![](https://pplstatic.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/static/images/dummy-gradient.jpg)
Quick Facts
Biography
DeAnthony Carlos (born May 17, 1993), better known by his stage name GoldLink, is an American rapper. In 2014, he released his debut mixtape, The God Complex, which received critical acclaim. In June 2015, he was chosen as part of the XXL Freshman Class. In October 2015, GoldLink released his second mixtape, And After That, We Didn't Talk, which was supported by the singles, "Dance on Me" and "Spectrum". His debut album, At What Cost, was released on March 24, 2017, to positive reviews. The album's lead single, "Crew", has peaked at number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as earned him his first Grammy nomination. His second studio album, Diaspora, was released on June 12, 2019.
Early life
GoldLink's father was a parks and recreation worker and his mother a secretary at a law firm. After his parents separated, GoldLink moved to Bowie, Maryland with his mother and eventually settled in Virginia. GoldLink graduated from Hayfield Secondary School, in Alexandria, Virginia.
Career
2013–16: Beginnings and breakthrough
GoldLink began his career performing under his birth name D'Anthony Carlos. He began making music as a hobby after graduating high school at Hayfield Secondary School, eventually recording tracks in a local studio in Falls Church, Virginia named Indie Media Lab. He released his first tracks on Bandcamp under the name Gold Link James. It was in 2013 that he began performing as GoldLink, releasing several free tracks on SoundCloud.
GoldLink released his first mixtape The God Complex in July 2014. Complex named it one of the best projects released during the first half of 2014, Spin placed it at number 19 on its The 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2014, Clash ranked it at number 7 on their Top 10 Mixtapes of 2014 and Pitchfork Media gave the mixtape a 7.9 rating.
GoldLink began collaborating with producer Rick Rubin in 2015. In November 2015 he released the mixtape After That, We Didn't Talk, much of which was considered a follow-up to questions left unanswered from The God Complex. Pigeons & Planes placed it at number 19 on its Best Albums of 2015 list. GoldLink was also named a member of the XXL Freshman Class in 2015. In 2016, GoldLink signed a major deal with RCA Records and revealed he is working on his second album. He released the single "Fall In Love" featuring rapper Cisero and produced by Canadian band BADBADNOTGOOD and Canadian producer and DJ Kaytranada. He later released the song "Untitled" with TDE rapper Isaiah Rashad.
2017–present: At What Cost and Diaspora
![](https://pplstatic.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/people/bio/G/goldlink/GoldLink_Concert_2016.png)
In February 2017, Goldlink took part in "Red Bull Sound Selects" reputable 3 Days Miami among artists Kelela, Angel Olsen, Brika, and others. On March 24, 2017, he released his commercial mixtape, At What Cost, featuring guest appearances from Wale, Shy Glizzy, Steve Lacy, Jazmine Sullivan, Kaytranada, Mýa, Ciscero, Kokayi, Hare Squead, Radiant Children, April George and Lil Dude. The project debuted at number 128 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It was preceded by the singles "Crew" and "Meditation". "Crew" has peaked at number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming his highest charting single in the country. It was also nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.
In June 7, 2018, GoldLink was featured on the song "Like I Do" by American singer Christina Aguilera from her eighth studio album, Liberation, which was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
On June 12, 2019, GoldLink released his debut studio album "Diaspora". In an interview with Wonderland Magazine, he said that he considered "At What Cost" as his breakout mixtape due to a label agreement and "Diaspora" as his debut album.
Discography
Albums
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | USR&B/HH | AUS | BEL(FL) | NLD | ||
At What Cost |
| 127 | — | — | — | — |
Diaspora |
| 77 | 40 | 70 | 148 | 87 |
Mixtapes
Title | Mixtape details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
USR&B/HH | ||
The God Complex |
| — |
And After That, We Didn't Talk |
| 21 |
Singles
As lead artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | USR&B/HH | ||||
"Sober Thoughts" | 2015 | — | — | The God Complex | |
"Dance on Me" | — | — | And After That, We Didn't Talk | ||
"Spectrum" | — | — | |||
"Fall in Love" (featuring Ciscero) | 2016 | — | — | Non-album singles | |
"See I Miss Pt. 2" (featuring Marsha Ambrosius) | — | — | |||
"Crew" (featuring Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy) | 45 | 15 |
| At What Cost | |
"Rough Soul" (featuring April George) | 2017 | — | — | Non-album single | |
"Meditation" (featuring Kaytranada and Jazmine Sullivan) | — | — | At What Cost | ||
"Got Friends" (featuring Miguel) | 2018 | — | — | non-album single | |
"Loud" (with Silk City and Desiigner) | — | — | Electricity | ||
"Zulu Screams" (featuring Maleek Berry and Bibi Bourelly) | 2019 | — | — | Diaspora | |
"Joke Ting" (featuring Ari Pen-Smith) | — | — | |||
"U Say" (featuring Tyler, the Creator and Jay Prince) | — | — |
As featured artist
Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"FBGM" (BMB Spacekid featuring GoldLink) | 2015 | Non-album singles |
"Aquafina" (Falcons featuring GoldLink and Chaz French) | ||
"Compromise" (Christian Rich featuring GoldLink) | FW14 | |
"Sticks and Horses" (George Maple featuring GoldLink) | 2016 | Lover |
"Nobody" (LEISURE featuring GoldLink) | Leisure | |
"Together" (Kaytranada featuring AlunaGeorge & GoldLink) | 99.9% | |
"Boo You Know" (Falcons featuring GoldLink) | 2017 | Non-album singles |
"Far Gone" (Burns featuring Johnny Yukon and GoldLink) | ||
"Through Enough" (VanJess featuring GoldLink) | Silk Canvas | |
"Wide Open" (Deante' Hitchcock featuring GoldLink) | So Much For Good Luck | |
"Nobody" (Niia featuring GoldLink) | Non-album single | |
"Function" (Ciscero featuring GoldLink, April George and Cheakaity) | 2018 | Devil's Pie |
"Like I Do" (Christina Aguilera featuring GoldLink) | Liberation | |
"Open" (Mya featuring GoldLink) | 2019 | TKO (The Knock Out) |
Guest appearances
Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Black Balloons" | 2018 | Denzel Curry, Twelve'len | Ta13oo |
"Something Real" | 2019 | Adé, Wale | Always Something |
"Prescriptions" | lilbootycall | Jesus Said Run It Back | |
"Babouche" | Jidenna | 85 to Africa |
Awards and nominations
Year | Awards | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Grammy Awards | Best Rap/Sung Performance | "Crew" | Nominated | |
iHeartRadio Music Awards | Best New Hip-Hop Artist | Himself | Nominated | ||
BET Awards | Best New Artist | Nominated | |||
2019 | Grammy Awards | Best Rap/Sung Performance | "Like I Do" | Nominated |