Naseem Rafeeq Young (born August 12, 2000),[1][2] known professionally as 2Rare, is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is best known for his guest appearance on NLE Choppa's 2022 single "Do It Again", which received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and entered the Billboard Hot 100. He signed with Mel Carter's Second Estate Records, an imprint of Warner Records in October 2022. Prior, he signed with Internet Money Records, an imprint of 10K Projects in 2020.[5][6]
2Rare | |
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![]() 2Rare in 2022 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Naseem Rafeeq Young[1][2] |
Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.[3] | August 12, 2000
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Occupations |
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Years active | 2018-present[4] |
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Early life
editYoung was born on August 12, 2000.[7][8] He was a football player during his high school years. He believed the sports would be "his lane". Originally from Philadelphia, he temporarily moved to Los Angeles due to academic issues and altercations. Later, he returned to Philadelphia where he discovered that his prolonged absence had barred him from returning to class. This led to his separation from football.[4]
Career
editIn 2019, he became known for his single "Big Bag", which landed him a joint venture recording contract signing with record labels 10K Projects, Internet Money Records, and Homemade Projects. In 2020, he gained wider success with the release of his debut commercial single "Big Drippa".[1] In January 2022, he released the single "Cupid" and it went viral on TikTok. In June 2022, he appeared in the music video for Canadian rapper Drake's song "Sticky", and had a dance battle with Drake himself.[9] In August 2022, he released his song "Q-Pid" with a feature from American rapper Lil Durk.[10] In October 2022, he appeared on American rapper NLE Choppa's single "Do It Again" and in its accompanying music video. That same month, he signed with Mel Carter's Second Estate Records, which operates as part of Warner Records. Carter gave Young a US$800,000 cash advance for his signing.[11][8] In July 2023, he was featured on the 2023 XXL Freshman class with other rappers including Central Cee and GloRilla.[12] On May 10, 2024 he featured on DreamDoll's song Jelly (Remix).
References
edit- ^ a b c Kellman, Andy. "2rare - Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ a b https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/title/Q-Pid/writer/Durk?at=true&searchFilter=SVW&page=1
- ^ "Old Hit, New Flip: How 2rare's 'Cupid' Channels Bad Boy Records' Sure-Fire '90s Formula". Rolling Stone. March 9, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ a b "The Break Presents: 2Rare". XXL. October 31, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "MEL CARTER SIGNS PHILLY RAPPER 2RARE WITH $800K ON THE SPOT". The Source. October 4, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "2Rare Inks a Deal with Second Estate Records". October 6, 2022.
- ^ "2RARE – 2023 XXL FRESHMAN". July 5, 2023.
- ^ a b "NLE Choppa Turns Up With 2Rare In New Video "Do It Again"". HotNewHipHop. October 7, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "DRAKE HAS DANCE BATTLE WITH 2RARE WHILE FILMING 'STICKY' VIDEO IN MIAMI". HipHopDX. June 28, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "2Rare Calls On Lil Durk For "Q-Pid"". HotNewHipHop. August 23, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "Mel Carter Signs 2Rare for $800k on the Spot at the Second Estate Launch Party". October 6, 2022.
- ^ Woods, Aleia (June 21, 2023). "2023 XXL Freshman Class Revealed". XXL Mag. Retrieved September 3, 2023.