Michael Lamar White IV, known professionally as Trippie Redd, is an American rapper and singer born on June 18, 1999, in Canton, Ohio.
Emerging from the SoundCloud rap scene in the late 2010s, Trippie Redd has become a prominent figure in modern hip-hop, known for blending genres like emo rap, trap, R&B, and alternative rock.
His music often explores themes of love, loss, and personal struggles, resonating with a wide audience through its emotional depth and melodic delivery.
Raised in challenging circumstances, with his father incarcerated at the time of his birth, Trippie was brought up by his mother, Tonya White, in a household where music played a significant role.
Siblings
Trippie’s older brother, known as Dirty Redd, was a pivotal figure in Trippie’s early exposure to hip-hop.
Dirty Redd, whose real name remains undisclosed, was an aspiring rapper himself and introduced a young Michael to the genre, sparking his passion for music.
Tragically, Dirty Redd’s life was cut short in 2014 when he died in a car accident, an event that profoundly impacted Trippie, then only 14 years old.
Trippie has paid tribute to Dirty Redd in tracks like “Oomp’s Revenge” from his debut album Life’s a Trip (2018), where he reflects on the lingering presence of his brother’s soul.
Trippie’s younger brother, known as Hippie Redd, is a less public figure but has also dipped his toes into the music industry.
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Career
Redd’s career began to take shape in 2014 when he started recording music, initially under the moniker Lil 14, inspired by the street where he spent much of his youth.
After moving to Atlanta following high school graduation, he connected with rapper Lil Wop, who provided access to a professional recording studio.
This collaboration led to the creation of early projects like Awakening My Inner Beast, Beast Mode, and Rock the World Trippie, which laid the groundwork for his distinctive sound.
In 2017, Trippie signed with Strainge Entertainment (now Elliot Grainge Entertainment) and released his debut mixtape, A Love Letter to You.
The project’s lead single, “Love Scars,” became a viral hit, amassing millions of streams on SoundCloud and YouTube, and propelling him to national attention.
His debut studio album, Life’s a Trip (2018), debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, featuring singles like “Dark Knight Dummo” with Travis Scott and “Taking a Walk,” both of which charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
Subsequent releases, including A Love Letter to You 3 (2018), ! (2019), and A Love Letter to You 4 (2019), solidified his commercial success, with the latter topping the Billboard 200.
Trippie’s versatility shone through in projects like Pegasus (2020) and Trip at Knight (2021), both peaking at number two on the Billboard 200.
Accolades
Trippie’s single “Fuck Love,” a collaboration with XXXTentacion, achieved Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2023, signifying over 10 million units sold, marking a historic milestone as his first song to reach this level.
“Love Scars” earned double platinum status, while singles like “Dark Knight Dummo,” “Taking a Walk,” and “Topanga” have each secured platinum or gold certifications.
His discography, which includes five studio albums, six mixtapes, eight extended plays, and 31 singles, has consistently charted on the Billboard 200, with A Love Letter to You 4 reaching number one and multiple albums hitting the top five.
Beyond music, Trippie’s cultural influence extends to fashion, with collaborations with brands like Puma, and his visual artistry, as he has designed some of his own album covers.
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