Tavoris Javon Hollins Jr. (born August 17, 1997), known professionally as Vory (formerly King Vory), is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter. Raised in Louisville, Kentucky, he won a Grammy Award for his work on The Carters' album Everything Is Love (2018), and co-wrote hometown native Bryson Tiller's 2015 single "Don't". The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, along with Drake's 2018 single "Mob Ties", which he also co-wrote. He is best known as the frequent collaborator of Chicago native Lil Durk. His further songwriting credits led him to wider recognition as he pursued his recording career, which he first began in 2015. Hollins signed a recording contract with Capitol Records and Electric Feel Entertainment in 2018, which entered a joint venture with Meek Mill's record label, Dream Chasers Records in 2020.

Vory
Vory in 2021
Vory in 2021
Background information
Birth nameTavoris Javon Hollins Jr.
Also known asKing Vory
Born (1997-08-17) August 17, 1997 (age 27)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
OriginLouisville, Kentucky, U.S.[1]
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
DiscographyVory discography
Years active2015–present
Labels
Websiteshopvorymerch.com

Hollins saw his furthest recognition for his appearances on Kanye West's album Donda (2021)—on its songs "God Breathed", "Jonah" and "No Child Left Behind"—for which he earned nominations for Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. His debut studio album, Lost Souls (2022), was met with positive critical reception despite failing to chart. That same year, he co-wrote Lil Baby's hit song "Forever". Due to a number of controversies, he parted ways with Meek Mill and Dream Chasers in 2024.[2]

Early life

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Hollins was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He later moved to Louisville, Kentucky, at age 16 to live with his father. While there, he met and began collaborating with singer and Louisville native, Bryson Tiller. He was formerly signed to Louisville-based record label, FPR Music Group.[3]

Career

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Vory began his career working behind the scenes as a songwriter. In 2015, he first received attention after his guest appearance on fellow Kentucky-based recording artist Bryson Tiller's song "Break Bread", under his former stage name King Vory.[4] In 2017, Vory co-wrote his hit song "Don't",[5] which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100[6] while he guest performed on its parent album Trapsoul (2017).[3] In 2016, Vory began independently releasing songs, including "Overdose"[7] and "My Life A Movie" featuring Blu and produced by Dun Deal.[8] Later in July 2016, FPR Music Group released his debut mixtape, Overdose.[9]

After moving to Los Angeles, California, he met Canadian record producer Boi-1da, with whom he would later collaborate on a number of songs.[10] Throughout 2017, Vory continued releasing singles, including "Try",[11] "Do That Shit",[12] and "Hold of Me". The latter song was premiered by Zane Lowe on Beats 1 Radio.[9] In 2018, he earned writing credits on numerous songs including Canadian rapper Drake's "Mob Ties" from his fifth studio album Scorpion and American duo The Carters' "Friends" from their collaborate studio album Everything Is Love,[10] which would go on to win a Grammy for his work on the album.[5][13]

In August 2018, he signed to Capitol Records and Electric Feel Management and released his debut EP, Lucky Me.[14] He guest featured on Rich the Kid's song "Ring Ring" from his second studio album The World Is Yours 2, which was released on March 22, 2019; and on the same day, Vory released his single, "You Got It".[5] In June 2020, he signed to a joint venture with Meek Mill's Dream Chasers Records and released an eponymous extended play in January of that year.[15] The following year, he made three guest appearances on Kanye West's tenth studio album Donda (2021) — on the tracks "God Breathed", "Jonah", and "No Child Left Behind".[16]

In April 2022, Vory guest featured alongside Polo G on the song "Changed On Me" from rapper Fivio Foreign's debut album, B.I.B.L.E.. In June of that year, Vory released his debut album, Lost Souls, which features Kanye West, Nav, Beam, and Yung Bleu, among others.[17] In October of that year, he co-wrote the hit song "Forever" for Lil Baby and Fridayy.[18]

Personal life

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In February 2024, security camera footage of Vory was leaked, in which he threatened to kill his girlfriend. Following this, label boss Meek Mill immediately dissociated with the singer and terminated his recording contract, deeming that he has a "mental problem."[19][20]

Discography

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Studio albums

Awards

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result
2019 Grammy Award Best Urban Contemporary Album Everything Is Love by The Carters (co-writer of "Friends") Won
Album of the Year Scorpion by Drake (co-writer of "Mob Ties") Nominated


References

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  1. ^ Indiana, Jake (November 8, 2017). "10 Under the Radar Artists to Discover This Week". High Snobiety. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  2. ^ Rohn, Jake (December 9, 2020). "Vory Tells His Side in 'cc interlude'". HipHopDX. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Harrison, Brad (April 4, 2016). "Following His Feature On Bryson Tiller's "Don't", Louisville Artist 'King Vory' Signs BMG Deal". Urban Maxx. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  4. ^ "Bryson Tiller f. King Vory – "Break Bread"". HipHopDX. March 12, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c P, Milca (March 23, 2019). "Vory Applies More Pressure On "You Got It"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  6. ^ "Bryson Tiller – Chart History – Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  7. ^ "King Vory Releases First Single After Working With Bryson Tiller". The Source. February 9, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  8. ^ Schwartz, Danny (March 24, 2016). "Vory – My Life A Movie Feat. Blu (Prod. By Dun Deal)". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Goddard, Kevin (November 7, 2017). "Vory Drops Off New Single "Hold Of Me"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Ju, Shirley (April 8, 2019). "Track of the Week: Vory's "You Got It"". LA Weekly. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  11. ^ Ortiz, Edwin (July 7, 2017). "Premiere: Vory Drops New Song "Try"". Complex. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  12. ^ Kenner, Rob (September 8, 2017). "PREMIERE: Vory "Do That Shit"". MASS APPEAL. Retrieved April 9, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ Billboard Staff (May 27, 2021). "Vory Is Stepping Out of the Shadows to Become the Star He Knows He Can Be". Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  14. ^ Rosario, Ricky (August 23, 2018). "Taking Streaming Services by Surprise is Vory with 'Lucky Me'". Respect. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  15. ^ "Stream Vory's Self-Titled Album f/ Meek Mill, Starrah, and More". Complex. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  16. ^ Hyman, Dan (June 10, 2022). "Vory Is Hip-Hop's Secret Weapon". GQ.
  17. ^ "Stream Vory's Debut Album 'Lost Souls' f/ Kanye West and More". Complex. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  18. ^ "Forever by Lil Baby (featuring Fridayy) - Songfacts".
  19. ^ "Meek Mill Cuts Ties with Vory After Threatening His Girlfriend". Complex Networks.
  20. ^ "Meek Mill Cuts Ties With Vory After Alleged Domestic Abuse Of Girlfriend: "He Has A Mental Problem!"". Rap-Up.com. February 14, 2024.
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