Biography

Memphis, Tennessee's OG Boo Dirty emerged in 2010 with his mixtape Almost Famous, a blast of booming Dirty South rap produced by DJ Scream. Born Lance Taylor, Boo Dirty's early tales revolved around the flashier aspects of street life -- women, hustling, and his crew -- set to big bass beats and addictive hooks similar to T.I. and 2 Chainz. However, it wasn't until his follow-up that his lyrical content developed and set him apart from the average. On The Story of a G, Boo Dirty incorporated a gravity into his raps that hinted at his future focus and desire to get off the streets. Released in early 2011, The Story of a G featured spots by Yung Joc, 8Ball, and King Azz Star, as well as a reworking of "Like My Daddy" from his debut. The song chronicled Boo Dirty's upbringing and his wish for a better life for his family, interspersed with samples of a conversation with his young son. Beneath the grit and boasting of the rest of the mixtape, "Like My Daddy" displayed his regrets, failures, and hopes for the future, tied up together in the promise of his boy. The song would eventually catch the ear of Akon, who signed Boo Dirty after his stint with Gucci Mane's 1017 Brick Squad ended. During that 1017 era, Boo Dirty dropped a handful of additional mixtapes -- Born a Soldier, Die a Vet, featuring Future and 2 Chainz; Definition of a G, which featured Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame; and Definition of a G 2 -- but he eventually parted ways after Gucci Mane went to prison in 2014. With his future uncertain, he met Akon, who was attracted to Boo Dirty's reality rap and the drive apparent on songs like "Letter to My Brother" and "Like My Daddy." He signed Boo Dirty to his Konvict Kartel label and released his next mixtape, Street Certified, which included contributions from Akon, Young Thug, and Kevin Gates. The single "Problems" was released to promote the album, a midtempo duet featuring Akon's signature singing atop Boo Dirty's pensive flow. In 2016, OG Boo Dirty's official debut LP, Billionaire Dreams, was released. The trap-heavy work featured more of Boo Dirty's balance of street boasting and hope, documenting his struggles to survive the streets and provide for his family. ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi