Hykeem Jamaal Carter Jr., known in the music industry as Baby Keem, is a talented American rapper and record producer. Born on October 22, 2000, this rising star hails from Las Vegas and made a significant impact in the late 2010s through his contributions to notable projects like Black Panther: The Album, Redemption, Crash Talk, and The Lion King: The Gift. Baby Keem’s breakthrough came in 2019 when he released the sleeper hit single “Orange Soda.”
In 2020, Baby Keem took a major step forward in his career by signing with PGLang and Columbia Records. This collaboration led to the release of his debut studio album, “The Melodic Blue,” in 2021. The album received both critical acclaim and commercial success, achieving platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Notably, his track “Family Ties” from the same album earned him the prestigious Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance. Additionally, his work with Kanye West on “Donda” in 2021 and his collaboration with his cousin Kendrick Lamar on “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers” in 2022 secured two Grammy Award nominations for Album of the Year.
Baby Keem’s journey into music traces back to his early life in Carson, California. Remarkably, his passion for music ignited at a young age, as he spent time in music studios observing his aunts and uncles burning CDs using LimeWire when he was just four years old. During a winter in Las Vegas in 2009, he fondly remembers tuning in to American rapper Kanye West’s album “808s & Heartbreak” on the radio. This experience profoundly influenced his love for music, and in 2010, he delved into music research.
He drew inspiration from prominent artists such as Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, Eminem, and 50 Cent. In 2014, Baby Keem embarked on his own musical journey, kickstarting his career. As a testament to his early online presence, Baby Keem maintained YouTube accounts, “AllMightyModz” and “HykeezyHD.” He shared gameplay videos of Minecraft Survival minigames from his Minecraft account, “hykeemc,” during the early 2010s. Remarkably, he frequently engaged with his fans through Skype calls, fostering a unique connection with his audience.
While Baby Keem no longer actively posts on YouTube, his legacy is preserved, and his YouTube channel still directs visitors to his SoundCloud account, where his musical talents continue to shine. This journey reflects the remarkable rise of a young artist who, from humble beginnings, has made a significant mark on the music scene, earning accolades and recognition for his outstanding work.
