Nothing is a driving force for a man who is determined to achieve a goal he sets at his tender age apart from his passion and sheer determination to live his dreams. This is the story of 6lack, an African American rapper, singer and songwriter who has made a name for himself in the music industry as a rapper: Tupac, Eazy E and Snoop Dogg among others.
6lack learned the studio thanks to his father, who was in the music business and never hesitated to take him to learn the basics of the art. Like every man who has gained fame through the work of his hands, there is a story to be told here.
Who is 6lack?
The African-American rapper was not born and, of course, no parents will give their child such a name. On June 24, 1992, when he was born in Baltimore, Maryland, he was named Ricardo Valdez Valentine. His father was a rapper who also owned a recording studio. This made it possible for 6lack to go to the studio from an early age. Over time he was able to make his first recording at the tender age of 4.
In addition to the fact that his father is a musician, it is heard that his mother had a job as a dentist. She also gave birth to Ricardo’s 2 younger siblings whose family count rose to 5. The family moved out of Maryland when 6lack was just 5 years old and then settled in Atlanta, Georgia. There he completed his higher education before enrolling at Valdosta State University, where he pursued a major in computer science, but as fate would have it; he left school to follow his music call.
Here are 5 facts you need to know about the rapper
1. Music influence
6lack’s music line is based on his personal experiences as it tells love adventures in the form of heartbreak and failed relationships. He is musically inspired by stars like T-Pain, Usher, Sade and The-Dream.
2. His career and awards
From the time he was in high school, he got engaged in rap battles and even fought Young Thug at one point. Ricardo later joined Team Flight, a similar group that had young talented rappers, but sadly they severed ties and went their separate ways.
After Team Flight disbanded, 6lack started his solo career, recording songs that he uploaded to SoundCloud, but he didn’t have many followers at the time. The aspiring musician stayed and signed with International Music Group and Strong Arm Records in 2011. Things didn’t do well with that label as he had about 5 years with them and would reveal that the label had locked him in and limited his creativity.
Eventually leaving the label, he pitched his tent with Spillage Village, a musical group from Atlanta, Georgia who were featured on the four tracks of the group’s extended play (EP) titled Bears Like That, released in 2015. 6lack left that group and signed to Love Renaissance and Interscope Records. After that, he was included in the list of 10 New Artists You Need To Know as released by Rolling Stone in November 2016.
He dropped his debut album entitled Free 6lack which had a hit single entitled Prblms . The album was released on November 18, 2016, and it peaked at number 34 on the Billboard 200 chart. The hit single Prblms also peaked at number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, also making it 6lack’s first platinum record. In April 2018, he released a new single titled OTW which featured Khalid and Ty Dolla Sign, the single peaked at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100.
His second studio album, titled East, Atlanta Love Letter , was released on September 14, 2018. Prior to the album’s release, he had previously dropped two singles in support of the album. Switch which came out on June 22, 2018 and Nonchalant , released on August 17, 2018.
His second studio album, released by Love Renaissance and Interscope Records, featured guest appearances from the likes of Future, J.Cole, Offset and Khalid.
His songs have been nominated for 5 categories of music industry awards including Best New Artist by Soul Train Music Awards, Best Urban Contemporary Album by Grammy Awards based on his album Free 6lack and Best Rap/Sung Performance by Grammy Awards based on his single Prblms and many others. Unfortunately, he didn’t win any of the nominations.
3. 6lack’s net worth
Despite having a shambolic start to his musical, he pushed through and regained the confidence to release two studio albums after his first contract with a label that left him nearly unproductive for 5 years. 6lack also joined The Weeknd in April 2017 and began their (The Weeknds) Legend of the Fall tour in North America. This and more have brought him some funds to show for it. His net worth is currently estimated to be between $600,000 and $1.5 million.
4. Girlfriend, wife and baby
6lack is currently in a relationship with American soul singer Bianca Quiñones, known by her stage name Quiñ. She was born on October 29, 1999 in Los Angeles. She is popularly known for her single titled Sticky Situation that featured Syd That Kyd. Her relationship with 6lack was very discreet and not much is known about the affair.
In February 2017, 6lack shared the news of the birth of Syx Rose Valentine – a daughter he shares with Detroit-born African American writer and model Jaycina Almond.
Syx Rose Valentine is regularly spotted and flaunted on social media, particularly on her dad and mom’s Instagram pages.
5. Body measurement
Not only does the rapper have the voice talent, but he looks it too, with his swarthy complexion and blue eye. The African-American rapper stands at a height of 1.68 m and weighs 70 kg.