22Gz
American rapper (born 1997)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jeffrey Mark Alexander[4] (born November 29, 1997),[7] known professionally as 22Gz (/tutuˈdʒiːz/ too-too-JEEZ), is an American rapper credited as a pioneer of the Brooklyn drill scene.[2][8] 22Gz released his first major mixtape, The Blixky Tape, through Atlantic Records in 2019.
November 29, 1997
- Rapper
- songwriter
22Gz | |
|---|---|
22GZ's May 2017 mugshot | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | |
| Born | Jeffrey Mark Alexander[4] November 29, 1997 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | Blixky Ent./Atlantic Foundation Media, LLC[6] |
Early life
Jeffrey Mark Alexander was born on November 29, 1997, the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City.[9] His father died before he was born.[10] He is of Guyanese descent.[11] He started his entertainment career on the New York City Subway performing showtime dance routines.[12]
Career
2015-2018: Career beginnings & Atlantic Records deal
22Gz started releasing songs on SoundCloud at the age of 17 in early 2015. After releasing the singles "Blixky" and "Suburban" in 2016, he gained a following from his YouTube videos. "Suburban", produced by London-based drill producer AXL Beats,[13] was regarded as one of the first major Brooklyn drill songs to become popular.[14][2][15] 22Gz gained attention, leading him to sign with Atlantic in 2018 and his label A&R helping him getting noticed by Kodak Black.[16][17][14] One of his first songs released on the label, "Spin the Block", was a collaboration track with Kodak Black.[18]
2019-present: The Blixky Tape & Growth & Development
22Gz released his first mixtape with Atlantic, The Blixky Tape, in July 2019.[19] His follow-up mixtape, Growth & Development, was released on April 10, 2020, and was co-produced by London-based drill producer Ghosty.[20] Torsten Ingvaldsen of Hypebeast praised the mixtape, stating 22Gz has "riotous energy, bringing forth aggressive lyrics and militant deliveries that continue to sculpt out his fast-paced rise".[5]
Legal controversies
In 2014, he was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, however the charges were dropped.[14] 22Gz spent five months in jail in 2017 on second-degree murder charges related to a shooting in Miami, however these were later dropped.[21] 22Gz recorded a Facebook Live video from an NYPD holding cell in 2018.[22]
In 2019, Alexander, along with Casanova, Pop Smoke, Sheff G, and Don Q, was removed from the Rolling Loud concert. NYPD cited "a higher risk of violence" if the artists were to perform.[23]
On June 12, 2022, 22Gz was arrested in New York City on attempted murder charges over a March shooting in which three people were injured.[24] He was released on $500,000 bail four days later.[25]
Discography
Mixtapes
| Title | Mixtape details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Heat. | ||
| The Blixky Tape |
|
— |
| Growth & Development |
|
12 [28] |
| The Blixky Tape 2 |
|
20 [30] |
| Growth & Development II |
|
— |
| Brooklyn's Most Wanted |
|
— |
| Hidden Gemz |
|
— |
Extended plays
| Title | Extended play details |
|---|---|
| Year of the Blixky |
|
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "12 Bars" |
2015 | Non-album singles | |
| "At The Light" (featuring Theo Zanotti) |
|||
| "Blicky" (featuring Nas Blixky & NiikoSuav) |
2016 | ||
| "Regular" (featuring Theo Zanotti & Suavee Jew) |
|||
| "Up Next!" (featuring Breezo Blixky & Nas Blixky)[7] |
|||
| "Suburban"[14] | |||
| "Vamanos" (featuring Ju Laden & Theo Zanotti)[7] |
2017 | ||
| "Ain't Livin My Life" | |||
| "Invest in a Ratchet"[35] (featuring Big Moose 280) |
|||
| "We On"[36] (featuring Nas Blixky) |
|||
| "First Day Out / Stuck in the Yams"[37] | |||
| "Why"[38] | 2018 | ||
| "Blicky Da Blicky" | |||
| "Got Those"[39] | |||
| "Spin the Block"[18] (featuring Kodak Black) |
|||
| "Spazz Out"[40] (featuring PNV Jay & Leeky Bandz) |
|||
| "Drifting"[41] (AXL Beats, Khay B Flockin, Kush Binflockin, & Breezy Blixky) |
2019 | ||
| "Sniper Gang (Freestyle)"[42] | The Blixky Tape | ||
| "Rerock"[43] (featuring Shawny Binladen) |
Non-album singles | ||
| "Telephone"[44] (featuring MaxThaDemon & Ciggy Blacc) | |||
| "Suburban, Pt. 2"[45] | Growth & Development | ||
| "No Questions"[5] | 2020 | ||
| "YTB (Yellow Tape Blixky)"[47] (featuring Shawny Binladen & Big Yaya) |
Non-album singles | ||
| "Do The Most"[48] (featuring PeeGunna) | |||
| "Movie"[48] (Featuring CoachDaGhost) |
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Flexin" (Khay B Flockin featuring 22GZ & Kush Binflockin) |
2016 | Non-album singles |
| "Jet Li, Pt. 2" (Nick Blixky featuring 22GZ)[49] |
2018 | |
| "Drive the Boat" (Nick Blixky featuring 22GZ & Nas Blixky)[50] |
2019 | |
| "Upset" (T'up Ty featuring 22GZ)[51] |
Excuse the Way I Came Up | |
| "Faded Remix" (B1 featuring 22GZ, Ivorian Doll and Dezzie)[52] |
2021 | Non-album single |
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Other artists | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Flexin" | 2016 | Khay B Flockin, Kush Blixky | Blixky |
| "The Get Back , Pt 1"[53] | 2018 | T'up Ty | T'd Up, Vol. 1 |
| "Sick of Us"[54] | Envy Caine | 2 Many Situations | |
| "Wita Blixky"[55] | 2019 | C-Clip Beatz | Rap & Beats |
| "Extra"[56] | Rooga | Back da Fuck Up | |
| "Hoody Szn"[57] | Nym Lo, 183rd, Casanova | High Horse | |
| "Up the Score"[58] | 2020 | Slayter, Maxo Kream | World Got Me Fucked Up, Vol. 1 |