Joyner Lucas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joyner Lucas
Lucas in 2024
Background information
Birth name	Gary Maurice Lucas
Born	(1988-08-17) August 17, 1988 (age 37) Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres	Alternative hip-hop East Coast hip-hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper songwriter actor
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Twenty Nine Music Group Dead Silence Atlantic

Joyner Lucas, whose real name is Gary Maurice Lucas Jr., is an American rapper. He was born on August 17, 1988. He became well-known online in 2015 with his song "Ross Capicchioni."

After releasing three music projects on his own, he signed with Atlantic Records. His first big album with them was 508-507-2209 in 2017. In the same year, he released a powerful song called "I'm Not Racist". This song quickly became very popular online. It was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Video. He also became known for remixing popular songs from other artists.

In 2018, his song "Stranger Things" with Chris Brown was his first song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. That same year, he was featured on Eminem's song "Lucky You". This song reached the top ten on the charts. Joyner Lucas later left Atlantic Records. He then released his first studio album, ADHD (2020), on his own. This album reached number ten on the Billboard 200 chart. His second album, Not Now I'm Busy (2023), reached number 42.

Besides music, Joyner Lucas also helped start a music technology company called Tully in 2015. He co-founded it with his manager, Dhruv Joshi.

Early Life and Start in Music

Growing Up in Massachusetts

Gary Maurice Lucas Jr. was born on August 17, 1988. His hometown is Worcester, Massachusetts. He started rapping when he was just 10 years old. He attended South High Community School in Worcester.

First Steps in Music

Joyner Lucas first began rapping under the name G-Storm. By 2007, he changed his stage name to Future Joyner. He started working with his cousin, Cyrus tha Great. They formed a group called Film Skool Rejekts. That year, they released their first mixtape, Workprint: The Greatest Mixtape of All Time.

Lucas released his first solo mixtape in 2011. It was called Listen to Me. Later, another rapper named Future became famous. So, Lucas dropped "Future" from his name. He continued his music career as Joyner Lucas.

Music Career Highlights

Early Success and Record Deal

Joyner Lucas released his first mixtape as Joyner Lucas in 2013. It was titled LFO's (Low Frequency Oscillators). His next mixtape, Along Came Joyner, came out on April 1, 2015. This mixtape included his popular song "Ross Capicchioni".

After the song's success, Lucas was featured in the 2015 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher. He was originally meant for an online-only performance. But his strong performance led him to rap live on TV.

Lucas signed with Atlantic Records on September 21, 2016. He then released his project 508-507-2209 on June 16, 2017. This album was with Atlantic Records. It reached number 7 on the Heatseekers Albums chart on Billboard. The album featured songs like "I'm Sorry" and "Ultrasound". Since 2016, Lucas has also been known for remixing popular hip hop songs.

Viral Hits and Collaborations

On November 28, 2017, Lucas released the song "I'm Not Racist". He shared it on his YouTube channel. The music video quickly became very popular. It received a lot of praise. The song talks about different viewpoints on race. The video was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Video. It was part of the 61st Grammy Awards.

Joyner Lucas and Chris Brown announced a project together. It was called Angels & Demons on February 25, 2018. Their first song from the project, "Stranger Things", came out the next day. On April 1, 2018, Lucas released "Frozen". This song focused on dangerous driving. The second song from Angels and Demons, "I Don't Die", was released on May 2. On December 24, 2018, it was announced that Lucas had left Atlantic Records.

ADHD and Evolution Albums

Lucas performing in 2018

On July 31, 2018, Lucas shared that he had to cancel some concerts. These were in Australia and Europe. He had a sore throat and laryngitis. A month later, Lucas was featured on "Lucky You". This song was from Eminem's album, Kamikaze. The song debuted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was Lucas's first song to reach the top 10 on that chart.

On October 12, 2018, Lucas announced his first studio album. It was titled ADHD. He also announced a new song from the album. The song, "I Love", was released as the main single. The ADHD album was released on March 27, 2020. It had nine singles released before it. The album featured other artists like Logic, Young Thug, and Chris Brown. It also included skits with Chris Tucker and Kevin Hart.

On August 17, 2020, Lucas announced his first EP, Evolution. It was released on October 23, 2020. Two songs, "Fall Slowly" with Ashanti and "Snitch", came out before the EP. The EP featured artists like The Game and Rick Ross.

Recent Music and Acting

On April 30, 2021, Lucas released the song "Ramen & OJ" with Lil Baby. A music video came with it. Lucas also contributed a song called "Shoot My Shot" to the Space Jam: A New Legacy movie soundtrack.

Throughout 2021, Lucas released several songs. A notable one was "Your Heart" with J. Cole. It was released on September 24, 2021, with a music video. Lucas also worked with other rappers. These included Lil Durk on "Rambo" and Lil Tjay on "Dreams Unfold". He also collaborated with Ty Dolla $ign on "Late to the Party". Solo songs like "Duck Duck Goose" and "My Escape" also had music videos.

On April 1, 2022, Lucas released "Ye Not Crazy". This was a tribute song to Kanye West. It was similar to his earlier song "Will" for Will Smith. However, due to some controversial comments by West, Lucas later removed the song from streaming services.

On June 4, 2022, Lucas posted a photo online. He was in the studio, working on a new album. On October 29, 2022, it was announced that Lucas would be in a movie. He would be acting with his friend Mark Wahlberg. The movie's title was later revealed as The Family Plan. It was released on Apple TV+ on December 15, 2023. Lucas plays the character Coogan in the film.

On March 8, 2023, Lucas announced his new album's cover art would be released soon. A new song, "Devil's Work 2", came out on March 10, 2023. This was a follow-up to a song from his ADHD album. On March 9, the album artwork was revealed. The album's title is Not Now I'm Busy.

A month later, on April 3, 2023, Lucas announced another song. It was called "Blackout" and featured Future. It was released on April 7, 2023. Both songs had music videos. Lucas released five more songs in 2023. These included "What's That?", "Cut U Off" with YoungBoy Never Broke Again, and "Broski". "Broski" had a music video starring Rotimi. "Seventeen" and "24 hours to live" also had music videos.

The album Not Now I'm Busy was originally planned for August 18, 2023. However, it was delayed. On November 1, 2023, Lucas announced he was re-working the album. This was due to fan feedback. On February 26, 2024, Lucas announced the album was finished. On March 1, he said it would be released on March 22, 2024. The album's sixth song, "Sticks & Stones" with Conway the Machine, was released the same day. It also had a music video. The album was released early on Apple Music one song at a time. This showed that five of the original 2023 songs were on the final album.

The album's seventh and final song, "Best for Me" with Jelly Roll, was released on March 18, 2024. It came with a music video. The album was released on March 22, 2024, as planned.

Artistic Style and Influences

Joyner Lucas has mentioned several artists who inspire his music. He says Eminem is his biggest musical influence. He also showed his respect for Will Smith in his song "Will". He even released a remix of this song with Will Smith himself on May 15, 2020. Lucas also looks up to Jay-Z as an influence.

Personal Life

Joyner Lucas has a son named Joyner Messiah Lucas. He was born on February 20, 2016. Lucas shares his son with Carmen Julissa Ayala. Lucas talks about his son's story in his song "Forever". This song is on his mixtape 508-507-2209. Joyner Messiah has also appeared in his father's music videos. One example is the video for the 2020 song "Will".

Lucas has shared that his album title ADHD comes from his own life. He was diagnosed with ADHD as a child. He explained that people around him, including his parents, made him feel different. They treated him as if he was not normal. Because of this, he sometimes acted out. He was even sent to an alternative school after being expelled from another school.

Awards and Nominations

Joyner Lucas has received two Grammy nominations.

Discography

Studio Albums

• ADHD (2020)
• Not Now I'm Busy (2024)
• ADHD 2 (2025)

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Joyner Lucas para niños