James Edward Johnson IV[1][2] (born June 6, 2000), known professionally as BabyTron, is an American rapper and member of rap group ShittyBoyz. Born and raised in Metro Detroit, specifically Ypsilanti, Michigan, he rose to prominence following the release of his 2019 mixtape BIN Reaper, which included the song "Jesus Shuttleworth", which went viral.[3]
BabyTron | |
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 BabyTron performing in April 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Johnson IV |
| Born | June 6, 2000 Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels |
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| Member of |
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In 2022, BabyTron released his studio album MegaTron. That same year, he also released the mixtapes Lewis & Clark and Dookie Brothers 2 with TrDee. He released his mixtape series BIN Reaper 2 (2021) and BIN Reaper 3: Old Testament (2022), followed by BIN Reaper 3: New Testament (2023). His collaborative mixtape with artist Certified Trapper, Mario & Luigi, released in 2024.
BabyTron was named as part of the XXL 2022 Freshman Class on June 14, 2022, being featured in a XXL freestyle rap cypher.[4] In 2024, BabyTron was featured on the song "Equilibrium" alongside G Herbo for Lyrical Lemonade's album All Is Yellow. During the same year, BabyTron, alongside Big Sean, was featured on Eminem's song "Tobey", which was the second single for his album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).
Early life and education
editJames Edward Johnson IV was born on June 6, 2000, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.[5] He attended Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti and graduated in 2018.[6]
Career
edit2017–2021: Early career, BIN Reaper and BIN Reaper 2
editBabyTron began taking music seriously at age 13, alongside childhood friends TrDee and StanWill, and they established the rap trio ShittyBoyz while in high school. BabyTron would also consistently release solo songs and mixtapes on streaming platforms.[7] He released his first official mixtape, Different Breed, on 2017. Two years later, he released his debut mixtape, BIN Reaper, which featured the track "Jesus Shuttlesworth", which became viral within the hip hop community,[8] with a variety of memes spawning from the track. In 2020, he released his first album, Sleeve Nash, followed by Back to the Future. In 2021, he would feature on the Lil Yachty song "Hybrid", taken from the latter's Michigan Boy Boat mixtape and released two solo and two collaborative mixtapes in the same year.[5] BabyTron's October 2021 BIN Reaper 2 mixtape had features from Lil Yachty and Miles Bridges (credited as RTB MB).[9]
2022–present: MegaTron and BIN Reaper 3
editBabyTron gained traction in 2022 through his series of tracks that feature him rapping on a multitude of popular beats in one song. This began with "Prince of the Mitten" in January and was followed up with "King of the Galaxy" later that month.[10] BabyTron released the albums MegaTron and 6 in 2022, through Empire Distribution and The Hip Hop Lab.[11] His song "Emperor of the Universe" was released on May 17, 2022, and featured a music video directed by Cole Bennett.[12] He was named as part of the XXL 2022 Freshman Class on June 14, 2022, being featured in a XXL freestyle rap cypher.[4]
On August 2, his single "Blah Blah Blah" with TrDee was released.[13] ShittyBoyz' second mixtape, Trifecta 2, was released on August 5, 2022.[14] On September 19, BabyTron announced his seventh mixtape, BIN Reaper 3.[15] On October 28, 2022, BIN Reaper 3: Old Testament released, peaking at number 69 on the Billboard 200, his first entry on the chart.[16]
On January 5, 2023, BabyTron announced his eighth mixtape, BIN Reaper 3: New Testament. The album includes features from Lil Yachty, Babyface Ray and Cordae. New Testament acts as a sequel to BIN Reaper 3: Old Testament. The album was released on January 13, 2023 and peaked at number 100 on the Billboard 200.
Following his arrest on February 8, 2023, BabyTron surprise released the EP Out on Bond on February 24,[17] which he followed up with his fifth album, MegaTron 2.
On February 24, 2024, he released his ninth mixtape, Case Dismissed. In July of that year, BabyTron was featured on the Eminem single "Tobey" along with Big Sean from the album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). On November 8, 2024, he released his sixth album Tronicles
Group career
editAlong with StanWill and TrDee, he is a member of rap group ShittyBoyz. He is also the member of Dog$hit Militia (D$M), a rap group featuring JuSleaze, MJPaid, ScrumbleMan, Fordio, J3, Dormie Bands, IsoJeff, GTP Daidoe, and $camaurion, until $camaurion's death. He frequently refers to the two groups combined as "SBD$M" in his lyrics.
Legal issues
editOn February 8, 2023, Johnson was pulled over and arrested after a police officer conducted a search of his vehicle, finding marijuana, marijuana edibles, psilocybin mushroom edibles, and a 9mm handgun. He was booked into Dawson County Jail in Lexington, Nebraska, for Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was released after posting 10% of a $15,000 bond.[18]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US [19] | ||
| Sleeve Nash |
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— |
| Back to the Future |
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— |
| MegaTron |
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— |
| 6 |
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— |
| MegaTron 2 |
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110 |
| Tronicles |
|
— |
Mixtapes
edit| Title | Mixtape details |
|---|---|
| Different Breed |
|
| BIN Reaper |
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| Lewis & Clark |
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| Dookie Brothers 2 (with TrDee) |
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| Luka Troncic |
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| BIN Reaper 2 |
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| BIN Reaper 3: Old Testament |
|
| BIN Reaper 3: New Testament |
|
| Case Dismissed |
|
| Mario & Luigi (with Certified Trapper) |
|
Extended plays
edit| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| Pre-Game |
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| Shitty Bronx (with BandGang Biggs) |
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| Dookie Brothers (with TrDee) |
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| They Won't Clear This |
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| Out On Bond |
|
References
edit- ^ "Information on BabyTron's songs in ASCAP ACE database". ASCAP. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
- ^ Metro Detroit's newest hip-hop star BabyTron on breakthrough verge, 5 November 2021, retrieved 2022-06-15
- ^ Wangethi, Isaac (2023-12-12). "BabyTron's age, height, real name, parents, net worth". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ a b 2022 XXL Freshman Class Revealed, 14 June 2022, retrieved 2022-06-15
- ^ a b Meet BabyTron, Your Favorite Rapper's Favorite Rapper, 10 November 2021, retrieved 2022-06-15
- ^ Metro Detroit's newest hip-hop star BabyTron on breakthrough verge, 5 November 2021, retrieved 2022-06-15
- ^ Davison, Kahn Santori. "Detroit rap group ShittyBoyz talk about their new album, chemistry, and enjoying success". Detroit Metro Times. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ^ The Break Presents – BabyTron, 6 January 2022, retrieved 2022-06-15
- ^ "BabyTron, 'Bin Reaper 2'". Rolling Stone Australia. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ^ Lafontant, Olivier. "BabyTron Is Toying With Your Favorite Rapper". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ^ "BabyTron catches dimes like 'MEGATRON' on new album". Our Generation Music. 2022-03-04. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ^ Cruz, Reanna (2022-05-23). "BabyTron, 'Emperor of the Universe'". NPR. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ^ "BabyTron & TrDee Share New Joint Track, "Blah Blah Blah"". HotNewHipHop. 2022-08-02. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ^ "ShittyBoyz: Trifecta 2". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
- ^ "BR3 LOADING..." Instagram. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
- ^ Bin Reaper 3: Old Testament, 2022-10-28, retrieved 2022-10-28
- ^ "BabyTron Releases Surprise EP 'Out On Bond' About Being Out On Bond". Stereogum. 2023-02-24. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
- ^ "Michigan rapper arrested in Dawson County". KRVN 880 – KRVN 93.1 – KAMI. 2023-02-20. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
- ^ @billboardcharts (November 7, 2022). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (2/3)..." (Tweet). Retrieved November 8, 2022 – via Twitter.
- MegaTron 2: "Billboard 200: Week of November 11, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Sleeve Nash". Spotify. October 31, 2020.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Back To The Future". Spotify. December 2, 2020.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – MegaTron". Spotify. March 4, 2022.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – 6". Spotify. June 6, 2023.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – MegaTron 2". Spotify. October 27, 2023.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Tronicles". Spotify. 2024-11-08. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Genius – BabyTron – Different Breed". October 25, 2017.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Bin Reaper". Spotify. October 30, 2019.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Lewis & Clark". Spotify. January 1, 2021.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Dookie Brothers 2". Spotify. May 21, 2021.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Luka Troncic". Spotify. June 6, 2021.
- ^ Ihaza, Jeff (15 December 2021). "BabyTron, 'Bin Reaper 2'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Bin Reaper 3: Old Testament". Spotify. October 28, 2022.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Bin Reaper 3: New Testament". Spotify. January 13, 2023.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Case Dismissed". Spotify. February 23, 2024.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Mario & Luigi". Spotify. July 9, 2024.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Pre-Game". Spotify. August 6, 2020.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Shitty Bronx". Spotify. December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Dookie Brothers". Spotify. February 5, 2021.
- ^ "Genius – BabyTron – They Won't Clear This". December 1, 2022.
- ^ "Spotify – BabyTron – Out On Bond". Spotify. February 24, 2023.