BET Awards 2022: Get to Know ‘Best New Artist’ Nominee Baby Keem
West Coast-based rapper Baby Keem made his breakthrough onto the music scene in 2020 thanks to his smash single “Orange Soda '' from his second mixtape Die for My B-tch, released the year before. The 21-year-old burgeoning musician took advantage of the song’s success and released his debut studio album, The Melodic Blue, in 2021. Born Hykeem Jamaal Carter Jr., the rising star, debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and features standout tracks such as “Family Ties,” featuring Grammy Award-winning rapper and real-life cousin Kendrick Lamar.
Although he is relatively new to the music industry, Keem’s musical contributions have already garnered him several accolades, including two Grammy Awards nominations, one of which he won for “Best Rap Performance” during the 64th annual event. The “HONEST” emcee also earned himself several nominations at the upcoming BET Awards 2022, including one for “Best New Artist,” and is up against several burgeoning acts in the industry. However, before we can get to culture’s biggest night hosted by actress Taraji P. Henson, get to know the rapper better with these fun facts.
He’s related to Kendrick Lamar
For those who haven’t caught on by following the release of Kendrick Lamar’s latest album Mr. Moral and the Big Steppers, he and Baby Keem are related. They marked their official collaboration together with Keem’s 2021 single “Family Ties” off his debut studio album Melodic Blue
He’s originally from Las Vegas
Born in Las Vegas, NV, Baby Keem left and moved to California to further his music career. During an interview with Complex, the rapper revealed his motive behind moving as a teenager, telling the outlet, “It's small. It's nothing, no music scene. Do you know any artists from Vegas?” He added, “Boring, dry, small. Everybody knows everybody.”
His grandmother is one of his biggest supporters
The rapper was raised by his grandmother when he was eight years old. The rising star has featured her on songs such as “Moshpit.” He’s also been quoted saying she “loves” his profession. “She bought me my first microphone, actually,” he added.
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He understands practice makes perfect
Will talking with Complex, the “Apologize” emcee told reporters, “I do a song every day. I finish it top to bottom.” He continued. ‘It's like if you're a basketball player, you just play every day, and then you're like, ‘Okay, I shouldn't be playing with these kids no more. I should be [with] these kids.’ I feel I could be in the studio with anyone. I feel like I can get a song with anybody, sing with somebody. I can do anything.”
He knew at 16 that he was ready to share his art with the world
"Yeah, I thought my music was really good back then. I'm like 16 years old, and I'm doing this, and I'm recording myself." I thought I was crazy,” he said in a vintage interview. “It was just bedroom music, all my ideas. Going to school, coming home every day, penning my ideas, expressing myself. That's the best way I can put it.” Keem ultimately found success thanks to his 2020 hit Orange Soda from his second mixtape, Die for My B-tch.
Watch the BET Awards 2022 Sunday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.
