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YFN Lucci

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YFN Lucci
YFN Lucci in 2017
YFN Lucci in 2017
Background information
Birth nameRayshawn Lamar Bennett
Born (1991-02-16) February 16, 1991 (age 33)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
DiscographyYFN Lucci discography
Years active2014–2024
Labels
  • Think It's A Game (T.I.G.)
  • Warner
  • YFNBC
Children4
Websiteyfnlucci.com

Rayshawn Lamar Bennett (born February 16, 1991), known professionally as YFN Lucci, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. In 2014, Bennett signed a record deal with Think It's A Game Entertainment and released his debut mixtape, Wish Me Well in December of that year. His second mixtape, Wish Me Well 2 (2016) marked his first entry on the Billboard 200, and was led by the single "Key to the Streets" (featuring Migos and Trouble)—his first Billboard Hot 100 entry. His debut extended play (EP), Long Live Nut (2017) peaked at number 27 on chart and spawned the single "Everyday We Lit" (featuring PnB Rock), which peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains his highest-charting song.

His debut studio album, Ray Ray from Summerhill (2018) peaked at number 14 on the Billboard 200. In May 2021, he was arrested following a statewide manhunt and charged with 11 others in a RICO indictment. On January 23, 2024, Bennett pleaded guilty to one count of violation of Georgia's Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act and was sentenced to serve ten years in prison and ten years on probation; he was credited for time already served.[1][2]

Early life

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Rayshawn Lamar Bennett was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up listening to Atlanta rappers such as T.I., and Jeezy.[3][4] He discovered his own musical talent at age 16 and was encouraged to take it seriously by rapper Johnny Cinco.[4] Lucci's older brother is also a rapper, who goes by the name YFN KAY.[4]

Career

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2014–2016: Beginnings and breakthrough

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In December 2014, Lucci signed a record deal with Think It's A Game Entertainment and released his debut mixtape, Wish Me Well.[5][6] In February 2016, he released the Wish Me Well 2 mixtape, which peaked at number 183 on the US Billboard 200 chart.[7][8] The mixtape's hit single "Key to the Streets" featuring Migos and Trouble, peaked at number 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[9] The official remix version of the song featured 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne and Quavo.[10] "Key to the Streets" was included on XXL magazine's 50 Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2016 list and Vibe magazine's The 60 Best Songs Of 2016 list.[11][12] The mixtape's second single is "YFN" which was accompanied by a music video. A behind the scenes of "YFN" was filmed by StayOnGrindTV's Director LookImHD and released on Risinghype.com, YouTube.com & WorldStarHipHop.com.[13][14]

In September 2016, Lucci along with Migos, 21 Savage, Kap G, Young Dolph and Zaytoven was featured on the cover of Rolling Out magazine's "Hidden Hip-Hop Gems of Summer 16" issue.[15] In October 2016, rapper Meek Mill released the track "You Know" featuring Lucci, which peaked at number nine on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and appeared on Mill's DC4 mixtape.[16] In December 2016, Billboard magazine included Lucci in its 10 Hip-Hop and R&B Artists to Watch In 2017 list.[17]

Since 2017: Long Live Nut, Ray Ray From Summerhill

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In April 2017, Lucci released his debut extended play, Long Live Nut, featuring guest appearances from Rick Ross, Dreezy, PnB Rock, Lil Durk, Boosie Badazz and YFN Trae Pound.[18] The EP debuted at number 27 on the Billboard 200.[8] The lead single from the project, "Everyday We Lit" featuring PnB Rock, has peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.[9]

On March 9, 2018, Lucci released his first studio album entitled Ray Ray From Summerhill. The album features guest appearances from a plethora of acts such as frequent collaborators Dreezy, Meek Mill and YFN Trae Pound.[19]

On February 14, 2020, Lucci released his single "Wet (She Got That...)", which received a remix featuring Mulatto on September 18, 2020. "Wet" served as the lead single from Lucci's mixtape Wish Me Well 3, released in December 2020.[20]

Personal life

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In 2018 and 2020, Bennett was in a publicized on-again, off-again relationship with the daughter of Lil Wayne, Reginae Carter. He has fathered four children with two different mothers.[21]

Other ventures

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In 2017, Lucci along with artist Jacquees were chosen to star in Sean John's holiday 2017 and spring 2018 campaigns.[22]

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On March 18, 2018, Anthony Cam aka Rackboy Cam, a New Jersey–based rapper filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in Georgia against Bennett, PnB Rock, music producer June James (The Jenius) and Think It's a Game Records (T.I.G.) with allegations of copyright infridgment of the plaintiff's 2016 song, "Everything Be Lit" in Bennett's 2017 song, "Everything We Lit". In 2019, Bennett and T.I.G. and the plaintiff reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount. On March 2, 2021, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Charles Pannell issued a $1.7 million default judgement in favor of the plaintiff after PnB Rock and James did not respond to the lawsuit. On September 6, 2022 the Georgia Court of Appeals vacated the judgement citing that plaintiff failed to properly serve James with the amended complaint plaintiff filed one month after the original. The case was sent bank to the lower court.[23][24][25]

On January 12, 2021, warrants for Bennett's arrest were issued in Atlanta, Georgia, charging him with a December 2020 shooting that left a 28-year-old man dead and another man wounded, Atlanta Police Department (APD) told the press. In addition to being a suspect in the shooting, the APD charged Bennett with "aggravated assault and participation in criminal street gang activity."[26] He was arrested on January 13, 2021, after turning himself in to police.[27] Bennett was released on house arrest after posting a $500,000 bond on February 8, 2021.[28]

In May 2021, Bennett was among twelve people charged in a 105-count RICO indictment filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Bennett faced charges including racketeering, violating the state's anti-gang law, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The Atlanta Police Department stated that Bennett was a member of a faction of the Bloods. An attorney for Bennett argued that the rapper was innocent of all charges against him.[29][30] On June 1, 2021, a Fulton County judge denied Bennett bond.[31] He accepted a plea bargain and pleaded guilty on January 23, 2024. He was sentenced to ten years in prison and ten years of probation. His jail time was counted as time served.[1]

Artistry

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Discussing how he developed his sing-song style in an interview with Noisey, Lucci said; "Growing up, I always had this high-pitched voice. I couldn't ever sing, you feel me, but I had a little high-pitched voice when I talked loud. I used to listen to Ja Rule. I knew how to rap, and I used to write my verses. And if it don't sound right when I rap it, I sing it. And it'd sound better. I used to let all my friends hear it, and they were like, 'I like that.' I just ran with it. If I can't rap it, I sing it."[32]

Discography

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Main article: YFN Lucci discography

Studio Albums

  • Ray Ray from Summerhill (2018)

References

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  1. ^ a b "YFN Lucci Charged in Gang-Related RICO Indictment". Billboard. May 4, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  2. ^ Seiden, Michael. "Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci pleads guilty to violating Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act". WSB-TV. Cox Media Group. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "The Break Presents: YFN Lucci". XXL. July 17, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "YFN Lucci Speaks On Personal Real-Life Situations On "Patience"". The Fader. January 15, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  5. ^ "TIG's Newest Signee YFN Lucci Drops "Exactly How It Was" Featuring Rich Homie Quan". The Fader. December 17, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  6. ^ "Lucci – Wish Me Well (Mixtape)". rapWAVE. December 16, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  7. ^ "YFN Lucci Drops 'Wish Me Well 2′ Mixtape". XXL. February 16, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  8. ^ a b "YFN Lucci – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Yfn Lucci – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  10. ^ "YFN Lucci feat. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz – 'Key to the Streets (Remix)'". Rap-Up. September 14, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  11. ^ "Run It Back: The 60 Best Songs Of 2016". Vibe. December 14, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  12. ^ "50 Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2016". XXL. December 8, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  13. ^ "YFN Lucci – YFN". Apple Music. November 20, 2015.
  14. ^ "devariusmckinney – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  15. ^ "Hidden hip-hop gems of summer '16: A retrospective". Rolling Out. September 15, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  16. ^ "Chart Search for YFN Lucci (Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  17. ^ "10 Hip-Hop and R&B Artists to Watch In 2017". Billboard. December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  18. ^ "YFN Lucci Pays Homage to His Fallen Mentor on New EP 'Long Live Nut': Premiere". Billboard. April 3, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  19. ^ "Stream YFN Lucci's Debut Album 'Ray Ray From Summerhill'". March 9, 2018.
  20. ^ "YFN Lucci unleashes new 'Wish Me Well 3' mixtape". REVOLT. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  21. ^ ""We Working on It" YFN Lucci Talks Relationship Reginae Has with the 2 Mothers of His Children". December 4, 2020.
  22. ^ "YFN Lucci and Jacquees Star in Sean John's Holiday Campaign: Exclusive". Billboard. October 27, 2017.
  23. ^ Kuperinsky, Amy. "N.J. rapper awarded $1.7M in lawsuit over 'Everyday We Lit' song from YFN Lucci, PnB Rock". NJ. NJ Advance Media. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  24. ^ Lee, Craig. "Rackboy Cam Awarded $1.7M In Copyright Infringement Case Against YFN Lucci And PnB Rock". BET. Black Entertainment Television, LLC. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  25. ^ Goggin, Kayla. "11th Circuit overturns $1.4 million award for rapper in copyright battle". Court House News. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  26. ^ "YFN Lucci: US rapper wanted in Atlanta for suspected murder". BBC News. January 13, 2021.
  27. ^ "Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci turns himself in and faces a murder charge". January 14, 2021.
  28. ^ "Rapper YFN Lucci out of jail after posting $500,000 in bond". 11Alive. February 9, 2021.[permanent dead link]
  29. ^ Kate Brumback (May 5, 2021). "Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci charged in gang-related racketeering indictment". Fox 5 Atlanta. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  30. ^ Christopher Buchanan (May 18, 2021). "Atlanta rapper indicted on racketeering, gang charges turns himself in". 11Alive.com. Retrieved June 13, 2021.[permanent dead link]
  31. ^ Kyle Eustice (June 2, 2021). "Judge Denies YFN Lucci Bond In Racketeering Case". HipHopDX. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  32. ^ "YFN Lucci, Atlanta's Most Likable New Star, Is Making Boss Moves". Noisey. October 26, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
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