Derek King

California native Derek King crafts R&B around sensual yet street-smart themes, pairing them with dance-oriented beats shaped by current hip-hop and electronic pop. After beginning as a rapper, he shifted toward a more versatile singing approach and introduced himself via a 2014 mixtape before issuing several tracks through 300 Entertainment and then issuing his own 2018 EP, 1995.

Born December 2, 1995, in Walnut Creek, California, King grew up primarily in Antioch and, during his early teenage years, helped at the family barbecue restaurant in nearby Pittsburg. He first tried rapping for fun, yet by age sixteen had turned to singing and started putting out music. That path led to the 2014 mixtape Fake I.D., which included appearances from IAMSU!, Ronnie Banks, and Rayven Justice. Later the same year he signed with 300 Entertainment, which put out the single “Jump” featuring Kirko Bangz and Sage the Gemini. King joined Sage on the road for shows across the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2015 he released another single, “Teasin’,” and toured with Kalin & Myles. A third single, “Don’t Do That,” arrived in 2017. After that track, King left 300 Entertainment and, in May 2018, independently issued the five-song EP 1995.