6lack

6lack is the stage name for singer, songwriter and rapper Ricardo Valdez Valentine, who was born June 24, 1992, in Baltimore. He moved to the burgeoning Atlanta music scene with his family at the age of 5, and began rapping while in middle school as a battle rapper, competing frequently against Young Thug. But listening to artists like Sade and Usher, he worked to improve his singing, and began recording in 2009. In 2011 he signed a record deal with IMG Strongarm, leaving Valdosta State University to pursue an education in the music industry. He parted ways with his first studio, later signing with LoveRenaissance and Interscope Records. He was included on Rolling Stone's 2016 list of 10 New Artists You Need to Know, and released his debut studio album, "Free 6lack," that same year. The single "Prblms" became his first platinum record, peaking at No. 73 on the Billboard Hot 100. In April 2017 he became the opening act for Canadian singer The Weeknd on his Legend of the Fall tour of North America.