Calboy
Birth nameCalvin Lashon Woods
Also known as147Calboy
Born (1999-04-03) April 3, 1999 (age 24)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
OriginCalumet City, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2014-present
Labels

Calvin Lashon Woods (born April 3, 1999), professionally known as Calboy (/ˈkælbɔɪ/), is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. In 2017, Calvin had a break through locally with his mixtapes released through Paper Gang Inc., Anxiety and Calboy, the Wild Boy.

In 2018, he came to prominence after the release of his viral song "Envy Me", later serving as the lead single from his debut EP, Wildboy, released on May 31, 2019, after signing a new major label deal with Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records.[3]

Early life

On April 3, 1999, Calvin Lashon Woods was born on the South Side of Chicago; he later relocated to Calumet City, Illinois.[4] Woods turned to music to channel the frustrations of growing up below the poverty line. He is one of five children raised by a single mother.

Woods witnessed two of his best friends die, one of a drug overdose and the other to gun violence. His family migrated between small homes to small apartments.[5][6] His cousin is late rapper King Von.[7]

Career

2016–2017: Career beginnings

On July 7, 2017, Calboy released his debut mixtape, The Chosen One.[8] on Paper Gang Inc. Later that year, Calboy released his second mixtape, Anxiety, on December 7, 2017.[9]

2018–2021: Numerous mixtapes, EPs and RCA Records

On June 18, 2018, Woods released his third mixtape, Calboy, the Wildboy. A single off the project was titled, "Unjudge Me", which featured Moneybagg Yo.

He released his single "Envy Me" on September 13, 2018, to critical acclaim. It later served as the lead single from his debut EP Wildboy, released on May 31, 2019. "Envy Me" peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[10] With the single's success came the signage of Calboy to Polo Grounds Music, distributed by RCA Records.[3] At the time, the label had already ended their partnership with ASAP Rocky following the May release of his third album, Testing.[citation needed] It was also rumored that Calboy also signed a management deal with Meek Mill's label, Dream Chasers, but he hinted that he left the label in 2021 after a financial disagreement.[11]

The Wildboy EP was followed by another EP, Long Live the Kings, released in March 2020, with the latter receiving a deluxe version the following July, including 6 new tracks.[12] On August 11, Calboy was included on XXL's 2020 Freshman Class.[13]

On March 22, 2021, "Miseducation" featuring fellow rapper Lil Wayne was released as the lead single from Calboy's debut album, Redemption, supposed to be released the same year, but was postponed. Swae Lee was also set to make an appearance on the album. Calboy claimed that the album was completed.[14]

As recent as February 2022, Calboy publicly disclosed his frustrations with Polo Grounds and RCA Records, believing he was being treated like a "label slave".[15][16][17]

2022–Present

Calboy has released two albums in this period, the 2022 release "Black Heart" and 2023's "UNCHAINED".[18]

Artistry

Influences

Woods has cited his influences as Tupac Shakur, Michael Jackson, Sherwood, Fuel, Chance the Rapper, The Starting Line, Chief Keef, New Found Glory, G Herbo, The All American Rejects, and 50 Cent.[19]

Woods' rap moniker comes from combining his government name Calvin and the character Cowboy from the 1979 cult film The Warriors.[20]

Discography

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Details
The Chosen One
Anxiety
  • Released: December 7, 2017
  • Label: Paper Gang Inc.
  • Format: Digital download
Calboy, the Wildboy
  • Released: June 18, 2018
  • Label: Paper Gang Inc.
  • Format: Digital download

Extended plays

List of EPs with selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
US
[21] 		US
R&B/HH
[22] 		US
Rap
[23] 		CAN
[24]
Wildboy 30 18 16 62
  • US: 16,000
Long Live the Kings
  • Released: February 25, 2020
  • Label: Polo Grounds Music, RCA
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 136 — — —
Black Heart[26]
  • Released: September 9, 2022
  • Label: Polo Grounds Music, RCA
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 — — — —
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Singles

List of singles showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[27] 		US
R&B/HH
[28] 		CAN
[29]
"Envy Me" 2018 31 14 51 Wildboy
"Caroline"[31]
(featuring Polo G) 		2019 — — —
"Unjudge Me"
(featuring Moneybagg Yo) 		— — —
"Chariot"
(featuring Meek Mill, Lil Durk and Young Thug) 		— —[A] —
"Purpose"
(featuring G Herbo) 		— — — Long Live the Kings
"Barbarian"
(featuring Lil Tjay) 		2020 — — —
"Brand New"[12]
(featuring King Von) 		— — —
"Rounds"[12]
(featuring Fivio Foreign) 		— — —
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Get a Bag" 2019 Chance the Rapper The Big Day
"100k On a Coupe" Pop Smoke —
"Diana (Remix)" 2020 Pop Smoke, King Combs Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon (Deluxe)
"Thug Kry" YG, Lil Mosey My Life 4Hunnid

Tours

Headlining

Supporting act

Notes

  1. ^ "Chariot" did not chart on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but did peak at number two on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[32]

References

  1. ^ Grant Rindner "Calboy is Bringing Melody and Authenticity to Chicago’s New Wave of Rap", Complex Networks, Calboy is part of an ascendant generation of Chicago rappers like Polo G and Lil Zay Osama who blend the street stories of the drill scene with the more refined song crafting abilities of artists like Chance the Rapper and Joey Purp.
  2. ^ "The top 10 Chicago drill rappers you should listen to in 2021". Tuko. November 28, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Polo Grounds Music Extends Partnership with RCA Records, Announces New Signees Calboy and Jay Gwuapo". Billboard.
  4. ^ "In Search Of: Here's Why People Are Looking Up JENNIE, CalBoy, & Jackson Wang". Genius. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  5. ^ "CalBoy". Genius. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  6. ^ "Chartbreaker: Calboy on His Chicago Rap Roots and Avoiding 'The Sunken Place'". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  7. ^ Todd, Jessica (May 2, 2022). "EXCLUSIVE: Calboy on Being King Von's Cousin, Planned on Meeting Up with Him the Night He Died". www.vladtv.com. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  8. ^ Mixtapez, My (July 7, 2017), Mixtape of The Chosen One by Calboy, retrieved July 2, 2019
  9. ^ Mixtapez, My (December 8, 2017), Mixtape of Anxiety (hosted by DJ Pharris) by Calboy, retrieved July 2, 2019
  10. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  11. ^ "Calboy Blames Meek Mill For Him Firing Dream Chasers Management". HipHopDX. April 25, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Lilah, Rose (June 26, 2020). "Calboy Teams With Fivio Foreign On Booming "Rounds"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  13. ^ Cline, Georgette (August 11, 2020). "XXL 2020 FRESHMAN CLASS REVEALED". XXL. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  14. ^ Calboy (March 28, 2021). "#AlbumComplete1stAlbumAMasterpiece". Instagram.
  15. ^ Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY), Yohance (March 18, 2022). "Calboy Blasts RCA Records & Polo Grounds Music: I Ain't No Slave". AllHipHop. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  16. ^ "Calboy Airs Out His Label For Treating Him Like A 'Slave'". HipHopDX. March 18, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  17. ^ "Calboy on Beef with RCA: These People Don't Feel They're Wrong if It's in Black & White (Part 12) | Ghostarchive". ghostarchive.org. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  18. ^ "Calboy, Spotify". December 4, 2023.
  19. ^ III, Robby Seabrook (January 23, 2019). "The Break Presents: Calboy – XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  20. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Calboy on Choosing His Name: "Cowboy" Sounded Gay Like 'Brokeback Mountain' (Part 3). YouTube.
  21. ^ "Calboy Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  22. ^ "Calboy Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  23. ^ "Calboy Chart History: Top Rap Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  24. ^ "Calboy Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  25. ^ a b c "American certifications – Calboy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  26. ^ "Calboy - Black Heart". Apple Music. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  27. ^ "Calboy Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  28. ^ "Calboy Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  29. ^ "Calboy Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  30. ^ "Canadian certifications – Calboy". Music Canada. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  31. ^ "Caroline - Single by Calboy & Polo G". Apple Music.
  32. ^ "Calboy Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  33. ^ "Rockstar Wildboyz The Tour with 147 Calboy". SOBS. Internet Archive. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  34. ^ "Kodak Black Announces 'The Dying To Live Tour'". Live Nation Entertainment. February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  35. ^ "21 Savage Announces "I Am > I Was" Tour Dates With Young Nudy & Calboy". HotNewHipHop. July 4, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
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