Denzel Curry

Denzel Rae Don Curry is a US rapper from Carol City, Florida, and is associated with genres including conscious hip hop, hardcore hip hop, southern hip hop, trap, and trap metal. He is linked to the labels DC Ult Music Publishing and has been part of Raider Klan, Pxsh Raven, and The Scythe.

Early life and beginnings

Curry is born in 1995 and grows up in Miami Gardens, Florida. He starts writing poetry in elementary school and begins rapping in sixth grade. He takes part in rap battles at a local Boys & Girls Clubs of America chapter. He attends Design and Architecture High School in Miami before transferring to Miami Carol City Senior High School, and he begins work on his debut album while still at school. He also says he experiences sexual abuse during childhood.

Raider Klan and early releases

His first release, the mixtape King Remembered Underground Tape 1991-1995 in 2011, draws attention after SpaceGhostPurrp shares it online, and he joins Raider Klan. In 2012 he releases King of the Mischievous South Vol. 1 Underground Tape 1996, which attracts interest from members of Odd Future, including Earl Sweatshirt. Later that year he releases Strictly for My R.V.I.D.X.R.Z., a mixtape shaped by Tupac Shakur and issued after the death of Trayvon Martin, who attended the same high school.

Solo albums and wider recognition

After Raider Klan disbands, Curry focuses on a solo career and releases his debut studio album, Nostalgic 64, in 2013. The album includes guest appearances from JK the Reaper, Lil Ugly Mane, Mike G, Nell, Robb Bank$, Stephen A. Clark, and Yung Simmie, and he cites Outkast, Goodie Mob, and CeeLo Green as influences on the record. In 2015 he releases the double EP 32 Zel/Planet Shrooms, which includes “Ultimate”, a track that spreads widely online and gains significant streaming success. His second studio album, Imperial, follows in 2016, and he appears in XXL magazine’s annual Freshman Class that year alongside Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, 21 Savage, and Kodak Black.

Ta13oo, Zuu and later projects

In 2017 Curry releases the EP 13 after putting several demo tracks on SoundCloud. He then promotes and releases Ta13oo in 2018, a three-part album divided into “Light”, “Gray”, and “Dark”. Its singles include “Sumo”, “Percs”, and “Clout Cobain”, and it marks his first appearance on the Billboard 200. In 2019 he releases Zuu, with singles including “Ricky” and “Speedboat”. That year he also records a cover of Rage Against the Machine’s “Bulls on Parade” for the Australian radio programme Like a Version; the performance receives wide attention and later places fifth in Triple J’s Hottest 100 poll.

Collaborations and recent work

Curry releases the collaborative project 13lood 1n + 13lood Out in 2020. He and producer Kenny Beats then release the EP Unlocked, accompanied by an animated short film, and in 2021 he issues Unlocked 1.5, a remix version featuring producers including Robert Glasper, The Alchemist, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Sango, Jay Versace, Godmode, and Charlie Heat. In 2022 he releases Melt My Eyez See Your Future, with guest appearances from T-Pain, 6lack, Slowthai, Rico Nasty, J.I.D, and Thundercat. Curry presents it as a more mature direction, drawing on traditional hip hop, jazz, poetry, drum and bass, and trap. The album includes “Walkin”, “Zatoichi”, and “Troubles” and debuts at number 51 on the Billboard 200. Later in 2022 he releases Melt My Eyez See Your Future (The Extended Edition), with reworked tracks and live instrumentation by the Cold Blooded Soul Band.

Other projects and appearances

Curry contributes to film, television, and video game soundtracks. He appears on the Madden NFL 21 soundtrack, works on “Dynasties and Dystopia” for the Netflix animated series Arcane, and has “Let It All Hang Out” included on the soundtrack for Elvis. He performs an NPR Tiny Desk Concert in 2022 and releases the live project Live At Electric Lady in 2023. In 2024 he releases King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2, a sequel to his 2012 mixtape, with singles including “Hot One” and “Black Flag Freestyle”, and later issues an expanded version of the project with additional tracks. He also appears on JPEGMAFIA’s I Lay Down My Life For You on “JPEGULTRA!”.

Style and later developments

Curry is known for aggressive delivery, energetic performances, and stylistic range, and he is associated with the development of the SoundCloud rap scene. In January 2026 he announces The Scythe, a hip-hop group formed with ASAP Ferg, TiaCorine, Bktherula, and Key Nyata as an homage to southern hip hop. Its debut album, Strictly 4 the Scythe, is set to include guest appearances from Juicy J, Smino, and Rich the Kid.