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Geko (rapper)

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Geko
Birth nameHodifa Abdalla Elshabli
Born (1997-06-15) 15 June 1997 (age 27)
Manchester, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2010-present
Labels

Hodifa Abdalla Elshabli (born 15 June 1997), known professionally as Geko, is a British rapper and singer from Manchester. He is best known for singles such as "6:30" (featuring NSG) and "New Money" (with French Montana and Ay Em) which charted on the UK Singles Chart and were certified by the BPI.[1]

Geko was signed to K Koke's U.S.G. at the early age of 13.[2] With them he made the EP Heartless and several singles, leaving them in 2014 to start his own label, OneTape Records. He released the EP Baba and several singles under his own label and in 2017 released his debut album LionHeart with Sony Music. His breakthrough to the mainstream came in 2018, after signing to 3 Beat Productions, with a series of successful singles including "6:30", "Will Smith", "New Money" and "Link Up", all of which charted on the UK Singles Chart.[1] In 2019 he released his first major album 22.

Early life

[edit]

Geko is of Libyan and Algerian heritage.[3] He was excluded from school but still managed to finish seven GCSEs.[2] As his early music influences he lists 50 Cent, Eminem, Jadakiss, Styles P and K Koke, which he thought of as his mentor.[4]

Career

[edit]

2010–2014, early career with USG

[edit]

Geko began rapping at the age of 8; at 13, he signed to K Koke's UK music collective U.S.G., becoming their youngest member.[2] Under USG, he released the single "Mommy" featuring Jay Soul,[5] followed by the mixtape Voice Of The Future,[4] the EP Heartless and a single "Crazy Life" (now only available via SoundCloud)[6] which garnered him some underground following.[2] He was the youngest rapper to record a session for Charlie Sloth's Fire in the Booth on BBC Radio 1.[2] In 2014, at the age of 16, he left USG, a move which K Koke wasn't happy about, calling him a "snake"[7] and an "ungrateful little shit".[8]

2015–2017, independent releases, Baba and LionHeart

[edit]

After leaving USG, Geko started his own label, OneTape Records.[2][9] In October 2015, he released the EP Baba which he debuted in the O2 Academy Islington.[10] Following that, in 2016 Geko released several singles to digital platforms independently, starting with "Y", featuring Afro B, the video of which was shot in Cova da Moura, Portugal.[11] It was followed by "Make You Come", featuring Canadian singer RamRiddlz[12] and "Khalas" featuring Ard Adz.[13] In July, he performed in Wireless Festival.[9]

On 10 March 2017, Geko released his debut album LionHeart with Sony Music, although it was leaked earlier.[14] It was led by the single "Drunk on You", released on 10 February.[15] The album was described by Jon Caramanica of The New York Times as "sweet pop music with an international bent".[3] After releasing the album, Geko went on a The LionHeart Tour in England.[16] He went on to release multiple singles to digital platforms, including "Bipolar" with Sneakbo,[17] "Diamond" with Team Salute[18] and "Ronaldo",[19] in which he pays homage to Cristiano Ronaldo and compares Ronaldo's touch to his own.[20] In June, he was featured on NSG's "Yo Darlin'"[21] and he brought them up to perform it in Wireless Festival that July.[22] The single would later be certified Silver by the BPI in 2019 and Gold in 2022.[23] His last single for 2017 was "Lock The Door", which was described as "an afrobeats inspired groover, with hints of J Hus".[24]

2018–2019, mainstream breakthrough and 22

[edit]

Geko started 2018 with "Likes That", his first release with 3 Beat Productions.[25] In April, he was featured with Afro B on Ay Em's "Come to Me".[26] However, his breakthrough to the mainstream came in May 2018 with "6:30" (featuring NSG), his first single to make the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 56,[1] and later being certified silver in 2019 and gold in 2020 by the BPI.[23]

In September 2018, he was signed by 3 Beat Productions for exclusive worldwide publishing of all his songs and future EPs and records, after already being signed to them earlier for records.[27] The next single, "Will Smith" featuring Not3s,[28] barely made the UK chart, peaking at number 100,[1] but both "Will Smith" and "6:30" were featured in Capital XTRA's "Best Grime & UK Hip Hop Songs Of 2018".[29]

The first single of 2019, "Don Daddy", with a video shot in Paris,[30] did not make the UK chart but "New Money" that followed it, in collaboration with French Montana and Ay Em,[31] made it to number 49, Geko's highest peak.[1] To end 2019, Geko released two more collaborations, "Hey Mama", featuring Maleek Berry and Latifah,[32] and "Link Up", with Stefflon Don, Deno and Dappy, which samples Ja Rule and Ashanti's "Always on Time",[33] peaking at number 84 on the UK chart.[1] Lastly, in December 2019, Geko released his first major album 22, including the six singles from "6:30" to "Link Up" and an additional seven tracks, including "Literally", featuring Mr Eazi.[34] The album was described by GRM Daily's Jack Lynch as "mature and versatile".[35] "Bad & Boujie", a single by AJ which featured Geko, Ard Adz and Koomz, and also charted in the UK chart,[1] was nominated for the 17th Urban Music Awards in 2020.[36]

2020–present

[edit]

After releasing 22, Geko announced he will go on The 22 Tour in 2020,[37] however, this tour was rescheduled due to COVID-19.[38] Geko released only two major singles in 2020, the afrobeat influenced "Tantrum"[39] and "Ride Or Die", a collaboration with Paigey Cakey.[40] He was also featured on several singles, including Jorday's "Closer Part II"[41] and "Plan Tonight" by Nafe Smallz,[42] but none of those singles charted. 2021 brought more singles including "Woi Oi", in collaboration with Ms Banks and BackRoad Gee,[43] "Jeepers Creepers" with Taze,[44] and "Drama",[45] as well as being featured by other artists such as KD Blockmoney's "No Calling",[46] but none of those singles have charted as well.

2022 saw little activity from Geko, with only two title widely released, "Problems" in January, another collaboration with Ard Adz,[47] and "Clio" in November with Shabizla.[48]

Personal life

[edit]

Geko was a childhood friend of Salman Abedi, the assailant of the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017. He said that when he heard about the bombing he wept.[49] Referring to the bomber he said "he's an idiot and he's dead".[24] Later in 2017, he falsely announced on Twitter that he had cancer.[50] Two years later he revealed that the tweet was made while on medication in a mental health unit.[51]

In 2019, he modeled for Napapijri at Scotts Menswear.[52]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details
LionHeart
  • Released: 10 March 2017
  • Label: Sony Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
22

Mixtapes

[edit]
Title Mixtapes details
Voice Of The Future[4]
  • Released: December 2012
  • Label: USG Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

[edit]
Title EP details
Heartless
  • Released: 16 September 2013
  • Label: USG Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Baba
  • Released: 28 October 2015
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[1]
"Mommy"
(featuring Jay Soul) 		2012 — Non-album single
"Y"
(featuring Afro B) 		2016 —
"Make You Come"
(featuring Ramriddlz) 		—
"Khalas"
(featuring Ard Adz) 		—
"Drunk on You" 2017 — LionHeart
"Bipolar"
(with Sneakbo) 		— Non-album single
"Diamond"
(with Team Salute) 		—
"Multi Task"
(with Aystar and Safone) 		— Scousematic 2
"Ronaldo" — Non-album single
"Blac Chyna" —
"Lock the Door" —
"Likes That" 2018 —
"6:30"
(featuring NSG) 		56 22
"Will Smith"
(featuring Not3s) 		100
"Don Daddy" 2019 —
"New Money"
(with French Montana and Ay Em) 		49
"Hey Mama"
(featuring Maleek Berry and Latifah) 		—
"Link Up"
(with Stefflon Don, Deno and Dappy) 		84
"Repeat" (Remix)
(featuring Lotto Boyzz) 		2020 — Non-album singles
"Tantrum"[39] —
"Ride Or Die"[40]
(with Paigey Cakey) 		—
"Woi Oi"[43]
(with Ms Banks and BackRoad Gee) 		2021 —
"Over & Under" —
"Jeepers Creepers"
(with Taze) 		—
"Drama" —
"Problems"
(featuring Ard Adz) 		2022 —
"Clio"
(with Shabizla) 		—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
[edit]
List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[1]
"In2" (Remix)
(WSTRN featuring Wretch 32, Chip and Geko) 		2015 — In2 (Remixes)
"NaNa"
(Paigey Cakey featuring Geko) 		— Red
"Yo Darlin'"
(NSG featuring Geko) 		2017 — Non-album singles
"Southside"[53]
(Cadet featuring Geko) 		—
"Come To Me"
(Ay Em featuring Afro B and Geko) 		2018 —
"No Make Up"
(J-Sol featuring Geko) 		—
"Again"
Kida Kudz featuring Geko) 		—
"Wondering" (Remix)
(M.O featuring Geko and Ms Banks) 		2019 —
"Bally" (Remix)
(Swarmz featuring Geko, Jaykae, Kwengface and 23 Unofficial) 		—
"Go Time"
(Ill Blu featuring Ay Em, Geko, ZieZie and C. Tangana) 		— The BLUPRiNT
"Bad & Boujie"
(AJ featuring Geko, Ard Adz and Koomz 		71 Non-album single
"Back It Up"
(Ms Banks featuring Geko 		— The Coldest Winter Ever, Pt. 2
"Likin"[54]
(Fastlane Wez featuring Geko and Yungen 		— Non-album singles
"Confidence"
(Yung Filly and Chunkz featuring Geko) 		2020 —
"Closer Part II"[41]
(Jorday featuring Geko) 		—
"Plan Tonight"[42]
(Nafe Smallz featuring Geko) 		—
"No Calling"[46]
(KD Blockmoney featuring Geko) 		2021 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other guest appearances

[edit]
List of album guest appearances with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Get Rich" 2014 Brotherhood Love Life Hate the World
"Eko Miami"[55] 2016 Maleek Berry Last Daze of Summer
"Money & Blood" 2017 Safone The Link Up
"Gone Bad" Tion Wayne, One Acen Transition
"Cold" Clue Free Smoke
"Stepped In" 2020 Big Tobz Issa Vibe

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Peak positions on the UK Singles Chart:
    • For all except where noted: "Geko | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
    • For "6:30": "Geko Ft NSG | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "UK rapper Geko: From tragedy to triumph". The Voice. 17 April 2014. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b Caramanica, Jon (19 May 2017). "Grime Sets Today's Music Agenda in Britain, and Tomorrow's". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Phillips, Noel (17 December 2012). "Introducing: The Voice Of The Future – Geko". Flavourmag. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Mommy (with Jay Soul) - Single by Geko". 18 March 2012. Archived from the original on 29 April 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Geko - Crazy Life (Prod. By @HTBeatsUSG)". Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022 – via SoundCloud.
  7. ^ Evans, Tom (9 May 2016). "Preview: Born & Bred Festival". inSYNC. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  8. ^ McQuaid, Ian (15 October 2015). "UK rap doesn't need mainstream exposure to prove its potency". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  9. ^ a b Nicola (14 July 2016). "UHH Goes To Wireless Festival 2016: Interviews With Geko & Afro B For Their Festival Debut". Upcoming Hip-Hop. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Geko Debuts His EP 'Baba'". A Nation of Billions. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  11. ^ SM, Elle (13 June 2016). "Geko brings the summer vibes in new visual for "Y" featuring Afro B". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  12. ^ Griffin, Alex (22 July 2016). "Geko teams up with RamRiddlz for new video "Make You Come"". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  13. ^ Griffin, Alex (17 September 2016). "Geko enlists Ard Adz for wavy new video "Khalas"". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Geko : LionHeart". Has it Leaked. Archived from the original on 29 April 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  15. ^ Lee, Marisa (10 February 2017). "Geko drops party banger "Drunk On You"". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  16. ^ Stickler, Jon. "Geko Sets Up 'Lionheart' Spring Tour - Stereoboard". Stereoboard.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  17. ^ Griffin, Alex (11 March 2017). "Geko & Sneakbo team up for new vibe "Bipolar"". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  18. ^ Barry, Trudy (21 May 2017). "Geko & Team Salut found a "Diamond" in new video". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  19. ^ Barry, Trudy (13 June 2017). "Geko drops new video for "Ronaldo"". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  20. ^ Davey, Jacob (25 July 2018). "10 Grime and UK Rap Tracks That Were Inspired by Footballers". VERSUS. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  21. ^ Barry, Trudy (18 June 2017). "Premiere: NSG & Geko come together for "Yo Darlin"". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  22. ^ Kohli, Sunjay (5 May 2018). "It's All About Timing With NSG". A Nation of Billions. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  23. ^ a b c d "British certifications – Geko". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 September 2022. Type Geko in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  24. ^ a b Stevenson, Will (6 September 2017). "INTERVIEW: Manchester rapper Geko". Salford Now. 6 September 2017. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  25. ^ Griffin, Alex (5 January 2018). "PREMIERE: Geko switches it up with "Likes That" video". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  26. ^ Griffin, Alex (17 April 2018). "PREMIERE: Ay Em hires in Afro B & Geko for new joint "Come To Me"". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  27. ^ "3 Beat signs Geko for worldwide publishing". Music Business Worldwide. 18 September 2018. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  28. ^ Griffin, Alex (25 October 2018). "PREMIERE: Geko & Not3s unite for "Will Smith" video". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  29. ^ "The Best Grime & UK Hip Hop Songs Of 2018". Capital XTRA. 27 November 2018. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  30. ^ Spyrou, Michael (15 February 2019). "Geko Heads To Paris For Criss "Don Daddy" Visuals". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  31. ^ A., Aron (12 April 2019). "French Montana Joins U.K.'s Geko & Ay Em On "New Money"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  32. ^ Rasmin, Sam (6 July 2019). "NEW: Geko ft. Maleek Berry & Latifah - Hey Mama - Prod by. Maleek Berry - Directed by. Labi". CGuk2.0. Archived from the original on 29 April 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  33. ^ W., Courtney (21 November 2019). "Premiere: Geko, Stefflon Don, Dappy & Deno "Link Up" In New Visuals". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 29 April 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  34. ^ A., Aron (6 December 2019). "Geko Enlists French Montana, Stefflon Don, Mr. Eazi & More On "22"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  35. ^ Lynch, Jack (6 December 2019). "Listen To Geko's Latest Project '22' Featuring NSG, French Montana & More". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 29 April 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  36. ^ "Nominations for the 17th edition of the annual Urban Music Awards 2020". Urban Music Awards. 20 December 2019. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  37. ^ Johnson, Laura. "Geko Announces Spring UK Shows For The 22 Tour - Stereoboard". Stereoboard.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  38. ^ "Geko Tour Dates & Tickets". Stereoboard.com. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  39. ^ a b Murray, Robin (3 August 2020). "Geko's 'Tantrum' Is A Summer-Fresh Return". Clash. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  40. ^ a b W., Courtney (17 September 2020). "Premiere: Paigey Cakey & Geko Re-Unite On "Ride Or Die"". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  41. ^ a b Evans, Elle (13 March 2020). "Rising UK R&B Artist Jorday Drops "Closer Part II" Featuring Geko". Mixtape Madness. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  42. ^ a b W., Courtney (11 April 2020). "Nafe Smallz & Geko join forces for "Plan Tonight" visuals". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  43. ^ a b "Geko, Ms Banks and BackRoad Gee reunite on "Woi Oi"". PAM - Pan African Music. 8 June 2021. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  44. ^ Archibald-Powell, Naimah (7 November 2021). "Premiere: Geko & Taze come together for "Jeepers Creepers"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  45. ^ "Geko Gifts Us With Playful "Drama" Visuals". GRM Daily. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  46. ^ a b Archibald-Powell, Naimah (24 January 2021). "Premiere: Geko & KD Blockmoney link up for "No Calling"". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  47. ^ Wynter, Courtney (6 January 2022). "Premiere: Geko & Ard Adz Re-Unite In Visuals For "Problems"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  48. ^ "Clio - Single by Shabizla & Geko". 21 November 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  49. ^ Rossi, Alex (28 May 2017). "Manchester bomber was radicalised in the city, rapper claims". Sky News. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  50. ^ Griffin, Alex (13 June 2017). "Geko Announces He Has Cancer". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  51. ^ "Geko Reveals The Story Behind His Infamous Cancer Tweet". Capital Xtra. 13 May 2019. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  52. ^ "scottsmenswear: Seen On scotts | Geko x Napapijri". Milled. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  53. ^ "Cadet & Geko head to the "Southside" in new collab". GRM Daily. 8 November 2017. Archived from the original on 29 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  54. ^ W, Courtney (12 September 2019). "Premiere: Fastlane Wez Enlists Geko & Yungen For Fresh Tune "Likin"". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 29 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  55. ^ Griffin, Alex (23 January 2017). "Maleek Berry hires in Geko for new tune "Eko Miami"". GRM Daily. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
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