Brooklyn rapper Desiigner has been on a mind blowing journey as his stock continues to pick up value — thanks to one song named after a wild animal. And he doesn’t care whose toes he steps on along the way. After he introduced “Panda” to the world, the numerous remixes, live performances, parodies, and “alternative” versions have kept the Internet alive with anticipation for what’s in store for the Bed-Stuy bred artist.
READ: The Panda Of Wall Street: Desiigner & Model Andreea Diaconu Hit Downtown Manhattan Together
The 19-year-old rapper is making all the right moves in proving that his golden potential will defeat the lingering ghosts of artists like Khia and MIMS, who spawned huge hits but quickly faded away. Under the watchful eyes of Kanye and Pusha T, he wants to demolish the odds stacked up against him. As his debut mixtape New English spreads across the Internet like wildfire — nand his “Timmy Tuner” freestyle evolves into the follow-up single to “Panda –” fans and critics alike are still on the fence about what lies ahead for the G.O.O.D Music signee.
History predicts that the “Panda” phenomenon won’t last long. However, Desiigner, born Sidney Royel Selby, is out to overcome the labels people are already throwing on his name.
Here’s seven reasons why Desiigner could very well become the biggest New York rapper in recent history.
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Image Credit: Rolling Stone -
Desiigner made history with his #1 single
Image Credit: Exclaim Desiigner did what no other New York rapper has done in years. According to Billboard, “Panda” briefly reigned as the #1 rap record in the country. The song abruptly shut down Rihanna and Drake’s “Work” after 9 weeks at the top of the Hot 100. Desiigner’s groundbreaking track also made him the first U.S.-born male rapper to lead the list on his first try since Bobby Shmurda.
Before Desiigner, the last rapper to make chart history was Wiz Khalifa, who dominated the charts in 2011 with his street banger “Black & Yellow.” Even though Drake recently dethroned Desiigner with his first #1 record “One Dance,” the Bed-Stuy resident made Billboard history with the second track he’s ever released. -
Desiigner’s smooth business moves give him the upper hand
Image Credit: Onyx Truth In 2014, the Brooklyn native legally purchased the infectious “Panda” beat off U.K producer Menace. Menace, born Adnan Khan, received $200 for his original beat and landed his first major placement on Kanye West’s recent LP The Life Of Pablo because of the young buck’s swift business moves.
As he continues to build up the hype for his debut album, Desiigner has the chance to cook up rich ideas to market the project unlike any other “one-hit wonder.” The possibilities for “Panda” merch are endless. If he keeps it up, Desiigner’s business-savvy intuition can evolve and be used to strengthen his career in the future. -
Desiigner doesn’t care who hates on his flow & voice
Image Credit: Global Grind The majority of rising MC’s and conservative rappers native to the five boroughs sneer at the idea of sounding like any artist from the South. Hell, there are still some rap fans mad about Trinidad James’ infamous comments on Hot 97 about Atlanta artists running New York hip-hop. However, Desiigner doesn’t seem to care how his wild flow may appear to the masses.
Desiigner’s complex verses embedded within his limited catalog pack punches that go hard like his stomping grounds in Brooklyn. While the South continues to be notorious for their catchy hooks and quick paced flows thanks to artists like The Migos and Young Thug, Desiigner proves that New York rappers can embody a southern style without compromising their roots cemented into the sidewalks of the concrete jungle. -
Comparisons to Future could add fuel to his fire
Image Credit: Billboard Since his debut, fans have been pinning Desiigner and Future against each other on social media. Although producer Menance says “Panda” was inspired by the UK Grime scene, the constant comparisons about their uncanny vocal similarities haven’t been sitting well with the “Panda” rapper and the Freebandz chief lately.
After Desiigner picked at the scab, their Internet beef manifested outside the tri-state area when Desiigner allegedly called Future a “fag” at SXSW back in March. Then last month, Future returned fire during a show in Syracuse when he called out Desiigner and his baby momma Ciara. I mean, who can forget this hilarious meme?
Their problems haven’t escalated…yet. However, if their quarrel does take a turn for the worse at public events like Hot 97’s Summer Jam in June, their sizzlin beef could keep Desiigner at the top of the conversation on social media and beyond. -
“Panda” helped Desiigner land a record deal with G.O.O.D Music
Image Credit: Billboard Since the track quickly circulated throughout the country, “Panda” eventually reached the ears of of G.O.O.D Music founder Kanye West. Yeezus loved the song so much that he played it during his over-publicized Yeezy Season 3 premiere at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Not only did ‘Ye give Desiigner’s “Panda” a major endorsement, but he also included own remix to the record on the final version of The Life Of Pablo.
Soon after the largest album listening session in recent history, ‘Ye announced that Desiigner had officially been added to the label’s star-studded roster. With a team full of talented and respected artists, Desiigner has a prime opportunity to build with artists like Travis Scott, Big Sean and John Legend and exceed his current accomplishments with his debut album. While we’re on the subject… -
Desiigner’s debut album is being produced by legends
Image Credit: Getty Images Life after “Panda” for Desiigner appears to be quite promising. Recently, the 19-year-old dropped off the follow up to his chart-topping record — his New English mixtape.
Desiigner stays consistent with his rapid-fire bars and wild flow on the project. As if his career in music couldn’t become any brighter, seasoned G.O.O.D Music producer Mike Dean recently told Billboard that he will serve as the executive producer of Desiigner’s debut album.
The Brooklyn lyricist managed to keep the hype for “Panda” alive when finally delivered a dope visual to accompany his glorified hit, which features a cameo from Yeezus himself. With G.O.O.D Music is backing his career moves, Desiigner’ debut album needs to measure up to the hype in order to solifidy his place in New York hip-hop. Although his new mixtape New English has recevied mixed reviews, he still has the opportunity to shock the masses with his major label debut LP. If he’s successful, he can become the secret weapon New York hip-hop could use to maintain its dominance in the game. -
The new “Panda” remixes continue to multiply
Image Credit: Getty Images The list of high-profile MC’s and budding artists who have added their own spin to “Panda” has peaked over the past few months. New York rappers like Fabolous, Maino, Lil Kim, Joell Ortiz, and Dave East have dropped their own remixes to “Panda.”
London native Lady Leshurr and Chi-Town legend Lupe Fiasco have also added their golden touch to the record. Haters once believed all the remixes and horribly cheesy renditions of the song like this one should have killed and buried the record six feet under by now. Yet, people like Kevin Hart and Safaree are still keeping the song alive any way they can. It’s been six months since its release, yet “Panda” still thrives as one of the most trending songs in the world.