Lucas received widespread exposure and critical acclaim after the release of his single "Ross Capicchioni" in 2015. In June 2017, he released his fourth mixtape, 508-507-2209, which was his first on a major label. On November 28, 2017, Lucas released his single "I'm Not Racist", which quickly went viral, gaining him further attention and praise. The video was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Music Video at the 61st Grammy Awards. Lucas was formerly signed to Atlantic Records, until he announced his departure from the label in December 2018.
Since 2016, Lucas has also become known for remixing popular hip hop songs like "Gucci Gang" by Lil Pump, "Bank Account" by 21 Savage, "DNA" by Kendrick Lamar and many others. In October 2018, he announced his debut studio album ADHD, which was released on March 27, 2020. He began rapping at the age of 10, and attended South High Community School in Worcester.
Gary Maurice Lucas, Jr. was born on August 17, 1988, in Worcester, Massachusetts to a black father and a white mother. He began rapping at the age of 10, and attended South High Community School in Worcester.
Joyner Lucas first started rapping under the name G-Storm, but by 2007 had changed his stage name to Future Joyner and started working with his cousin Cyrus tha Great, forming a group called Film Skool Rejekts. That year they released Workprint: The Greatest Mixtape of All Time. Lucas released his first solo mixtape, titled Listen to Me, in 2011.[citation needed] After rapper Future came to prominence, Lucas dropped the "Future" from his name and continued as Joyner Lucas. He released his first mixtape under this new moniker in 2013, titled LFO's (Low Frequency Oscillators). His next mixtape, Along Came Joyner, was released on April 5, 2015. This mixtape contained his critically acclaimed "Ross Capicchioni". Following the success of the song, Lucas was featured in the 2015 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher. Originally intended to appear in the online-only cypher, he was later promoted to rap as part of the live broadcast cyphers based on the strength of his initial performance.
Lucas signed to Atlantic Records on September 21, 2016. Lucas went on to release a project titled 508-507-2209 on June 16, 2017, with Atlantic Records. The mixtape charted at #7 on the Heatseekers Albums chart on Billboard and contained the singles "I'm Sorry", "Ultrasound", "Just Like You" and "Winter Blues". Ever since 2016, Lucas has also become known for remixing popular hip hop songs.
On November 28, 2017, Lucas released the single "I'm Not Racist" via his YouTube channel. The music video quickly went viral and gained critical acclaim. The controversial song is about race and society, and race relations from the perspectives of a white man and a black man. The video was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Music Video at the 61st Grammy Awards, but lost to Childish Gambino's "This Is America". Lucas and Chris Brown announced a collaborative project titled Angels & Demons on February 25, 2018, with the project's first single "Stranger Things" releasing the following day. On April 1, 2018, Lucas released the single "Frozen", a song focused on different forms of reckless driving. The second single from the Angels and Demons collaborative mixtape, "I Don't Die", was released on May 2.
On July 31, 2018, Lucas announced that he was forced to cancel appearances in the Australian and European legs of his I'm Kind of a Big Deal tour due to hoarseness and laryngitis. A month later, Lucas was featured on "Lucky You" from Eminem's tenth album, Kamikaze. The song debuted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Lucas' first top 10 entry on the chart. On October 12, 2018, Lucas announced that he would be releasing his debut studio album entitled ADHD. He also announced a single from the album that would be released the following Wednesday. The song, entitled "I Love", was released as the lead single from ADHD, which was released on March 27, 2020. It was preceded by nine singles from October 2018 to March 2020, the time before release.
On August 17, 2020, Lucas announced the release date of his debut EP, Evolution. It was released on October 23, 2020. It was preceded by two singles, "Snitch" and "Fall Slowly" featuring Ashanti.
Lucas has cited several artists as influences in his music, but he cites Eminem as his biggest musical influence. He also revealed he was influenced by Will Smith in his song "Will", which he would release a remix of featuring Will Smith himself on May 15, 2020. He cites Jay-Z as one of his influences too.
Joyner Lucas shares a son named Joyner Messiah Lucas (born February 20, 2016) with Carmen Julissa Ayala, whom he had an off and on romantic relationship with. Lucas tells the story of his son's conception in his song "Forever" on his mixtape 508-507-2209. Joyner Messiah Lucas is loved and adored by his father and referenced in many of his songs. He has also made cameos in his father's music videos. Most recently he played Will Smith's son Jaden Smith in the video of "Will".
Lucas has revealed that the title of his album ADHD comes from the fact that he was diagnosed with ADHD as a child. He explained that people surrounding him, including his own parents, made him feel like he was not normal and treated him differently as a result. Eventually, he would act out and get sent to an alternative school after expulsion.
Feuds
Logic
According to Lucas, when he was on Tech N9ne's tour bus, he heard some records from Tech's album The Storm. Lucas expressed interest on collaborating with Logic on the song "Sriracha" and felt that he could add to the display of fast-flow rapping, and Tech acquiesced. Logic was originally slated to be the only feature on "Sriracha", but when he spent over six months to deliver his verse, Lucas hopped on the track to offer his own. Joyner stated that when they got the record back, he could tell that Logic was not "too happy" about him being on the track once he heard it. On his remix of Future's "Mask Off", Joyner, unhappy by the work Logic turned in after taking nearly half a year to edit his verse, directly addressed the disappointing display. Both he and Tech N9ne were upset with Logic for not emulating the style of quick flow on the song.
After Logic's hit song "1-800-273-8255" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, Joyner Lucas immediately took offense and argued that the track was named in order to bring direct competition to his project, 508-507-2209. In a later interview, he called Logic "corny" and in another incident, he said that he thinks that Logic "can rap" but feels like "he tries to prove that he's black too much for me." With both Logic's single and Lucas' mixtape dealing with the issue of mental health representation and resource allocation, Lucas was careful to not slam the track too hard.
When Logic dropped his song "Yuck" from his mixtape Bobby Tarantino II in March 2018, the veiled diss inside the song was quickly spotted by Lucas and his fans, despite Logic saying that there was no diss in the song. Seemingly nonplussed by the insult, Lucas dared Logic to call him out directly on Twitter. That same month, Joyner took aim at Logic's song "44 More" and his album Everybody on his remix of BlocBoy JB's "Look Alive".
In 2019, the two rappers ended their feud, which was revealed when Logic made a guest appearance on Joyner Lucas' song "ISIS", the third single from ADHD. Lucas kept the name of the collaborator a secret until he released the song.
Hopsin
In September 2018, when a fan asked Los Angeles rapper Hopsin on Twitter who would win in a rap battle between him and Joyner Lucas, Hopsin replied, "That's a dumb question that I'm sure you already know the answer to." Not long after, Lucas commented, "Hold up. @Hopsin wtf is that supposed to mean???" In his response, Hopsin stated that he would "b[r]eak his soul" and also dissed Logic in the comment. This dispute would prove to be short-lived, when in less than two days Hopsin shared a screenshot of a FaceTime call with Lucas, indicating that they finally made peace, but still wanted people to consider who would beat the other in a rap battle. While the majority favored Hopsin, Lucas was adamant without arguing.
Tory Lanez
Joyner Lucas' feud with Canadian recording artist Tory Lanez began over matters similar to his beef with Hopsin. On November 19, 2018, Lanez claimed that he was a better rapper than Joyner Lucas on an Instagram Live session. Incredulous, Lucas immediately responded by inviting Lanez to a battle rapping challenge and telling him to let the public decide who is better. The next day, Lanez dropped a freestyle over Eminem's "Lucky You", of which Lucas made a guest appearance on. In less than 24 hours, Joyner responded with his freestyle over "Litty" by Meek Mill featuring Tory Lanez, also targeting rapper Trippie Redd, who joined Tory's Instagram Live and slandered Joyner's name as well. Shortly after, Lanez retaliated with his own freestyle of "Litty", titled "Litty Again", taking shots at Joyner's collaboration with Eminem. Lucas' answer song was a freestyle of Kodak Black's "Zeze". On the track, he mentions Tory's being accused of plagiarism in 2016, when listeners noticed that the ending of Lanez's song "4am Flex" was similar to Kendrick Lamar's "The Art of Peer Pressure". Joyner also accuses him of copying rapper Don Q's flow on his 2017 Funkmaster Flex freestyle. On November 23, Tory posted on Instagram a video of him declaring victory in the feud and celebrating. Displeased, Lucas reposted the video with his own comment, with a reference to Lanez as a singer.
The end of this rivalry was made public on August 8, 2019, when Joyner Lucas and Tory Lanez collaborated on their remix of "Suge" by DaBaby.
The Grammy Awards are held annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Joyner has two Grammy nominations altogether; one for Best Music Video for “I’m Not Racist” and one for Best Rap Song for “Lucky You” by Eminem.
Shooting Star
JOYNER LUCAS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Think I'm Snoopthey won'tgo away They should play this down in
Compton with a cherry drop top Then everybody get to blasting till
They blow the bass I ain'tgotta say much bitches know
The face Joyner Lucas got it tatted on the shoulder blade?
Claimy oyou just?
I just wanna put it in her mouth and make her poker face Tell me did
You take it for the night I know what you thinking I'myour saviour
Just need some motivation what you dragging for the night And don't
Be talking bout them other heads Ask about me I've beenmacking like a
Fucking crack Bitches love me in the country like I'm a
Lieutenant I'm justhonest with you
Don'tmistake me for a fucking sac Nah
Homie I'm justwhat you made me I'm a shooting star Got a
House on the headland and a million cars We done came from the
Projects you know who we are I'm
Fineand on top of that livin'in the sky
Black shorts and a tank top?
Charm from the chain spot Couple dollas in my pocket I don't need
Much I don'tcare for bragging you can have it I don'tneed much I
Remember i was just a nada Shaggy with da
Holla back when bitches used to call me Mr.
Labalaba Now Mr.
Popacala Mr.
Drop a dolla Now Mr.
Master P Mr.?
I got bitches I ain'tbored of yet all em?
They gon hit me with the?
Check I ain'teven got?
It's the?
Bay Then she wanna fuck even tho she never saw me yet But I told her
Don't be talking bout them other heads Ask about me I've beenmacking
Like a fucking crack Bitches love me in the country like I'm a
Lieutenant I'm justhonest with you
Don'tmistake me for a fucking sac Hoe For a fucking sac
Homie I'm justwhat you made me I'm a shooting star Got a
House on the headland and a million cars We done came from the
Projects you know who we are I'm
Fineand on top of that livin'in the sky
Joyner Joyner
The lyrics of Joyner Lucas's song "Shooting Star" depict the rapper's success and lifestyle. He starts with comparing his fame and recognition to that of the legendary Dr. Dre, who also hails from California. However, Lucas mentions that some women mistake him for another famous rapper, Snoop Dogg, as they are unable to see him as a unique individual. The artist then talks about riding around in a cherry drop-top car and blasting music to the point that the bass blows out. He also boasts about the recognition and love he gets from women, and they are attracted to him because of his fame and success rather than for who he is.
In the next verse, Lucas talks about his commitment to his music and work. He is constantly chasing paper, and his bank account reflects his hard work. However, he admits that he needs motivation to carry on and asks someone to motivate him. He mentions that he is not interested in bragging about his wealth and fame and does not need much. The rapper then talks about his past, where he was referred to as "Mr. Labalaba" and "Shaggy." He states that he has come a long way from being a nobody and now has many women interested in him.
Overall, Joyner Lucas's "Shooting Star" is a song about his success, recognition, and commitment to his music. He acknowledges his hard work and how it has enabled him to achieve what he currently has. However, he also mentions issues such as people not seeing him for who he is and solely distinguishing him based on his fame.
Line by Line Meaning
I get love down in Cali' like the homie Dre
I receive a lot of love in California, just like my friend Dre does
But these hoes think I'm Snoop, they won't go away
Some women mistake me for Snoop Dogg and won't leave me alone
They should play this down in Compton with a cherry drop top
This song should be played in Compton while cruising in a cherry drop top car
Then everybody get to blasting till they blow the bass
Everyone will blast the music until the bass overpowers everything else
I ain't gotta say much bitches know the face
I don't need to say anything, the women already recognize me
Joyner Lucas got it tatted on the shoulder blade? Claim you just?
Is it true that you have Joyner Lucas tattooed on your shoulder blade? Did you just claim that?
I just wanna put it in her mouth and make her poker face
I just want to have oral sex with her and make her face expressionless like in poker
Tell me did you take it for the night
Did you have sex with her just for one night?
I know what you thinking I'm your saviour for the night
I understand what you're thinking, you believe I saved you for the night
I've been paper chasing till my bank be looking right
I've been working hard to make money until my bank account looks good
I just need some motivation what you dragging for the night
I'm lacking motivation, why are you wasting time tonight?
And don't be talking bout them other heads Ask about me I've been macking like a fucking crack
Don't talk about other guys, ask about me because I've been successful with women like a drug dealer selling crack
Bitches love me in the country like I'm a Lieutenant I'm just honest with you
Women in rural areas love me like I'm a military officer, and I'm being sincere
Don't mistake me for a fucking sac Nah Homie I'm just what you made me
Don't think I'm a pushover, I'm just acting the way you've made me act
I'm a shooting star Got a house on the headland and a million cars
I'm a rising star with a mansion on the hill and plenty of cars
We done came from the projects you know who we are I'm fine and on top of that livin' in the sky
We came from humble beginnings in the projects and now we're successful, I'm doing well and living the high life
Black shorts and a tank top? Charm from the chain spot Couple dollas in my pocket
I'm wearing black shorts and a tank top and got my chain from the jewelry store, I have a couple of dollars in my pocket
I don't need much I don't care for bragging you can have it
I don't need a lot and I don't like to brag, you can take it
I remember I was just a nada Shaggy with da Holla back when bitches used to call me Mr. Labalaba Now Mr. Popacala Mr. Drop a dolla Now Mr. Master P Mr.?
I remember when I had nothing and people used to call me Shaggy. Women used to refer to me as Mr. Labalaba, now they call me Mr. Popacala or Mr. Drop a Dollar like Master P.
I got bitches I ain't bored of yet all em? They gon hit me with the? Check I ain't even got? It's the? Bay
I have a lot of women that I haven't gotten tired of yet, they will hit me up for money, but I don't even have it, it's the Bay area
Then she wanna fuck even tho she never saw me yet But I told her don't be talking bout them other heads Ask about me I've been macking like a fucking crack
Then she wants to have sex with me even though she hasn't seen me yet. But I told her not to talk about other guys, ask about me because I've been successful with women like a drug dealer selling crack
Homie I'm just what you made me I'm a shooting star Got a house on the headland and a million cars We done came from the projects you know who we are I'm fine and on top of that livin' in the sky
I'm just the way you made me, a shooting star with a mansion on the hill and plenty of cars. We came from humble beginnings in the projects and now we're successful, I'm doing well and living the high life
Contributed by Maria N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.