The mixtape was described by XXL magazine as ranging from "simple and soundly executed boasts" to "futuristic drinking and drugging jams" to "tales of the grind".[17] A Pitchfork review remarked that on the mixtape Future comes "as close as anyone to perfecting this thread of ringtone pop, where singing and rapping are practically the same thing, and conversing 100% through Auto-Tune doesn't mean you still can't talk about how you used to sell drugs. It would almost feel antiquated if Future weren't amassing hits, or if he weren't bringing some subtle new dimensions to the micro-genre."[15]

Future performing in 2014

Though Future had told MTV that Streetz Calling would be his final mixtape prior to the release of his debut studio album, another mixtape, Astronaut Status, was released in January 2012. In December 2011, Future was featured on the cover of Issue #77 of The FADER.[21] Before his album being released in April 2012.[22][23] XXL's Troy Mathews wrote, "While Astronaut Status is up and down and never really hits the highs like 'Racks', 'Tony Montana', and 'Magic' that fans have come to expect from Future, it’s apparent that he’s poised to continue the buzz of 2011 humming right along into 2012."[24] Future was selected to the annual XXL Freshmen list in early 2012.[25] His debut album Pluto, originally planned for January, was eventually released on April 17.[26][27] It included remixes of "Tony Montana" featuring Drake and "Magic" featuring T.I..[28] According to Future, "'Magic' was the first record T.I. jumped on when he came outta jail. Like, he was out of jail a day and he jumped straight on the 'Magic' record without me even knowing about it."[28] The track became Future's first single to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[29] Other collaborators on the album include Trae Tha Truth, R. Kelly and Snoop Dogg.[30] On October 8, 2012, Pusha T released "Pain" featuring Future, the first single from his upcoming debut album.

It was announced that Future will be repackaging his debut album Pluto on November 27, 2012 under the name Pluto 3D featuring 3 new songs and 2 remix songs including the remix for "Same Damn Time" featuring Diddy and Ludacris, as well as his newest street single "Neva End (Remix)" featuring Kelly Rowland.[31] In 2012, Future wrote, produced and was featured on "Loveeeeeee Song" taken from Barbadian singer Rihanna's seventh studio album Unapologetic.

On January 15, 2013, Future released the compilation mixtape F.B.G.: The Movie which features the artists signed to his Freebandz label: Young Scooter, Slice9, Casino, Mexico Rann and Maceo. It was certified platinum for having over 250,000 downloads on popular mixtape site DatPiff.[32] Future said of his second studio album Future Hendrix it will be a more substantive musical affair than his debut album and features R&B music along with his usual "street bangers". The album was to be released in 2013.[33] The album features Kanye West, Rihanna, Ciara, Drake, Kelly Rowland, Jeremih, Diplo, and André 3000, among others.[34]

The album's lead single, "Karate Chop" featuring Casino, premiered on January 25, 2013, and was sent to urban radio on January 29, 2013.[35] The song is produced by Metro Boomin. The official remix, which features Lil Wayne, was sent radio and was released on iTunes on February 19, 2013. On August 7, 2013, Future changed the title of his second album from Future Hendrix to Honest and announced that it would be released on November 26, 2013.[36] It was later revealed that the album would be pushed back to April 22, 2014, as it was said that Future has tour dates with Drake on Would You Like A Tour?.[37] In December 2013, it was announced that Future would make a guest appearance on Kat Dahlia's upcoming debut, My Garden.[38] Future released DS2 on July 16, 2015.

2015–2016: DS2, What a Time to Be Alive and Evol

Main articles: Beast Mode (Future album), 56 Nights, DS2 (album), What a Time to Be Alive, Purple Reign (Future album), and Evol (Future album)
Future performing on the Summer Sixteen tour in 2016

On September 20, 2015, Future released a collaborative mixtape with Canadian rapper Drake, titled What a Time to Be Alive.[39][40] The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, Billboard R&B Charts, and Billboard Hot Rap Songs, marking the first time a rapper was able to score two number one albums in a year, in 11 years, since Jay Z back in 2004. The mixtape has sold over 334,000 copies in the U.S.[41] On January 17, 2016, Future released another mixtape, titled Purple Reign, with executive production from Metro Boomin and DJ Esco, as well as beat credits from Southside, Zaytoven and more.[42] On February 5, 2016, Future premiered his fourth studio album, EVOL, on DJ Khaled's debut episode of the Beats 1 radio show We The Best.[43] In 2016, Future became the fastest artist to chart three number-one albums on the Billboard 200 since Glee soundtrack albums in 2010.[44]

On June 29, 2016, he appeared in an issue of Rolling Stone.[45]

2017–2018: Future, Hndrxx and Wrld On Drugs

Main articles: Future (Future album), Hndrxx, and Wrld on Drugs

On Valentine's Day 2017, Future announced via Instagram that his self-titled fifth studio album would be released on February 17, 2017.[46] Exactly one week later, he would release his sixth studio album titled Hndrxx. Both albums went number one consecutively, which made Future the first artist to debut two albums at number one at the same time on the Billboard 200 and Canadian Albums Chart. He, along with Ed Sheeran, collaborated with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift on the song "End Game" from her album Reputation.[47] The song peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Future's eighth top 20 hit.[citation needed]

On January 11, 2018, Future collaborated alongside Kendrick Lamar, James Blake and Jay Rock for the song, "King's Dead", from the soundtrack album of the Marvel Studiossuperhero film Black Panther and Jay Rock's third studio album Redemption. At the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, the song earned two Grammy nominations, for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song, marking Future's first career Grammy nominations.[48]

Future curated the soundtrack for the movie Superfly (2018 film), which was released in June 2018.[49]

On October 19, 2018, Future released Wrld On Drugs, a collaborative mixtape with fellow American rapper Juice Wrld.[50] Wrld on Drugs debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 behind A Star Is Born by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, with 98,000 album-equivalent units, which included 8,000 pure album sales.[51] It became Future's tenth top-ten album in the United States, and Juice Wrld's second.[51]

2019: The Wizrd and Save Me

On January 18, 2019, Future released his seventh studio album, Future Hndrxx Presents: The Wizrd. The album consists of 20 songs and was promoted by a film titled The Wizrd, released on January 11 on Apple Music.[52] The Wizrd received generally positive reviews from critics[53] and became Future's sixth US number-one album, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 125,000 album-equivalent units (including 15,000 pure album sales).[54] With the release of The Wizrd, several songs from the album charted on the Billboard Hot 100, leading to Future becoming the artist with the 10th most entries in Hot 100 history.[55]

At the 61st Annual Grammy Awards held on February 10, 2019, Future won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance for his collaboration alongside Kendrick Lamar, James Blake and Jay Rock for the song, "King's Dead", from the soundtrack album of the Marvel Studios superhero film Black Panther.[56]

On June 7, 2019, Future released his second project of the year, his debut solo EP titled Save Me.[57] Save Me received mixed reviews from music critics and debuted at number 5 on the US Billboard 200.[58]

Musical style

Wilburn performing in 2014

Future makes prevalent use of Auto-Tune in his songs, both rapping and singing with the effect. Pitchfork Media wrote that Future "miraculously shows that it's still possible for Auto-Tune to be an interesting artistic tool", stating that he "finds a multitude of ways for the software to accentuate and color emotion".[59] The LA Times wrote that "Future’s highly processed vocals suggest a man driven to bleary desperation by drugs or love or technology", stating that his music "comes closest to conjuring the numbing overstimulation of our time".[60] GQ stated that he "has managed to reboot the tired auto-tune sound and mash it into something entirely new", writing that he "combines it with a bizarro croon to synthesize how he feels, then [...] stretches and deteriorates his words until they’re less like words, more like raw energy and reactive emotions".[61] Critic Simon Reynolds wrote that "he's reinvented blues for the 21st century."[62]

Rapper T-Pain, who also uses that audio processor, criticized Future's unconventional use of it in 2014.[63] In response, Future stated in an interview that "when I first used Auto-Tune, I never used it to sing. I wasn’t using it the way T-Pain was. I used it to rap because it makes my voice sound grittier. Now everybody wants to rap in Auto-Tune. Future’s not everybody."[64] Future's music has been characterized as trap music.[65]

Personal life

Wilburn currently has six children with six different women: Jessica Smith, Brittni Mealy, India J, singer Ciara, Joie Chavis, and an unidentified woman.[66] He was engaged to Ciara in October 2013. Their son, Future Zahir Wilburn, was born on May 19, 2014.[67] Ciara ended the engagement in August 2014 due to his infidelity.[68] His fifth child, Hendrix, was born on Christmas in 2018.[69]

As of 2016, Wilburn is being sued by both Jessica Smith and Ciara. Smith is suing him for failing to pay child support, and stated that their son "suffers from emotional and behavioral issues stemming from Future's neglect as a father".[70] Ciara is suing him for defamation, slander, and libel.[71] In October 2016, a judge said that Future's string of tweets bashing Ciara did not relate to the $15 million she was asking for.[72] In 2019, two women from Florida and Texas respectively filed paternity suits claiming that Wilburn was the father of their respective daughter and son; if he is confirmed to be the father it would bring the number of his children to eight.[73]

Prior to his music career in 2004, Wilburn was arrested for theft by receiving stolen property and contempt of court.[74]

Discography

Main article: Future discography

Studio albums

Collaborative mixtapes

EPs

Tours

Co-headlining

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Future

References

  1. ^ Weingarten, Christopher R.; Weingarten, Christopher R. (April 15, 2014). "Future: How Hip-Hop's Paranoid Android Became a Robocroon Superstar".
  2. ^ Johnson, Cherise (February 29, 2016). "Big Gipp Details Future's Dungeon Family Background; Rapper Was Known As Meathead". HipHopDX.
  3. ^ Garvey, Meaghan. "Future's Reign". MTV.
  4. ^ Jr, Billy Johnson; Jr, Billy Johnson (April 23, 2014). "Future Thanks Rico Wade".
  5. ^ "Maybe This Is Why Modern Mumble Rap Exists..." HipHopDX. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  6. ^ Harold, Oscar. "Review: 'Mumble Rap' is a poor label for new Hip-Hop". The Cardinal Times. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Broadcast Music, Inc. "Songwriter/Composer: WILBURN NAYVADIUS DEMUN". Broadcast Music, Inc. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  8. ^ Iandoli, Kathy. "Future: Landing on 'Pluto'". Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  9. ^ "Rapper Future Says Next Album 'Future Hendrix' Will Have More Substance". Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  10. ^ "Future". Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Future Talks Dungeon Family Ties, Credits Cousin Rico Wade With Success". Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  12. ^ https://djbooth.net/features/2017-02-23-history-of-future-and-rocko
  13. ^ a b Markman, Rob (July 11, 2011). "Future's Latest Mixtape Based On A 'True Story'". MTV. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  14. ^ a b Caramanica, Jon (September 9, 2011). "Starting New York Cool, Ending Atlanta Hot". The New York Times. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  15. ^ a b Sargent, Jordan (November 17, 2011). "Future: Streetz Calling". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  16. ^ Jeffries, David. "Future: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  17. ^ a b Fleischer, Adam (September 12, 2011). "Reviews: Future, 'Streetz Calling'". XXL. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  18. ^ "How an Atlanta strip club runs the music industry". GQ India. October 23, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  19. ^ Dart, Chris (November 16, 2015). "Inside the Atlanta strip club that supposedly runs the music industry". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  20. ^ Chandler, D.L. (September 9, 2011). "Fab 5 Alum Future Signs Major Label Deal". MTV. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  21. ^ EDITOR'S LETTER. The Fader Issue 77, Dec 2011/Jan 2012.
  22. ^ Markman, Rob (September 12, 2011). "Future Says 'Streetz Calling' Will Be His Last Mixtape". MTV. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  23. ^ Sargent, Jordan (January 30, 2012). "Future: Astronaut Status". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  24. ^ Mathews, Troy (January 18, 2012). "Reviews: Future, 'Astronaut Status'". XXL. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  25. ^ "XXL's Freshman Class of 2012". XXL. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  26. ^ Ramirez, Erika (December 14, 2011). "2 Chainz and Future Talk Upcoming Projects and Touring". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  27. ^ "Future Travels to 'Pluto' with Drake, R. Kelly, T.I. and Ludacris". Rap-Up. March 2, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  28. ^ a b Langhorne, Cyrus (March 4, 2012). "Drake, T.I. and Ludacris See The Future, Pack Bags For 'Pluto'". SOHH. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  29. ^ "Future Album and Song Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  30. ^ Martin, Andrew (March 15, 2012). "Future Enlists R. Kelly, Snoop Dogg For 'Pluto'". Prefix Magazine. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  31. ^ "Future Unveils 'Pluto 3D' Album Tracklist and Release Date". The Versed. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  32. ^ "FreeBand Gang Future Presents F.B.G: The Movie". DatPiff. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  33. ^ "Future Says "Future Hendrix" LP Will Have "More Substance, More Passion". It will also feature his new song "Dookie Love-In the hole"". HipHopDX. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  34. ^ Harling, Danielle. (December 19, 2012) Future Confirms Collaborations With Rihanna, Kanye West & More For "Future Hendrix" | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales Archived September 21, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. HipHop DX. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  35. ^ "Urban Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  36. ^ Future Changes Album Title & Announces Release Date. MissInfo.tv (August 7, 2013). Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  37. ^ Future Talks About "Honest," Drake's Album. Complex (October 4, 2013). Retrieved on November 16, 2013.
  38. ^ "Kat Dahlia Teases New Album with 'Crazy' Single". HispanicBusiness.com. December 23, 2013. Archived from the original on March 15, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  39. ^ "Stream Drake and Future's Mixtape 'What a Time to Be Alive'". Rap-Up. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  40. ^ "What a Time To Be Alive". iTunes. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  41. ^ "Drake and Future's 'What a Time to Be Alive' Debuts at No. 1". Rap-Up. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  42. ^ "Future Drops Purple Reign". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  43. ^ "Future to Premiere New Album on DJ Khaled's Radio Show". Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  44. ^ "The Success Of 'EVOL' Puts Future In The Same Company As 'Glee'". UPROXX. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  45. ^ McCormick, Luke (June 29, 2016). "Future Covers Rolling Stone". The Fader.com. Music. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  46. ^ "Future by Future". iTunes Store. Apple. February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  47. ^ Renner Brown, Eric. "Taylor Swift unites with Ed Sheeran and Future on 'End Game'". EW.com. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  48. ^ "61st Annual GRAMMY Awards". GRAMMY.com. December 6, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  49. ^ Saponara, Michael (June 1, 2018). "Future Unveils 'Superfly' Soundtrack Track List". Billboard. Billboard Music. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  50. ^ Navjosh (October 17, 2018). "Future & Juice WRLD Announce Joint Album 'WRLD On Drugs'". HipHop-N-More. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  51. ^ a b "'A Star Is Born' Soundtrack Earns Third Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart, Future & Juice WRLD Debut at No. 2". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  52. ^ "Future's "The WIZRD" Tracklist Includes Travis Scott, Young Thug & Gunna". HipHopDX. January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  53. ^ Future Hndrxx Presents: The WIZRD by Future, retrieved February 24, 2019
  54. ^ "Future Earns Sixth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'WIZRD'". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  55. ^ "Nicki Minaj Makes History as First Woman With 100 Appearances on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  56. ^ "61st Annual GRAMMY Awards". GRAMMY.com. December 6, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  57. ^ https://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX- (June 6, 2019). "Future Drops "SAVE ME" EP". HipHopDX. Retrieved July 11, 2019. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  58. ^ Caulfield, Keith. "Jonas Brothers' 'Happiness Begins' Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart With Biggest Week of 2019". Billboard_(magazine). Retrieved July 11, 2019.
  59. ^ "Future: Pluto Album Review – Pitchfork". Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  60. ^ Wood, Mickael. "Future reflects the overstimulation of our time -- or he's just busy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  61. ^ Serrano, Shea. "Future's Reign: How the 30-Year-Old Rules Rap's New Sound". GQ. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  62. ^ Reynolds, Simon. "How Auto-Tune Revolutionized the Sound of Popular Music". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  63. ^ Reagans, Dan (February 14, 2013). "T-Pain: Future Is Not Using Auto-Tune Correctly". BET. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  64. ^ "My Complex: Future Talks Auto-Tune, Dumbing Down Music, and Why He's Not a Romantic". Complex. January 23, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  65. ^ "The trap phenomenon explained". DJ Mag. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  66. ^ "Sensational: Future Wishes His Baby Mamas A Happy Mother's Day". Vibe magazine.
  67. ^ "Ciara Gives Birth to Son: Find Out His Name, See a Photo!". usmagazine.com. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  68. ^ "New Mom Ciara Calls Off Engagement to Future After Rapper Cheats". Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  69. ^ "Congrats! Joie Chavis Gave Birth To Her First Child With Future And Has Already Shared An Adorable Photo". BET.com.
  70. ^ thejasminebrand (June 2, 2016). "(EXCLUSIVE) Future's Baby Mama Sues For More Child Support, Accuses Rapper of Neglecting Son". thejasminebrand.com. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  71. ^ "CIARA SUES FUTURE: CALLING ME A BAD MOTHER IS GONNA Cost You $15 MILLION!". TMZ.com. February 8, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  72. ^ Schwartz, Danny (October 12, 2016). "Judge rules Future's tweets innocent". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  73. ^ "Another Woman Claims Future Is the Father of Her Child". Complex.
  74. ^ "Nayvadius Wilburn Mugshot | 10/21/04 Georgia Arrest". georgia.arrests.org. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  75. ^ "Drake and Future Announce Summer Sixteen Tour". The Fader. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  76. ^ "Meek Mill & Future Announce Co-Headlining Tour". GRAMMY.com. June 19, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2019.

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