Lathan Moses Stanley Echols (born January 25, 2002), known professionally as Lil Mosey, is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. His 2017 single, "Pull Up", received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and led him to sign with Interscope Records. His 2018 single, "Noticed", became his first Billboard Hot 100 entry and preceded his debut studio album, Northsbest (2018). His second studio album, Certified Hitmaker (2019) peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and spawned the single "Stuck in a Dream" (featuring Gunna). The album's 2020 re-issue spawned the single "Blueberry Faygo", which peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and yielded Mosey's furthest commercial success.

Lil Mosey
Lil Mosey in 2018
Lil Mosey in 2018
Background information
Birth nameLathan Moses Stanley Echols
Born (2002-01-25) January 25, 2002 (age 22)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2016–present
Labels
Websitelilmosey.com

Early life

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Lathan Moses Stanley Echols was born on January 25, 2002, in Seattle, Washington, to a white mother and a black father.[5][6] He was raised by his mother in the north end of Seattle. He began rapping in his early teens and started his music career in the eighth grade. Echols first attended Mountlake Terrace High School, then transferred to Shorecrest High School in the tenth grade. He later dropped out of school following the success of his song "Pull Up", and went on to pursue his career, heading to Los Angeles to record.[5][6]

Career

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2016–2019: Career beginnings and Northsbest, and Certified Hitmaker

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"Pull Up" was Mosey's first released track and served as his debut commercial single.[7] Its music video reached over 25 million views on YouTube in the first 16 months upon its release.[2] On March 14, 2018, Mosey released his second commercial single "Boof Pack". Its music video was released on the WorldStarHipHop channel, and received over 13 million views on YouTube in just over a year after its release.[8] Around four months later, he released "Noticed" as his third commercial single alongside a music video directed by Cole Bennett. The song peaked at number 80 on the US Billboard Hot 100, while its music video has gone on to become one of the most popular videos on Lyrical Lemonade, amassing almost 290 million views to date.[9] In the video, "Mosey and his friends live the good life as they relax in a luxury apartment, which overlooks a beautiful beach".[10]

On October 19, 2018, Mosey released his debut studio album titled Northsbest, which includes the four previously released singles and seven other tracks.[citation needed]

Certified Hitmaker was released on November 8, 2019, containing the three singles and eleven other tracks.[11]

2020: Rise to mainstream popularity with "Blueberry Faygo" and feature run

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On January 31, 2020, Mosey was featured on "Safe With Me", a song from Puerto Rican rapper Eladio Carrión's debut studio album Sauce Boyz. On February 7, 2020, Mosey released the single "Blueberry Faygo", after it garnered traction and went viral after being leaked on streaming platform Spotify throughout 2019. It later became his highest-peaking song on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 8 and charting well internationally.[12]

On June 26, Mosey released the song "Back at It", featuring fellow American rapper Lil Baby, as the first single of the deluxe edition of Certified Hitmaker.[13] The song charted at number 9 on the US Bubbling Under the Hot 100. The deluxe's second single, "Top Gone", was released on August 5, featuring Puerto Rican rapper Lunay.[14] The deluxe edition of Certified Hitmaker, marketed as Certified Hitmaker (AVA Leak), was released on August 14, 2020. It includes the two singles as well as three additional tracks.[15]

On August 30, during an interview with The Hollywood Fix, Mosey teased a new project by playing a snippet of new music. The project was later announced to be a new mixtape titled Universal.[16] The mixtape will act as a transition between Certified Hitmaker, and his upcoming third studio album: The Land of Make Believe.[17]

2021–present: Delay of Universal and standalone releases

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To start of 2021, Mosey was featured on the remix of "Blueberry Eyes" on January 22, the 2020 hit single by American singer MAX, which also features South Korean rapper Suga from BTS and American singer Olivia O'Brien. On January 25, 2021, his nineteenth birthday, Mosey celebrated by releasing "Holy Water", as the second single for Universal.[18] Four days later, Mosey was featured on "Boom Boom", the fourth track on the EP Lucky 7 by American rapper Rich the Kid. On February 5, Mosey released "We Outside", a song in collaboration with fellow American rapper Smokepurpp. A week later, he released the album's third single, "Enough", which coincided with a Valentine's Day release.[19]

On April 2, 2021, Echols was charged with one count of second-degree rape in Lewis County, Washington, for engaging in sexual intercourse with an individual that was incapable of giving consent.[20][21] He pled not guilty[22] and passed two polygraph tests.[23] Echols was tried in a joint trial alongside co-defendants Francisco P. Prater and Joshua D. Darrow.[24] The trial began in February 2023 and in March 2023 he was found not guilty.[25]

Echols released the single "Flu Game (song)" in 2023, a song that pays tribute to Michael Jordan.[23] He followed up in 2024 with the single "Life Goes On", a song from his upcoming EP. He also signed a global distribution partnership with Cinq Music Group the same year.[26]

Certified Hitmakers

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Certified Hitmakers
Founded2020
FounderLathan Echols (Lil Mosey)
StatusActive
Distributor(s)Interscope
GenreHip hop, trap, pop rap
Country of originU.S.
LocationNew York City
Official websitehttps://www.certifiedhitmaker.com/

In 2020, Mosey opened his own record label, Certified Hitmakers. His first signee was Jae Lynx, who released his debut single "Bad Girl Vibes" under the label on November 6, 2020.[27] On January 14, 2021, Lynx released his second single, "Regrets", with YNW BSlime. As of 2024, Jae Lynx is still the only signee to the label.[28]

Musical style

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Lil Mosey is known for his melodic flow and lyrics that are tailored to his life. When asked if the term "mumble rap" applies to him in an interview with Complex, Lil Mosey says "I wouldn't consider myself a mumble rapper, because I don't know what that is. But when I talk, I mumble."[29] Although Lil Mosey does not consider his sound to be similar to Meek Mill's, he does consider the rapper an influence as in an interview with XXL Magazine, he describes how he would always listen to Meek Mill's song "Dreams and Nightmares" when he was younger.[9] When asked in the same interview about what comparisons he has drawn, Mosey responded "Music-wise, they be comparing me to Drake".[9]

Discography

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Studio albums

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References

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  1. ^ Rico, Don. "Lil' Mosey, the 15 Year-Old Phenom From Seattle". The Don Wong. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Rietmulder, Michael (June 19, 2018). "Buzzy local rapper Lil Mosey has harsh words for Seattle scene". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  3. ^ Hiersche, Nick (May 1, 2018). "Coast 2 Coast Alum Lil Mosey Signs to Interscope Records". Coast 2 Coast. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  4. ^ Osbourne, Hannah (September 4, 2020). "Jae Lynx Signs His First Record Deal". alienentertain.com. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Lil Mosey | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Ju, Shirley (September 21, 2020). "Lil Mosey on being a "certified hitmaker," his upcoming music, his background and more". Revolt. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  7. ^ Moore, Jacob; Gardner, Alex. "If you like YBN Nahmir, listen to Lil Mosey". Pigeons and Planes. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  8. ^ "Lil Mosey "Boof Pack" (WSHH Exclusive – Official Music Video) – YouTube". www.youtube.com. March 14, 2018.
  9. ^ a b c III, Robby Seabrook (August 9, 2018). "The Break Presents: Lil Mosey – XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  10. ^ Maduakolam, Emmanuel (July 25, 2018). "Lil Mosey Enjoys the Good Life in "Noticed" Video". Hypebeast. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  11. ^ Espinoza, Joshua (November 7, 2019). "Lil Mosey Drops 'Certified Hitmaker' Album f/ Trippie Redd, Gunna, and More". Complex. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  12. ^ "Certified Hitmaker – Album Credits". Tidal. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  13. ^ Oko, Wongo (June 26, 2020). "Lil Mosey And Lil Baby Continue Their Hustle On The Bouncy Single, 'Back At It'". Uproxx. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  14. ^ "Lil Mosey Returns With His Latest Single "Top Gone" Ft. Lunay". HotNewHipHop. August 6, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  15. ^ "Lil Mosey Shares Three New Tracks via 'Certified Hitmaker (AVA Leak)'". Complex. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  16. ^ "Lil Mosey Speaks On His Relationship With Dixie D'Amelio, New Music & 6ix9ine At Saddle Ranch – YouTube". August 30, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ Price, Joe (November 13, 2020). "Watch Lil Mosey's Video for New Song "Jumpin Out the Face"". Complex. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  18. ^ "Lil Mosey Counts His Blessings On "Holy Water"". HotNewHipHop. January 25, 2021.
  19. ^ "Lil Mosey Preps For The Summer With New Track "Enough"". HotNewHipHop. February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  20. ^ Rosenbaum, Claudia (April 23, 2021). "Lil Mosey Wanted for Rape Charge After Missing Court Date". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  21. ^ Curto, Justin (April 22, 2021). "Rapper Lil Mosey Wanted for Rape Charge After Missing Court Date". Vulture. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  22. ^ Fitzgerald, Emily (April 27, 2021). "Rapper 'Lil Mosey' Pleads Not Guilty to Second-Degree Rape Charge in Lewis County". The Chronicle. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  23. ^ a b Lamarre, Carl (April 6, 2023). "Lil Mosey Talks 2021 Rape Case, Being Found Not Guilty & His Return to Music". Billboard.
  24. ^ Wenzelburger, Jared (July 1, 2022). "Lewis County Rape Case Involving Rapper 'Lil Mosey' Set for Trial July 18 : Judge Hears Pretrial Motions in Lewis County Superior Court". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  25. ^ "Rapper Lil Mosey Found Not Guilty of Rape After Jury Trial". TMZ. March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  26. ^ Eggertsen, Chris. "Signed: Lewis Capaldi Connects With PPL; Lil Mosey Synchs Up With Cinq". Billboard.
  27. ^ "Bad Girl Vibes – Single by Jae Lynx". November 6, 2020 – via Spotify.
  28. ^ "Regrets – Single by Jae Lynx and YNW BSlime". January 14, 2021 – via Spotify.
  29. ^ "Lil Mosey Isn't a Mumble Rapper: 'I Don't Know What That Is'". Complex. Retrieved April 12, 2019.