Ian (rapper)

American rapper (born 2005)

Ian

Birth name| Ian O'Neill Smith[1]
Also known as| shyboy19, Suburbancerberus
Born|  (2005-05-29) May 29, 2005 (age 20)[1]
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.[1]
Origin| Dallas, Texas, U.S[2]
Genres|

* Hip hop
* trap
* SoundCloud rap
* rage

Occupations|

* Rapper
* singer
* songwriter

Instrument| Vocals
Years active| 2017–present
Labels|

* BuVision
* Columbia
* Dogdog

Website| ian.family

Musical artist

Ian O'Neill Smith (born May 29, 2005), known mononymously as Ian (stylized in all lowercase), is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter.[2]

## Early life

[edit]

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he attended Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas and Clemson University. Before he began his rap career, he played rugby and crew in high school. He also played rugby at Clemson before pursuing his music career fulltime.

## Career

[edit]

### 2023–2024: Breakthrough with Valedictorian

[edit]

Main article: Valedictorian (mixtape)

In 2023, Ian began releasing singles under his own name, gaining traction with tracks like "Bad Habits" and "Ghost Ride". He signed with BuVision, Columbia Records, and Dogdog in early 2024. His breakout moment came with the release of his single "Figure It Out" in May 2024, featuring a cameo from former NFL star Marshawn Lynch in its Lyrical Lemonade-produced music video.[3] Shortly after, on May 17, 2024, Ian released his debut mixtape Valedictorian, which debuted at number 54 on the Billboard 200 and featured high-energy rage beats and dynamic production by mainly producer Sxprano and American rapper and producer tana.[4] A deluxe edition, released in July 2024, included the viral hit "Magic Johnson", which charted on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 and was later certified Gold by the RIAA.[5]

In June 2024, he released "Fit Check" with VonOff1700.[6] Also in 2024, he released the song "Magic Johnson," which became viral on TikTok; this single would be tacked onto the deluxe edition of Valedictorian.

### 2024: Rise to mainstream and Goodbye Horses

[edit]

Main article: Goodbye Horses (album)

Following the success of Valedictorian, Ian collaborated with Lil Yachty on the single "Hate Me", which debuted at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100.[7] The song was accompanied by another Lyrical Lemonade music video and further propelled his growing popularity. In October 2024, Ian released his debut studio album, Goodbye Horses.

### 2024: "Ian" Tour

[edit]

In support of his debut mixtape Valedictorian, Ian embarked on the "Ian" Tour in late 2024. The tour included performances across various cities, including Santa Ana, San Diego, Chicago, and Houston. Notably, the San Diego show took place at The Observatory North Park on December 5, 2024.[8]

### 2025–present: Continued success and upcoming projects

[edit]

In early 2025, Ian teased new music and announced his first headlining tour, set to take place in the U.S. and Europe. He has also hinted at collaborations with artists like Destroy Lonely, Ken Carson, and Yeat. With his growing influence in the rage rap and hyperpop scenes, Ian is expected to release a follow-up project in late 2025.[citation needed]

## Discography

[edit]

### Studio albums

[edit]

List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions  Title  | Studio album details  | Peak chart position

|
|

[9]
Goodbye Horses |

* Released: October 18, 2024
* Label: BuVision, Columbia, Dogdog
* Format: Digital download, streaming

| 86

### Mixtapes

[edit]

List of mixtapes, with selected details and chart positions  Title  | Mixtape details  | Peak chart position

|
|

[10]
Valedictorian |

* Released: May 17, 2024
* Label: BuVision, Columbia, Dogdog
* Format: Digital download, streaming

| 54

### Extended plays

[edit]

List of EPs, with selected details  Title  | EP details

|

Only for a While |

* Released: August 4, 2022[11]
* Label: Self-released
* Format: Digital download, streaming

Remembrance |

* Released: September 24, 2022[12]
* Label: Self-released
* Format: Digital download, streaming

Empty Suit (with gyo) |

* Released: November 23, 2023[13]
* Label: Dogdog Records
* Format: Digital download, streaming

### Singles

[edit]

List of singles, with selected peak chart positions  Title  | Year  | Peak chart positions  | Album

|
|
|

[14] | US
R&B/HH
[15] | NZ
Hot
[16]
"Hate Me"
(with Lil Yachty) | 2024  | 68 | 18 | —  | Goodbye Horses
"End Up Gone"  | — | — | —
"No Way"  | — | — | —  | TBA
"Pack It Up"  | 2025  | — | — | 37

### Other charted songs

[edit]

List of other charted songs, with selected peak chart positions  Title  | Year  | Peak chart positions  | Certifications | Album

|
|
|
|

Bub.
[17] | US
R&B/HH
[18]
"Never Stop"  | 2024  | 14 | 39  |  | Valedictorian
"Magic Johnson"  | 1 | 25  |

* RIAA: Gold[19]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "ian Lyrics, Songs, and Albums". Genius. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
2. ^ a b "ian Is Quickly Blowing Up Thanks To His Debut Mixtape "Valedictorian"". HotNewHipHop. May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
3. ^ "Marshawn Lynch Stars in ian's New Rap Music Video 'Figure It Out'!". TMZ. May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
4. ^ "ian drops debut mixtape Valedictorian with Sxprano, Tana". Our Generation Music. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
5. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
6. ^ ian (June 28, 2024). ian - Fit Check (Feat. VonOff1700) [Official Music Video]. Retrieved July 6, 2024 – via YouTube.
7. ^ "Lil Yachty | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
8. ^ "ian Tour 2024 2024 (Santa Ana) | The Observatory: Tickets, Dates & Itineraries". TRIP.COM. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
9. ^ @billboardcharts (October 28, 2024). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200..." (Tweet). Retrieved October 29, 2024 – via Twitter.
10. ^ @billboardcharts (May 28, 2024). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200..." (Tweet). Retrieved July 20, 2024 – via Twitter.
11. ^ "Spotify – ian – Only For A While". August 4, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
12. ^ "Spotify – ian – Remembrance". September 24, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
13. ^ "Spotify – ian – Empty Suit". September 24, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
14. ^ @billboardcharts (August 5, 2024). "@lilyachty & #ian's "Hate Me" debuts at No. 68 on this week's #Hot100" (Tweet). Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via Twitter.
15. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of August 10, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
16. ^ "Official Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. May 2, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
17. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of June 1, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
* "Magic Johnson": "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of July 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
18. ^ Peaks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart:
* "Never Stop": "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of June 1, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
* "Magic Johnson": "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of July 20, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
19. ^ "American certifications – Ian". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 8, 2024.

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