Lil Dakes (Rapper)
Dakewann Clifton Daley (born July 28, 2006), better known by his stage name Lil Dakes, is an American Rapper based in Illinois, Chicago. Lil Dakes was born on July 28 2006 Jamaica at Spanish Town Hospital, he started his rap career in middle high school recording music on Bandlab, Fl Studio and publishing them on SoundCloud music platforms. Lil Dakes delivers introspective lyrics atop melodic production artists who grew up playing piano, drums, and guitar, turning to rap freestyle in high school. Influenced by rock music and Chicago drill. Throughout his career, he has been a leading figure in the Drill Rap and SoundCloud Rap genres which garnered mainstream attention during the mid-to-late 2023s. His stage name, which he stated came from his childhood name “ Dakes”.
Early Life edit
Born on July 28, 2006, in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Dakewann Clifton Daley, better known by his stage name Lil Dakes, had a challenging upbringing. His father passed away when he was just one year old, and his mother died when he was ten. Despite these hardships, Daley found solace in music. His mother, a religious and conservative woman, did not allow him to listen to hip hop. However, he was introduced to rock and pop music, including artists like King Von, Lil Durk, Lil Pump, Lil Baby, Lil Peep, xxxtentacion and Eminem through YouTube.
Musical Journey edit
Daley's musical journey began in high school when he started recording music using Bandlab and FL Studio, and publishing them on SoundCloud. He grew up playing piano, drums, and guitar, and turned to rap freestyle in high school. His music, influenced by rock and Chicago drill, delivers introspective lyrics atop melodic production¹. In his sophomore year of high school, he began posting songs to SoundCloud, which he recorded on his smartphone. Around this time, Daley began to take rapping more seriously. His breakthrough came when his song "High and Low" got 1000 plays in just three days.
Discography edit
Singles edit
| Title | Singles Details |
|---|---|
| Shooting ops |
|
| Tamed |
|
| Crybaby |
|
| Rooky |
|
| Rundown Freestyle |
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| Memories |
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| In The Hood |
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| Shit Isn't Right |
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| Ghost Drive |
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| Crybaby |
|
| Hitman |
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| Stich Em |
|
Achievements edit
Lil Dakes gained traction with the release of his song "Tamed" in 2023. His debut mixtape, "Shooting Ops," was released on July 30, 2023, which was another breakthrough for the rapper, gaining attraction worldwide. On October 1, 2023, he released a song titled "Rooky," which was the number one trending music video on YouTube for a few days straight at the time of its release.
Current Status edit
As of 2024, Lil Dakes continues to make waves in the music industry. With over 4.35k subscribers on his YouTube channel and a growing fanbase on SoundCloud, this young artist is definitely one to watch.
Conclusion edit
From his humble beginnings in Jamaica to his rising fame in the music industry, Lil Dakes' journey is a testament to his resilience and passion for music. His unique blend of introspective lyrics, melodic production, and influences from rock and Chicago drill sets him apart in the music scene. As he continues to grow and evolve as an artist, there's no doubt that we can expect great things from Lil Dakes in the future.