On April 3, 1999, Calvin Lashon Woods was born on the South Side of Chicago; he later relocated to Calumet City, Illinois.[4] Woods turned to music to channel the frustrations of growing up below the poverty line. He is one of five children raised by a single mother.
Woods witnessed two of his best friends die, one of a drug overdose and the other to gun violence. His family migrated between small homes to small apartments.[5][6] His cousin is late rapper King Von.[7]
Career
2016–2017: Career beginnings
On July 7, 2017, Calboy released his debut mixtape, The Chosen One.[8] Later that year, Calboy released his second mixtape, Anxiety, on December 7, 2017.[9]
2018–2021: Numerous mixtapes, EPs and RCA Records
On June 18, 2018, Woods released his third mixtape, Calboy, the Wildboy. A single off the project was titled, "Unjudge Me", which featured Moneybagg Yo.
He released his single "Envy Me" on September 13, 2018, to critical acclaim. It later served as the lead single for his debut EP Wildboy, released on May 31, 2019. "Envy Me" peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified quintuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[10] With the single's success came the signage of Calboy to Polo Grounds Music, distributed by RCA Records.[3] At the time, the label had already ended their partnership with ASAP Rocky following the May release of his third album, Testing.[citation needed] It was also rumored that Calboy also signed a management deal with Meek Mill's label, Dream Chasers, but he hinted that he left the label in 2021 after a financial disagreement.[11]
The Wildboy EP was followed by another EP, Long Live The Kings, released in March 2020, with the latter receiving a deluxe version the following July, including 6 new tracks.[12] On August 11, Calboy was included on XXL's 2020 Freshman Class.[13]
On March 22, 2021, "Miseducation" featuring fellow rapper Lil Wayne was released as the lead single from Calboy's debut album, Redemption, supposed to be released the same year, but was postponed. Swae Lee was also set to make an appearance on the album. Calboy claimed that the album was completed.[14]
As recent as February 2022, Calboy publicly disclosed his frustrations with Polo Grounds and RCA Records, believing he was being treated like a "label slave".[15][16][17]
2022–Present
Calboy has released two albums in this period, the 2022 release "Black Heart" and 2023's "UNCHAINED".[18]
