Danny Brown is a known American rapper, who gained huge popularity with his 2nd studio album named „XXX“ when he was recognized as „The Artist of the Year“ and became one of the most listened artist in that year.
Early years
He was born as Daniel Dewan Sewell on March 16, 1981 in a town named Detroit in the State of Michigan, United States.
Both of his parents were underage at the time of his birth but they never thought of giving him up on adoption.
He was surrounded by music from his early age, since his father was a DJ from Flippines and his mother was a big music lover. Music was often played in their home and children were always listening to it both at home and outside.
Since his father always played music at home, and the music was the type of LL Cool J and A Tribe Called Quest, he fell in love with hip-hop and dreamed about his career as a rapper from a very early stage of life.
His parents loved him very much and were always very overprotective about him. They kept him at home as much as they could, keeping him away from the streets.
They bought him new records, new video games and everything he was interested in just to keep him away from the life on the sreets and the possibility he would turn into crime.
Although his parents were very young when they had him, they have always tried to provide him a good life. They did it with the help of their parents, Danny’s grandparents. If children missed something, grandparents always provided them with it.
Danny also has two brothers and a sister who is younger than him. They were very close although their paths later separated.
His parents failed although they have tried to keep him off the sreets. As soon as he was 18, he started making wrong life decisions; he started dealing drugs and hanging out with the wrong crowd. Danny had a dream of getting rich quick and easy which he later recognized as his big mistake.
One of the reasons why he turned to bad was that his parents separated and his father had left their home and the family.
He was only 19 when he was arrested and charged for drug distribution. After 5 years escaping from the police he was found and had to serve 8 months in prison. That turned him away from the streets and crime and he returned to rapping he liked so much.
After he was released from prison in 2007, he knew that he had to become serious and work hard to fulfill his rapping dreams.
Career development
His first serious engagement in music was a part of a hip hop group named „Rese’vor Dogs“. He created it alongside two other rappers named Chip $ and Dopehead.
In 2003, they have released on album but they weren’t getting any serious attention. Travis Cummings, a producer of „Roc-A-Fella Records“, noticed Brown and met with him in a studio to hear his music. After some time spent in New York, Brown came back to Detroit and started working with a DJ Nick Speed.
2010 opened new career posibilities for Brown, after he became friend with a rapper named Tony Yayo. Tony Yayo was a part of a popular hip hop group named „G-Unit“. Their single „Hawaiian Snow“ was released in 2010.
After that he was going to sign to „G-Unit Records“, owned by the famous 50-Cent. 50-Cent liked his music but not his appearance so he eventually didn’t sign for him. Danny later commented that on Twitter, saying how can the way he dresses be more important than his music.
He has released a series of mixtapes named „Detroit State of Mind“ and in 2010, he has finally released his first debut studio album named „The Hybrid“. It was released by a label „Rappers I Know“.
His song „The Hybrid“ became very popular and one of the reasons for it is that he started rapping in high-pitched voice, which became his signature sign. The song was a huge hit and Danny recognized that he found a way to distinguish himself frim other artists.
In 2011, Brown has signed a contract deal ith a recordlabel from New York called „Fool’s Gold Records“. They were ready to release his debut album and were convinced that he would become a big name.
This turned out to be a great career move for him and brought him big comemrical succes later. „Fool’s Gold Records“ released his new album named „XXX“ and it was available for free download. The album was received very well, both amongst critics and the public.
„Spin“ , a popular American music magazine has called it „the album of the year“.
At the end of 2011, he collaborated with Black Milk, a known producer and made an EP with him called „Black and Brown“. After that, his music video was out, named „Blunt After Blunt“.
ASAP Rocky, who directed this video, was also appearing on it. Working with ASAP Rocky was a big confirmation of Danny’s music and has built up his confidence.
In 2012, Brown went on his 1st tour and it was with Childlish Gambino. It was the same year he was on the cover of „XXL“ magazine which was a big success for any rapper. It was also listed on their „Top 10 Freshmen list“.
He soon started collaborating with companies and advertising their merchandise. He signed a contract with Adidas Originals.
In Spring 2012, he was on the cover of „The Fader“ magazine.
In 2012, he released his new single named „Grown Up“. His new album was titled „It’s an Art“ and it was released for a free download.
He was called to be one of the performerrs at „Gathering of the Juggalos“, which is an annual music festival.
He started his own hip-hop group named „Bruiser Brigade“, alongside Chip$, Dopehead, Tipl Blk and ZelooperZ. They have relased their first EP called „Bruiser Brigade“.
In 2012, he was one of the artists on the soundtrack named „The Man with the Iron Fists“.
In 2012, his new music video „Witit“ was released. His album was released the same year titled „Old“.
He performed at 2013 „Coachella Festival“. He also has a guest apperance at „Kathy“ talk show.
In 2013, he started his „Worst of Both Worlds“ tour.
He has won an award, the first he ever got, and it was titled „Woodie Award“. He was a winner in the category of „Best Video“ for a single „Grown Up“. He signed a contract with a label „Goliath Artists“.
In 2014 he released a new mixtape and he showed up as a guest on „The Arsenio Hall Show“.
It was the same year when he was an opening artist for Eminem, at his big concert in London.
He also had guest appearance on Eminem’s „Shady XV“.
In 2015 he started working on a children’s book. He was inspired by his daughter and his memories of his mother reading to him.
It was the same year he sang a theme song for „Fresh Off th Boat“ series on ABC.
He turned to a new record label named „Ward Records“. He released his album „Atrocity Exhibition“ the same year.
Personal life
As for his personal life, he keeps it very hidden. There aren’t many of his photos with his partner and he shares little info about his friends and family.
There are some interesting things in his past, such as that he broke his front tooth as a kid when he was hit by a car. He never fixed that teeth and it is his signature mark.
His first hip-hop career name was going to be DeeLuciano but he changed it later.
He likes cats and always has at least one in his house. He posts their photos on his social media.
One of the reasons why he loves cats is that he is affraid of mice.
He still doesn’t know how to drive a vehicle and is not offended if people laugh about it. He realizes that it is surprising nowadays.
He gave his voice to a character in „Grand Theft Auto V“ video game. It was an interesting experience for him, especially because he loves video games himself and is addicted to them from his early age.
Quick summary
Full name: Daniel Dewan Sewell
Date of birth: March 16, 1981
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Age: 37
Profession: rapper, writer, producer
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 77 kgs
Net Worth: $7,5 million