From the Projects to Purpose — Virginia’s Next Breakout Star
Every once in a while, an artist’s story feels bigger than music. It feels like survival, vision, and destiny colliding. Cityy Baby is one of those stories.
Born in Petersburg, Virginia, raised through some of the toughest environments the state has to offer, and sharpened by years of hustle both in and out of the booth, Cityy Baby’s rise isn’t overnight — it’s earned. And while he’s been making music since the age of 9 years old, 2025 officially marks his rookie year in the industry.
The difference?
Now the world is finally watching.
Momentum Is Building: “Like Dat,” “Switched Up,” and “Zion”
Cityy Baby’s recent releases — “Like Dat,” “Switched Up,” and “Zion” — have been steadily generating buzz online and throughout the music world. The records reflect a sound that’s melodic, punchy, and trap-driven, while still flexible enough to cross into pop territory.
There’s hunger in the delivery. Urgency in the tone. Clarity in the message.
For new listeners, it feels like discovery.
For those who’ve been paying attention, it feels overdue.
A Lifelong Hustler: Music Before the Industry
Cityy Baby didn’t grow up chasing clout — he grew up chasing survival.
Digging through SoundCloud uncovers records like “Famous” dating back to 2014, proof that he’s been locked in long before the spotlight. Even earlier than that, the grind was already real.
As an 8th grader, Cityy Baby and his cousin Jr Boxxa recorded a mixtape titled “Creek Shit Part 1” and sold over 300 physical copies — while still in middle school.
That wasn’t a hobby.
That was entrepreneurship.
The same hustle shows up in his lyrics today — blending street realities with business mindset, ambition, and survival instincts.
Petersburg Roots: Blanford, History, and Real Connection
Cityy Baby was born in Petersburg’s Blanford neighborhood, a rough project area known for producing real stories and real talent. It’s the same neighborhood where Trey Songz once lived — and the connection goes deeper than coincidence.
Cityy Baby’s sister was close friends with Trey Songz at Petersburg High School, and his Auntie Jackie even babysat Trey Songz growing up. These aren’t industry myths — they’re part of the city’s lived history.
Virginia runs through this story authentically.
Hopewell (“Dopewell”): Where “Cityy” Was Born
After Petersburg, Cityy Baby moved to Hopewell, Virginia, a small factory town commonly referred to as “Dopewell” due to its gritty reputation. Living on Brown Avenue in the City Point Projects, this chapter shaped him deeply.
This is where he earned the name “Cityy.”
This is where his sound began to take form.
Music surrounded him:
- His cousin Dewayne and brother Ron, both five years older, taught him how to rap and write lyrics.
- His cousin DJ was already producing and engineering — trained early by his father, a producer from Long Beach, California.
Cityy Baby would sit for hours watching studio sessions, absorbing the craft. When he finally asked to get on a song, everyone in the room was shocked by his natural ability at such a young age.
That moment led to the creation of a rap group called CMG, which dropped its first project back in 2005 — proof that this path was always meant for him.
Loss That Changed Everything: Music as Survival
Before the age of 28, Cityy Baby experienced unimaginable loss — losing both his mother and father to cancer.
Two pillars. Gone.
That kind of pain doesn’t break you quietly. It either consumes you — or becomes fuel.
For Cityy Baby, it became motivation.
Music turned into more than expression — it became therapy, legacy, and responsibility. Every verse carries weight. Every move is intentional. He’s not just chasing success — he’s honoring the people who raised him and sacrificed for him.
That loss sharpened his focus:
Win, build, and leave something behind.
Escape, Culture Shock, and Creative Evolution
In an effort to protect her sons from a violent environment, Cityy Baby’s mother made a life-altering decision. After remarrying, she moved Cityy Baby and his older brother to Chesterfield, Virginia when he was 11 years old.
The adjustment was rough.
Going from the hood to a predominantly white area brought culture shock, identity struggles, and pressure to adapt fast. But instead of folding, Cityy Baby expanded.
He formed close friendships with kids in a rock band, opening his ears to new sounds. Artists like Nickelback, Three Doors Down, and Fall Out Boy became unexpected influences — adding melody and emotion to a foundation already shaped by 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, and Future.
That fusion defines his sound today.
Inspired by 50 Cent. Moving Like Nipsey & Russ
Cityy Baby often cites 50 Cent as his biggest inspiration — even stating the first album he ever owned was Get Rich or Die Tryin’. The parallels are undeniable: raw storytelling, survival mentality, and strategic thinking.
But his approach mirrors artists like Nipsey Hussle and Russ — ownership over everything, business alongside art, and independence over industry validation.
With four kids and multiple businesses, Cityy Baby doesn’t just rap about ownership — he lives it.
His message is clear:
Own your masters. Build businesses. Create leverage.
For Black creatives especially, that message hits deeper.
The Vision Ahead: 2026 Is the Breakout Year
While 2025 marks Cityy Baby’s official rookie year, all signs point to 2026 as the breakout moment.
With a powerful story, an undeniable work ethic, and momentum building, Cityy Baby is positioning himself as the next major artist out of Virginia, with plans to take over the NOVA (Northern Virginia) area and beyond.
This isn’t hype.
It’s a life built on loss, discipline, and purpose.
And artists forged like that don’t fade — they last.
Cityy Baby is up next.
