Diggy Simmons

Diggy Simmons

Simmons on the sets of his show "The Start-Up" 2013
Background information
Birth name Daniel Dwayne Simmons III
Also known as Diggy Simmons
Born (1995-03-22) March 22, 1995
Queens, New York, United States
Genres Hip hop, R&B
Occupation(s) Rapper, Singer, Actor
Labels Atlantic Records
Associated acts

Daniel Dwayne Simmons III (born March 21, 1995), better known by his stage name Diggy Simmons or commonly just Diggy, is an American rapper, singer and actor and the fourth child of Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons of Run DMC. He along with his parents and five siblings, were the primary subjects of the MTV reality television show Run's House. Diggy is also the youngest member of the hip-hop collective All City Chess Club.

Music career

Music beginnings

Diggy Simmons released his debut mixtape, The First Flight , in 2009, More than 100,000 people downloaded the album from Simmons' blog.[1][2][3] Following the mixtapes's release, according to Simmons, five record labels showed interest in signing him; he chose Atlantic Records.[4]

Early in 2010, Simmons uploaded a video of himself freestyling over the Nas song, "Made You Look". The video became a viral hit[1] and garnered praise from Kanye West, who responded on Twitter: "I knew this kid was [going] to be fresh. I knew it!"[5]

It was preceded by the leak of the song "Oh Yeah!", which featured Pharrell Williams and Lupe Fiasco.[6] Airborne, Simmons' second mixtape, was released in 2010.[1][7] The mixtape track "Great Expectations" was featured that year in a national AT&T television commercial.[1][8]

Simmons released his third mixtape, "Past Presents Future", in December. The album, hosted by DJ Premier, features samples of songs from the 1980s and 1990s by such artists as Nas, A Tribe Called Quest and Rakim. A video was released for the track "Shook Ones", which samples the Mobb Deep song of the same name.[9]

2011–2012: MTV's Artist to Watch, XXL Freshmen & Unexpected Arrival

Early the next year, Simmons was named one of Billboard's "Artists to Watch 2011" and was selected to XXL's annual Freshmen list.[10][11] Diggy went on His first tour for BET's 106 & Park "Closer To My Dreams" tour in the summer of 2011 starring Tyga, Mindless Behavior, Lil Twist, Jawan Harris, and Trevante. He released his first major-label single, "Copy, Paste", soon thereafter.[1][12] "Copy, Paste" peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in September.[13] The song's video was directed by Phil the God, who previously directed Simmons' "Made You Look", "What They Been Waiting For" and "Shook Ones".[14][15] Simmons performed the song during the pre-show for the 2011 BET Awards.[16] His second tour was Scream Tour's Next Generation tour in the fall of 2011 with Mindless Behavior, Jacob Latimore, and The New Boyz (also opening were The OMG Girlz). Simmons is featured on the singles "Like 'Em All" by Jacob Latimore, "Mrs. Right" by Mindless Behavior and "Yeah Right" by Dionne Bromfield.[9][17][18] "Yeah Right" reached number 36 on the UK Singles Chart in April 2011.[19] "Click Clack Away", a song featuring Bruno Mars, leaked onto the internet in May. Simmons noted that the track would not be included on his debut studio album, set to be released by the end of the year.[20][21] That month, Simmons released the song "Just Begun" however Simmons tweeted on Twitter it was not going to be on the album.[22] On October 24, 2011 Diggy released "Do It Like You" as the second official single from his debut album, Unexpected Arrival a music video has been released with the song's featured artist Jeremih appearing in the clip. Also on February 24 the song "88" was released as the third official single. The song features Jadakiss and a viral music video was released for the track. Diggy's debut album Unexpected Arrival was released on March 20, 2012, a day before Simmons' 17th birthday. Billboard said it was "easy to find yourself nodding along".[23] The third was his own "Life of The Jetsetter Tour" in late early 2012 with returning acts Jacob Latimore, The OMG Girlz, and added were Jawan Harris & new hip-hop duo TK-N-Cash. In 2012, it was announced that Simmons would once again embark on a tour with Scream Star Entertainment, and got his own headlining spot. The Scream Tour: Next Generation Part 2 begins in late August 2012 with special guests Jawan Harris, The OMG Girlz, TK-N-Cash, YMCMB's Torion, and more.

2013–present: Out of This World

Simmons announced that he was releasing his fourth mixtape titled, Out of This World via Twitter. 'Out of This World' was set for release in 2013, but has yet to have been released. On December 22, 2013, Simmons released an unofficial single after a year-long hiatus entitled "Mama Said" featuring B.o.B & Key Wane. In May 2014, Simmons released the first single from his upcoming EP Out of This World entitiled "My Girl" featuring Trevor Jackson. "My Girl" official video was released on May 7, 2014. On February 10, 2015 Simmons released his first single in 3 years, "Ain't Bout To Do" featuring French Montana. Following this, Diggy released a second single, "Can't Relate" ft Yo Gotti on April 9, 2015. Simmons is set to appear on Scream Nation's Back 2 School Fest starting September 11, 2015 in Florida.

Other ventures

Acting career

Simmons had a small role in the 2012 comedy Parental Guidance starring Billy Crystal and Bette Midler, that opened across the United States December 25, 2012. His part in the movie was cut due to "creative changes". It is unclear if Simmons' part in the movie will appear in a possible extended DVD released version.[24]

Simmons also landed his own 2-hour TV movie/show pilot on BET titled "The Start-Up". Simmons plays Blake, a 19-year-old college student and blogger who tries to get his blog of 5+ years up and running with the help of his friends. Teyana Taylor stars also. This project is set to premiere September 19, 2015. Simmons got media attention when he made an unexpected comment stating that, "love is an emotional roller coaster and I've fallen in love." during a TMZ interview about a movie he starred in called "The start up".

Clothing line

In 2010, Simmons launched a line of urban sneakers called Chivalrous Culture.[25] He says he gets inspiration from other artists such as Kanye and Jay Z [1] The first shoe model is called the "Hamachi". In a recent interview with Loni Swain, he revealed "Chiv Culture" has been discontinued.[26]

Artistry

Influences

Simmons has cited many rappers as his influences including Jay Z, Nas, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, A Tribe Called Quest & Wu-Tang Clan.[8] He has also expressed an interest in alternative music, including such bands as Maroon 5, Passion Pit and Arctic Monkeys. Simmons said, "It’s a genre I would want to try in the future."[2]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US US R&B US
Rap
Unexpected Arrival 13 3 2
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Mixtapes

Diggy Simmon's mixtapes and details
Title Mixtape details
The First Flight
  • Released: December 2, 2009
  • Hosted by DJ Spin King
Airborne
  • Released: September 10, 2010
  • Hosted by DJ Spin King
Past, Present(s), Future
  • Released: December 23, 2011
  • Hosted by DJ Premier & DJ Spin King

Extended plays

Diggy Simmon's eps and details
Title Album details
Out of This World
  • Released: TBA, 2016
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US US R&B US Rap
"Copy, Paste" 2011 — 24 21 Unexpected Arrival
"Do It Like You"
(featuring Jeremih)		 80 11 11
"88"
(featuring Jadakiss)		 2012 — — —
"Two Up" — — —
"4 Letter Word" — 61 —
"My Girl"
(featuring Trevor Jackson)		 2014 — — — Out of This World
"Aint Bout to Do"
(featuring French Montana)		 2015 — — —
"Can't Relate"
(featuring Yo Gotti)		 — — —
List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[27]		 US R&B
[27]		 UK
"Yeah Right"
(Dionne Bromfield featuring Diggy Simmons)		 2011 — — 36 Good for the Soul
"Mrs. Right"
(Mindless Behavior featuring Diggy Simmons)		 72 8 — #1 Girl
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released.

See also

Awards and Nominations

BET Awards

BET Hip Hop Awards

NAACP Image Awards

Teen Choice Awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jeffries, David. "Diggy Simmons - Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  2. 1 2 Kyles, Kara (August 26, 2011). "Even More Diggy: Kyles Files Complete Q&A with Diggy Simmons". RedEye. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  3. ↑ Feeney, Michael J. (March 24, 2010). "Diggy, Son of Run-DMC Rapper Rev. Run, Inks Deal With Atlantic Records - Without Dad's Help". Daily News. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  4. ↑ Ivey, Nile (March 31, 2010). "Diggy Simmons Explains Signing With Atlantic Records, Talks Five Label Bidding War". BET. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  5. ↑ Roberts, Steven (March 25, 2010). "Diggy Simmons 'Made You Look' Freestyle Grabs Kanye West's Attention". VH1. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  6. ↑ "New Music: Diggy Simmons f/ Pharrell & Lupe Fiasco – 'Oh Yeah!'". Rap-Up. August 21, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  7. ↑ Malcolm, Jomarie (October 5, 2010). "Diggy Simmons is Airborne". The Jamaica Observer. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  8. 1 2 Johnson, Derryck "Nes" (November 19, 2010). "Diggy, 'I'm Really Trying to Push the Bar With Hip-Hop'.". XXL. Harris Publications. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  9. 1 2 Concepcion, Mariel (December 23, 2010). "Diggy Simmons Celebrates Christmas With DJ Premier-Hosted Mixtape". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Diggy Simmons: Artists To Watch 2011". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. January 24, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  11. ↑ "XXL 2011 Freshmen Class: Diggy Simmons". XXL. Harris Publications. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  12. ↑ Stewart, Allison (May 30, 2011). "Singles File: Wu-Tang featuring RZA, Diggy Simmons's 'Copy, Paste'". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  14. ↑ Markman, Rob (June 28, 2011). "Diggy Simmons' 'Copy, Paste' Is 'Anthem' For Innovators". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Rap-Up TV: On Set of Diggy Simmons' 'Copy, Paste' Video". Rap-Up. June 30, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  16. ↑ Thomas, LeVar (June 27, 2011). "Diggy Simmons 2011 BET Awards Performance". Stupid Dope. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  17. ↑ Bylin, Kyle (July 7, 2011). "Uncharted Territory: Diggy Simmons Returns, The Knocks Feel 'Sunshine'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Lo nuevo de Dionne Bromfield, la protegida musical de Amy Winehouse". ABC (Spain). August 29, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Chart Stats - Dionne Bromfield - 'Yeah Right' ft Diggy Simmons". Chart Stats. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  20. ↑ Ramirez, Erika (May 3, 2011). "Press Play: Freddie Gibbs, Young Jeezy, Diggy Simmons, Bruno Mars, Solange & More". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  21. ↑ Cline, Georgette (September 1, 2011). "Diggy Simmons Won't Use Ghostwriters, Talks New LP". The Boombox. AOL. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  22. ↑ Fitzgenjkj, Trent (September 19, 2011). "Diggy - 'Just Begun' – Song Review". PopCrush. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  23. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/499423/diggy-unexpected-arrival-track-by-track-review
  24. ↑ http://www.diggyworld.com/news/parental-guidance-update
  25. ↑ Roc, G. "Chivalrous Culture Footwear – First Look". The Show Game. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  26. ↑ Elder, Brandon (February 16, 2011). "Diggy Simmons Launches Sneaker Line: Chivalrous Culture". Complex. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  27. 1 2 "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
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