Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, known professionally as DaBaby, is an American rapper and songwriter. He rose to mainstream prominence in 2019 with a charismatic and energetic style, characterized by a rapid-fire, percussive flow and humorous, often boastful lyrics. At his peak, he was one of the most dominant and commercially successful artists in hip-hop, though his career has since been marked by significant public controversies.

Name: Jonathan Lyndale Kirk
Date of birth: December 22, 1991
Height: Approximately 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m)
Place of birth: Cleveland, Ohio, USA (Raised in Charlotte, North Carolina)
Family:
Parents’ names: His parents’ names are not widely publicized. His father passed away in 2019, shortly after the release of his debut album.
Siblings: He had an older brother, Glenn Johnson, who died in 2020.
Spouse: Unmarried. He has been in several high-profile public relationships, most notably with singer DaniLeigh.
Children: He is a father to multiple children, including daughters Serenity, Nova, and Velour, and is a stepfather to a son named Caleb.
Profession: Rapper, Songwriter, Entrepreneur.
Nationality: American
Religion: Christian. He has referenced his faith in his music and interviews.
College or university attended: University of North Carolina at Greensboro (attended for two years).
Biography and What Famous For:
Born in Cleveland, Jonathan Kirk moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, at a young age, and the city heavily influenced his identity and music. After attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for two years, he decided to pursue music full-time. He began his rap career around 2015 under the name “Baby Jesus,” releasing a series of mixtapes that helped him build a local following.
He is most famous for his explosive breakthrough in 2019. After changing his name to DaBaby and signing with Interscope Records, he released his debut studio album, Baby on Baby. The album’s lead single, “Suge,” became a viral sensation and a commercial juggernaut, climbing to number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song and its iconic music video established his signature style: a concise, hard-hitting flow, confident persona, and a talent for creating memorable visuals.
DaBaby’s success skyrocketed between 2019 and 2020. He was a prolific artist, releasing two more successful projects in quick succession, Kirk (2019) and Blame It on Baby (2020). He dominated the charts with his own hits and as a highly sought-after featured artist. His most significant achievements include:
“Rockstar” (feat. Roddy Ricch): A global smash hit that spent seven non-consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the biggest songs of 2020.
“Bop”: Another major hit known for its viral “BOP on Broadway” music video.
Features: He appeared on hit remixes for songs like Dua Lipa’s “Levitating”, Jack Harlow’s “What’s Poppin,” and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Cry Baby,” making his voice ubiquitous on the radio.
However, DaBaby’s career has been significantly impacted by a series of legal troubles and public controversies. The most damaging incident occurred at the Rolling Loud music festival in Miami in 2021, where he made homophobic and misinformed comments regarding HIV/AIDS. The ensuing backlash was severe, leading to his removal from numerous festival lineups and the withdrawal of brand partnerships. This event, combined with other public altercations and legal issues, marked a major turning point in his mainstream career.
Have participated (Selected Discography):
Studio Albums:
Baby on Baby (2019)
Kirk (2019)
Blame It on Baby (2020)
Better Than You (2022) (with YoungBoy Never Broke Again)
Key Mixtapes:
God’s Work series (as Baby Jesus)
Billion Dollar Baby (2017)
Back on My Baby Jesus Sh!t (2017)
Selected Hit Singles (as lead artist or featured artist):
“Suge” (2019)
“Bop” (2019)
“Intro” (2019)
“Toes” (feat. Lil Baby & Moneybagg Yo) (2019)
“Rockstar” (feat. Roddy Ricch) (2020)
“What’s Poppin (Remix)” (Jack Harlow feat. DaBaby, Tory Lanez, and Lil Wayne) (2020)
“Levitating (Remix)” (Dua Lipa feat. DaBaby) (2020)
“For the Night” (Pop Smoke feat. Lil Baby and DaBaby) (2020)
“Cry Baby” (Megan Thee Stallion feat. DaBaby) (2020)
“Masterpiece” (2021)