Drakeo the Ruler

Darrell Caldwell, known professionally as Drakeo the Ruler, is an American rapper and songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. He is known for his unique flow as well as his "oddly expressive, poetic word-choices",[2] leading the Los Angeles Times to call him "the most original West Coast stylist in decades."[1]

Drakeo the Ruler
Birth nameDarrell Caldwell[1]
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2015-present
Labels
  • 100 Summers (former)[1]
Associated acts

His fourth mixtape, Cold Devil, has been streamed over 10 million times.[3]

Early life

Drakeo the ruler was raised in South Central by a single mother. He was first arrested at the age of 12, and attended Washington High School in nearby Westmont.[1]

Musical career

After recording a handful of mixtapes with much more of a trap influence than the West Coast hip hop he became known for, he was discovered by DJ Mustard, who remixed his song Mr. Get Dough. The song, which premiered on WorldStar in April 2015, became his breakout song,[1] and has amassed over 6.2 million YouTube views (as of August 2019). Six months later, in October, Drakeo release his official debut mixtape, I Am Mr. Mosely, as his first project under Mustard's 10 Summers label.[4]

He released his second project, I Am Mr. Mosely 2, on 21 July 2016, with features which included Mozzy, Skeme, and Philthy Rich.[5] He followed this up with the release of So Cold I Do Em in December, which included one of his most popular songs, Impatient Freestyle.

After his jail release in November 2017, he recorded a 16-track mixtape, Cold Devil, in 10 days, and released it the following month.[2][6] Paul A. Thompson of Pitchfork described it as "the most compelling album of the Los Angeles emcee’s career," adding that his "avant deadpan and impressionistic relationship to the beat" is "icy and unforgettable."[7] Similarly, Grant Rindner of Complex called it "one of the most impressive California rap projects in years".[8] He released music videos for Flu Flamming, Big Banc Uchies and Out the Slums within a month, amassing 4.4 million, 3.6 million and 4.0 million YouTube views, respectively. Flu Flamming was also notably remixed by Lil Yachty, and Big Banc Uchies by Shy Glizzy. The music video for Roll Bounce was released in September, with Drakeo in jail awaiting trial.[9]

In January 2017, Drakeo was arrested by LAPD when they raided a condo where he regularly shot music videos. He was subsequently held at Men's Central Jail after being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.[10] He was released in November.[2]

In March 2018, he was arrested again, this time charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The charges stemmed from a December 2016 shooting in Carson where one person was killed and two were injured.[11] He was facing life in prison.[12] Simultaneously, members of his Stinc Team collective, including his brother Ralfy the Plug, were arrested in San Francisco on a variety of charges.[13]

On July 25, 2019, he was acquitted of his murder and attempted murder charges in a Compton courthouse.[14] However, the district attorney decided to refile charges of criminal gang conspiracy and shooting from a motor vehicle in August, two counts that resulted in a hung jury during his initial trial.[15] His trial date is set for August 3, 2020. While incarcerated, he recorded Thank You For Using GTL, which Pitchfork called "likely the greatest rap album ever recorded from jail." [16]

Discography

Mixtapes
  • I Am Mr. Mosely (2015)
  • I Am Mr. Mosely 2 (2016)
  • So Cold I Do Em (2016)
  • Cold Devil (2017)
  • #FreeDrakeo (2020)
  • Thank You For Using GTL (2020)

References
  1. Weiss, Jeff (9 March 2018). "L.A. rapper Drakeo the Ruler is a man in demand". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  2. Breihan, Tom (10 January 2018). "Drakeo The Ruler Is Different, And Different Is Good". Stereogum. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  3. Berry, Peter A. (18 May 2018). "THE BREAK PRESENTS: DRAKEO THE RULER". XXL. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  4. Lilah, Rose (16 October 2015). "I Am Mr. Mosley". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  5. Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (22 July 2016). "Listen To Drakeo The Ruler's I Am Mr. Mosely 2 Mixtape". The Fader. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  6. Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (22 December 2017). "Drakeo The Ruler returns with his Cold Devil album". The Fader. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  7. Thompson, Paul A. (5 January 2018). "Cold Devil review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  8. Rindner, Grant (14 June 2018). "Time to Take Over the World: An Interview With Incarcerated Rapper Drakeo the Ruler". Pigeons and Planes. Complex. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  9. Dandridge-Lemco, Ben (11 September 2018). "While he awaits trial, Drakeo The Ruler shares a new video for "Roll Bounce"". The Fader. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  10. Weiss, Jeff (15 February 2017). "Drakeo Could Be L.A.'s Gucci Mane — and Not Just Because He's Currently Doing Time". LA Weekly. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  11. Coleman II, C. Vernon (8 April 2018). "DRAKEO THE RULER PROCLAIMS HIS INNOCENCE AS HE SITS IN JAIL FACING MURDER CHARGES". XXL Mag. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  12. Jones, Charlie Robin (5 November 2018). "An interview with LA rapper Drakeo the Ruler from behind bars". Dazed. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  13. Weiss, Jeff (6 April 2018). "A Jail House Interview With Drakeo the Ruler". Passion of the Weiss. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  14. Weiss, Jeff; Ross, Alex Robert (25 July 2019). "Drakeo The Ruler acquitted of murder and attempted murder charges". The Fader. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  15. Weiss, Jeff; Ross, Alex Robert (3 September 2019). "Drakeo The Ruler faces possibility of life in prison as DA refiles charges". The Fader. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  16. Ismael Ruiz, Matthew (June 10, 2020). "Album review: Drakeo the Ruler: Thank You for Using GTL". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
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