SahBabii

Saaheem Malik Valdery (born February 24, 1997), better known as SahBabii, is an American rapper and hip hop recording artist based in Atlanta, Georgia.[1][2] His song, "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick" featuring Loso Loaded, gained widespread popularity after its release on his S.A.N.D.A.S. mixtape in 2016.[3][4][5][6][7][8] SahBabii peaked at No. 8 on Billboard's Next Big Sound chart in July 2017.[9]

SahBabii
SahBabii in March 2018
Born	Saaheem Malik Valdery (1997-02-24) February 24, 1997 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Other names	Sah King Squid
Years active	2012–present
Musical career
Genres	Hip hop trap R&B
Occupation(s)	Rapper songwriter singer
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	CBMG Warner Bros (former)
Associated acts	T3 Lil Wayne Wiz Khalifa T-Pain 21 Savage Young Thug R. Kelly Ski Mask the Slump God

Early life

Saaheem Malik was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in the city's south side in the Wentworth Gardens projects.[1] His aunt, TeeBaby, gave him the moniker "SahBabii" at a young age.[3] In early 2010 at the age of 13 his family moved to Atlanta in pursuance of his older brother T3's career in music.

Career

Saaheem began recording music under the name SahBabii shortly after arriving in Atlanta. His older brother, T3, helped produce songs, and SahBabii released two early mixtapes: Pimpin Ain't Eazy (2012) and Glocks & Thots (2013).[1][2] After a nearly three-year hiatus, SahBabii released a follow-up mixtape, S.A.N.D.A.S., in 2016. S.A.N.D.A.S. was recorded on the music software program, Cubase, using a broken microphone in T3's bedroom.[1] The mixtape featured the single, "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick" featuring Loso Loaded, which went viral on Instagram after SahBabii posted a 15-second clip of the song before its release.[3][8]

SahBabii

Soon after, the song made headlines and garnered millions of listens on SoundCloud.[4][6][10] The music video for the song was released in February 2017[2] and earned 12 million views by May of that year.[4] In March 2017, SahBabii signed a record deal with Warner Bros. Records.[5][11] His family also founded the production company, Casting Bait Music Group, and SahBabii's father, Delval, became his manager.[1][2]

"Pull Up Wit Ah Stick" was later remixed by Young Thug, T-Pain, Fetty Wap and Wiz Khalifa. The song was later remixed by Lil Wayne which was released on the Dedication 6 Mixtape.[12][2][13] Drake also expressed interest in adding a verse of his own to the official remix of the song.[14] SahBabii was flown to London by Young Thug where he met Drake.[2] In May 2017, it was announced that SahBabii would be remastering and re-releasing S.A.N.D.A.S. with new tracks on the Warner Bros. label. It was also announced that producer Mona Scott-Young was interested in shooting a reality television show centered on SahBabii and his family.[15] His breakthrough full-length project, Squidtastic was released in 2018. This was followed up by the EP 3P, in 2019.[16]

In early 2019, SahBabii publicly stated that he would retire. However, he decided against this, "because of the fans". He stated: "I couldn't just turn my back on them. I'ma still retire, though. But I just wanted to make sure I give my fans the most music I can give them before I stop".[16]

On July 8, 2020, SahBabii released the album Barnacles.[16] Complex described the album as putting "the focus squarely on SahBabii's distinctive, dreamlike sound. With surreal production and off-kilter vocals, Barnacles is a unique look into what makes his music so appealing".[16] His song Purple Umbrella samples a video game theme by Yasunori Mitsuda.

Influences

In an interview with XXL, SahBabii cited T3, Future, Young Thug, Rich Homie Quan, Ca$h Out and Nujabes as influences.

Discography

Mixtapes

• Pimpin Ain't Eazy (2012)
• Glocks & Thots (2013)
• S.A.N.D.A.S. (2017)
• Squidtastic (2018)
• 3P (2019)
• Barnacles (2020)

Singles

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions

Title	Year	Peak chart positions			Certifications	Album
		US Bub. [17]	US R&B/HH [18]	US R&B/HH Airplay [19]
"Pull Up Wit Ah Stick" (featuring Loso Loaded)	2016	3	47	45	RIAA: Gold[20]	S.A.N.D.A.S.

References

1. Caramanica, Jon (23 April 2017). "Rising Rapper SahBabii Packages Tough Talk in a Sweet Voice". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
2. Schwartz, Danny (1 May 2017). "Everything You Need To Know About SahBabii". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
3. C.M., Emmanuel (14 April 2017). "The Break Presents: SahBabii". XXL. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
4. Kochhar, Nazuk (5 May 2017). "SahBabii On Spirituality And The Song That Changed His Life". The Fader. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
5. C.M., Emmanuel (11 April 2017). "SahBabii on Signing to Warner Bros. Records: "I'm Changing My Life"". XXL. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
6. Kochhar, Nazuk (16 February 2017). "SahBabii's "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick" Is Nuts". The Fader. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
7. "Is Sahbabii The Next Big Thing To Rise From Atlanta?". The Source. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
8. Rohn, Jake (2 March 2017). "From Drake To Young Thug, SahBabii Has The Ultimate Rags To Riches Story". HipHopDX. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
9. "Billboardchart for SahBabii". Billboard. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
10. "SahBabii – The Latest Soundcloud Rapper Making Waves". City of Hype. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
11. Walker, Angus (29 March 2017). "Atlanta's SahBabii Signs A Deal With Warner Bros". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
12. "Lil wayne drops a freestyle over "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick" [D6]". HotNewHipHop.
13. C.M., Emmanuel (6 April 2017). "T-Pain Remixes SahBabii's "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick"". XXL. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
14. Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (21 February 2017). "SahBabii Says Drake Is Remixing "Pull Up Wit Ah Stick"". The Fader. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
15. Lilah, Rose (19 May 2017). "Sahbabii: "SANDAS" Re-Release, Reality Show With Mona Scott-Young & More". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
16. Pri e, Joe (July 8, 2020). "Rising Atlanta Rapper SahBabii Shares New Album 'Barnacles'". Complex. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
17. "SahBabii – Chart history (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
18. "SahBabii – Chart history (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
19. "SahBabii – Chart history (Rap Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
20. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved 2018-07-23.

Further reading

• Rolling Stone interview June 2017