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Calvin Lashon Woods (born April 3, 1999), professionally known as Calboy (), is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. In 2017, Calvin had a break through locally with his mixtapes released through Paper Gang Inc., ''Anxiety'' and ''Calboy, the Wild Boy''. In 2018, he came to prominence after the release of his viral song " Envy Me", later serving as the lead single from his debut EP, ''Wildboy,'' released on May 31, 2019, after signing a new major label deal with
Polo Grounds Music Polo Grounds Music is a hip hop and R&B record label distributed by Sony Music's RCA Records. Polo Grounds Music is a full-service entertainment company with a focus in publishing, management, marketing and promotions. Founded in 2006 by Bryan ...
and
RCA Records RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also A ...
.


Early life

On April 3, 1999, Calvin Lashon Woods was born on the
South Side of Chicago The South Side is an area of Chicago, Illinois, U.S. It lies south of the city's Loop area in the downtown. Geographically, it is the largest of the three sides of the city that radiate from downtown, with the other two being the north and w ...
; he later relocated to
Calumet City, Illinois Calumet City ( ) is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 36,033 at the 2020 census, a decline of 2.7% from 37,042 in 2010. The ZIP code is 60409. Etymology The word ''Calumet'' is the Miꞌkmaq and French word for ...
. Woods turned to music to channel the frustrations of growing up below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...
. He is one of five children raised by a single mother. Woods witnessed two of his best friends die, one of a drug overdose and the other to gun violence. His family migrated between small homes to small apartments.


Career


2016–2017: Career beginnings

On July 7, 2017, Calboy released his debut mixtape, ''The Chosen One.'' on Paper Gang Inc. Later that year, Calboy released his second mixtape, ''Anxiety'', on December 7, 2017.


2018–2021: Numerous mixtapes, EPs and RCA Records

On June 18, 2018, Woods released his third mixtape, ''Calboy, the Wildboy.'' A single off the project was titled, "Unjudge Me", which featured Moneybagg Yo. He released his single " Envy Me" on September 13, 2018, to critical acclaim. It later served as the lead single from his debut EP ''Wildboy'', released on May 31, 2019. "Envy Me" peaked at number 31 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and was certified
triple platinum Music recording certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped, sold, or streamed a certain number of units. The threshold quantity varies by type (such as album, single, music video) and by nation or territory (see ...
by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). With the single's success came the signage of Calboy to
Polo Grounds Music Polo Grounds Music is a hip hop and R&B record label distributed by Sony Music's RCA Records. Polo Grounds Music is a full-service entertainment company with a focus in publishing, management, marketing and promotions. Founded in 2006 by Bryan ...
, distributed by
RCA Records RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also A ...
. At the time, the label had already ended their partnership with
ASAP Rocky Rakim Athelaston Mayers (born October 3, 1988), known professionally as ASAP Rocky ( ; stylized as A$AP Rocky), is an American rapper, music producer and record executive. Born and raised in Harlem, he embarked on his musical career as a membe ...
following the May release of his third album, '' Testing''. It was also rumored that Calboy also signed a management deal with
Meek Mill Robert Rihmeek Williams (born May 6, 1987), known professionally as Meek Mill, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he embarked on his music career as a battle rapper, and later formed a short-lived rap group, ...
's label, Dream Chasers, but he hinted that he left the label in 2021 after a financial disagreement. The ''Wildboy'' EP was followed by another EP, ''Long Live the Kings'', released in March 2020, with the latter receiving a deluxe version the following July, including 6 new tracks. On August 11, Calboy was included on '' XXL''s 2020 Freshman Class. On March 22, 2021, "Miseducation" featuring fellow rapper
Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September 27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. His career began in 1995, at the age of 12, when he was signed by rapper Birdman, joining ...
was released as the lead single from Calboy's debut album, ''Redemption'', supposed to be released the same year, but was postponed. Swae Lee was also set to make an appearance on the album. Calboy claimed that the album was completed. As recent as February 2022, Calboy publicly disclosed his frustrations with Polo Grounds and RCA Records, believing he was being treated like a "label slave".


Artistry


Influences

Woods has cited his influences as
Tupac Shakur Tupac Amaru Shakur ( ; born Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known as 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper. He is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. Shakur is among the b ...
,
Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Over a ...
, Sherwood, Fuel, Chance the Rapper,
The Starting Line The Starting Line is an American pop punk band based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that formed in 1999. History Early years (1999–2001) In 1999, the band that would become The Starting Line was initiated in Churchville, Pennsylvania via an ...
, Chief Keef,
New Found Glory New Found Glory (formerly A New Found Glory) is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida, formed in 1997. The band currently consists of Jordan Pundik (lead vocals), Ian Grushka (bass guitar), Chad Gilbert (lead guitar, backing voc ...
,
G Herbo Herbert Randall Wright III (born October 8, 1995), better known by his stage name G Herbo (formerly Lil Herb), is an American rapper from Chicago. G Herbo is signed to Machine Entertainment Group. He has released the mixtapes '' Welcome to Faz ...
,
The All American Rejects The All-American Rejects is an American rock band from Stillwater, Oklahoma, formed in 1999.50 Cent. Woods' rap moniker comes from combining his government name Calvin and the character Cowboy from the 1979 cult film '' The Warriors.''


Discography


Mixtapes


Extended plays


Singles


Guest appearances


Tours


Headlining

*Rockstar Wild Boyz Tour (2019)


Supporting act

* Dying to Live Tour (2019) * I Am > I Was Tour (2019)


Notes


References

{{reflist 1999 births Living people 21st-century American male musicians People from Calumet City, Illinois Rappers from Chicago Songwriters from Illinois African-American songwriters 21st-century African-American musicians Dream Chasers Records artists RCA Records artists