Future

The Atlanta pioneer who defined modern trap with Auto-Tuned delivery and a string of chart-topping albums.

Future, born Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn on November 20, 1983, in Atlanta, Georgia, is a rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer credited with pioneering the use of Auto-Tuned delivery in trap music. Known for his mumble-style rap-singing and prolific output, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential rappers of his generation. His career began under the name "Meathead" within the Dungeon Family collective before he was discovered by Rocko and signed to A1 Recordings, which later entered a joint venture with Epic Records in 2011. From his debut album Pluto (2012) to his record-breaking runs in 2017 and 2024, Future has consistently topped the US Billboard 200.

Quick Facts

Birth name

Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn

Other names

Meathead
Future Hendrix
Pluto

Born

20 November 1983

Birthplace

Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

Occupation

Rapper
singer
songwriter
record producer

Years active

2003–present

Education

Columbia High School

Children

Lore & Background

Future's artistic journey began in Atlanta's Dungeon Family collective, where his cousin Rico Wade operated the famous "Dungeon" studio. Initially performing as part of Da Connect under the nickname "The Future," he shelved a planned 2003 album but recorded his first song, "Belly of da Beast." A pivotal moment occurred around age sixteen when he was shot in the hand and robbed, an event he credits with turning him toward music. Encouraged by Wade to write as a respite from street life, Future released early mixtapes like 1000 and Dirty Sprite before gaining regional traction at Atlanta's Magic City strip club.

His co-performance on YC's "Racks" in April 2011 marked his first Billboard Hot 100 entry. After signing with Epic Records later that year, he released the mixtape Streetz Calling, which Pitchfork praised for perfecting a genre where singing and rapping blend seamlessly through Auto-Tune.

Reader's Guide

Future's solo catalog is defined by consistent chart dominance; every album from DS2 onward has debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. His ninth studio album, I Never Liked You (2022), produced his second Hot 100 number-one single, "Wait for U," featuring Drake and Tems, which won Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. In a historic run during 2024, Future released Mixtape Pluto, his seventeenth mixtape, becoming the first hip-hop artist to secure three number-one albums in a single year within six months.

His collaborative history is extensive, including Super Slimey with Young Thug (2017), Wrld on Drugs with Juice Wrld (2018), and Pluto x Baby Pluto with Lil Uzi Vert (2020). A guest appearance on Drake's "Way 2 Sexy" in 2021 marked his first number-one song as a featured artist after 125 entries. He currently holds the record for the most albums at number one on the US Top Rap Albums chart with 16.

Did You Know?

Future was the first musical act to release two chart-topping projects on the Billboard 200 in consecutive weeks with Future and Hndrxx in 2017.
Before his solo success, Future recorded one album with Da Connect titled Rico Wade Presents: Da Connect, which was shelved in 2003.