Young Dolph was a popular American rapper. He was born Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. on July 27, 1985, in Chicago. But he grew up in Memphis, Tennessee.
Dolph became famous with his first album, “King of Memphis,” in 2016. His music often talked about his life in Memphis. He didn’t just make music. Dolph also started his own record label called Paper Route Empire. He put out many successful albums over the years.
Dolph had a unique way of rapping. He did well on his own in the music world, without help from big companies. Sadly, Young Dolph’s life ended too soon. He died on November 17, 2021, in Memphis.
He was only 36 years old when he was shot and killed.
About Young Dolph
Full Name | Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. |
Stage Name | Young Dolph |
Date of Birth | July 27, 1985 |
Place of Birth | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Date of Death | November 17, 2021 |
Age at Death | 36 years |
Place of Death | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | African American |
Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
Eye Color | Black |
Hair Color | Black |
Young Dolph was born in Chicago but spent most of his life in Memphis.
He got his stage name, Young Dolph, early in his career. Dolph was tall, standing at 6 feet 2 inches. He had black hair and eyes, which were common features in his family.
Dolph’s life was not easy. He grew up in a tough neighborhood in Memphis. This shaped who he became as a person and as an artist. His music often talked about his experiences growing up.
Sadly, Dolph died young, at only 36 years old.
He was shot while buying cookies at a bakery in Memphis. This shocked his fans and the music world.
Family Background
Father | Adolph Thornton Sr. |
Mother | Will be updated soon |
Siblings | Two younger sisters and two younger brothers |
Cousin | Juice Wrld (second cousin) |
Young Dolph came from a family that faced many challenges.
His parents struggled with drug addiction when he was young. Because of this, his grandmother raised him and his siblings. Dolph had four siblings – two younger sisters and two younger brothers.
One of his brothers goes by the name Still Famous901.
Dolph didn’t talk much about his parents in public.
But he often mentioned his grandmother in interviews. He said she was very strict but taught him important life lessons. These lessons helped him become independent and successful later in life.
Interestingly, Dolph was related to another famous rapper. Juice Wrld, known for his hit song “Lucid Dreams,” was Dolph’s second cousin. This shows that musical talent ran in the family.
Education
Level | Institution |
---|---|
High School | Hamilton High School, Illinois, U.S. |
He went to Hamilton High School in Illinois. Not much is known about his school days. But we do know that he later gave back to his old school. In 2020, Dolph donated $25,000 to Hamilton High School. So, he remembered where he came from and wanted to help other kids get a good education.
School wasn’t always easy for Dolph. In one of his songs, he talks about getting in trouble for calling a teacher a bad name. After this, his grandmother took over raising him full-time.
Even though Dolph became famous, he didn’t forget about education. His donation to his old school proves this. He wanted to help other kids have better chances than he did when he was young.
Career Milestones
Year | Achievement |
---|---|
2008 | Released first mixtape “Paper Route Campaign” |
2010 | Founded record label Paper Route Empire |
2016 | Released debut studio album “King of Memphis” |
2017 | Released album “Bulletproof” |
2020 | Released highest-charting album “Rich Slave” |
Young Dolph’s music career started in 2008 when he released his first mixtape, “Paper Route Campaign.” This was just the beginning. In 2010, he took a big step and started his own record label called Paper Route Empire. This showed he wanted to be independent and in control of his music.
Dolph’s big break came in 2016 with his first studio album, “King of Memphis.” This album put him on the map. It reached number 49 on the Billboard 200 chart. People liked his honest lyrics and unique style.
After this, Dolph kept making music. In 2017, he released “Bulletproof.” This album came out after someone shot at his car. Dolph used this scary experience to make music and even promoted the album with it.
His career kept growing.
In 2020, he released “Rich Slave.” This was his most successful album. It reached number 4 on the Billboard 200. This showed how much his fans loved his music and how he had grown as an artist.
Notable Works
Type | Title | Year |
---|---|---|
Studio Album | King of Memphis | 2016 |
Studio Album | Bulletproof | 2017 |
Studio Album | Thinking Out Loud | 2017 |
Studio Album | Role Model | 2018 |
Studio Album | Rich Slave | 2020 |
Collaborative Album | Dum and Dummer (with Key Glock) | 2019 |
Collaborative Album | Dum and Dummer 2 (with Key Glock) | 2021 |
Young Dolph made a lot of music in his career. His first big album was “King of Memphis” in 2016. This album put him on the map and showed everyone his talent. After that, he kept making albums that his fans loved.
In 2017, Dolph released two albums: “Bulletproof” and “Thinking Out Loud.” “Bulletproof” came out after someone shot at his car. Dolph used this scary event to make music and even promote his album. This showed how he could turn bad things into something positive.
Dolph also worked with other artists.
He made two albums called “Dum and Dummer” with another rapper named Key Glock. Fans really liked these albums because they showed how well Dolph could work with other artists.
His last album before he died was “Rich Slave” in 2020. This was his most successful album. It reached number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. This showed how much Dolph had grown as an artist.
Awards and Recognition
Year | Award/Recognition |
---|---|
2021 | Gold certification for album “Rich Slave” |
2021 | Gold certification for album “Dum and Dummer” |
Various | Multiple Gold and Platinum certifications for singles |
He didn’t win many big awards, but his music was very popular.
In 2021, two of his albums got Gold certifications. This means they sold a lot of copies. The albums were “Rich Slave” and “Dum and Dummer.”
Dolph also had many singles that got Gold and Platinum certifications. This shows that people really liked his individual songs. Some of his popular songs were “Major” and “RNB.”
Even though he didn’t win traditional awards, these certifications are very important. They show that lots of people bought and listened to Dolph’s music.
In the music world, this kind of success is sometimes more important than winning awards.
Dolph was also recognized for his independent success. He built his own record label and became successful without help from big companies. Many people in the music industry respected him for this.
Financial Status
Estimated Net Worth | $3 million (as of 2021) |
Record Label | Paper Route Empire |
Music Catalog | Multiple albums and singles |
Young Dolph was successful not just in music, but also in business. When he died, people think he was worth about $3 million. This is a lot of money, especially for someone who started with very little.
A big part of Dolph’s success was his record label, Paper Route Empire. He started this company in 2010. Instead of signing with a big label, Dolph decided to be independent. This meant he had more control over his music and made more money from it.
Dolph also made money from his music catalog. Every time someone buys or streams his music, it makes money. Even after his death, his music continues to make money for his family.
Dolph was known for being smart with money. He often rapped about investing and saving money. He wanted to teach his fans to be smart with money too.
This shows he cared about more than just making music – he wanted to help people too.
Net Worth and Assets
Net Worth | Estimated $3 million (as of 2021) |
Cars | Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Jaguar |
Jewelry | Extensive collection of diamond jewelry |
Real Estate | No info yet |
Young Dolph worked hard to build his wealth. By 2021, his net worth about $3 million.
Dolph also liked nice things. He owned some expensive cars, like a Rolls-Royce Cullinan and a Jaguar. These cars are very fancy and cost a lot of money.
He also loved jewelry, especially diamonds. In interviews, he often showed off his diamond necklaces, rings, and watches. These pieces of jewelry were probably worth a lot of money.
We don’t know much about any houses or land Dolph owned. But with his success, he likely had a nice home for his family. Dolph didn’t just spend money on himself. He also gave back to his community. He donated to his old school and often gave away turkeys on Thanksgiving.
Relationships
Relation | Name |
---|---|
Partner | Mia Jaye |
Son | Tre Tre Thornton (born June 2014) |
Daughter | Aria Ella Thornton (born April 2017) |
Young Dolph was not married, but he had a long-term partner named Mia Jaye. They were together for many years and had two children.
Dolph and Mia had a son named Tre Tre, born in June 2014. They also had a daughter named Aria Ella, born in April 2017. Dolph often talked about how much he loved his kids. He wanted to spend more time with them, which is why he thought about quitting music at one point.
Mia Jaye is a businesswoman. She runs a company called Momeo, which sells clothes. Dolph supported her work, just like she supported his music career.
Family was very important to Dolph. He wanted to be a good father, maybe because he didn’t have his parents around much when he was young.
He often talked about wanting to give his kids a better life than he had growing up.
Hobbies and Interests
Hobby/Interest | Details |
---|---|
Ping Pong | Enjoyed playing in his free time |
Strip Clubs | Mentioned visiting in interviews |
Giving Back | Regular charity work and donations |
Dolph wasn’t just about music. He had other things he liked to do too. One of his favorite games was ping pong. He enjoyed playing this in his free time. It’s a fun and fast-paced game that needs quick thinking, just like rap. Dolph was also known to enjoy visiting strip clubs. He mentioned this in some interviews. While this might seem strange to some people, it’s not uncommon in the rap world.
But what he really loved was giving back to his community. He often did charity work and made donations. Every year, he would give away turkeys on Thanksgiving to families in Memphis. He also gave money to his old high school. This shows that even though he became famous, he never forgot where he came from.
Dolph’s hobbies and interests show he was a complex person. He enjoyed fun and games, but also cared deeply about helping others. This mix of fun-loving and caring is part of why his fans loved him so much.
Social Causes
Cause | Action |
---|---|
Education | Donated $25,000 to Hamilton High School |
Hunger Relief | Annual turkey giveaway on Thanksgiving |
Cancer Support | Donated to West Cancer Center & Research Institute |
Young Dolph cared a lot about helping others. He used his success to support many good causes.
One thing he really cared about was education. In 2020, he gave $25,000 to Hamilton High School, where he used to go. This money helped students get a better education.
Dolph also wanted to make sure people had enough to eat.
Every year on Thanksgiving, he would give away turkeys to families in Memphis who needed them. This helped many people have a nice holiday meal they might not have had otherwise.
He also cared about people with cancer.
Just days before he died, Dolph donated money to the West Cancer Center & Research Institute. He did this to thank them for taking care of his aunt who had cancer.
Skills and Talents
Rapping | Known for his deep voice and unique flow |
Songwriting | Wrote honest, personal lyrics |
Entrepreneurship | Founded and ran Paper Route Empire |
Marketing | Skilled at promoting his music and brand |
Young Dolph had many skills that made him successful. Of course, he was a great rapper. People loved his deep voice and the way he flowed over beats. His style was unique and easy to recognize.
Dolph was also really good at writing songs. His lyrics were honest and personal. He often wrote about his life experiences, both good and bad. This made his fans feel close to him because they could relate to his stories.
But Dolph wasn’t just talented in music. He was also a smart businessman. He started his own record label, Paper Route Empire, in 2010. Running a successful music company takes a lot of skill and hard work.
Dolph was also great at marketing. He knew how to promote his music and make people interested in what he was doing. For example, after someone shot at his car, he used that event to promote his new album “Bulletproof.” This shows he was creative and could turn bad situations into opportunities.
All these skills together made Dolph a complete artist. He could make great music, run a business, and get people excited about his work. This is why he was so successful as an independent artist.
Controversies
Year | Controversy |
---|---|
2017 | Shot at in Charlotte, North Carolina |
2017 | Shot multiple times in Hollywood, Los Angeles |
2016-2021 | Ongoing feud with rapper Yo Gotti |
Young Dolph’s life had some scary and controversial moments.
In 2017, someone shot at his car in Charlotte, North Carolina. His car was hit over 100 times, but amazingly, Dolph wasn’t hurt. The car had bulletproof panels, which saved his life.
Later that same year, Dolph was shot multiple times in Hollywood, Los Angeles. He was badly hurt and had to go to the hospital. But he recovered and even used this experience in his music.
Dolph also had a long-running feud with another Memphis rapper named Yo Gotti. This started around 2016 when Dolph turned down a chance to sign with Yo Gotti’s record label. They made diss tracks about each other and there were rumors that their fight led to violence. But this was never proven.
These events made Dolph’s life seem dangerous and exciting to some fans.
But they also showed the real dangers that some rappers face. Dolph often talked about these experiences in his music, turning them into powerful songs that his fans connected with.
Public Image
Persona | Independent, resilient, honest |
Style | Flashy clothes, lots of jewelry |
Reputation | Respected for independence and business success |
Fan Base | Loyal following, especially in the Southern U.S. |
He had a strong public image. People saw him as tough and independent. He was known for being honest in his music and talking about real-life experiences. This made fans feel close to him.
Dolph had a flashy style. He liked wearing designer clothes and lots of jewelry, especially diamonds. He often showed off his expensive cars too.
But he balanced this with being down-to-earth and caring about his community.
In the music world, people respected Dolph for his success as an independent artist.
He built his own record label and became successful without help from big music companies. This made him a role model for other independent artists.
Dolph had a very loyal fan base, especially in the Southern United States.
His fans loved him for his music, but also for his personality. They saw him as someone who came from a tough background but made it big through hard work.
Even though Dolph rapped about tough subjects, he was known for being kind and generous. Stories about him giving back to his community helped build a positive image.
This mix of toughness and kindness made him popular with many different types of people.
Legacy
Music | Influenced Southern rap style |
Business | Inspired independent artists |
Philanthropy | Remembered for community work |
Personal | Seen as a symbol of resilience |
Young Dolph left a lasting impact on the music world and his community.
In music, he helped shape the sound of Southern rap. His unique style influenced many other artists. Even after his death, his music continues to inspire new rappers.
Dolph’s success as an independent artist is a big part of his legacy. He showed that artists can be successful without signing to major labels. This inspired many other artists to stay independent and build their own brands.
People also remember Dolph for his kindness and giving back to his community. His turkey giveaways and school donations set an example for other successful artists. This part of his legacy encourages others to help their communities too.
Personally, Dolph is seen as a symbol of resilience. He faced many challenges in his life, from a tough childhood to attempts on his life. But he always bounced back and kept moving forward.
After his death, many people in Memphis and the music world honored Dolph. They recognized how he had changed the rap game and helped his community.
His life story continues to inspire people to overcome challenges and chase their dreams.
Social Media Profiles
Platform | Profile |
---|---|
@youngdolph | |
facebook.com/youngdolph | |
@YoungDolph | |
YouTube | youtube.com/youngdolph |
Young Dolph was active on social media.
He used these platforms to connect with fans and promote his music.
On Instagram, he had over 4.4 million followers. He often posted photos of himself, his family, and behind-the-scenes looks at his music career. Dolph’s Facebook page has over 2 million likes. He used it to share news about his music and upcoming shows. On Twitter, he had a big following too. He tweeted about his thoughts, his music, and sometimes responded to fans.
His YouTube channel has over 1.7 million subscribers. This is where fans can watch his music videos and listen to his songs. Even after his death, people still visit his channel to enjoy his music.
These social media accounts show how Dolph stayed connected with his fans. They also help keep his legacy alive, as people can still visit these pages to remember him and his music.
Final Words about Young Dolph
Young Dolph was a talented rapper who made a big impact in his short life. He rose from a tough childhood in Memphis to become a successful independent artist. Dolph was known for his unique rap style, business smarts, and generosity. He faced many challenges, including attempts on his life, but always bounced back. His music touched many people, and he used his success to help his community.
Even though he died young, Young Dolph left a lasting legacy in the world of hip-hop and beyond.
He showed that with hard work and determination, it’s possible to overcome difficult circumstances and achieve your dreams. His story continues to inspire people still now.