Future (rapper)

Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn, better known by his stage name Future, is an American hip hop recording artist from Atlanta, Georgia. After amassing a series of mixtapes between 2010 and 2011, Future signed a major-label deal with Epic Records and fellow American rapper Rocko's A1 Recordings, which helped launch Future's own label imprint, Freebandz. Future subsequently began working on his debut album Pluto, and in April 2012 released the album to positive reviews. The album spawned five singles, all of which charted on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. He unexpectedly released his third album, DS2, in July 2015, which earned him his first number one placement on the Billboard 200. Future premiered his fourth album EVOL, in February 2016, on DJ Khaled's We The Best Radio's debut on Beats 1.

Life and career

1983–2010: Early life and career beginnings

Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn was born on November 20, 1983, in Atlanta, Georgia. He began using his stage name while performing as one of the members of the musical collective The Dungeon Family, where he was nicknamed "The Future." His first cousin, a record producer named Rico Wade who was also a member of The Dungeon Family, encouraged him to sharpen his writing skills and pursue a career as a rapper. He attended Columbia High School. Future voices his praise of Wade's musical influence and instruction, calling him the “mastermind” behind his sound. He soon came under the wing of Atlanta's own Rocko who signed him to his label A-1 Recordings. Since then his work ethic has driven him to his success. From 2010 to early 2011, Future released a series of mixtapes including 1000, Dirty Sprite and True Story. The latter included the single "Tony Montana", in reference to the Scarface film. During this time, Future also partnered with Gucci Mane on the Free Bricks collaborative album and co-wrote YC's single "Racks".