Atlanta has long been a hotbed for hip-hop talent, consistently gifting us with mega-talented hitmakers who have gone on to become household names. From Outkast and Goodie Mob in the ‘90s, to T.I., Ludacris, Young Jeezy, and Gucci Mane in the 2000s, to Future, Migos, and Young Thug, Atlanta has remained one of the most influential cities in shaping the modern hip-hop landscape, and Rich The Kid is one of the city’s newest talents.
Originally from Queens, New York, Rich, whose real name is Dimitri Leslie Roger, moved to Georgia when he was 13. He began his music career in the Peach State, releasing his debut mixtape Been About The Benjamins in 2013 and frequently collaborating with Migos as both acts gained traction. After years of steadily releasing mixtapes and guest verses, Rich finally got his taste of true stardom in September 2017, with the release of his breakout single “New Freezer” featuring Kendrick Lamar, which spawned the viral “New Freezer Challenge” and served as the lead single for his 2018 debut album The World Is Yours.
But Rich The Kid’s rise to prominence hasn’t come without controversy; there was his beef with Lil Uzi Vert, which was the topic of his record “Dead Friends,” the video for which features Rich burying an Uzi look alike. He’s also faced allegations of domestic abuse from his estranged wife, who claims he physically abused her and forced her to have three abortions while they were together (Rich has not responded formally to these allegations). He was also the victim of a home invasion that left him hospitalized with injuries. 2018 has certainly had its peaks and valleys for the 26-year-old.
Rich The Kid’s rise to the mainstream has been quick, so there are parts of his story you may not know. Here’s how Rich The Kid blew up.
March 2013: The First Mixtape
View this video on YouTube
Rich, who went by Black Boy the Kid before he started rapping full time, released his first full-length project in 2013. The 19-track Been About the Benjamins featured guest spots from Migos, Rich Homie Quan, and more. The rapper was just 20 at the time of the mixtape's release.
Aug. 2013: Teaming Up With Migos
View this video on YouTube
Later that year, he linked with Migos for a collaborative mixtape called Streets on Lock, featuring the standout 'Jumpin Like Jordan.' In a 2016 interview, Rich told Complex that he lived with the trio at one point. "We pretty much grew up together in the same house," he said. While he's no longer affiliated with the label, he was previously signed to Quality Control, the longtime home of Migos.
Sept. 2015: Dabbing With Migos
View this video on YouTube
To hear Rich the Kid tell it, he was instrumental in the spread of the dab. In this video from 2015, he's seen giving comedian Andy Milonakis a tutorial on the move. "When we performed, we just dabbed, and everyone started running with it," the rapper told Complex in 2016.
Before signing a major-label deal for himself, Rich the Kid established Rich Forever Records, signing Famous Dex and Jay Critch (the former has since parted ways with the label). In June 2016, Rich signed a label deal with 300 Entertainment.
June 2017: Signing With Interscope
View this video on YouTube
Rich the Kid eventually inked a solo deal with Interscope, a partnership he celebrated with no small number of social media videos. "Interscope gave me the opportunity to take over the game completely and that's what I'm going to do," he told XXL at the time.
Sept. 2017: "New Freezer"
View this video on YouTube
Rich the Kid was catapulted to a new level of stardom upon the release of this late-2017 track, which featured a crucial assist from labelmate Kendrick Lamar. In an interview with Complex, he credited Interscope A&R Manny Smith with introducing him to Lamar. "New Freezer" peaked at No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Jan. 2018: The Challenge That Came With It
View this video on YouTube
The song was certified platinum in March. Rich picked up the plaque in part due to the viral nature of the track, which inspired a "New Freezer" challenge that called for listeners to slide their heads from side to side. The rapper celebrated the challenge on social media, reposting a handful of clips.
Jan. 2018: The Uzi Beef
View this video on YouTube
As Rich's profile has risen, he's earned some enemies. The most notable is Lil Uzi Vert, who he's been trading barbs with since January. Rich and Uzi exchanged tweets about the latter's label situation, and Rich released a diss track, "Dead Friends," in March. The video for the song showed him burying an Uzi look-alike.
Feb. 2018: "Plug Walk"
View this video on YouTube
Rich the Kid notched another hit before releasing his debut album with "Plug Walk," which premiered on Beats 1 Radio in February, ahead of the accompanying video in March. It's since become his biggest song, earning double-platinum status and peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Rich released his first album, The World Is Yours, in March, complete with a Scarface-inspired cover treatment to match its title. While it was a milestone by any measure, it's not spawned any serious hits to go with the already released "New Freezer" and "Plug Walk."
May 2018: Domestic Abuse Allegations
The Lil Uzi Vert feud got physical in June, when the rapper confronted Rich in Philadelphia. Social media clips from the meeting include one of a man that appears to be Rich the Kid running down a Philly street and one of him appearing to avoid a fight with Uzi in a Starbucks.
June 2018: The Robbery
