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22Gz

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22Gz
22GZ's May 2017 mugshot
22GZ's May 2017 mugshot
Background information
Also known as
  • TutuBlixky[1]
  • The Brooklyn Drill General[2]
  • TuTu Da General[3]
Born
Jeffrey Mark Alexander[4]

(1997-11-29) November 29, 1997 (age 28)
Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2015–present
LabelsBlixky Ent./Atlantic Foundation Media, LLC[6]

Jeffrey Mark Alexander[4] (born November 29, 1997),[7] known professionally as 22Gz (/tutuˈdʒiːz/ too-too-JEEZ), is an American rapper credited as a pioneer of the Brooklyn drill scene.[2][8] 22Gz released his first major mixtape, The Blixky Tape, through Atlantic Records in 2019.

Early life

[edit]

Jeffrey Mark Alexander was born on November 29, 1997, in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City.[9] His father died before he was born.[10] He is of Guyanese descent.[11] He started his entertainment career on the New York City Subway performing showtime dance routines.[12]

Career

[edit]

2015-2018: Career beginnings & Atlantic Records deal

[edit]

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,[13] was regarded as one of the first major Brooklyn drill songs to become popular.[14][2][15] 22Gz gained attention, leading him to sign with Atlantic in 2018 and his label A&R helping him become noticed by Kodak Black.[16][17][14] One of his first songs released on the label, "Spin the Block", was a collaboration track with Kodak Black.[18]

2019-present: The Blixky Tape & Growth & Development

[edit]

22Gz released his first mixtape with Atlantic, The Blixky Tape, in July 2019.[19] His follow-up mixtape, Growth & Development, was released on April 10, 2020, and was co-produced by London-based drill producer Ghosty.[20] 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".[5]

[edit]

In 2014, he was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, however the charges were dropped.[14] 22Gz spent five months in jail in 2017 for second-degree murder charges related to a shooting in Miami; however, these were later dropped.[21] 22Gz recorded a Facebook Live video from an NYPD holding cell in 2018.[22]

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.[23]

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.[24] He was released on US$500,000 bail four days later.[25]

Discography

[edit]

Mixtapes

[edit]
List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Mixtape details Peak chart positions
US
Heat.
The Blixky Tape —
Growth & Development
  • Released: April 10, 2020[27]
  • Label: Atlantic Records, WEA International
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 12
[28]
The Blixky Tape 2
  • Released: March 19, 2021[29]
  • Label: Atlantic Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 20
[30]
Growth & Development II
  • Released: January 12, 2024[31]
  • Label: Blixky Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 —
Brooklyn's Most Wanted
  • Released: June 21, 2024[32]
  • Label: Blixky Entertainment
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 —
Hidden Gemz
  • Released: February 21, 2025[33]
  • Label: Blixky Entertainment, BetterVibesOnly
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 —

Extended plays

[edit]
List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Extended play details
Year of the Blixky
  • Released: December 9, 2022[34]
  • Label: Atlantic Records
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles, showing year released and album name
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)[7]
"Suburban"[14]
"Vamanos"
(featuring Ju Laden & Theo Zanotti)[7] 		2017
"Ain't Livin My Life"
"Invest in a Ratchet"[35]
(featuring Big Moose 280)
"We On"[36]
(featuring Nas Blixky)
"First Day Out / Stuck in the Yams"[37]
"Why"[38] 2018
"Blicky Da Blicky"
"Got Those"[39]
"Spin the Block"[18]
(featuring Kodak Black)
"Spazz Out"[40]
(featuring PNV Jay & Leeky Bandz)
"Drifting"[41]
(AXL Beats, Khay B Flockin, Kush Binflockin, & Breezy Blixky) 		2019
"Sniper Gang (Freestyle)"[42] The Blixky Tape
"Rerock"[43]
(featuring Shawny Binladen) 		Non-album singles
"Telephone"[44]
(featuring MaxThaDemon & Ciggy Blacc)
"Suburban, Pt. 2"[45] Growth & Development
"No Questions"[5] 2020
"YTB (Yellow Tape Blixky)"[47]
(featuring Shawny Binladen & Big Yaya) 		Non-album singles
"Do The Most"[48]
(featuring PeeGunna)
"Movie"[48]
(Featuring CoachDaGhost)
[edit]
List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Flexin"
(Khay B Flockin featuring 22GZ & Kush Binflockin) 		2016 Non-album singles
"Jet Li, Pt. 2"
(Nick Blixky featuring 22GZ)[49] 		2018
"Drive the Boat"
(Nick Blixky featuring 22GZ & Nas Blixky)[50] 		2019
"Upset"
(T'up Ty featuring 22GZ)[51] 		Excuse the Way I Came Up
"Faded Remix"
(B1 featuring 22GZ, Ivorian Doll and Dezzie)[52] 		2021 Non-album single

Guest appearances

[edit]
Title Year Other artists Album
"Flexin" 2016 Khay B Flockin, Kush Blixky Blixky
"The Get Back, Pt 1"[53] 2018 T'up Ty T'd Up, Vol. 1
"Sick of Us"[54] Envy Caine 2 Many Situations
"Wita Blixky"[55] 2019 C-Clip Beatz Rap & Beats
"Extra"[56] Rooga Back da Fuck Up
"Hoody Szn"[57] Nym Lo, 183rd, Casanova High Horse
"Up the Score"[58] 2020 Slayter, Maxo Kream World Got Me Fucked Up, Vol. 1

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hensley, Nicole (May 30, 2017). "Brooklyn rapper arrested in Florida parking dispute killing". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Bijur, Ben (January 27, 2020). "22Gz Proves He's The Brooklyn Drill General In Funk Flex Freestyle". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  3. ^ "22Gz". Masquerade Atlanta. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "ASCAP ACE Repertory information for 22GZ's works". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Ingvaldsen, Torsten (April 10, 2020). "22Gz Invigorates His Drill Empire With New Mixtape 'Growth & Development'". Hypebeast. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  6. ^ "22Gz". atlanticrecords.com. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Crone, David (2019). "22Gz". All Music. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  8. ^ Skelton, Eric. "How Brooklyn Drill Became the New Sound of New York". Complex.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  9. ^ "7 NYC RAPPERS THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR!". Hot97. July 25, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  10. ^ Saige Jones (January 5, 2022). 22Gz Interview: Being Recognized In Jail, Growing Up Without A Dad, Why He Left NY + Freestyle. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ Reynolds, Mark (March 30, 2022). "Lawsuit: Providence blocked rap artist's performance after resistance from police". The Providence Journal. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Seabrook III, Robby (February 22, 2020). "22Gz Wants You to Know He Started It All When It Comes to the Brooklyn Drill Movement". XXL Mag. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  13. ^ Pierre, Alphonse (January 30, 2020). "AXL Beats Is the London Rap Producer Bringing Brooklyn Drill to Drake and Travis Scott". Vice. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  14. ^ a b c d McKinney, Jessica (April 16, 2020). "22Gz, a Pioneer of Brooklyn Drill". Complex. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  15. ^ Pierre, Alphonse (August 4, 2017). "You're Not Paying Attention to New York's Most Exciting New Rap Scene". Vice. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  16. ^ Acevedo, Kai (August 22, 2019). "The Break Presents: 22Gz". XXL. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  17. ^ "Rappers to Watch in 2020". Complex. January 15, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  18. ^ a b Shokeye, Kyle (November 30, 2018). "Premiere: 22Gz and Kodak Black "Spin the Block" in New Video". Complex. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  19. ^ Zhang, Charlie (July 20, 2019). "22Gz Releases Highly-Anticipated Mixtape 'The Blixky Tape'". Hypebeast. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  20. ^ Mowatt, Robyn (2020). "Brooklyn Drill Rapper 22Gz Reigns Supreme On New Mixtape 'Growth & Development'". Okay Player. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  21. ^ Madan, Monique Q. (December 30, 2017). "He served time for murder he didn't commit — and the real shooter is dead, cops say". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  22. ^ Tracy, Thomas; Annese, John (February 12, 2018). "Brooklyn cops may face questions over improper search after rapper's jail cell video (WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE)". NY Daily News. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  23. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (October 12, 2019). "5 Rappers not Dropped From New York Music Festival at Police Request". The New York Times. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  24. ^ Donahue, Bill (June 14, 2022). "Rapper 22Gz Arrested in NYC on Attempted Murder Charge". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  25. ^ Ivey, Justin (June 17, 2022). "22Gz Released On Bail Following Arrest For Attempted Murder". AllHipHop. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  26. ^ "The Blixky Tape". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  27. ^ "Growth & Development". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  28. ^ "Heatseekers Albums Chart: Week of April 24, 2020". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 4, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  29. ^ "The Blixky Tape 2 by 22Gz" – via music.apple.com.
  30. ^ "Heatseekers Albums Chart: Week of April 2, 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  31. ^ "Spotify – 22Gz – Growth & Development II". Spotify. January 12, 2024.
  32. ^ "Spotify – 22Gz – Brooklyn's Most Wanted". Spotify. June 21, 2024.
  33. ^ "Spotify – 22Gz – Hidden Gemz". Spotify. February 21, 2025.
  34. ^ "Year of the Blixky". iTunes. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  35. ^ "Invest in a Ratchet - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  36. ^ "22GZ Nas Blixky - We On". CDUniverse. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  37. ^ "First Day Out / Stuck in the Yams - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  38. ^ "Why - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  39. ^ "Got Those - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  40. ^ "Spazz Out - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  41. ^ "Drifting - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  42. ^ "Sniper Gang (Freestyle) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  43. ^ "Rerock - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  44. ^ "Telephone - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  45. ^ "Suburban, Pt. 2 - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  46. ^ "Gold & Platinum: 22Gz". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  47. ^ "YTB (Yellow Tape Blixky) [feat. Shawny Binladen & Big Yaya] - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  48. ^ a b "Movie - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  49. ^ "Jet Li, Pt. 2 (feat. 22GZ)". iTunes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  50. ^ Threadcraft, Torry (2020). "Up-And-Coming Brooklyn Rapper Nick Blixky Shot And Killed At 21". Okay Player. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  51. ^ "Upset (feat. 22GZ) [Explicit]". Amazon. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  52. ^ W, Courtney (December 2, 2021). "Premiere: B1 Returns With Hard 'Faded' Remix Featuring Dezzie, Ivorian Doll & 22GZ". grmdaily.com. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  53. ^ "T'd Up, Vol. 1". iTunes. 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  54. ^ "2 Many Situations". iTunes. 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  55. ^ "Rap & Beats". Deezer. 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  56. ^ "Back da Fuck Up". Amazon. 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  57. ^ "High Horse - EP". iTunes. 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  58. ^ "World Got Me Fucked Up, Vol. 1". Beatport. 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
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