Young Dolph

Born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in South Memphis, Tennessee, Young Dolph turned to music in 2008, releasing his debut mixtape Paper Route Campaign after encouragement from friends. The local buzz it created prompted him to go all in on his rap career. In 2010, he founded his own independent label, Paper Route Empire, a move inspired by self-made moguls like Master P and Birdman. That same year, he dropped his breakthrough mixtape Welcome 2 Dolph World, featuring notable Southern artists such as 2 Chainz (then Tity Boi), 8Ball & MJG, and DJ Scream.

Dolph’s early tapes, including the High Class Street Music series, helped him develop a distinct style—moving away from the influence of local legends like Three 6 Mafia toward a more commanding and charismatic delivery. His voice, unmistakably deep and magnetic, became his signature. By 2014, his track Preach, from High Class Street Music 4: American Gangster, gained national recognition, propelling him further into the mainstream spotlight.

Over the next few years, Dolph continued to build his discography and reputation. His collaborations with artists like Gucci Mane—with whom he released the joint tape EastAtlantaMemphis (2013)—further established him as a fixture in Southern trap music. Other notable releases included South Memphis Kingpin (2013), Cross Country Trappin (2014), and A Time 2 Kill (2012), each showcasing his vivid lyricism and street-savvy narratives.

Dolph reached a new career high in 2015 when he was featured on O.T. Genasis’ hit single Cut It, which peaked in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. The following year, he released his first official studio album, King of Memphis (2016), which debuted at No. 49 on the Billboard 200. Continuing his momentum, he released several more projects including Thinking Out Loud (2017) and Role Model (2018). His 2020 album Rich Slave marked his biggest chart success, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.

Young Dolph was also a mentor and a business-minded artist. Through Paper Route Empire, he nurtured talent such as his cousin-in-law and frequent collaborator Key Glock, helping usher in a new generation of Memphis rappers.

Tragically, on November 17, 2021, Young Dolph was fatally shot in his hometown of Memphis, cutting short a prolific career at the age of 36. His death sent shockwaves through the music industry and the community he never abandoned.