Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty
Halle BaileyandDDGare parents!
The couplewelcomed their first child togetherin 2023 after going public with their relationship in March 2022.
Bailey and DDG (whose real name is Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.) first sparked romance rumors in January 2022 when they were spotted at Usher’s Las Vegas residency together.
Since then, the couple has stepped out for a handful of events together, including the 2023Vanity FairOscars afterparty, and spoken highly of each other in interviews.
In September 2023, Baileyspoke about DDGin an interview withCosmopolitan,saying that her relationship has been a big inspiration for her music. The singer explained that love is “something I’m experiencing for the first time, and it’s, like, ‘whoa’ in your brain,” adding that “this is my first deep, deep, real love.”
From his career to the details of his relationship with Bailey, here’s everything to know about DDG.
He was his class valedictorian
Marc Piasecki/Getty
DDG grew up in Pontiac, Michigan, where he graduated from International Tech Academy as valedictorian of his class. The high honor later inspired the title of his 2019 debut album,Valedictorian.
“[Academics] are very important, because I was really into school. That’s what a lot of people don’t realize,“he told BET.com in 2019. “Valedictorian is just about being super competitive and being at the top at all times. It displays my competitiveness. I want to be valedictorian of everything — definitely of the rap game.”
After graduation, DDG enrolled at Central Michigan University, but he later dropped out to pursue a career as an entertainer.
He got his start on YouTube
Like Halle and her sister Chloe, DDG got his start on YouTube. He started making videos in 2014 sharing an array of content, including YouTube vlogs and his original music.
“I’m in a space now where I want people to get rid of the stigma that I’m a YouTuber,“DDG told PEOPLE of his career as a rapper. “I’m really just tryna shake that image and that stigma. Even though I am a YouTuber, I feel like it automatically comes with people not wanting to press play on the music or believing in the music. Or being harder on it. People are harder on me than other artists.”
He founded his own record label
After signing with Epic Records in 2018, DDG founded his own record label, Zooted Music, in 2020. Perthe label’s website, Zooted Music “scouts, develops, and grows artists using its tremendous leverage in the digital and music space and produces culturally relevant, super talented artists.”
He and Bailey first connected through social media
Jeff Spicer/Getty
DuringEssence’s September/October 2022 cover story,Halle revealed how she and DDG first connectedthrough social media, noting that she had been “a fan” of the rapper and YouTuber “for years” before he slid into her DMs.
While talking to PEOPLE in February 2024, DDG said that he “invited” himself to their first date — dinner and a movie (Dune, to be more specific).
He and Bailey went public with their relationship in March 2022
After sparking romance rumors in January 2022, Halle and DDG went Instagram official in March 2022 as the rapper posted a birthday tribute for the Chloe x Halle singer.
In June 2022, the two made their red carpet debut as a couple at the BET Awards. That August, Halle briefly opened up about DDG during herEssencecover story. When asked whether she’s in love with the rapper, Halle said, “Yes. For sure I am.”
The duo has made a number of public appearances together since, including attending the 2022 WACO Wearable Art Gala, sitting front row at Milan Fashion Week in 2023 and attending the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty in March 2023.
Bailey appeared in one of his music videos
In addition to showing their love on the red carpet, the two have also shown their love on the small screen. In August 2022, Halle starred in DDG’s sultry music video for “If I Want You,” where they were shown locking lips.
This wasn’t the last time Bailey was involved with DDG’s music. The rapperseemed to referenceBailey in his song “Famous” with lyrics that appeared to address the actress kissing her costar Jonah Hauer-King inThe Little Mermaid.“Filmin' a movie now you kissing dudes / You know I love you a lot / I don’t give a f— if that s— for promo / I don’t wanna see this s— no more,” DDG sang.
His lyrics also seemed to reference Bailey holding hands with Hauer-King at the U.K. premiere of the movie. “Why is y’all holdin' hands in the photo? / You know I’m insecure, that’s a no-no,” he continued.
He’s super supportive of Bailey’s career
DDG couldn’t help but gush about his girlfriendwhen he spoke with PEOPLE about her role as Ariel inThe Little Mermaid. “I’m very proud of her. And I’m just happy to see it,” DDG said. “I feel like sometimes I’m even more excited than anybody else. Just seeing it and seeing everything that she dreamed of coming to life, it’s really dope.”
He can see himself proposing to Bailey
During aninterview onThe Breakfast Clubin November 2022, DDG joked that he’s already “married” to Bailey and added that he’d “eventually” like to make it official.
“I’ve never been with nobody that’s, like, really motivated me like she do,” he said.
In January 2024, Bailey announced the birth of her and DDG’s first child together,son Halo.
“Even though we’re a few days into the new year, the greatest thing that 2023 could have done for me, was bring me my son.. welcome to the world my halo the world is desperate to know you,” she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the newborn’s hand.
source: people.com
