Nau'Jour Lazier Grainger (born January 9, 2000),[1] better known by his stage name Toosii, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Raleigh, North Carolina. Beginning his career in 2017, he rose to mainstream prominence following the release of his 2023 single "Favorite Song", which first gained virality on the social media platform TikTok. The song peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, earned double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and preceded the release of his second studio album, Naujour (2023). The album peaked at number 19 on the Billboard 200, although his debut album, Poetic Pain (2020), reached number 17 on the chart.

Toosii
Toosii in 2023
Toosii in 2023
Background information
Birth nameNau'Jour Grainger
Born (2000-01-09) January 9, 2000 (age 24)
Syracuse, New York, U.S.
OriginRaleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2017–present
Labels
Websitetoosii2x.com

Early life edit

Nau'Jour Grainger[2] was born and grew up in Syracuse, New York,[3] but later relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina at the age of 13. It was in Raleigh, North Carolina where he began to seriously pursue his musical career.[4][5] Rap was an escape route from his issues as a youth. He started recording music at age 16, while playing high school football and figuring out his life path.[4]

Career edit

2017–2020: Career beginnings, Who Dat and Poetic Pain edit

Toosii's stage name derived from his childhood nickname of "Toota", and changed it to Toosii after his football teammates said it as a joke, adding the two I's because "You need two eyes to see the vision".[6] Toosii was discovered by the South Coast Music Group. He signed with the record label in 2019.[7] Toosii was inspired to try music by both his brother and father and spent a period of time homeless before his career began to further develop.[2]

Toosii released several mixtapes during the roots of his career such as Label Me Diverse, Hell on Earth, and Why Not Now. He got his big break in 2019 with the release of the track "Red Lights", which went on to accrue millions of streams.[4] He then released his Who Dat mixtape on April 30, 2019, which was followed by the six-track mixtape, My Shit Now on January 3, 2020, consisting solely of remixes of popular tracks. On February 7, 2020, he released the 13-track Platinum Heart mixtape. Platinum Heart reached number-one on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart upon its initial release.[8] The mixtape was later reissued as a 20-track deluxe version. On September 18, 2020, his third South Coast Music Group-affiliated album Poetic Pain was released as his first project on Capitol Records.[9] His signing to Capitol was made on September 30, by Chris Turner (A&R) following the release of his official video for "Love Cycle" with Summer Walker.[10] Toosii was credited with 50,000 US adjusted sales and over 250 million combined global streams in 2020 at the time of this release. "Love Cycle" was later certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on January 11, 2021. His project Poetic Pain debuted at number 17 on the Billboard 200 chart in September 2020 and features the RIAA-certified gold single "Love Cycle" with Summer Walker.[11][12]

2021–2022: Thank You for Believing, Pretty Girls Love Toosii and Boys Don't Cry edit

On May 7, 2021, Toosii released his seventh mixtape, Thank You for Believing. The tape's title shows "gratitude to those that had faith in him and helped get him where he is today". It contains 13 tracks, and features Mulatto, Key Glock, and DaBaby.[4] In 2021, he was featured on the XXL Freshman Class. On December 3, 2021, Toosii released a 3-track EP titled Pretty Girls Love Toosii which was assisted by a feature from Jacquees.[13] Just under a year later, on October 7, 2022, Toosii released his fourth EP, Boys Don't Cry which featured his TikTok viral, "Love Is..." alongside "Heartaches" which also gained traction on social media.[14] On November 11, 2022, Toosii released a deluxe to his EP titled, Boys Don't Cry: Men Do.[15] Just a week later, he released a visual to the intro of the deluxe EP, "Frozen Below Zero".[16]

2023–present: NAUJUOR and JADED edit

Beginning 2023, Toosii released his first single of the year, "Magic Potion" on January 27, 2023.[17] Just weeks later, Toosii released his Valentine's Day special, "Favorite Song".[18] The track marked Toosii's debut on the Billboard Hot 100 after debuting at #51.[19] The track received remixes from Khalid and Future released on May 5 and May 19.[20] The remixes assisted the song's commercial performance as the track peaked at #5 in the US during the week ending June 3, 2023.[19][21][22] The track also peaked at #25 on the Billboard Global 200. The track was certified platinum just three months after its release and 2x platinum in August 2023.[23] The hit track served as the lead single (alongside "Love Is...") for Toosii's sophomore, self-titled studio album, Naujour.[24][25] The album peaked at #19 on the Billboard 200, marking Toosii's second highest charting album.

Continuing off of his success, on November 3, 2023, Toosii released "Suffice", the lead single to his upcoming eighth mixtape, JADED which includes a guest appearance from the American pop rock band, LANY.[26]

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

List of studio albums, with select chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[27]
US
R&B/HH

[28]
US
Rap

[29]
CAN
[30]
Poetic Pain 17 12 12
Naujour
  • Released: June 2, 2023[20]
  • Label: SCMG, Capitol
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
19 6 5 88

Mixtapes edit

List of mixtapes, with select chart positions
Title Mixtape details Peak chart positions
US
[27]
US
R&B/HH

US
Rap

Label Me Diverse
  • Released: March 18, 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Hell on Earth
  • Released: July 23, 2017[32]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Why Not Now
  • Released: December 16, 2017
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Who Dat
  • Released: April 30, 2019[33]
  • Label: SCMG
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
My Shit Now
  • Released: January 3, 2020[34]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Platinum Heart
  • Released: February 6, 2020
  • Label: SCMG
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
196
Thank You for Believing[4]
  • Released: May 7, 2021
  • Label: SCMG, Capitol
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
25
[35]
16 14
Jaded
  • Scheduled: Spring 2024
  • Label: SCMG, Capitol
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Extended plays edit

List of extended plays, with select info
Title EP details
Big Steppa
  • Released: December 22, 2020[36]
  • Label: SCMG
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Dickpressed
  • Released: December 29, 2020[37]
  • Label: SCMG
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Pretty Girls Love Toosii
  • Released: December 3, 2021[38]
  • Label: SCMG, Capitol
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Boys Don't Cry[39]
  • Released: October 7, 2022
  • Label: SCMG, Capitol
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles edit

List of singles, with select chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[40]
US
R&B/HH

[41]
US
Rap

[42]
CAN
[43]
UK
[44]
WW
[45]
"Karma"[46] 2018 Non-album singles
"Right Track"[47]
"Red Lights"[48] 2019 Platinum Heart
"5 Stars"[49] 2020
"You're Mine Still"[50] Non-album single
"Rip 2.0"[51] My Shit Now
"Push Start"[52] Non-album single
"Love Cycle"[53]
(solo or with Summer Walker)
[A] 44 Platinum Heart and Poetic Pain
"Poetic Pain"[55] Poetic Pain
"Met in LA"[56] Dickpressed
"Pain & Problems"[57] Non-album singles
"Dark Fights"[58]
"Back Together"[59] 2021 Thank You for Believing
"What It Cost"[60]
"Heart Cold"[61]
"Spin Music"[62]
(with Fivio Foreign)
"Keeper" 2022 Non-album single
"Love Is..." [B] 33 Boys Don't Cry and Naujour
"Lonely" Non-album single
"Heartaches" Boys Don't Cry
"Colorblind"[64]
(with Ahksxma)
Non-album singles
"Fire in the Booth, Pt. 1"[65]
(with Charlie Sloth)
"Magic Potion"[66] 2023
"Favorite Song"[67][20]
(solo or with Khalid or Future) [C]
5
[68]
2 1 41 87 25 Naujour
"Suffice" Jaded
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted and certified songs edit

List of other charted and certified songs, with select chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
Bub.

[70]
US
R&B/HH

[71]
"Reminiscing" 2020 Platinum Heart
"Sapiosexual" Poetic Pain
"Pull Up"
(featuring 21 Savage)
2023 17 49 Naujour
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances edit

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artists Album
"Hero" 2020 Neno Calvin, Lil Poppa Magnolia Manson
"Flight to China Wiz Khalifa Road to Fast 9
"Last Time" JxHines Love Stories
"One Time" Queen Naija Missunderstood
"Traumatized" Phora With Love 2
"Bidness" DaBaby My Brother's Keeper (Long Live G)
"Chicken" Aminé Limbo (Deluxe)
"Murda" Stunna 4 Vegas, Murda Beatz Welcome To 4 Vegas
"All of Your Love" Hotboii Double O Baby
"Interact" Smoove'L Ice Cups and Shootouts
"Beneficial" Popp Hunna Mud Baby
"Feel Better" 2021 BRS Kash Kash Only
"No Love Too" 100k Track, YNW Melly, FCG Heem, DKE AUTHOR Mercury
"WYTD" Tokyo Jetz Cancel Culture
"Gone Too Soon" Nuski2Squad Lil Nuski
"Love Hurts" Lil Tjay Destined 2 Win
"A.M. Flights" Lil Poppa Blessed, I Guess
"More Pain" FCG Heem Neighborhood Poetry
"Finally Made It" YBT Tryna Win
"2 Pills" Rico Cartel Legendary Nightz
"Soul Fly" Dee Gomes Undrafted
"Rich Today" CFL Billions LONG LIVE BOOGIE
"One Time" 2022 Luh Dino Prayer Heals Pain The Aftermath
"Dead Roses" Yungeen Ace All On Me
"Take Care" Lil Gotit, Millie Go Lightly The Cheater
"Starfall" DaeDalTm Prouda Myself

Notes edit

  1. ^ "Love Cycle" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number seven on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.[54]
  2. ^ "Love Is..." did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 14 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.[63]
  3. ^ The original version, remix with Khalid and toxic remix with Future all appear on Naujour.

References edit

  1. ^ https://twitter.com/toosii2x/status/1612469850164666368?s=46
  2. ^ a b "Toosii | A True 'Platinum Heart'". Flaunt Magazine. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  3. ^ Feldstein, Josh (October 11, 2022). "Artist Spotlight: Syracuse-born rapper Toosii brings new sounds to melodic rap". The Daily Orange. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e DJ First Class (May 7, 2021). "Toosii wants to 'Thank You For Believing' on new album". Revolt. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  5. ^ "DaBaby's SCMG Labelmate Toosii Inks Capitol Records Deal". HipHopDX. October 1, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  6. ^ Toosii's ABCs, retrieved June 24, 2021
  7. ^ "South Coast Music Group Star Toosii Signs With Capitol Records: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  8. ^ "Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. September 19, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  9. ^ "Toosii And South Coast Music Group Partner With Capitol Records". Capitol Records. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  10. ^ "Toosii and Summer Walker share "Love Cycle" video". The Fader. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  11. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  12. ^ "Toosii Celebrates 1st-Ever RIAA Plaque 2-Years After Signing Deal With DaBaby's Label". HipHopDX. January 10, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  13. ^ Cho, Regina (December 3, 2021). "Toosii drops new 'Pretty Girls Love Toosii' trio". Revolt. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  14. ^ Jones, Jiggy (October 10, 2022). "TOOSII DROPS NEW EP 'BOYS DON'T CRY'". The Source. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  15. ^ Class, DJ First (November 11, 2022). "Toosii delivers new 'Boys Don't Cry: Men Do' deluxe album". Revolt. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  16. ^ Cho, Regina (November 25, 2022). "Toosii drops new "Frozen Below Zero" visual". Revolt. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  17. ^ Schube, Will (January 27, 2023). "Toosii Returns With New Single 'Magic Potion'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  18. ^ Cho, Regina (February 17, 2023). "Toosii drops off new "Favorite Song" track". Revolt. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Zellner, Xander (February 27, 2023). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Toosii Arrives With a New 'Favorite Song'". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  20. ^ a b c "Toosii Set for Summer Headline 'Toosii: NAUJOUR TOUR'". V13. May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  21. ^ Ahmed, Insanul (June 9, 2023). "Toosii on How "Favorite Song" Became a Top 10 Hit, Says 'It's 90 Percent Female at My Shows'". Complex. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  22. ^ Amorosi, A.D. (June 15, 2023). "Hitmakers of the Month: Toosii, Tatiana Manaois and Producer Adelso Tell How They Joined Forces for This Summer's 'Favorite Song'". Variety. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
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  26. ^ Fisher, Caroline (November 4, 2023). "Toosii Drops Emotional New Single "Suffice"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
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  29. ^ "Top Rap Albums". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  30. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
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  32. ^ "Spotify – Hell on Earth". Retrieved May 4, 2021 – via Spotify.
  33. ^ "Who Dat by Toosii on Apple Music". Retrieved May 4, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  34. ^ "Mixtape of My Shit Now by Toosii". February 6, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2021 – via My Mixtapez.
  35. ^ "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (1/2)..." Retrieved May 17, 2021 – via Twitter.
  36. ^ "Big Steppa – EP by Toosii on Apple Music". Retrieved May 4, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  37. ^ "Dickpressed – EP by Toosii on Apple Music". Retrieved May 4, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  38. ^ "Pretty Girls Love Toosii – EP by Toosii on Apple Music". Retrieved December 3, 2021 – via Apple Music.
  39. ^ "Boys Don't Cry - EP by Toosii on Apple Music". Retrieved September 23, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  40. ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of May 20, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  41. ^ Peaks on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs:
  42. ^ "Hot Rap Songs: Week of April 8, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  43. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of June 17, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
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  47. ^ Right Track - Single by Toosii, retrieved October 29, 2018
  48. ^ Red Lights - Single by Toosii, retrieved October 11, 2019
  49. ^ 5 Stars - Single by Toosii, retrieved April 21, 2020
  50. ^ You're Mine Still - Single by Toosii, retrieved May 10, 2020
  51. ^ Rip 2.0 - Single by Toosii, retrieved August 7, 2020
  52. ^ Push Start - Single by Toosii, retrieved August 18, 2020
  53. ^ Love Cycle - Single by Toosii & Summer Walker, retrieved August 28, 2021
  54. ^ "Summer Walker Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  55. ^ Poetic Pain - Single by Toosii, retrieved August 28, 2021
  56. ^ Met in LA - Single by Toosii, retrieved October 21, 2021
  57. ^ Pain & Problems - Single by Toosii, retrieved October 21, 2021
  58. ^ Dark Fights - Single by Toosii, retrieved December 18, 2021
  59. ^ back together, retrieved August 28, 2021
  60. ^ what it cost, retrieved August 28, 2021
  61. ^ heart cold - Single by Toosii, retrieved August 28, 2021
  62. ^ spin music, retrieved August 28, 2021
  63. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of July 30, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  64. ^ Colorblind - Single by Ahksxma & Toosii, retrieved November 1, 2022
  65. ^ Fire in the Booth, Pt. 1 - Single by Charlie Sloth & Toosii, retrieved November 16, 2022
  66. ^ Schube, Will (January 27, 2023). "Toosii Returns With New Single 'Magic Potion'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  67. ^ Cho, Regina (February 17, 2023). "Toosii drops off new "Favorite Song" track". Revolt. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  68. ^ Trust, Gary (May 30, 2023). "Morgan Wallen's 'Last Night' Leads Billboard Hot 100 for Eighth Week, Bad Bunny's 'Where She Goes' Debuts in Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
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  70. ^ "21 Savage Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
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