Denzel Curry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Denzel Curry
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Curry in 2019
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| Birth name | Denzel Rae Don Curry |
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| Born | February 16, 1995 Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2011–present |
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Denzel Rae Don Curry (born February 16, 1995) is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He grew up in Miami Gardens, Florida. Denzel started rapping when he was in sixth grade. In 2011, he began working on his first mixtape (a collection of songs), called King Remembered Underground Tape 1991–1995. This mixtape was inspired by another Florida rapper, SpaceGhostPurrp.
SpaceGhostPurrp shared Denzel's mixtape on his social media. This helped Denzel get noticed in the local music scene. Soon after, he joined SpaceGhostPurrp's hip-hop group, Raider Klan.
Denzel Curry left Raider Klan in 2013. He released his first studio album, Nostalgic 64, in September of that year, while he was still in high school. Since then, he has released several projects. These include three extended plays (EPs): 32 Zel/Planet Shrooms (2015), 13 (2017), and Unlocked (2020), which was a team-up with Kenny Beats. He has also released five studio albums: Imperial (2016), Ta13oo (2018), Zuu (2019), Melt My Eyez See Your Future (2022), and King of the Mischievous South, Vol. 2 (2024).
Many critics have praised Denzel Curry's music. They often highlight his strong rapping style, energetic performances, clever lyrics, and ability to try different sounds. He is also known as one of the first artists in the SoundCloud rap music style.
Early Life
Denzel Rae Don Curry was born on February 16, 1995, in Carol City, Florida. His family comes from the Bahamas. Denzel started his artistic journey by writing poetry in elementary school. He began rapping in the sixth grade. He spent time at a local Boys & Girls Clubs of America center, where he would challenge others to rap battles.
He went to Miami's Design and Architecture High School for two years. After that, he attended Miami Carol City Senior High School. While still in high school, he started working on his first album, Nostalgic 64.
Career
2011–2012: Starting Out
On September 24, 2011, Denzel Curry released his first mixtape, King Remembered Underground Tape 1991–1995. This project was shared on SpaceGhostPurrp's page, which helped Denzel's music career begin. After this, Denzel joined SpaceGhostPurrp's hip-hop group, Raider Klan.
In 2012, he released his second mixtape, King of the Mischievous South Vol. 1 Underground Tape 1996. This mixtape got the attention of other rappers, including Earl Sweatshirt. Denzel's third mixtape, Strictly for My R.V.I.D.X.R.Z., was released later. Its rap style was greatly inspired by Tupac Shakur.
In late 2012, Denzel met his manager, Mark Maturah. With his help, Denzel released his first official single, "Dark & Violent," on SoundCloud. In 2021, an older mixtape called "Curry Wuz Here" appeared on YouTube.
2013–2014: Nostalgic 64
The group Raider Klan eventually broke up. This led Denzel Curry to start his solo rap career. On September 3, 2013, he released his first full album, Nostalgic 64. The album featured other artists like JK the Reaper, Lil Ugly Mane, and Robb Banks.
In 2014, Denzel was featured on songs by Deniro Farrar and Dillon Cooper. Denzel has said that the album Aquemini by Outkast greatly inspired him. He also found inspiration from Goodie Mob and CeeLo Green, and other southern music.
2015–2016: 32 Zel/Planet Shrooms and Imperial
On June 9, 2015, Denzel Curry released his first double EP, 32 Zel/Planet Shrooms. This EP included his popular song "Ultimate". The song became very popular online and was used in many "Bottle Flip" videos. It has been streamed over 175 million times on Spotify and viewed 65 million times on YouTube.
His second full album, Imperial, came out on March 9, 2016. A special version was later released on Spotify in October 2016.
In June 2016, Denzel Curry was featured in XXL magazine's "2016 Freshmen Class." As part of this, he performed a rap together with Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, 21 Savage, and Kodak Black. This performance has been viewed over 180 million times on YouTube.
2017–2018: 13 and Ta13oo
On May 13, 2017, Denzel uploaded a song called "Hate Government [demo]" to his SoundCloud account. He then released two more demo songs. After these, he released an EP called 13 on June 25, 2017. All the demo tracks were on this EP, along with two new songs. In August 2017, he released another song called "Skywalker." Later that year, a new version of 32 Zel was released, which included a remix of "Ultimate" with Juicy J.
Denzel often mentioned his third studio album, Ta13oo, while releasing songs from 13. The 13 EP was like a preview for Ta13oo. On February 28, 2018, he appeared on the song "Kristi" by ASAP Ferg, which also featured IDK.
On April 2, 2018, Denzel Curry released the first song from Ta13oo, called "Sumo". On May 24, 2018, he released the second song, "Percs". Then, on July 13, 2018, he released "Clout Cobain" and announced that Ta13oo would be released in three parts: Light (July 25), Gray (July 26), and Dark (July 27). Each of the songs released earlier represented one of these parts.
2019–2021: Zuu, 13lood In + 13lood Out, and Unlocked
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On February 14, 2019, Denzel Curry performed a cover of "Bulls on Parade" by Rage Against the Machine on Australian radio. Many people loved his cover, and it was voted as one of the best songs of the year on that radio station.
On May 8, 2019, Denzel released "Ricky", his first new song since Ta13oo. The song is named after his father and is inspired by him. On May 22, 2019, Denzel released "Speedboat" and announced his next album, Zuu, would be released on May 31, 2019.
On July 15, 2019, Denzel Curry appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for the first time on TV. He performed songs from his album Zuu. He also shared that he had cut his famous dreadlocks.
On January 6, 2020, Denzel Curry released a project called 13lood 1n + 13lood Out. It featured other rappers like Ghostemane and ZillaKami. This project had been announced in November 2018.
On February 7, 2020, Denzel Curry released Unlocked, an EP he made with Kenny Beats. An animated short film came out with the music. In August 2020, Denzel's song "Lemonade" with Yungblud was featured in the Madden NFL 21 video game. In October 2020, Denzel was featured on $NOT's song "Sangria."
On March 5, 2021, Denzel Curry released Unlocked 1.5, which was a remix version of his earlier project with Kenny Beats. In June 2021, Denzel appeared on FX Network's "The Choe Show." He also collaborated on the song "Bleach" for rapper ZillaKami's album DOG BOY. Denzel also worked on the song "Dynasties and Dystopia" for the Netflix show Arcane.
2022–2023: Melt My Eyez See Your Future
On January 5, 2022, Denzel Curry released a trailer for his fifth studio album, Melt My Eyez See Your Future. He shared that the album would feature artists like T-Pain, 6lack, and Thundercat. Denzel said this album would have a new, more grown-up sound. He mentioned it would be different from his past works.
On January 24, a song called "Walkin" was released, along with a Western-style music video. Denzel explained that the album included feelings he couldn't express before. He said it would be inspired by traditional hip-hop, drum and bass, trap, poetry, and jazz. A tour for the album was also announced for North America and Europe. On February 24, he released another song from the album, "Zatoichi," featuring Slowthai. The album was released on March 25, 2022.
Denzel Curry recorded a song with rapper Reason, called "1st Quarter." This song was part of Apple Music's "Juneteenth 2022: Freedom Songs" collection. He said the song was about making it through the first part of his life as a Black man in America.
Denzel's song "Let It All Hang Out" was included in the movie Elvis and its soundtrack. On June 24, 2022, a song called "Talk About Me" was released, featuring Dot da Genius, JID, Denzel Curry, and Kid Cudi.
On June 29, 2022, Denzel Curry performed a NPR Tiny Desk Concert. On July 21, he performed "Walkin" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. On September 30, 2022, Denzel released Melt My Eyez See Your Future (The Extended Edition). This version had new takes on the songs with live music from the Cold Blooded Soul Band.
On May 5, 2023, Denzel released his live project Live At Electric Lady. It featured new versions of his Melt My Eyez songs and a cover of Erykah Badu's "Didn't Cha Know" with Bilal.
2024–present: King of the Mischievous South, Vol. 2
In May 2024, Denzel Curry announced a new project by sharing a photo of a cassette tape online. In June, he announced the project was called King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2. He also released the first song from it, "Hot One," featuring TiaCorine and ASAP Ferg. This album is a follow-up to his 2012 mixtape, King of the Mischievous South Vol. 1 Underground Tape 1996. It was released on July 19, 2024. Another song, "Black Flag Freestyle," was released on June 21, 2024.
On October 30, Denzel announced that the mixtape would be re-released as an album called King of the Mischievous South on November 15. It would have five extra songs. He also released the song "Still in the Paint" that day. On November 14, he released another song, "Got Me Geeked." On November 19, he announced the Mischievous South Tour for 2025.
Artistry
Denzel Curry's music is inspired by many different artists, music styles, and art forms. Some of his biggest inspirations include anime, video games, and martial arts. Musicians who have inspired him include MF Doom, André 3000, DMX, Kanye West, the Roots, Kid Cudi, Nirvana, and Trick Daddy. He is also influenced by Southern hip hop music in general.
Denzel Curry is known for his strong, powerful sound, honest lyrics, and high-energy music. However, he is also praised for being able to try many different music styles. He is recognized as an artist who helped start the SoundCloud rap style and who pushes the limits of hip hop music.
Personal Life
On February 27, 2014, Denzel Curry's brother, Treon "Tree" Johnson, passed away. Denzel has spoken about his brother's death and other serious topics in his interviews and music. For example, in his song "The Last," he talks about unfair situations. He also explored these themes in his cover of "Bulls on Parade" by Rage Against the Machine.
In 2022, Denzel Curry joined the Musicians For Palestine pledge. This means he chose not to perform in Israel. In November 2023, Denzel signed an open letter asking for peace in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war and an end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
In January 2021, Denzel Curry found out he is related to St. Louis rapper Smino. They discovered they share an uncle.
Discography
Studio albums
- Nostalgic 64 (2013)
- Imperial (2016)
- Ta13oo (2018)
- Zuu (2019)
- Melt My Eyez See Your Future (2022)
- King of the Mischievous South (2024)
Tours
Headlining
- Bow Down Tour with Deniro Farrar (2014)
- 2055: The U.L.T Experience with SDotBrady, J. K. The Reaper and Allan Kingdom (2015)
- Black Metal Terrorist Tour with Boogie (2016)
- Ta13oo Tour (2018)
- Melt My Eyez Tour (2022)
- Greyday (2024)
- Mischievous South Tour (2025)
Supporting
- Joey Bada$$ – World Domination Tour (2015)
- Illegal Civilization – Illegal Civ Cinema Tour with Show Me the Body, Trash Talk (2017)
- Run the Jewels – Run the World Tour (2017)
- A$AP Ferg – Mad Man Tour (2018)
- Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep Tour (2019)
- Kid Cudi – To The Moon Tour (2022)
Images for kids
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Curry in 2018
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Curry performing in 2019
See also
In Spanish: Denzel Curry para niños
