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GoldLink

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D'Anthony William Carlos (born May 17, 1993), better known by his stage name GoldLink, is an American rapper and singer from Washington, D.C.[2] He gained recognition following the release of his debut mixtape The God Complex (2014), which was met with critical acclaim. In 2015, he was chosen as part of the XXL Freshman Class and released his second mixtape, And After That, We Didn't Talk—supported by the singles "Dance on Me" and "Spectrum". He signed with RCA Records to release his 2016 single "Crew" (featuring Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy), which peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100, received sextuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. It preceded the release of his debut studio album At What Cost (2017), which was met with continued positive reception despite trailing the single's commercial success. His second album, Diaspora (2019), entered the Billboard 200 at number 77.

GoldLink
GoldLink performing in 2017
GoldLink performing in 2017
Background information
Birth nameD'Anthony William Carlos[1]
Born (1993-05-17) May 17, 1993 (age 31)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2013–present
Labels
Websitegoldlink.info

Early life

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GoldLink's father was a parks and recreation worker and his mother a secretary at a law firm.[3] After his parents separated, GoldLink moved to Bowie, Maryland with his mother and eventually settled in Virginia. He graduated from Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria, Virginia.[3]

Career

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2013–16: Beginnings and breakthrough

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GoldLink performing in May 2015

GoldLink began his career performing under his birth name D'Anthony Carlos. He began making music as a hobby after graduating high school at Hayfield Secondary School, eventually recording tracks in a local studio in Falls Church, Virginia named Indie Media Lab.[3] He released his first tracks on Bandcamp under the name Gold Link James. It was in 2013 that he began performing as GoldLink, releasing several free tracks on SoundCloud.[3]

GoldLink released his first mixtape The God Complex in July 2014. Complex[4] named it one of the best projects released during the first half of 2014, Spin[5] placed it at number 19 on its The 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2014, Clash[6] ranked it at number 7 on their Top 10 Mixtapes of 2014 and Pitchfork Media gave the mixtape a 7.9 rating.[3]

GoldLink began collaborating with producer Rick Rubin in 2015.[7] In November 2015 he released the mixtape After That, We Didn't Talk, much of which was considered a follow-up to questions left unanswered from The God Complex.[8] Pigeons & Planes placed it at number 19 on its Best Albums of 2015 list.[9] GoldLink was also named a member of the XXL Freshman Class in 2015.[7] In 2016, GoldLink signed a major deal with RCA Records and revealed he is working on his debut album for the label. He released the single "Fall In Love" featuring rapper Cisero and produced by Canadian band BADBADNOTGOOD and Canadian producer and DJ Kaytranada.[10] He later released the song "Untitled" with TDE rapper Isaiah Rashad. In December of that year, he saw his furthest commercial success following the release of his single "Crew" (featuring Shy Glizzy and Brent Faiyaz). It entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 45, received six-times platinum certification by the RIAA, and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration; the single also spawned a remix by Georgia rapper Gucci Mane.

2017–present: At What Cost and Diaspora

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GoldLink in 2016

In February 2017, Goldlink took part in "Red Bull Sound Selects" 3 Days Miami among artists Kelela, Angel Olsen, Brika, and others.[11] On March 24, 2017, he released his debut album, At What Cost. It featured guest appearances from Wale, Shy Glizzy, Steve Lacy, Jazmine Sullivan, Kaytranada, Mýa, Ciscero, Kokayi, Hare Squead, Radiant Children, April George and Lil Dude.[12] The project debuted at number 128 on the US Billboard 200 chart.[13] Apart from "Crew", it also spawned the single "Meditation".[14]

On June 7, 2018, GoldLink was featured on the song "Like I Do" by American singer Christina Aguilera from her eighth studio album, Liberation,[15] which was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.[16]

On June 12, 2019, GoldLink released his second studio album Diaspora. In an interview with Wonderland Magazine, he said that he considered "At What Cost" to be his breakout mixtape due to a label agreement and "Diaspora" as his debut album.

On June 18, 2021, GoldLink released his third studio album Haram!.[17] In the run up to the album release, GoldLink began trolling some of his fellow rappers, tweeting insults and threats at Sheck Wes and sporting a fake facial jewel on his forehead in a July 13, 2021 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon appearance, in apparent mockery of the facial jewelry trend popularized by Lil Uzi Vert and Sauce Walka.[18][19] In the album's first single, "White Walls," GoldLink continued his disses of Sheck Wes. The feud with Wes dates back to 2019 when GoldLink's then-girlfriend Justine Skye accused Wes of abuse, stalking, and harassment.[19]

Controversy

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Mac Miller comments

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On November 26, 2019, GoldLink wrote a post on Instagram that outlined both his appreciation for Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller, who died of an accidental overdose in 2018, and his belief the late star intentionally cribbed the sound of And After That, We Didn't Talk for Miller's album The Divine Feminine. GoldLink claimed he showed Miller his album while they were on tour together for Miller's previous album GO:OD AM and wrote the rapper loved it and had him play it for the whole touring crew.[20] GoldLink pointed to similarities in the albums' structure and use of singer Anderson .Paak for a lead single.[21] Paak responded in an Instagram post of his own, slamming GoldLink for having a "God Complex" and being disrespectful in the wake of their friend's death.[20][21] On November 28, 2019, GoldLink spoke on the war of words at a concert in Hamburg, Germany, focusing on the love he expressed in the post for Miller and emphasizing he never accused the deceased rapper of stealing or copying.[22]

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[13] 		US
R&B
/HH
[23] 		AUS
[24] 		BEL
(FL)
[25] 		NLD
[26]
At What Cost 127 36 — — —
Diaspora
  • Released: June 12, 2019[28]
  • Label: RCA, Squaaash Club
  • Format: Digital download, LP, CD
 77 40 70 148 87
Haram!
  • Released: June 18, 2021[29]
  • Label: RCA, Sony
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Mixtapes

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List of mixtapes, with selected chart positions
Title Mixtape details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
R&B
/HH
[23]
The God Complex
  • Released: July 22, 2014[30]
  • Label: Squaaash Club
  • Format: Digital download
 —
And After That, We Didn't Talk[31]
  • Released: November 8, 2015[32]
  • Label: Soulection
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl
 21
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[14] 		US
R&B
/HH
[33]
"Sober Thoughts" 2015 — — The God Complex
"Dance on Me"[34] — — And After That, We Didn't Talk
"Spectrum"[35] — —
"Fall in Love"
(featuring Ciscero) 		2016 — — Non-album singles
"See I Miss Pt. 2"
(featuring Marsha Ambrosius) 		— —
"Crew"
(featuring Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy) 		45 15 At What Cost
"Rough Soul"
(featuring April George) 		2017 — — Non-album single
"Meditation"
(featuring Kaytranada and Jazmine Sullivan) 		— — At What Cost
"Got Friends"
(featuring Miguel)[37] 		2018 — — Non-album single
"Loud"
(with Silk City and Desiigner)[38] 		— — Electricity[39]
"Zulu Screams"
(featuring Maleek Berry and Bibi Bourelly)[40] 		2019 — — Diaspora
"Joke Ting"
(featuring Ari Pen-Smith)[41] 		— —
"U Say"
(featuring Tyler, the Creator and Jay Prince)[42] 		— —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
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List of singles as featured artist, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"FBGM"
(BMB Spacekid featuring GoldLink) 		2015 Non-album singles
"Aquafina"[43]
(Falcons featuring GoldLink and Chaz French)
"Compromise"
(Christian Rich featuring GoldLink) 		FW14
"Sticks and Horses"
(George Maple featuring GoldLink)[44] 		2016 Lover
"Nobody"
(LEISURE featuring GoldLink) 		Leisure
"Together"
(Kaytranada featuring AlunaGeorge & GoldLink) 		99.9%
"Boo You Know"[45]
(Falcons featuring GoldLink) 		2017 Non-album singles
"Far Gone"[46]
(Burns featuring Johnny Yukon and GoldLink)
"Through Enough"[47]
(VanJess featuring GoldLink) 		Silk Canvas
"Wide Open"[48]
(Deante' Hitchcock featuring GoldLink) 		So Much For Good Luck
"Nobody"[49]
(Niia featuring GoldLink) 		Non-album single
"Function"[50]
(Ciscero featuring GoldLink, April George and Cheakaity) 		2018 Devil's Pie
"Like I Do"[15]
(Christina Aguilera featuring GoldLink) 		Liberation
"Open"
(Mýa featuring GoldLink) 		2019 TKO (The Knock Out)
"Vex Oh"
(Kaytranada featuring GoldLink, Eight9Fly & Ari PenSmith) 		2019 Bubba

Other certified songs

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List of other certified songs, showing year released and album name
Title Year Certifications Album
"Herside Story"
(with Hare Squead) 		2017 At What Cost
"Black Balloons"
(Denzel Curry featuring Twelve'len and GoldLink) 		2019 Ta13oo

Guest appearances

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List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Hi Lo"[52] 2018 Chloe x Halle The Kids Are Alright
"Black Balloons" 2018 Denzel Curry, Twelve'len Ta13oo
"Something Real"[53] 2019 Adé, Wale Always Something
"Prescriptions" lilbootycall Jesus Said Run It Back
"Babouche" Jidenna 85 to Africa
"Severed Head" 2020 Gorillaz, Unknown Mortal Orchestra Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez

Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2018 Grammy Awards Best Rap/Sung Performance "Crew" (with Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy) Nominated [16]
iHeartRadio Music Awards Best New Hip-Hop Artist Himself Nominated [54]
BET Awards Best New Artist Nominated [55]
2019 Grammy Awards Best Rap/Sung Performance "Like I Do" (with Christina Aguilera) Nominated [56]

References

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  1. ^ Lester, Paul (October 23, 2015). "New band of the week: GoldLink (No 76)". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  2. ^ "ACE Repertory". Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e Nostro, Lauren (July 9, 2014). "Who Is GoldLink? The DMV Rapper Talks the Allure of Anonymity, Finding Success, and "The God Complex"". Complex. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  4. ^ "The Best Albums of 2014 (so far)". Complex. June 23, 2014. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  5. ^ "GoldLink, The God Complex (Self-Released)". Spin. December 4, 2014. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  6. ^ "Clash's Top Mixtapes Of 2014". Clash. October 15, 2014. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Leight, Elias (June 10, 2015). "GoldLink Brings His Future Bounce to Brooklyn: Live Review | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  8. ^ Pearce, Sheldon (November 11, 2015). "Review: GoldLink Explains It All on 'And After That, We Didn't Talk'". Spin. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  9. ^ "Best Albums of 2015". Pigeons & Planes. December 23, 2015. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  10. ^ GoldLinkVEVO (November 22, 2016). "GoldLink - Fall in Love ft. Ciscero". Archived from the original on January 22, 2018. Retrieved December 25, 2017 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ Duran, Jose D. (January 31, 2017). "Red Bull Sound Select's 3 Days in Miami Returns With Angel Olsen, Goldlink, and Kelela". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on April 21, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  12. ^ "GoldLink Shares 'At What Cost' Album Cover and Release Date". XXL. March 16, 2017. Archived from the original on March 23, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "GoldLink Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  14. ^ a b "GoldLink on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Christina Aguilera & Demi Lovato Unveil "Fall In Line" Video". HotNewHipHip. May 23, 2018. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  16. ^ a b "60th GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees List". The Recording Academy. November 28, 2017. Archived from the original on January 28, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  17. ^ "New Music Friday: The Top 8 Albums Out On June 18". All Songs Considered. June 18, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  18. ^ Jefferson, Devon (July 13, 2021). "Forehead Diamond-Rocking GoldLink Grabs Flo Milli For 'Raindrops' Performance on 'Fallon'". HipHopDX. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Tigg, FNR (June 9, 2021). "GoldLink Disses Sheck Wes on "White Walls," Announces New Album". Complex. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Renshaw, David (November 27, 2019). "Anderson .Paak criticizes GoldLink over "disrespectful" Mac Miller tribute". The Fader. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  21. ^ a b Rossignol, Derrick (November 27, 2019). "Anderson .Paak Responds To GoldLink's 'Disrespectful' Mac Miller Post". UpRoxx. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  22. ^ Findlay, Mitch (November 28, 2019). "GoldLink Speaks On His Controversial Mac Miller IG Post". hotnewhiphop. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  23. ^ a b "GoldLink - Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  24. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #530". auspOp. June 22, 2019. Archived from the original on June 22, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  25. ^ "Discografie GoldLink". Ultratop. Archived from the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  26. ^ "Discografie GoldLink". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  27. ^ a b c "American certifications – Goldlink". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  28. ^ Yoo, Noah (May 31, 2019). "GoldLink Announces New Album Diaspora, Shares New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  29. ^ "Stream Goldlink's New Album 'Haram!' f/ Flo Milli, NLE Choppa, and More". Complex. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  30. ^ "The God Complex (Deluxe Edition) by GoldLink on iTunes". iTunes. Archived from the original on June 14, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  31. ^ Murillo, Andres (December 6, 2015). "And After That, We Didn't Talk". San Diego Reader. Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
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  33. ^ "GoldLink on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  34. ^ "Dance On Me - Single by GoldLink on iTunes". iTunes.apple.com. August 21, 2015. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  35. ^ Gordon, Jeremy (October 8, 2015). "GoldLink Announces Debut Album And After That, We Didn't Talk, Shares "Spectrum"". Pitchfork.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  36. ^ "British certifications – GoldLink". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 17, 2024. Type GoldLink in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  37. ^ "Got Friends (feat. Miguel) - Single by GoldLink". iTunes. June 15, 2018. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  38. ^ "Loud - Single by Silk City, GoldLink & Desiigner". iTunes. August 2, 2018. Archived from the original on August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  39. ^ "Silk City - Record Store Day". recordstoreday.co.uk. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  40. ^ "Zulu Screams (feat. Maleek Berry & Bibi Bourelly) – Single by GoldLink". iTunes. May 13, 2019. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  41. ^ "Joke Ting (feat. Ari Pen-Smith)". iTunes. May 31, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  42. ^ "U Say (feat. Tyler, The Creator & Jay Prince) – Single by GoldLink". iTunes. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  43. ^ "Aquafina (feat. GoldLink & Chaz French) - Single by Falcons". iTunes. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  44. ^ O'Connor, Samantha (April 28, 2016). "George Maple shares 'Sticks and Horses' featuring GoldLink". The Four Oh Five. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  45. ^ "Boo You Know (feat. GoldLink) - Single by Falcons". iTunes. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  46. ^ "Far Gone (feat. Johnny Yukon & GoldLink) - Single by BURNS". iTunes. August 25, 2017. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  47. ^ "Through Enough (feat. GoldLink) - Single by VanJess". iTunes. September 2017. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  48. ^ "Wide Open (feat. GoldLink)". iTunes. October 13, 2017. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  49. ^ "Nobody (feat. Goldlink) - Single by Niia". iTunes. September 29, 2017. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  50. ^ "Function (feat. GoldLink, April George & Cheakaity) - Single by Ciscero". iTunes. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  51. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  52. ^ "The Kids Are Alright - Album by Chloe x Halle". Apple Music. March 23, 2018. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  53. ^ "ALWAYS SOMETHING - EP by ADÉ". Apple Music. February 15, 2019. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
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  55. ^ "Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B & Migos Among 2018 BET Awards Winners". HipHopDX. June 24, 2018. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  56. ^ "Grammy Nominations 2019: See The Full List Here". Pitchfork. December 7, 2018. Archived from the original on December 8, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
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