42 Dugg

 Hayes first gained traction for tracks "The Streets" and "STFU". After writing poetry for slam poetry in collaboration with Lil Baby, he signed to Lil Baby's 4 Pockets Full (4PF) and Yo Gotti's Collective Music Group (CMG), in conjunction with Interscope Records. 42 Dugg received national attention when he appeared on Lil Baby's February 2020 track "Grace", peaking at the 48th spot on the Billboard Hot 100. He was also featured in Lil Baby's song "We Paid" in May 2020, which peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track's popularity boosted sales of his mixtape Young & Turnt 2, which peaked at number at 58 on the Billboard 200 and number six on Billboard's Independent Albums chart. Hayes continued to be a hit by appearing on songs for Marshmello and Lil Keed as well as Blac Youngsta and Big Sean. Three people were injured during 42 Dugg's Atlanta music video shoot on the 21st of February 2021. OMB Peezy was later charged with the shooting for the charge of aggravated assault using a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. All three of the injured survived.In the month of May in 2021, Billboard declared 42 Dugg the "R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month".That same week, on May 21 2021 Dugg released the mixtape with 19 tracks, entitled Free Dem Boyz. It was in a tribute to all his jailed friends. The album features Roddy Ricch's "standout" song, "4 da Gang" along with appearances by Lil Durk and Rowdy Rebel. Also in 2021, he appeared in the annual XXL Freshman Class.