22Gz
22Gz | |
|---|---|
 22GZ's May 2017 mugshot | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as |
|
| Born | Jeffrey Mark Alexander November 29, 1997 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | Blixky Ent./Atlantic Foundation Media, LLC |
Jeffrey Mark Alexander (born November 29, 1997), known professionally as 22Gz (/tutuˈdʒiːz/ too-too-JEEZ), is an American rapper credited as a pioneer of the Brooklyn drill scene. 22Gz released his first major mixtape, The Blixky Tape, through Atlantic Records in 2019.
Early life
Jeffrey Mark Alexander was born on November 29, 1997, in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. His father died before he was born. He is of Guyanese descent. He started his entertainment career on the New York City Subway performing showtime dance routines.
Career
2015-2018: Career beginnings & Atlantic Records deal
22Gz started releasing songs on SoundCloud at the age of 17 in early 2015. After releasing the singles "Blixky" and "Suburban" in 2016, he gained a following from his YouTube videos. "Suburban", produced by London-based drill producer AXL Beats, was regarded as one of the first major Brooklyn drill songs to become popular. 22Gz gained attention, leading him to sign with Atlantic in 2018 and his label A&R helping him become noticed by Kodak Black. One of his first songs released on the label, "Spin the Block", was a collaboration track with Kodak Black.
2019-present: The Blixky Tape & Growth & Development
22Gz released his first mixtape with Atlantic, The Blixky Tape, in July 2019. His follow-up mixtape, Growth & Development, was released on April 10, 2020, and was co-produced by London-based drill producer Ghosty. Torsten Ingvaldsen of Hypebeast praised the mixtape, stating 22Gz has "riotous energy, bringing forth aggressive lyrics and militant deliveries that continue to sculpt out his fast-paced rise".
Legal issues
In 2014, he was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, however the charges were dropped. 22Gz spent five months in jail in 2017 for second-degree murder charges related to a shooting in Miami; however, these were later dropped. 22Gz recorded a Facebook Live video from an NYPD holding cell in 2018.
In 2019, Alexander, along with Casanova, Pop Smoke, Sheff G, and Don Q, was removed from the Rolling Loud concert. NYPD cited "a higher risk of violence" if the artists were to perform.
On June 12, 2022, 22Gz was arrested in New York City on attempted murder charges over a March shooting in which three people were injured. He was released on US$500,000 bail four days later.
Discography
Mixtapes
| Title | Mixtape details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Heat. | ||
| The Blixky Tape |
|
— |
| Growth & Development |
|
12 |
| The Blixky Tape 2 |
|
20 |
| Growth & Development II |
|
— |
| Brooklyn's Most Wanted |
|
— |
| Hidden Gemz |
|
— |
Extended plays
| Title | Extended play details |
|---|---|
| Year of the Blixky |
|
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "12 Bars" |
2015 | Non-album singles | |
| "At The Light" (featuring Theo Zanotti) |
|||
| "Blicky" (featuring Nas Blixky & NiikoSuav) |
2016 | ||
| "Regular" (featuring Theo Zanotti & Suavee Jew) |
|||
| "Up Next!" (featuring Breezo Blixky & Nas Blixky) |
|||
| "Suburban" | |||
| "Vamanos" (featuring Ju Laden & Theo Zanotti) |
2017 | ||
| "Ain't Livin My Life" | |||
| "Invest in a Ratchet" (featuring Big Moose 280) |
|||
| "We On" (featuring Nas Blixky) |
|||
| "First Day Out / Stuck in the Yams" | |||
| "Why" | 2018 | ||
| "Blicky Da Blicky" | |||
| "Got Those" | |||
| "Spin the Block" (featuring Kodak Black) |
|||
| "Spazz Out" (featuring PNV Jay & Leeky Bandz) |
|||
| "Drifting" (AXL Beats, Khay B Flockin, Kush Binflockin, & Breezy Blixky) |
2019 | ||
| "Sniper Gang (Freestyle)" | The Blixky Tape | ||
| "Rerock" (featuring Shawny Binladen) |
Non-album singles | ||
| "Telephone" (featuring MaxThaDemon & Ciggy Blacc) | |||
| "Suburban, Pt. 2" |
|
Growth & Development | |
| "No Questions" | 2020 | ||
| "YTB (Yellow Tape Blixky)" (featuring Shawny Binladen & Big Yaya) |
Non-album singles | ||
| "Do The Most" (featuring PeeGunna) | |||
| "Movie" (Featuring CoachDaGhost) |
As featured artist
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Flexin" (Khay B Flockin featuring 22GZ & Kush Binflockin) |
2016 | Non-album singles |
| "Jet Li, Pt. 2" (Nick Blixky featuring 22GZ) |
2018 | |
| "Drive the Boat" (Nick Blixky featuring 22GZ & Nas Blixky) |
2019 | |
| "Upset" (T'up Ty featuring 22GZ) |
Excuse the Way I Came Up | |
| "Faded Remix" (B1 featuring 22GZ, Ivorian Doll and Dezzie) |
2021 | Non-album single |
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Other artists | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Flexin" | 2016 | Khay B Flockin, Kush Blixky | Blixky |
| "The Get Back, Pt 1" | 2018 | T'up Ty | T'd Up, Vol. 1 |
| "Sick of Us" | Envy Caine | 2 Many Situations | |
| "Wita Blixky" | 2019 | C-Clip Beatz | Rap & Beats |
| "Extra" | Rooga | Back da Fuck Up | |
| "Hoody Szn" | Nym Lo, 183rd, Casanova | High Horse | |
| "Up the Score" | 2020 | Slayter, Maxo Kream | World Got Me Fucked Up, Vol. 1 |