Don Toliver
Caleb Zackery "Don" Toliver[2] (/ˈtɒlɪvər/ TOL-iv-ər; born June 12, 1994) is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. He first gained recognition for his guest appearance on fellow Houston rapper Travis Scott's highly acclaimed album Astroworld (2018), as Toliver released his debut mixtape, Donny Womack a day prior.[3]
Don Toliver | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Caleb Zackery Toliver |
Born | Houston, Texas, U.S. | June 12, 1994
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
|
Years active | 2017–present |
Labels | |
Website | dontolivermusic |
He later became known for his singles as a lead artist: "No Idea" in 2019 and "After Party" in 2020, the latter of which received viral popularity on the video-hosting service TikTok.[4] His debut studio album, Heaven or Hell (2020) and its sequels Life of a Don (2021) and Love Sick (2023) were met with favorable reviews and commercial success. In August 2020, he was featured alongside Nav and Gunna on the song "Lemonade" by Internet Money, becoming his first top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Early life
Toliver was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He had no musical experience prior to releasing music in 2017.[5][6][7] His father was a rapper during the Swishahouse movement in the early 2000s, and would commonly play music around him growing up.[8]
Career
2017: Playa Familia and singles
On May 17, 2017, Toliver released a collaborative mixtape, titled Playa Familia, with Yungjosh93. In late 2017, Toliver released the solo singles, "I Gotta" and "Diva".[9][10] In March 2018, he signed to Atlantic Records and rapper Chedda Da Connect's record label We Run It Entertainment, in conjunction with Artist Partner Group. Also in early 2018, Toliver released "Make Sumn" and "Checks",[6][11] with a music video.
2018–2020: Breakthrough, Cactus Jack and Heaven or Hell
In July 2018, Toliver released the single "Holdin' Steel" featuring Dice Soho. The song was also accompanied by a music video.[12] On August 2, Toliver released his major label debut mixtape, Donny Womack,[13] along with a music video for the song "Diamonds".[7]
The following day, on August 3, 2018, Travis Scott released his third studio album, Astroworld, on which Toliver was featured on the 13th track, "Can't Say".[1][14] The single was later accompanied by a video that was sponsored by Yves Saint Laurent. On August 6, it was announced that Toliver had signed to Scott's Cactus Jack imprint label.[15] Toliver appeared alongside Scott, Nav, Sheck Wes and Gunna in the music video for Nav’s single "Champion", which Scott was featured on.[16] In September, his single "Diva" was later remixed by rapper Kevin Gates.[17]
After his appearance on Astroworld, Toliver released several singles under the Cactus Jack label throughout 2019 including: "Back Up" featuring Wiz Khalifa,[18] "Best You Had",[19] "Can't Feel My Legs",[20] and "No Idea".[21] The song "No Idea" eventually became a viral sensation on social media/video sharing platform TikTok. In November 2019, Toliver accompanied Scott during the second Astroworld Festival.[22] On December 13, Toliver released the music video for "Can't Feel My Legs".[23] On December 27, Toliver along with other Cactus Jack members, known as JackBoys, released the compilation album JackBoys. Toliver, alongside Scott and Luxury Tax, contributed on the songs "Gang Gang" with Wes, "Had Enough" by Toliver featuring Quavo and Offset of the hip hop trio Migos, and "What to Do?" by JackBoys and Scott featuring Toliver.[24]
On January 17, 2020, Toliver was featured on American rapper Eminem's eleventh studio album, Music to Be Murdered By, on the song "No Regrets".[25] On February 21, Toliver was announced to open for The Weeknd's After Hours Tour alongside Sabrina Claudio.[26]
On March 10, 2020, Toliver announced his debut studio album, Heaven or Hell, on social media and announced its release date.[27][28] The album was released three days later on March 13 and features guest appearances from Travis Scott, Kaash Paige, Quavo, Offset, and Sheck Wes.
On May 8, 2020, Toliver was featured on Nav's song "Recap", from the latter's third studio album, Good Intentions.[29]
On July 24, 2020, Toliver and his DJ Chase B released a collaborative single titled "Cafeteria", featuring Gunna, from their upcoming collaborative project, Escapism. Exactly one week later, on July 31, he released a song titled "Clap", for the soundtrack of the film F9, in which the soundtrack was released on the same day and the song became the seventh single.
On August 14, 2020, Toliver was featured alongside Nav on "Lemonade" by Internet Money and Gunna. The song earned him his highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at number 6 on the chart. On the same day, he was featured on Kaash Paige's song "Grammy Week", from her debut studio album, Teenage Fever. Exactly one week later, on August 21, he was featured alongside Big Sean on Nas' song "Replace Me", from his thirteenth studio album, King's Disease. On October 22, he was featured alongside Gucci Mane on Rico Nasty's single "Don't Like Me", from the latter's debut studio album, Nightmare Vacation.
2021-22: Life of a Don
In February 2021, Toliver teased his next project, titled Life of a Don, on Twitter.[30][31] On May 4, Toliver released the lead single, "What You Need".[32] One month later on June 18, Toliver released the second single from the album, "Drugs N Hella Melodies", featuring his girlfriend, American singer Kali Uchis.[33]
On August 20, 2021, Toliver released the single "Don't Go", a collaboration with American record producer Skrillex and Canadian singer Justin Bieber.[34] On August 29, Toliver appeared on Kanye West's album Donda on the track "Moon", alongside Kid Cudi.[35] On September 28, Toliver revealed the release date and cover art for Life of a Don.[36] Life of a Don was released on October 8, 2021. The album included features from Travis Scott, Kali Uchis, SoFaygo, Baby Keem, and HVN.[37] On February 24, Toliver appeared on a second track with West, "Broken Road" on the latter's album, Donda 2. On April 22, he appeared on Pusha T's song "Scrape It Off" from his album It's Almost Dry alongside Lil Uzi Vert. Exactly one week later, on April 29, he was featured on the single "Honest" by Justin Bieber and the two artists performed it live for the Justice World Tour in Houston the same day and two days later in Dallas. On August 26, 2022, he was featured on DJ Khaled's album God Did on the track "Lets Pray" along with Travis Scott. On September 9, he collaborated with Nav on the song "One Time" from his album Demons Protected by Angels featuring Future. On November 18, he released the single "Do It Right".[38] On December 2, he was featured on the songs "Too Many Nights" (with Future), "Around Me", and "I Can't Save You (Interlude) (with Future)" on Metro Boomin's album "Heroes & Villains".
2023-present: Love Sick
On February 14, 2023, Toliver announced his third studio album Love Sick. A single titled "4 Me" featuring Kali Uchis was released on February 15. On February 17, Toliver released the single "Leave the Club" featuring Lil Durk and GloRilla, and announced Lovesick will be released on February 24.
Four days later, he released the deluxe version, featuring four extra songs, including the featurings of Teezo Touchdown in "Luckily I'm Having" and label partner Travis Scott in "Embarassed".
He was also featured on Kali Uchis' song Fantasy, released on March 3 as part of her album Red Moon in Venus.
Personal life
He has been dating American singer Kali Uchis since 2020.[39]
Discography
- Heaven or Hell (2020)
- Life of a Don (2021)
- Love Sick (2023)[40]
Concert tours
Headlining
- Life of a Don Tour (2021)
- Love Sick Tour (2023)
Supporting
- Future - One Big Party Tour (2023)
References
- Elibert, Mark (August 8, 2018). "Don Toliver Breaks Down His New Mixtape and His Scene-Stealing Verse on Travis Scott's 'Astroworld'". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- "BMI – Repertoire Search". Repertoire.bmi.com. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- "Don Toliver Breaks Down His New Mixtape and His Scene-Stealing Verse on Travis Scott's 'Astroworld'". August 8, 2018.
- Lambert, Chris (December 14, 2019). "Don Toliver And 'No Idea'—Houston To Grindr To Billboard's Hot 100". Forbes. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- "Playa Familia Mixtape by Yungjosh93 & Don Toliver Hosted by n/a". DatPiff.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- Kease, Kevin (March 8, 2018). "The Polished Gem That Is Don Toliver". Day & A Dream. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- Hussein, Wandera (August 2, 2018). "Don Toliver talks working with Travis Scott, William Albrechtsen and Mike Dean in Hawaii, shares new video for "Diamonds"". The Fader. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- Don Toliver On Kanye West, Relationship w/ Kali Uchis, How His Father Inspired Him + 'Life Of A Don', retrieved October 8, 2021
- Markow, Jake (December 21, 2017). "Houston artist Don Toliver may have a hit on his hands with 'I Gotta'". Elevator. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- Buford, London (December 20, 2017). "Don Toliver – Diva". Respect. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- Keise, Kevin (March 25, 2018). "Don Toliver Drops Money-indulged Visual for "Checks"". Houston Trend Magazine. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- Findlay, Mitch (July 6, 2018). "Don Toliver & Dice Soho Are "Holdin Steel" In New Visuals". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- Ivey, Justin (August 2, 2018). "Don Toliver Debuts "Donny Womack" Mixtape". HipHopDX. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- Price, Joe (August 3, 2018). "'ASTROWORLD' Standout Guest Don Toliver Drops New Mixtape 'Donny Womack'". Complex. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- Harling, Danielle (August 6, 2018). "Don Toliver Signs To Travis Scott's Cactus Jack "Family"". HipHopDX. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- Sawyer, Jonathan (August 9, 2018). "Travis Scott & NAV Jet Set to Hawaii in New "Champion" Video". Highsnobiety. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- A, Aaron (September 5, 2018). "Kevin Gates Drops Remix To Don Toliver's Diva". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- "Back Up (feat. Wiz Khalifa) – Single by Don Toliver – Apple Music". April 1, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2020 – via Apple Music.
- "Best You Had – Single by Don Toliver". Itunes.apple.com. May 25, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
- "Can't Feel My Legs – Single by Don Toliver on Apple Music". May 27, 2019. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
- "No Idea – Single by Don Toliver". iTunes Store. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
- Wadsworth, Chad (November 11, 2019). "Travis Scott's Astroworld Fest in Houston". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- "Don Toliver – Can't Feel My Legs (Official Music Video)". December 13, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2020 – via YouTube.
- "JACKBOYS by JACKBOYS & Travis Scott on Apple Music". December 27, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2020 – via Apple Music.
- "Music To Be Murdered By by Eminem on Apple Music". Apple Music. January 17, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- Price, Joe (February 21, 2020). "The Weeknd Reveals After Hours Tour Schedule Featuring Don Toliver and Sabrina Claudio". Complex. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- Toliver, Don (March 10, 2020). "HEAVEN OR HELL. 3/13. STORY TO TELL🌹 🖼 @mattrmccormick 🖼". Archived from the original on December 26, 2021 – via Instagram.
- Toliver, Don (March 10, 2020). "HEAVEN OR HELL. 3/13. STORY TO TELL🌹" – via Twitter.
- "Good Intentions by NAV on Apple Music". May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020 – via Apple Music.
- @DonToliver (February 3, 2021). "L.O.A.D" (Tweet). Retrieved March 5, 2021 – via Twitter.
- @DonToliver (February 22, 2021). "L.O.A.D Next. Love Ya" (Tweet). Retrieved March 5, 2021 – via Twitter.
- "Don Toliver Shares New Track and Video for "What You Need"". Complex. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- "Don Toliver and Kali Uchis team up on "Drugs N Hella Melodies"". The FADER. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- Bain, Katie (August 20, 2021). "Skrillex, Justin Bieber & Don Toliver Team Up for 'Don't Go': Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- "Inside Look at Kanye West's Third 'DONDA' Listening Party in Chicago". HYPEBEAST. August 26, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- Blistein, Jon (September 28, 2021). "Don Toliver Teases New Song 'Xscape' in Mysterious Trailer for New Album 'Life of a Don'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
- "Stream Don Toliver's New Album 'Life of a Don' f/ Travis Scott, Baby Keem, and More". Complex. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- "Don Toliver Shares New Single And Video For Do It Right". Complex. November 17, 2022.
- "Don Toliver's New Album Life of a Don Is the Soundtrack to His Life". W magazine. July 23, 2021.
- Gonzalez, Alex (February 11, 2023). "Don Toliver Teased His 'Lovesick' Album, Which Seems Like It May Arrive Soon". Retrieved February 15, 2023.