ILoveMakonnen explained

iLoveMakonnen
Birth Name:Makonnen Kamali Sheran
Alias:Makonnen Danny Morris
Birth Date:12 April 1989
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Origin:Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Years Active:2008–present

Makonnen Kamali Sheran[1] (born April 12, 1989), better known by his stage name iLoveMakonnen (often stylized as ILOVEMAKONNEN), is an American rapper and singer.[2] He is best known for his 2014 single "Tuesday", which initially gained recognition following its remix with Canadian rapper Drake. After its release in August of that year, he signed with Drake's record label OVO Sound, an imprint of Warner Records that same month; the song was re-released by the label shortly after and subsequently peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Tuesday" also received a nomination Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, and served as the lead single for his likewise re-issued self-titled debut extended play (2014), which moderately entered the Billboard 200. He parted ways with OVO in 2016, and his following releases have failed to chart.[3]

Early life

Makonnen Kamali Sheran was born on April 12, 1989,[4] in South Los Angeles, California,[5] and was named after Makonnen, father of Ras Teferi who was later crowned as Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I. His father is a first generation immigrant from Belize who worked as an electrician and his mother was a nail instructor who worked in the beauty business for over 30 years.[6] In an interview, he described himself as mixed with African American, Indian, Irish, Belgian, German and Chinese heritage.[7]

Growing up in Los Angeles, he moved to the Atlanta area when he was 13 years old, due to his parents' divorce. There, he witnessed the death of a close friend in his senior year in high school.

Career

2008–2013: Career beginnings

Makonnen started making songs on his computer and uploading them to MySpace. On this website, he met rising musicians, such as Adele. Makonnen also created a blog, where he would post interviews with musicians such as Lil B and Soulja Boy Tell'em.[8]

After a period under house arrest following the fatal accidental shooting of a friend,[9] he enrolled in a cosmetology school and became a part of a group called Phantom Posse.[10] [11] In January 2012, Makonnen met Atlanta producer Mike Will Made It and formed a brief professional relationship with him. However, because of Mike Will's busy schedule, the two were not able to meet often, and soon were separated from each other.

2014: Rise to prominence

In March 2014, record producer Mike Will Made It would reply to Makonnen and brought him to the DTP studios, where he played some of his songs towards a fellow producer Metro Boomin. Metro instantly liked Makonnen and stayed in touch with him. Later, after recording six songs together, Metro brought these fellow Atlanta producers Sonny Digital and 808 Mafia, who were all unusually impressed with him. Two days later, Makonnen recorded the song, titled "Don't Sell Molly No More" with Sonny Digital, which would later launch his music career. Sonny Digital introduced him to the other Atlanta producers such as DJ Spinz, Dun Deal and St. Louis producer Cammy Recklezz. He started gaining local fame within the community with songs such as "Living on the Southside", "Sneaky Lady" and "My New Friend".[12] Makonnen was then featured on Mike Will's mixtape, titled Ransom.

In July 2014, the singer released his self-titled EP iLoveMakonnen, which included the singles "Tuesday" and "I Don't Sell Molly No More".[13] The latter reached pop singer Miley Cyrus, who shared it on her Instagram. The post got over 210,000 likes and counting, that brought a lot of new fans to Makonnen.[14] On August 15, 2014, Vice included his song "Whip It" in their Staff Picks for the Week list, commenting: "Makonnen's voice is incredible! ... How could you not have a good time listening to this song? If there is anyone I trust to teach me how to whip it, it is definitely my friend Makonnen."[15]

In August 2014, after hearing "Tuesday", Drake asked one of the song's producers, Sonny Digital, if he could remix the song. Makonnen agreed to send it to Drake, but didn't think much of it. However, two days later Drake released a remix.[16] Makonnen later commented: "Yeah, I surprised. Shocking. Drake listens to Makonnen. It was great. I was excited. Surprised, shocked. Just overwhelmed." The remix, simply titled "Tuesday" went viral and led to increased media interest in iLoveMakonnen.[17]

In August 2014, Makonnen was featured in XXLs The Come Up section, which focuses on new artists. He later stated he was not looking for a major label deal and instead planned to go touring and record music independently: "I'm not too thirsty to sign a deal. Cause a label will really just take all your free music down and you have to be somebody's bitch." On September 1, 2014, it was announced that Makonnen had signed to Drake's label OVO Sound, which is distributed by Warner Bros. Records.[18]

2015–2016: OVO Sound and iLoveMakonnen 2

In an interview with The Fader in December 2015, more than a year after signing to Drakes OVO Sound, Makonnen said the label delayed tracks from iLoveMakonnen 2 from coming out. The song "Second Chance," for example, was finished in January 2015 and intended for a summer release,[19] but ended up being self-released by Makonnen in November 2015.[20] Makonnen said, "Second Chance was supposed to be that summer banger this summer. That was supposed to be out, touching people and hitting them this summer. By the time next year they'll be ready for something else. It's all late. People are doubting me, doubting what the fuck I said when I made the fucking song. You wait a year later and it's whatever. Hopefully, it's worked right. The song is structured properly. Everything is all there for proper radio play to just spin it over and over to people. Who knows? I don't know what the fuck they want."

Makonnen also claimed "extra bullshit in the industry" stopped "Teach Me How To Whip It" and "No Ma'am" from getting radio play. When asked if he still talked to Drake, Makonnen responded, "Here and there. By the time this comes out, I'll probably see him six more times or no more times. I don't know. I just wish everybody well in all that they do and I just go on and live my life and try to uplift motherfuckers. At the end of the day I'm tired of uplifting people. I just gotta uplift myself now because everything else is a waste of time."

Makonnen also described the music scene: "There's not even any money here anymore. It's all lies. The money's gone and everybody is now keeping up this front as if there's money there."

On February 8, 2016, it was announced that alongside Travis Scott and Vic Mensa, Makonnen would be part of the "Wangsquad", an Alexander Wang campaign.[21]

2016–present: Departure from OVO Sound

On April 18, 2016, Makonnen parted ways with Drake's label OVO Sound, saying the "choice to be solely on Warner Bros. Records was the right thing for me and for my best interest."[22] On May 7, 2016, Makonnen announced he would be retiring from music to focus on acting but released a new song shortly after, with confirmation of a new project.[23]

In the late summer of 2017, Makonnen collaborated on an album with Lil Peep in London. The album was scrapped after Makonnen leaked it online in May 2020.[24] On August 17, 2018, Makonnen announced a single he co-wrote titled "Falling Down", a reworking of "Sunlight On Your Skin" that he recorded with Peep during the sessions in London. The new version features since deceased rapper XXXTentacion, who recorded his verses following Peep's death.[25] The single was officially released on September 19, 2018.[26] The original "Sunlight On Your Skin" version was released on September 27, 2018.[27]

Personal life

On January 20, 2017, via Twitter, Makonnen came out as gay.[28] [29]

Discography

Studio albums

!Title!Album details
My Parade[30]
  • Released: April 16, 2021
  • Label: Timeless Magic, Cor Tan
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Summer '22[31]
  • Released: August 29, 2022
  • Label: Self-Released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

EPs

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
[32]
US
R&B<br />/HH
[33]
iLoveMakonnen 72 48
iLoveMakonnen 2[34]
  • Released: November 20, 2015
  • Label: OVO Sound, Warner Bros.
  • Format: Download
40
Fun Summer 17 Vol. 1[35]
  • Released: June 7, 2017
  • Label: Self-Released
  • Format: Streaming
iLoveMakonnen X Ronny J
(with Ronny J)[36]
  • Released: January 24, 2018
  • Label: Self-Released
  • Format: Streaming
iLoveAmerica[37]
  • Released: July 4, 2018
  • Label: Self-Released
  • Format: Streaming
M3[38]
  • Released: June 21, 2019
  • Label: Warner
  • Format: Streaming
Stay Hydrated[39]
  • Released: December 25, 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Streaming
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Mixtapes

Title! rowspan="2"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
R&B/HH
US
Rap
[40]
3D
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Download
4G
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Download
5
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: S.O.D MG
  • Format: Download
6
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Download
Holiday Special
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Download
LTE
  • Released: 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Download
A Trillion Light Years
  • Released: 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Download
Drink More Water
  • Released: 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Download
Drink More Water 2
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Download
3 Suns
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Download
Drink More Water 3
  • Released: 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Download
Drink More Water 4
  • Released: June 30, 2014
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Download
Drink More Water 5
  • Released: March 31, 2015
  • Label: OVO Sound
  • Format: Download
Whip It Up
(with Rich the Kid)[41]
  • Released: November 26, 2015
  • Label: Rich Forever, OVO Sound
  • Format: Download
Drink More Water 6 3525
Red Trap Dragon
(with Danny Wolf)
  • Released: August 9, 2016
  • Label: Self-Released
  • Format: Download
DMW007
  • Released: October 6, 2021
  • Label: Timeless Magic
  • Format: Streaming & Download

Singles

As lead artist

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
[42]
US
R&B/HH
[43]
US
R&B
[44]
CAN
[45]
FRA
[46]
NZ
Hot
[47]
"Tuesday"
(featuring Drake)
201412 1 1 56 86 iLoveMakonnen
"Sellin"2016Drink More Water 6
"Side to Side"rowspan="2"
"Love"
(featuring Rae Sremmurd)[49]
2017
"Sunlight On Your Skin"
(with Lil Peep)
201836Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 2
"I've Been Waiting"[50]
(with Lil Peep featuring Fall Out Boy)
201962 12
  • RIAA: Gold
Everybody's Everything

As featured artist

Title! rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
Dance

[51]
"I Like Tuh"[52]
(Carnage featuring iLoveMakonnen)
2015
  • RIAA: Gold
Papi Gordo
"Kolony Anthem"[53]
(Steve Aoki featuring iLoveMakonnen and Bok Nero)
2017Steve Aoki Presents Kolony
"How Else"
(Steve Aoki featuring Rich the Kid and iLoveMakonnen)
47
"No Friends"[54]
(Chase Atlantic featuring iLoveMakonnen and K CAMP)
2017Part Three

Guest appearances

Title! scope="col"
YearArtist(s)Album
"Nokia"2014FatherL1L D1DDY
"Look at Wrist"Father, Key!Young Hot Ebony
"Day2Day" (Remix)Tunji Ige, Michael Christmas
"I Understand"Key!, FKiFkeyi
"TMZ"Key!, Ian Connor, Saucelord RichFkeyi
"FriendsMaybe"Rome FortuneSmall VVorld
"Wishin You Well"Mike Will Made-It
"Syrup in My Soda"Mike WiLL Made-It, Riff Raff
"Swerve"Mike WiLL Made-ItRansom
"Down 4 So Long Remix"iLoveMakonnen, Ezra Koenig, DespotRed Bull's 20 Before 15 Singles Series
"H.O.M.E."2015Trinidad JamesNo One Is Safe
"Interviews"Brodinski, Yung GleeshBrava
"TrUe Thang"Rome Fortune, CeeJloloU
"Take Me Away"Rome FortuneloloU
"Why'd You Call"DJ Mustard, Ty Dolla Sign
"Myself"Yung Lean
"Slaughter Ya Daughter"21 Savage, Key!The Slaughter Tape
"All Black Hummers"Father, Archibald Slim, EtherealPapicodone
"Favorite Record (Remix)"Fall Out BoyMake America Psycho Again
"Who Be Lovin' Me"2016Santigold99¢
"Why Don't U"Father, AbraI'm a Piece of Shit
"Party on Me"Father, Ethereal
"Park Hill"Povi
"Thru It All" (Remix)WintertimeI Know What You Did Last Winter
"Take it Easy"Gucci ManeMeal Ticket
"Cash Cash"
"Forever"FKi1st Time for Everything
"Coming Soon"Skepta, Céon
"Feel the Same"Phantom PosseBe True
"Love It"Sonny Digital, Key!
"Lit"Rome FortuneVVORLDVVIDE PIMPSTATION
"My Boy Band 'Exortion'"Rome Fortune, Nevabitch
"I'll Be Damned"[55] Hoodrich Pablo Juan, Lil Yachty
"Taylor Swift"Trinidad JamesThe Wake Up 2
"Global"2017Lil BBlack Ken
"Romantic"Key!
"Drop the Top"Teddy
"4 Real"Destructo, Ty Dolla SignRenegade
"All Alone"Nick HookRelationships
"I Got Work"P.S. 211
"Long Time"2018NaationsTeardrop
"Cupid"2019Teddy
"I've Been Waiting (Original)"Lil PeepEverybody's Everything
"Changing"2020Phantom PosseForever Underground
"Sick"2021BAYLI
"Next To Me"Ares Carter
"Hellbound"2022TeddyTales of Euphoria
"Now That You're Leaving"2023Teddy

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Grand jury increases charges against teen . News-daily.com . July 10, 2008 . April 29, 2020.
  2. Web site: ILOVEMAKONNEN Moved To Portland. No, For Real. . Willamette Week . February 7, 2017 . March 4, 2017.
  3. Web site: iLoveMakonnen's Best songs. November 17, 2021. HotNewHipHop.
  4. Web site: iLoveMakonnen . iLoveMakonnen | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links . AllMusic . April 12, 1989 . January 20, 2017.
  5. Web site: Diep. Eric. The Come Up: iLoveMakonnen (page 2). August 28, 2014 . XXL. August 31, 2014.
  6. News: Makonnen Still Loves You. November 21, 2017. Noisey. April 22, 2018. en-au.
  7. Web site: Friedman. Skinny. EVERYBODY LOVES MAKONNEN. July 11, 2014 . Vice. August 31, 2014.
  8. Web site: Zeichner. Naomi. Meet ILoveMakonnen, The Eccentric Rapper Drake And Miley Cyrus Want To Be Down With. August 13, 2014 . BuzzFeed. August 31, 2014.
  9. Web site: Itunes biography. November 10, 2014. iTunes Store. Apple.
  10. News: Skinny Friedman. Everybody Loves Makonnen. I was on house arrest and was going to cosmetology school. I was hanging around a whole bunch of girls, learning how to do hair and shit. . Noisey. July 11, 2014. March 21, 2015.
  11. News: Benjy Hansen-Bundy. ILoveMakonnen on Becoming Famous Overnight. He sings, he makes videos, he plays piano, and he's...a licensed cosmetologist.. GQ. February 2015. March 21, 2015.
  12. News: Diep. Eric. The Come Up: iLoveMakonnen (page 3). XXL Mag. XXL. August 31, 2014.
  13. Web site: Sundermann. Eric. MAKONNEN EXPLAINS THE DRAKE REMIX: "IT'S THE BEST TUESDAY EVER!". August 12, 2014 . Vice. August 31, 2014.
  14. Web site: Cyrus. Miley. Photo by mileycyrus. Instagram. August 31, 2014.
  15. Web site: Kramer. Kyle. STAFF PICKS AND GOOD SHIT FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 15. August 15, 2014 . Vice. August 31, 2014.
  16. Web site: Fleischer. Adam. ILOVEMAKONNEN Wept When He Heard Drake's 'Club Goin' Up On A Tuesday' Remix. https://web.archive.org/web/20140825191926/http://www.mtv.com/news/1905320/ilovemakonnen-cried-tears-of-joy-drake-club-goin-up-on-a-tuesday-remix/. dead. August 25, 2014. MTV. August 31, 2014.
  17. Web site: Camp. Zoe. Drake Jumps on iLoveMakonnen's "Tuesday". August 12, 2014. Pitchfork Media. August 31, 2014.
  18. Brandle. Lars. ILoveMakonnen Signs To Drake's OVO Sound. September 2014. Billboard. September 1, 2014.
  19. Web site: Damn, Makonnen. The FADER. January 22, 2016.
  20. Web site: iLoveMakonnen Shares DJ Mustard-Produced "Second Chance", Announces iLoveMakonnen 2. Pitchfork. November 15, 2015. January 22, 2016.
  21. Web site: Ilove Makonnen part of Wang Campaign. Smith. Trevor. Hotnewhiphop. February 8, 2016. February 8, 2016.
  22. Web site: iLoveMakonnen Parts Ways With OVO Sound Pitchfork. Pitchfork. April 19, 2016. May 3, 2016.
  23. Web site: ILoveMakonnen Says He's Retiring From Rap, Then Releases New Song. stereogum.com. May 12, 2016. May 14, 2016.
  24. News: HITS Daily Double : Rumor Mill – PEEP THIS. HITS Daily Double. April 5, 2018.
  25. News: iLoveMakonnen Says a Lil Peep and XXXTentacion Collaboration Is Coming. Complex. August 18, 2018.
  26. Web site: New Song From Lil Peep and XXXTentacion to Be Released Tomorrow. Pitchfork. Yoo. Noah. September 18, 2018. September 18, 2018.
  27. Web site: Listen to 'Sunlight On Your Skin' by Lil Peep and iLoveMakonnen. The Fader. Darville. Jordan. September 27, 2018. September 27, 2018.
  28. Web site: March 29, 2010 . Oceanic Makonnen on Twitter: "And since y'all love breaking news, here's some old news to break, I'm gay. And now I've told u about my life, maybe u can go life yours❤" . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170513172204/https://twitter.com/iLoveMakonnen5D/status/822353737146470400 . May 13, 2017 . January 20, 2017 . Twitter.
  29. Web site: Atlanta rapper iLoveMakonnen comes out as gay on Twitter. Herdandez. Greg. January 20, 2017. Gay Star News. en. January 23, 2017. July 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190730154350/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/atlanta-rapper-ilovemakonnen-comes-out-as-gay-on-twitter/. dead.
  30. Web site: iLoveMakonnen – My Parade. April 13, 2021. April 16, 2021. iTunes Store. April 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210417022907/https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-parade/1561642754. dead.
  31. Web site: iLoveMakonnen – Summer '22. August 29, 2022. August 30, 2022. Apple Music.
  32. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=I Love Makonnen|chart=Billboard 200}} I Love Makonnen – Chart History: Billboard 200 ]. Billboard. January 20, 2015.
  33. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=I Love Makonnen|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Albums B}} I Love Makonnen – Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ]. . January 20, 2015.
  34. Web site: I LOVE MAKONNEN 2. iTunes Store. November 20, 2015. April 25, 2016.
  35. Web site: iLoveMakonnen Shares Surprise EP Fun Summer 17 Vol. 1. TheFader. June 7, 2017 . October 9, 2018.
  36. Web site: ILoveMakonnen & Ronny J Unveil New Collaborative EP. HypeBeast. January 25, 2018. October 9, 2018.
  37. Web site: iLOVEMAKONNEN celebrated July 4th with iLOVEAMERICA EP. TheFader. July 4, 2018 . October 9, 2018.
  38. Web site: Minsker . Evan . iLoveMakonnen Announces M3 EP, Shares New Song "Drunk on Saturday": Listen . . May 11, 2019 . May 10, 2019.
  39. Web site: iLoveMakonnen - Stay Hydrated . . December 30, 2022.
  40. I Love Makonnen Chart History Billboard. . April 17, 2020.
  41. Web site: Rich The Kid & ILoveMakonnen To Release "Whip It Up" Mixtape. Angus Walker. October 12, 2015. HotNewHipHop. April 25, 2016.
  42. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=I Love Makonnen|chart=Hot 100}} I Love Makonnen – Chart History: Hot 100 ]. . November 29, 2014.
  43. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=I Love Makonnen|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}} I Love Makonnen – Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ]. Billboard . November 29, 2014.
  44. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=I Love Makonnen|chart=R&B Songs}} I Love Makonnen – Chart History: R&B Songs ]. Billboard . November 29, 2014.
  45. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=I Love Makonnen|chart=Billboard Canadian Hot 100}} I Love Makonnen – Chart History: Billboard Canadian Hot 100 ]. Billboard . January 17, 2015.
  46. Web site: Singles ILoveMakonnen . lescharts.com . January 20, 2015.
  47. Web site: Hot Singles Chart The Official New Zealand Music Chart. June 4, 2020.
  48. Web site: Gold & Platinum: ILoveMakonnen . May 21, 2023 . Recording Industry Association of America.
  49. Web site: New Music: iLoveMakonnen feat. Rae Sremmurd – 'Love'. Rap-Up. September 7, 2017. September 8, 2017.
  50. Web site: I've Been Waiting (feat. Fall Out Boy) – Single by Lil Peep & iLoveMakonnen. iTunes Store. January 31, 2019. February 2, 2019.
  51. ILoveMakonnen Chart History: Hot Dance/Electronic Songs . May 21, 2023 . Billboard.
  52. Web site: I Like Tuh (feat. iLoveMakonnen) – Single by Carnage on Apple Music. iTunes Store. February 24, 2015. January 21, 2017.
  53. Web site: Steve Aoki Presents Kolony by Steve Aoki on Apple Music. Apple Music. July 21, 2017. December 18, 2017.
  54. Web site: No Friends (feat. iLoveMakonnen & K CAMP) – single by Chase Atlantic on Google Play Music. Google Play Music. April 7, 2018.
  55. Web site: Hoodrich Pablo Juan – I'll Be Damned Feat. Lil Yachty & iLoveMakonnen [New Song]]. HotNewHipHop. October 15, 2016. January 18, 2017.
  56. Web site: 'Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss' Review: Gone-Too-Soon Rapper Tells His Story in Elegiac Documentary. November 13, 2021.