Danny Brown (rapper)
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Daniel Dewan Sewell (born March 16, 1981), better known as Danny Brown, is an American rapper, singer and songwriter from
Detroit, Michigan Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...
. He was described by MTV in 2011 as "one of rap's most unique figures in recent memory". After amassing several
mixtape In the modern music industry, a mixtape is a musical project, typically with looser constraints than that of an album or extended play. Unlike the traditional album or extended play, mixtapes are labeled as laid-back projects that allow artists mo ...
s including '' Hot Soup'' (2008), Brown released his first studio album, '' The Hybrid'' (2010). He gained major recognition after the release of its follow-up, '' XXX'' (2011), which received critical acclaim and led him to be named "Artist of the Year" by '' Spin'' and the '' Metro Times''. His third studio album, '' Old'' (2013) reached number 18 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 chart and spawned the singles "Dip", "25 Bucks", and "Smokin & Drinkin". His fourth and fifth studio albums, '' Atrocity Exhibition'' (2016) and '' U Know What I'm Sayin?'' (2019), were met with continued critical acclaim. His collaborative studio album with JPEGMafia, '' Scaring the Hoes'', and his sixth studio album, '' Quaranta'', were both released in 2023.


Early life

Brown was born Daniel Dewan Sewell in
Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...
on March 16, 1981, the son of an 18-year-old mother and 16-year-old father. His father is half Filipino, and growing up Brown would attend a Filipino church in Detroit with his grandmother. His talent for rhyming came at a very young age, as his mother would read Dr. Seuss books to him as a child; when he began to speak, he would talk in rhyme. His father was a house DJ who exposed him to all the music he would spin, as well as music from the likes of Roy Ayers, LL Cool J, Esham, and A Tribe Called Quest. For as long as he could remember, Brown had always wanted to be a rapper: "In kindergarten I'd say I wanted to be a rapper and people'd just laugh at me. 'That's a pretty funny job,' they'd say." Brown's young parents did their best to shelter him from the Detroit street crime and gang life: "My parents ain't really want me out the house. They did as much as they possibly could to keep me in the house with whatever the newest video game was. But you know you can only keep a kid in for so long. Plus that had me sheltered, so once I did get away I used to disappear for like four days." His two grandmothers helped provide for his family. His maternal grandmother worked for Chrysler, and she bought four to five houses: "To this day we still got those houses. She owns three houses in a row on that block. She raised her three children and a host of others in the middle house; the one to the left she paid cash for in the '90s from her long time neighbor; and the one on the right was her parents' home that she inherited when they died." She also owned two other homes on the east side of Detroit, one in which Brown was raised. The fifth house, also located on the east side, was occupied by his aunt and her family. Originally from the Dexter-Linwood way of Detroit, he later moved to Hamtramck. He heavily associates with Detroit in his music. At age 18, Brown became a drug dealer: "Once I got above a certain age, all that parent shit stopped. My mom and my pops split up. Once my pops left, I was the man of the house. I always told myself I was going to be a rapper my whole life. I was selling drugs since that's what all my friends were doing. And it was kind of like something to rap about maybe." Although his intentions were to stop once he got in trouble with the law, Brown was already too accustomed to the lifestyle: "I always told myself once I got my first egalcase I was gonna stop. Then I got my first case, but I didn't stop. I got distribution and manufacturing and possession with intent to distribute. I was 19." His run-ins with the law didn't stop there: "I caught my second case loitering with some
weed A weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, growing where it conflicts with human preferences, needs, or goals.Harlan, J. R., & deWet, J. M. (1965). Some thoughts about weeds. ''Economic botany'', ''19''(1), 16-24. Pla ...
, but it violated my probation but I ran and I didn't go to court. I just ran for like at least five years. But once I got caught I had to do eight months. ..I had nothing else, so I just started going back to studying music and trying to become a rapper." After his release from jail in 2002, he began to take his passion seriously and turn it into a career: "I had more confidence when I got out of jail because the day when I got out of jail I started selling weed. I ain't had no money after the first two months, like, 'I was way better off in jail.' By then I was already making my New York trips and going to recording studios so I was already serious when I got locked up." Brown began his career in a hip hop group called Rese'vor Dogs, alongside fellow Detroit-based rappers Chips and Dopehead. In 2003, the trio independently released an album titled ''Runispokets-N-Dumpemindariva'' under Ren-A-Sance Entertainment and F.B.C. Records. In the summer of 2003, the group received mild
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on Detroit radio stations with their lead single, "Yess". After growing up on hip hop and tuning his rhyming skills in the city, Brown landed the attention of Roc-A-Fella Records A&R Travis Cummings, who flew Brown out to
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
, where he began recording in other artists' studios. After a lack of success with Roc-A-Fella, Brown returned to Detroit and eventually linked up with Detroit-based producer Nick Speed.


Career


2010: ''The Hybrid''

In 2010, Brown befriended fellow American rapper Tony Yayo of G-Unit, and they recorded their collaborative album ''Hawaiian Snow'' (2010). The G-Unit association led many to wonder if Brown would eventually sign with G-Unit leader 50 Cent's label G-Unit Records. However, he did not fit G-Unit's image as he favors fitted jeans and a vintage rock-inspired wardrobe, with Brown later telling MTV: "It was a real thing. 50 was with it; he just didn't sign me because of my jeans. He liked the music, but he didn't like the way I looked. I understand where they were coming from with that, but you gotta understand where I'm coming from too: I'm from Detroit." After recording and releasing four volumes of his ''Detroit State of Mind''
mixtape In the modern music industry, a mixtape is a musical project, typically with looser constraints than that of an album or extended play. Unlike the traditional album or extended play, mixtapes are labeled as laid-back projects that allow artists mo ...
series and other free self-released mixtapes, Brown released his first solo studio album, '' The Hybrid'' (2010), on
indie record label Indie is a short form of "independence" or "independent"; it may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media *Independent media, media free of influence by government or corporate interests *Indie art, fine arts made by artists independent of commer ...
Rappers I Know. It was this album where he began to use his trademark high-pitched voice: "The first song that I ever rapped ith the high-pitched voicewas 'The Hybrid,' that's why we called it 'The Hybrid.' I think that was hen I found my voice That was the statement that I can rap and I can do every style of rap." The album came to fruition after he had written the aforementioned song: "''The Hybrid'' started out because I started working with Hex Murder. Hex was managing me at the time and I had started recording in Black Milk's studio. We were working on a project and I had come up with the song 'The Hybrid,' so that gave me my whole intent on what I wanted to do with my next project. I started writing a new album and that's the album that I wrote. Then I hooked up with my homie Magnetic and he would just look out for me and gave me free studio time—so I would go record from 3 in the morning til 6 in the morning, because we were using the free time when nobody was there. Then I hooked up with Frank from Rappers I Know. I liked what he was doing with his blog. He looked out for me and helped me out a lot and then we put it out and the rest is history."


2011–2012: ''XXX''

In 2011 Brown signed to Brooklyn-based indie record label Fool's Gold Records: "My manager meka Obiasked me who I wanted to sign to and I said there's two labels I want to sign to: XL or Fool's Gold. He knew eople atFool's Gold. He saw Nick Catchdubs in a burrito spot, asked him about it, and Nick said he'd get back to him. Q-Tip and A-Trak went and ate lunch around last March. A-Trak told Q-Tip he was thinking about signing me and Q-Tip told him to do it. A-Trak called me and signed me. I met Q-Tip but I know Ali Shaheed more. Ali Shaheed is kind of like a mentor to me. Around the time of ''The Hybrid,'' I met him through Frank from Rappers I Know and he just started showing me love. We talk on the phone a lot." Signing to Fool's Gold Records proved to be Brown's biggest commercial and critical move. The label would go on to release his second studio album, '' XXX,'' as a free download. It received numerous critical accolades, including being named the best hip hop album of the year by '' Spin.'' ''
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'' gave his album an 8.2 out of 10, saying, "If ''XXX'' was nothing but debauchery and desperation, it would quickly devolve into an endless slog. Thankfully, Brown is also hilariously funny, an endlessly inventive rapper driven to cook up outrageous variations on standard rap boasts." The publication later named ''XXX'' the 19th best album of 2011. ''XXX'' was also named the 6th-best album of 2011 by Passion of the Weiss, which called it "an uncomfortably honest self-portrait made even more remarkable by the fact that Danny Brown is alive to tell the story." On November 1, 2011, Brown released his collaborative effort with American record producer Black Milk; an
extended play An extended play (EP) is a Sound recording and reproduction, musical recording that contains more tracks than a Single (music), single but fewer than an album. Contemporary EPs generally contain up to eight tracks and have a playing time of 1 ...
(EP) appropriately titled '' Black and Brown!.'' On November 28, 2011, Brown released the music video for the ''XXX''-cut, "Blunt After Blunt." The video was directed by fellow American rapper ASAP Rocky, who also made a
cameo appearance A cameo appearance, also called a cameo role and often shortened to just cameo (), is a brief guest appearance of a well-known person or character in a work of the performing arts. These roles are generally small, many of them non-speaking on ...
. In the wake of his success with ''XXX,'' Brown began touring with Childish Gambino in March 2012. On March 13, 2012, Brown released the visual treatment for the brandUn DeShay-produced track "Radio Song" from ''XXX.'' The video was directed by Alex/2tone. In 2012, Brown was featured on the cover of '' XXL'' as part of its annual "Top 10 Freshmen list" along with fellow then-up-and-coming rappers Hopsin,
French Montana Karim Kharbouch (Moroccan Arabic, Arabic: IPA pronunciation, æɾiːm χɑɾbuːʃ born November 9, 1984), better known by his stage name French Montana, is a Moroccan-American rapper. Born and raised in Morocco, he immigrated to New York ...
, MGK, Iggy Azalea and Roscoe Dash, among others. ''
The Fader ''The Fader'' is a magazine established in 1999 as an outlet for Cornerstone Agency, a marketing and public relations firm established by Rob Stone and Jon Cohen. The magazine covers music, style and culture. History and work It is owned by T ...
'' enlisted both
Kendrick Lamar Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. Regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, he was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first music ...
and Danny Brown to cover the front pages of its 2012 Spring Style issue. In a January 2012 interview, singer Jennifer Herrema revealed that Danny Brown would be featured on the second album by Australian electronic music group The Avalanches. Later in the year, Brown confirmed that he was working with The Avalanches on a song titled "Frankie Sinatra."


2012–2014: ''Old''

In February 2012, Brown was featured first on the cover of the publication ''The Fader'', in its 78th issue. On March 22, 2012, Brown teamed up with Scion A/V to release a new song titled "Grown Up." The
music video A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...
for "Grown Up," later released on August 20, was also presented by Scion A/V. In August 2012, it was rumored that Brown was working on a new album titled ''Danny Johnson,'' to be entirely produced by Johnson&Jonson ( Blu and Mainframe), but Brown later denied these rumors and confirmed that the album had already been released for free in 2010, under the title ''It's a Art''. In August, Brown also performed at the 13th annual Gathering of the Juggalos. In September, Brown teamed up with Scion A/V once again to release the debut project of his rap group Bruiser Brigade (a hip hop collective featuring Brown, Chips, Dopehead, Trpl Blk, ZelooperZ, and in-house producer SKYWLKR. The project was a four-track
extended play An extended play (EP) is a Sound recording and reproduction, musical recording that contains more tracks than a Single (music), single but fewer than an album. Contemporary EPs generally contain up to eight tracks and have a playing time of 1 ...
(EP) eponymously titled ''Bruiser Brigade.'' In October 2012, Brown was featured on the soundtrack to the film ''
The Man with the Iron Fists ''The Man with the Iron Fists'' is a 2012 American martial arts film directed by RZA and written by RZA and Eli Roth. The film stars RZA, Russell Crowe, Cung Le, Lucy Liu, Byron Mann, Rick Yune, Dave Bautista, and Jamie Chung. Set in 19th cent ...
'' on a track titled "Tick, Tock," alongside fellow American rappers
Raekwon Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970), better known by his stage name Raekwon ( ), is an American rapper. He rose to prominence as a founding member of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, which achieved mainstream success following the release of the ...
, Joell Ortiz and Pusha T. On October 24, 2012, Brown released the music video for a song titled "Witit," taken from the deluxe edition of ''XXX'' and his ''OD EP;'' later that day after ''
Complex Complex commonly refers to: * Complexity, the behaviour of a system whose components interact in multiple ways so possible interactions are difficult to describe ** Complex system, a system composed of many components which may interact with each ...
'' kept referring to his next album as ''Danny Johnson,'' Brown took to
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to reveal the correct tentative title to be ''ODB.'' From September to November, Brown appeared alongside
Schoolboy Q Quincy Matthew Hanley (born October 26, 1986), better known by his stage name Schoolboy Q (stylized as ScHoolboy Q), is an American rapper. He began recording in 2007, and released his first two mixtapes, ''ScHoolboy Turned Hustla'' (2008) and '' ...
and ASAP Mob as supporting acts for ASAP Rocky's 40-date national Long. Live. ASAP Tour. In December 2012, Brown announced ''ODB'' had been completed. He explained that the album won't be as consistently humorous as ''XXX'' but said people will be surprised with the outcome: "The new album is done. We're pretty much just figuring out a way of presenting the right way to get released…the title of the album for now is ''ODB.'' I can't really elaborate on what that means until the album comes out, and then they'll get it. I don't want to give too much because then it'll be a much more rewarding listen for my fans." He continued, "It's a rewarding listen when I listen to it. I don't know if I laugh as much - I think I laugh when it's over with, and that's the difference between this album and ''XXX.'' With ''XXX,'' you laugh throughout it, and by the time it was over with, you were like, 'Oh that wasn't too funny.' This one, when it's over, you're laughing hysterically…it's not necessarily what's being said on the album, but the album tself like, 'I can't believe he made this. ''
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'' magazine named Brown's single "Grown Up", the 41st-best song of 2012. In a December 2012 interview with ''
Pitchfork A pitchfork or hay fork is an agricultural tool used to pitch loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. It has a long handle and usually two to five thin tines designed to efficiently move such materials. The term is also applie ...
,'' Brown revealed the album would actually be titled ''Old.'' The album, released under Fool's Gold, was released to music retailers, unlike any of his previous releases. The album includes contributions from ASAP Rocky, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Kitty and Purity Ring, the latter of whom are contributing production, along with a hook from vocalist Megan James. In January 2013, it was announced that Brown would be performing at the 2013 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. In the summer of 2012, Kathy Griffin invited Danny Brown and ASAP Rocky to appear on the
Valentine's Day Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a Christian martyrs, martyr named Saint Valentine, Valentine, and ...
episode of her talk show '' Kathy.'' On February 14, Brown appeared alongside ASAP Rocky and Russell Brand, on Griffin's late-night talk show where they played a dice game called "Suck breast? Kiss stomach?" and discussed the possibility of having children. On March 1, 2013, Brown and American record producer
Baauer Harry Bauer Rodrigues (born April 30, 1989), known professionally as Baauer, is an American record producer and DJ, best known for his double platinum song "Harlem Shake (song), Harlem Shake". He has produced varied dance music from the age of 13 ...
, announced their upcoming "Worst of Both Worlds" Tour. For the trek, the Fool's Gold signees started off in
Houston, Texas Houston ( ) is the List of cities in Texas by population, most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and in the Southern United States. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the county seat, seat of ...
on April 9 at Fitzgerald's. The brief tour, which only hit the West Coast, made stops in
Austin, Texas Austin ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Texas. It is the county seat and most populous city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and W ...
,
Tucson, Arizona Tucson (; ; ) is a city in Pima County, Arizona, United States, and its county seat. It is the second-most populous city in Arizona, behind Phoenix, Arizona, Phoenix, with a population of 542,630 in the 2020 United States census. The Tucson ...
and
San Francisco, California San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a commercial, Financial District, San Francisco, financial, and Culture of San Francisco, cultural center of Northern California. With a population of 827,526 residents as of ...
. They played both weekends of the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, wrapping up the tour on the second weekend (April 20). On March 8, Brown announced another tour in promotion for his upcoming album, the "Old & Reckless" Tour, featuring American female rapper Kitty. For his first-ever headlining tour, Brown began at
SXSW South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and Convention (meeting), conferences organized jointly that take place in mid-March in Austin, Texas. It began in 1987 and has conti ...
on March 15 with a pair of shows. After completing his "Worst of Both Worlds" trek with Baauer, Kitty joined him for stops in
St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an Independent city (United States), independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Miss ...
,
Ann Arbor, Michigan Ann Arbor is a city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. The 2020 United States census, 2020 census recorded its population to be 123,851, making it the List of municipalities in Michigan, fifth-most populous cit ...
,
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, New York and
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. The tour concluded at
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's Deluxe on May 14. In March, Brown also won his first award ever at the 2013 Woodie Awards, winning in the "Best Video" category for "Grown Up." On March 18, 2013, Brown revealed in a Twitter post that ''Old'' would be released around the time ''XXX'' came out, which was mid August. On March 23, it was announced Brown had signed a management deal with Goliath Artists, which also houses names such as
Eminem Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time, he is credited with popula ...
, The Alchemist, Blink-182 and most recently Action Bronson, who has previously collaborated with Brown. On May 3, Brown announced through Twitter that ''Old'' would feature guest appearances from
Freddie Gibbs Fredrick Jamel Tipton (born June 14, 1982), better known by his stage name Freddie Gibbs, is an American rapper and songwriter. He signed with Interscope Records in 2006 and recorded his debut album for the label; however, its release was cance ...
,
Schoolboy Q Quincy Matthew Hanley (born October 26, 1986), better known by his stage name Schoolboy Q (stylized as ScHoolboy Q), is an American rapper. He began recording in 2007, and released his first two mixtapes, ''ScHoolboy Turned Hustla'' (2008) and '' ...
, Mr. MFN eXquire, Scrufizzer, ASAP Rocky, Ab-Soul,
Charli XCX Charlotte Emma Aitchison (born 2 August 1992), known professionally as Charli XCX, is a British singer and songwriter. She began posting songs on Myspace in 2008 before entering the London rave scene. Signing a recording contract with Asylum Re ...
and Purity Ring. He also said the production on the album was handled by Paul White, Oh No, Rustie, Skywlkr, A-Trak, Darq E Freaker and Frank Dukes. After an unfinished version leaked earlier in the year, Brown visited Tim Westwood on BBC Radio 1xtra in June 2013 to premiere the official version of "Kush Coma," a song featuring ASAP Rocky taken from the ''Old'' album. On July 23, Brown was featured rapping alongside
Insane Clown Posse Insane Clown Posse, often abbreviated as ICP, is an American hip hop duo. Formed in Detroit in 1989, ICP's best-known lineup consists of rappers Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (originally 2 Dope; Joseph Utsler). Insan ...
in the music video for their song "When I'm Clownin'." On August 12, Brown said on Twitter that he felt less than a priority at Fool's Gold Records: "Man #OLD fuck around and never come out ... Smh," tweeted Brown, referring to his forthcoming album ''Old.'' Brown then threatened to
leak A leak is a way (usually an opening) for fluid to escape a container or fluid-containing system, such as a Water tank, tank or a Ship, ship's Hull (watercraft), hull, through which the contents of the container can escape or outside matter can e ...
the album himself: "I'm a fuck around and leak that shit myself if niggas don't get it together." Subsequently, Fool's Gold Records founder A-Trak, announced that ''Old'' was indeed in the label pipeline, with a music video on the way. On August 26, 2013, Brown announced via Twitter that ''Old'' would be released on September 30, 2013. ''Old'' debuted at number 17 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200, selling 15,000 copies in its first week of release. On October 3, 2013, Danny Brown and A-Trak announced their "Double Trouble" tour. In November 2013, Brown was featured in the interactive music video for American singer-songwriter
Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...
's 1965 hit single " Like a Rolling Stone." In January 2014, Brown guest starred in the Fox animated TV series '' Lucas Bros. Moving Co.,'' voicing a character named Jumanji in the first-season episode "A/C Tundra." Brown's song "Witit" was also featured in the episode. On January 22, 2014, Danny Brown made his network television debut with a special performance on '' Jimmy Kimmel Live!.'' Joined by Purity Ring vocalist Megan James, Brown performed "25 Bucks," a track off ''Old.'' In April 2014, '' Hot Soup,'' one of Brown's early mixtapes, was re-released as a double LP and 7-inch with 7 bonus tracks for Record Store Day. It was also released on CD with a bonus disc of instrumentals. Along with ''Hot Soup,'' Brown also released ''Old'' as a double LP and a box set. On March 25, 2014, Brown appeared '' The Arsenio Hall Show,'' where he promoted his third album ''Old'' and performed the single "Dip" from the album. On July 10, 2014, Brown opened for
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were an American Hip hop music, hip hop duo from Seattle, Seattle, Washington, formed in 2009 by rapper MacklemoreTrust, Gary (2013)Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' 'Can't Hold Us' Makes Hot 100 History, ''Billboard (magazine), B ...
in front of 37,500 people in Marlay Park, Dublin. On July 11 and 12, Brown opened in front of 100,000 fans for
Eminem Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time, he is credited with popula ...
's sold-out concert at
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in
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
. In November 2014, Brown appeared on the song " Detroit vs. Everybody" alongside fellow Detroit-based rappers Eminem, Royce Da 5'9", Trick-Trick, Dej Loaf and Big Sean, from the Shady Records compilation album '' Shady XV.''


2014–2016: ''Atrocity Exhibition''

In October 2014, Brown announced he was working on a new album. In January 2015, Brown announced he was working on a Dr. Seuss-inspired
children's book Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. In addition to conventional literary genres, modern children's literature is classified by the intended age of the reade ...
for his 13-year-old daughter. He told Australian radio station
Triple J Triple J is an Australian government-funded national radio station founded in 1975 as a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). It aims to appeal to young listeners of alternative music, and plays far more Australian conten ...
, "It's really about self-esteem in black girls. You know how black women do so muchprocess their hair, change their eye color? It's really about a little girl who does all these things to herself and changes herself, and she realizes she's just better off the way she is." In April 2015, when asked if his album was done, Brown responded: "Almost. I took a break from it cause I'm so ahead of schedule with it knowing it ain't coming out no time soon". In 2015, Brown became the lead artist on the theme song for the ABC comedy series '' Fresh Off the Boat''. On June 10, 2016, he revealed on Instagram that he was "putting the final touches" on his fourth album. On June 14, he announced his signing to Warp Records and released " When It Rain", the first official single from his upcoming album. On July 17, he stated his new album would be titled '' Atrocity Exhibition'', taking inspiration from the Joy Division song. In August 2016, Brown appeared on '' The Eric Andre Show'', alongside ASAP Rocky, Nocando, Open Mike Eagle, and Go Dreamer, in a segment titled "Rapper Warrior Ninja". His album '' Atrocity Exhibition'' was shortlisted by IMPALA (The Independent Music Companies Association) for the Album of the Year Award 2016, which rewards on a yearly basis the best album released on an independent European label.


2018–2022: ''U Know What I'm Sayin?''

In late April 2019, it was announced that Brown's fifth studio album titled '' U Know What I'm Sayin?'' would be released later that year, featuring production from Q-Tip, JPEGMafia, and Paul White. In June 2019,
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announced that Brown would star in a talk show titled "Danny's House" produced by Derrick Beckles. The show's first season began on August 14, 2019. Since August 12, 2019, he plays the character Griffin in Nathan Barnatt's web series '' Dad Feels'' and was featured in the song "Dad Feels Good". In December 2019, he appeared as himself in a '' Grand Theft Auto Online'' expansion as a radio host with
Skepta Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr. (born 19 September 1982), known professionally as Skepta, is a British grime MC, rapper, record producer and DJ. Alongside his younger brother Jme, he briefly joined Roll Deep before they became founding members of ...
. Brown also lent his voice to Yung Ancestor, another fictional character in the game. In 2020, Brown was once again featured on '' The Eric Andre Show'', appearing with Talib Kweli as "Guest Judges" for the show's recurring segment "Rapper Warrior Ninja", after having been a contestant his previous appearance.


2022–present: ''Scaring the Hoes'' and ''Quaranta''

On January 15, 2023, rapper JPEGMafia hinted on his social media that he was working with Brown on a collaborative project. On February 28, 2023, on ''The Danny Brown Show'', both Brown and JPEGMafia announced that their collaborative project is named ''Scaring the Hoes Vol. 1'', and played a sneak peek of the first single on the project. On March 13, 2023, the first single of the project called " Lean Beef Patty" was released to streaming services, and the album was released on March 24, 2023, under the title '' Scaring the Hoes''. On October 17, 2023, it was announced that Brown would release his sixth studio album titled '' Quaranta'' on November 17. The first single, titled " Tantor", was released the same day. The second single, "Jenn's Terrific Vacation" released on November 14.


Personal life

Brown has a daughter who was born in 2002. The daughter of his high school girlfriend, he stepped in to raise her when the girl's biological father was convicted of murder before her birth. In a June 2022 interview, Brown alleged that Die Antwoord member Watkin Tudor Jones attempted to force Yolandi Visser on him, and further assaulted him while sat on his lap by forcibly kissing him on the neck at an afterparty in
Paris, France Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...
. Brown continued saying Jones left him "stressed out" when he threatened to find the hotel Brown was staying at. In late March 2023, Brown voluntarily entered in-patient rehab for alcoholism. On June 28, less than a month before embarking on the '' Scaring the Hoes'' tour, he shared that he was 90 days sober.


Discography

Studio albums * '' The Hybrid'' (2010) * '' XXX'' (2011) * '' Old'' (2013) * '' Atrocity Exhibition'' (2016) * '' U Know What I'm Sayin?'' (2019) * '' Quaranta'' (2023) Collaborative albums * '' Scaring the Hoes'' with JPEGMafia (2023)


Filmography


Awards and nominations


References


External links

*
Danny Brown
on
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Danny Brown Interview 2013
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Danny 1981 births African-American male rappers 20th-century American male rappers Alternative hip-hop musicians American rappers of Filipino descent Living people Midwest hip-hop musicians Progressive rappers Psychedelic rappers Rappers from Detroit Songwriters from Michigan Underground rappers 21st-century American rappers 21st-century American male musicians Warp (record label) artists American Twitch (service) streamers 21st-century African-American musicians African-American male songwriters