Logic (rapper)
Logic | |
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Logic in April 2014. | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Sir Robert Bryson Hall II |
Also known as | Young Sinatra |
Born |
Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States | January 22, 1990
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupation(s) | |
Years active | 2002–present |
Labels |
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Associated acts | |
Website |
www |
Sir Robert Bryson Hall II[1][2] (born January 22, 1990), known by his stage name Logic, is an American rapper and singer. He was born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He has amassed a large Internet following and is a member of the RattPack, his group of friends that he works with. Logic has released four official mixtapes and two studio albums, the most recent being The Incredible True Story.
He is currently signed with Visionary Music Group and Def Jam and released his debut album Under Pressure on October 21, 2014. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and sold 73,000 copies in its first week. Logic released his sophomore album The Incredible True Story on November 13, 2015.
Early life
Robert Bryson Hall II grew up in the West Deer Park public housing projects, a low-income crime-ridden neighborhood. Throughout his childhood, both his African-American father and White mother suffered from cocaine addiction and alcoholism.[3] His father was not a major part of his childhood, but they are in contact with each other now. Growing up, his brothers sold crack cocaine[4] and even sold the drug to his father.[5] He attended Gaithersburg High School but did not graduate. He began skipping classes in the 10th grade. "I started doing badly and failed every class but English, so they kicked me out of school, they gave up on me." [6] Logic was expelled and used his free time to dive into pursuing his music career.
Musical career
2003–09: Beginnings
At the age of 13, Logic met his mentor, Solomon Taylor. When Logic was sixteen, Taylor brought him a large number of instrumental beat CDs to write lyrics over.[7] In 2009, Logic was going by the name Psychological because, "One name that really stuck was Psychological. I just loved this word because it was about the mind and I knew that's what I wanted my music to consist of; something that really challenges the mind."[8] He released an unofficial mixtape titled Psychological – Logic: The Mixtape. under his original stage name. Later on, Logic opened for Pitbull, EPMD, Method Man, Redman, and Ludacris at a show in Maryland. Soon after, he shortened the Psychological moniker to Logic, which is the science of reasoning, to broaden his horizons.[8]
2010–12: Various mixtapes
On December 17, 2010, Logic released his first official mixtape, Young, Broke, and Infamous. The mixtape caught the ear of Chris Zarou, who wanted Logic to be a part of his upstart independent record label Visionary Music Group.[3]
Logic released his second mixtape, Young Sinatra, on September 19, 2011.[9] Young Sinatra received a mass amount of positive feedback from multiple sources including XXL. The music video for "All I Do" was the first for Logic to hit over one million views on YouTube. On March 20, 2012, Logic officially signed with Visionary Music Group. Logic stated in an interview, "Visionary Music Group is like Roc-A-Fella. Damon Dash, that's like Chris Zarou of Visionary Music Group, I like to see myself as a Jay. In no way am I arrogant or cocky, I have to see it in order to do it. They did it independent and when they signed with a major, they did it the way that they wanted to do it."[10]
Logic released his third mixtape, Young Sinatra: Undeniable on April 30, 2012.[11] On the mixtape, Logic addresses such topics as his future, his fans in various parts of the world, his father's drug use, getting kicked out of school, and his mother getting stabbed.[12] "Fans tend to think that if you fall in love with an artist because he makes this kind of sound and then he gets bigger and he grows and he starts to make a different sound, 'He's changing on us.' But with me, I created all types of sounds from the get go, so you can never say I'm changing, you can never say I'm going mainstream or I'm selling out."[11] In an interview, Logic states, "There's stuff on there for the motherfuckers that don't pay attention to lyrics and just want to have fun, but every line is constructed with such depth that the real lyricists and nitpickers have something to listen to and analyze as well."[9] One of Logic's main goals for his music is to make music with a positive message, telling people to follow their dreams, whatever it may be, all while walking with honor and peace. In July/August 2012, Logic completed his first national headlining tour, the Visionary Music Group Tour, along with Tayyib Ali.
2013: Def Jam signing and Young Sinatra: Welcome to Forever
Logic completed his first European tour in March 2013, which included stops in Amsterdam, Belgium, Switzerland, and London. His fourth mixtape, Young Sinatra: Welcome to Forever,[13] was then announced to be released May 7, 2013.[14] Logic also announced his second headlining national tour, The Welcome to Forever Tour, in support of his upcoming mixtape.[15] In early 2013, Logic was featured on the cover of XXL, as part of its annual "Top 10 Freshmen List", along with fellow up-and-coming rappers Trinidad James, Dizzy Wright, Action Bronson, Joey Badass, Ab-Soul, Chief Keef, and Schoolboy Q, among others.[16]
On April 15, 2013 it was announced that Logic had signed with Def Jam Recordings and that No I.D. will be executive producing his debut album.[17] Logic would speak of the signing saying, "I'm excited to take this next step in my career. It's incredible for Def Jam [Records] and Visionary Music Group to work together and the opportunity to collaborate with a living legend like No I.D. is priceless. I'm very humbled to be a part of the most iconic hip hop label of all time."[18] On April 23 he premiered one of the songs off Welcome to Forever, "Nasty" which was produced by Don Cannon.[19] Following his fourth mixtape's release, on May 14, 2013 Logic began "The Welcome To Forever Tour," which lasted two months.[20] On May 7, 2013 Logic released his fourth official mixtape, Young Sinatra: Welcome to Forever. The mixtape featured guest appearances by Jhene Aiko, Kid Ink, Trinidad James, Dizzy Wright, Castro, Elijah Blake, and Jon Bellion. Production was handled by No I.D., Don Cannon, Key Wane, C-Sick, Swiff D, Arthur McArthur, VMG's in-house producer 6ix, and Logic himself. The mixtape reached 100,000 downloads on DatPiff in under 24 hours.[21] Logic went on to tour with Kid Cudi, Big Sean, and Tyler, the Creator on "The Cud Life Tour 2013" in the fall of 2013.[22]
2014: Under Pressure
On November 5, 2013, Logic revealed that No ID, Hit-Boy, 6ix, and C-Sick would be providing production on his debut album.[23] On January 27, 2014, Visionary Music Group released "24 Freestyle" via SoundCloud in celebration of Logic's 24th birthday. The track is the first time all VMG artists were featured on one song.[24] On February 11, 2014, EDM band Krewella announced that they would be headlining the 2014 Verge Campus Spring Tour with support from Logic.[25]
On April 8, 2014, Logic released a new song titled "Now," which was supposed to be on his upcoming EP titled While You Wait. At the same time, he also announced that he would be embarking on the While You Wait Tour with fellow Visionary Music Group member QuESt.[26] A week later, Logic released the title track of the EP.[27] A week after that, he released "Alright," the third song from the once anticipated While You Wait EP. The song features fellow Def Jam artist Big Sean.[28] Logic followed this up on May 7 with a freestyle called "Finding Forever."[29] On June 7, 2014, Logic revealed that he would not release the While You Wait EP project, and instead to go ahead and release his debut studio album.[30] On August 27, 2014, Logic released a song titled Driving Ms. Daisy featuring Childish Gambino which kicked off the countdown to his single and the release of his debut album. On September 10, 2014, Logic announced that the title of the album would be Under Pressure and also revealed the album's cover.[31] On September 15, 2014, it was announced that the album would be released on October 21.[32] The title track, serving as the album's first single, was also released on September 15.[33] On October 14, Logic released the second single titled "Buried Alive."[34] On October 21, 2014 Logic released his debut studio album which went on to sell over 70,000 copies in its first week.[35] A month later, on November 12, Logic made his network television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He performed "I'm Gone" alongside The Roots, 6ix, and DJ Rhetorik.[36]
2015–present: The Incredible True Story
On September 8, Logic released the trailer for his upcoming sophomore album, announcing that the album will be released in the fall of 2015 and is considered a "motion picture sci-fi epic."[37] On September 22, Logic released the first single from the album, titled "Young Jesus," featuring his longtime friend Big Lenbo. On October 14, Logic followed up "Young Jesus" with "Like Woah," the second single off the album.[38] The third single, "Fade Away," was released November 5.[39] The sophomore effort, entitled The Incredible True Story, was released on November 13, 2015. The story contained in the album and the sci-fi epic takes places 100 years into the future and the earth is uninhabitable because human beings ruined it. Characters Thomas and Kai are now traveling to a new habitable planet called “Paradise,” and while they’re flying there, they play Logic’s album, The Incredible True Story.[40] Voice actor Steven Blum acts as Thomas in the film and on the album. At New York Comic Con 2015, Logic took part in a panel discussion alongside Blum and others involved in the creation of The Incredible True Story to promote and talk about the album.
The album released on November 13, surpassing his debut album on the Billboard 200 Album Chart, debuting at No.3, with first week sales of 135,000. The album also topped the R&B/Hip-Hop Chart, up from Under Pressure's No.2 ranking.[41] In support of the album, on November 30, Logic announced The Incredible World Tour. The tour will take place in the spring of 2016.[42]
Personal life
In 2009, Logic came out of a five-year relationship while working on his music. "You can put your everything into a relationship, but that doesn't mean you're going to get back what you give. When I created my first mixtape, I realized everything I put in my music — the hours, the lyricism, the time, the grind, pain, sweat, blood, tears — I get it back. I see it."[43] He stated in an interview, "The thing is, I feel like so many artists, well, not really artists but so many people think they can rap and they just want a deal and the glitz and the glamour and the women but they don't understand that all I do and want to do is rhyme... I think I've sacrificed so much from my relationships to my friendships to my family; I've literally sacrificed my entire life and I'm honest."[9] In October 2015, Logic got married.[44]
Logic has referred to himself as a huge pothead when he was growing up. He has said that, "I don’t drink; I don’t smoke weed. I used to smoke; I used to be a pretty big pothead when I was younger, but I don’t smoke. I might have an occasional glass of champagne." He credits the way his family was growing up as his reason for not doing drugs.[4] Logic believes, "You are not defined by the material you possess or the amount of money in your bank account, what defines you is how you attain them."[10]
Influences
Logic first became interested in rap by watching the movie Kill Bill at the age of 15, for which RZA of Wu-Tang Clan did the score.[45] He started listening to Wu-Tang and delved deeper into hip-hop from there. The first hip-hop album he bought was The Roots "Do You Want More?!!!??!"[9] Other big influences include his mentor Solomon Taylor and friend Lenbo, who let Logic live with him and make music in his basement.
Although he is a hip-hop artist, Logic is heavily influenced by Frank Sinatra. As a child, his mother made him watch old black and white movies, which formed his love for James Bond and influenced how he represents himself with the way he speaks and how he interacts with others with peace, love, grace, positivity, honor, and valor.[10][11] Because of Frank Sinatra, Logic says he does his best to carry himself in an intellectual and kind manner.[11] Just as Sinatra had the Rat Pack, Logic has his RattPack (an acronym for "Real All The Time" and consisting of friends such as his manager Chris, producer 6ix, and Lenbo). Logic describes Sinatra as a man who was, "suave, debonair, honorable, respectable, with valor and grace." Logic's female fans are also called BobbySoxers just as Frank's were. He describes BobbySoxer girls as beautiful, intelligent, elegant, educated, classy, hardworking, young women. Logic also refers to himself as "Young Sinatra."[46]
Logic has said that a never ending list of artists have influenced him including Wu-Tang Clan, Big L, A Tribe Called Quest, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rakim, Drake, J. Cole, KRS-One and Nas.[4][47][48] He has also stated that all music inspires him, including The Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis. He says that all the classic artists are what really gave him a foundation, but the newer artists are also his inspirations, and he brings the best of both worlds to his music. Logic says, "I love all subgenres within hip-hop and all genres of music and I think that's what allows me to make the music that I do, because of my appreciation for the music."[11]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [49] |
US R&B [50] |
US Rap [51] |
US Digital [52] |
AUS [53] |
BEL (FL) [54] |
CAN [55] |
NZ [56] | |||||||
Under Pressure |
|
4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 79 | 173 | 8 | 26 |
| ||||
The Incredible True Story |
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 43 | 105 | 7 | 27 |
| ||||
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. |
Mixtapes
Title | Mixtape details |
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Young, Broke, and Infamous |
|
Young Sinatra |
|
Young Sinatra: Undeniable |
|
Young Sinatra: Welcome to Forever |
|
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
---|---|---|---|
US R&B/HH [59] | |||
"Under Pressure" | 2014 | 20 | Under Pressure |
"Buried Alive" | 41 | ||
"Young Jesus" (featuring Big Lenbo) |
2015 | 42 | The Incredible True Story |
"Like Woah" | 53 | ||
"Fade Away" | _ |
References
- ↑ Case, Wesley (June 21, 2013). "Logic: From Gaithersburg to Def Jam and Hollywood". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ↑ "Sir" is part of his name, not an honorific title. Source: "My Father". Retrieved 2014-07-04.
my Mother threw a "Sir" in the beginning
Official website. - 1 2 Fleischer, Adam (July–August 2012). "Show & Prove: Logic". XXL Magazine 16 (5): 38.
- 1 2 3 Nguyen, Michael. (May 17, 2013) Logic Details Aligning With No I.D. & Def Jam While Maintaining His Lyrical Approach | Rappers Talk Hip Hop Beef & Old School Hip Hop. HipHop DX. Retrieved on 2013-08-12.
- ↑ Calloway, Sway. "Logic Tells His Story, Looking White, Using the N-Word, & 1st Album Being Strictly for Hip-Hop Heads". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
- ↑ Smith, Greer (May 25, 2012). "Montgomery County rapper rises to fame". The Churchill Observer.
- ↑ "Logic Interview with Gowhere Hip Hop". Youtube. August 1, 2012.
- 1 2 "RealTalkDMV Presents: Logic – The Genesis". YouTube. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 DelaCuesta, JP (February 9, 2012). "Logic: Enter the Mind of the Maryland Spitter". All Hip Hop.
- 1 2 3 Larew, Tim (April 30, 2012). "The Fresh Heir x Decriminals present… An Exclusive Interview with Logic". The Fresh Heir.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Grube, Dan (2012-05-01). "Logic – Young Sinatra: Undeniable [Exclusive Interview]". Fresh New Tracks.
- ↑ Moore, Marcus J. (May 15, 2012). "Download: Logic’s Young Sinatra: Undeniable". Washington City Paper. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
- ↑ "Logic announces title of fourth mixtape". Twitter. Logic. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
- ↑ "Logic announces Welcome To Forever release date". Twitter. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
- ↑ Guarino, Nick (March 26, 2013). "Visionary Music Group Presents: Logic -Welcome to Forever Tour Powered By Thissongissick.com : 32 Date Nationwide Tour [TSIS PREMIERE]". This Song Is Sick.
- ↑ "XXL Freshman Class 2013 Cover Revealed". XXL. March 27, 2013.
- ↑ Paine, Jake (April 15, 2013). "Logic Signs To Def Jam Records, No I.D. To Executive Produce Debut Album". Hip Hop DX.
- ↑ Rapper Logic Signs to Def Jam. Complex (April 15, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-08-12.
- ↑ Video: Logic "Nasty". Complex. Retrieved on August 12, 2013.
- ↑ Logic Announces "Welcome To Forever" Tour Dates – XXL. Xxlmag.com (April 16, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-08-12.
- ↑ Logic – Young Sinatra: Welcome To Forever Hosted by Visionary Music Group // Free Mixtape @. Datpiff.com. Retrieved on August 12, 2013.
- ↑ Kid Cudi Announces ‘The Cudy Life Tour’ with Big Sean, Tyler, The Creator & Logic (Updated). MissInfo.tv (July 15, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-08-12.
- ↑ Logic Grabs Hit-Boy, No I.D. For Debut Album – XXL. Xxlmag.com. Retrieved on 2015-12-06.
- ↑ Llamoca, Janice. "QuESt, Castro, Jon Bellion & Logic "24"". HipHopDX. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
- ↑ Spira, Daniel. "Krewella to Headling Verge Campus College Tour This Spring". YourEDM. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ↑ Ortiz, Edwin. "Logic "Now"". Complex. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ↑ Guarino, Nick. "[PREMIERE] Logic Releases New Song "While You Wait" + Tour On Sale". This Song is Sick. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ↑ Frydenlund, Zach. "Premiere: Logic "Alright" f/ Big Sean". Complex. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
- ↑ Guarino, Nick. "[PREMIERE] Logic – Finding Forever (Prod. By 6ix)". ThisSongIsSick. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ↑ Smith, Trevor. "Logic May Scrap "While You Wait" EP, Will Have No Features On Debut Album". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ↑ Nostro, Lauren. "Check Out the Artwork For Logic's Upcoming "Under Pressure" Album". Complex. Complex. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
- ↑ Amaya, David. "Logic to Release "Under Pressure" on October 21, Highly Anticipated Debut Album on Def Jam Recordings/VMG". Def Jam. Def Jam. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ↑ Frydenlund, Zack. "Listen to Logic's "Under Pressure"". Complex. Complex. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ↑ Jules, Marvin. "Logic "Buried Alive"". XXL. XXL. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ↑ Gatti, Walker. "Logic First Week Sales Projections".
- ↑ Gatti, Walker. "Logic – I’m Gone (Live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon)". Free On Smash. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ↑ "Mind of Logic, Video: The Incredible True Story". Mindoflogic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-28.
- ↑ Frydenlund, Zach. "Listen to Logic's Latest Single "Like Woah"". Complex. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ↑ Frydenlund, Zach. "Check Out Logic's New Song, "Fade Away"". Complex. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ↑ C.M., Emmanuel. "Three Things You Need to Know About Logic’s New Album Read More: 3 Things To Know About Logic's New Album". XXL. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ↑ Mendizabal, Amaya. "Logic's 'Incredible True Story' Crowns Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ↑ Lilah, Rose. "Logic Announces "The Incredible True Story" World Tour". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ↑ Fleischer, Adam (July–August 2012). "Logic". XXL Magazine.
- ↑ "Logic: 'Do Something For Yourself'". NPR. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- ↑ Victorious, Dro. "Logic Interview". YouTube. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- ↑ "HandsDownMusic Exclusive: Interview with Logic". Hands Down Music. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- ↑ "The Break Presents: Logic". XXL Mag. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- ↑ Logic (Rapper) – XXL Freshman 2013. Xxlmag.com (September 30, 2012). Retrieved on 2013-08-12.
- ↑ Logic – Chart history. Billboard (2014-11-08). Retrieved on 2015-12-06.
- ↑ Logic – Chart history. Billboard (2014-11-08). Retrieved on 2015-12-06.
- ↑ Logic – Chart history. Billboard (2014-11-08). Retrieved on 2015-12-06.
- ↑ Logic – Chart history. Billboard (2014-11-08). Retrieved on 2015-12-06.
- ↑ Ryan, Gavin (November 21, 2015). "ARIA Albums: Justin Bieber Beats One Direction to No 1". Noise11. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ↑ "Discografie Logic". ultratop.be. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ↑ Logic – Chart history. Billboard (2014-11-08). Retrieved on 2015-12-06.
- ↑ "Discography Logic". charts.org.nz. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
- ↑ Rosenberg talks to Logic about his next album, wedding, and corgis at Lollapalooza. YouTube (2015-08-27). Retrieved on 2015-12-06.
- ↑ "Charts Don't Lie: December 9th". Hotnewhiphop.com. 2015-12-09. Retrieved 2015-12-28.
- ↑ "Logic – Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 22, 2012.