Calvin Lashon Woods (born April 3, 1999), professionally known as Calboy (/ˈkælbɔɪ/), is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is signed to Paper Gang Inc. who did a partnership with Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records. In 2017, Calvin had a break through locally with his releases through Paper Gang Inc. "ANXIETY" & "Calboy the Wild Boy". In 2018, he came to prominence after the release of his viral song "Envy Me", later serving as the lead single from his debut EP, Wildboy, released on May 31, 2019.
Calvin Woods was born in South Side, Chicago; he later relocated to Calumet City, Illinois.[1] Woods turned to music to channel the frustrations of growing up below the poverty line. He is one of five children raised by a single mother.
Woods witnessed two of his best friends die, one of a drug overdose and the other to gun violence. His family migrated between small homes to small apartments.[2][3]
On July 7, 2017, Calboy released his debut mixtape, The Chosen One.[4] on Paper Gang Inc. Later that year, Calboy released his second mixtape, Anxiety, on December 7, 2017.[5]
On June 18, 2018, Woods released his third mixtape, Calboy, the Wildboy. With cover artwork made by "Tyler, the Illustrator."
He released his single "Envy Me" on September 13, 2018, to critical acclaim. It later served as the lead single from his debut EP Wildboy, released on May 31, 2019. "Envy Me" peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[6]
In February 2019, Calboy released the EP Wildboy, followed by another EP, Long Live the Kings in March 2020, with the latter receiving a deluxe version in July 2020, including 6 new tracks.[7]
On August 11, 2020, Calboy was included on XXL's 2020 Freshman Class.[8]
On March 22, 2021, "Miseducation" featuring fellow rapper Lil Wayne was released as the lead single off Calboy's debut album "Redemption" set to be released the same year. Swae Lee is also set to make an appearance on the album. Although there is no release date yet, the album is complete.[9]
Woods has cited his influences as Tupac Shakur, Michael Jackson, Sherwood, Fuel, Chance the Rapper, The Starting Line, Chief Keef, New Found Glory, G Herbo, The All American Rejects, and 50 Cent.[10]
Woods' rap moniker comes from combining his government name Calvin and the character Cowboy from the 1979 cult film The Warriors.[11]
Title | Details |
---|---|
The Chosen One |
|
Anxiety |
|
Calboy, the Wildboy |
|
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales | Certifications | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [12] |
US R&B/HH [13] |
US Rap [14] |
CAN [15] | ||||
Wildboy |
|
30 | 18 | 16 | 62 | • US: 16,000 |
|
Long Live the Kings |
|
136 | — | — | — | ||
Black Heart[17] |
|
— | — | — | — | ||
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. |
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [18] |
US R&B/HH [19] | ||||
"Envy Me" | 2018 | 31 | 14 |
|
Wildboy |
"Caroline"[20] (featuring Polo G) |
2019 | — | — | ||
"Unjudge Me" (featuring Moneybagg Yo) |
— | — | |||
"Chariot" (featuring Meek Mill, Lil Durk and Young Thug) |
— | —[upper-alpha 1] |
| ||
"Purpose" (featuring G Herbo) |
— | — | Long Live the Kings | ||
"Barbarian" (featuring Lil Tjay) |
2020 | — | — | ||
"Brand New"[7] (featuring King Von) |
— | — | |||
"Rounds"[7] (featuring Fivio Foreign) |
— | — | |||
"Pushin' P Freestyle"[22] | 2021 | — | — | — | |
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. |
Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Get a Bag" | 2019 | Chance the Rapper | The Big Day |
"100k On a Coupe" | Pop Smoke | — | |
"Diana (Remix)" | 2020 | Pop Smoke, King Combs | Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon (Deluxe) |
"Thug Kry" | YG, Lil Mosey | My Life 4Hunnid |