22Gz

Biography

Jeffrey Mark Alexander (born November 29, 1997), known professionally as 22Gz ( too-too-JEEZ), is an American rapper credited as a pioneer of the Brooklyn drill scene. 22Gz released his first major mixtape, The Blixky Tape, through Atlantic Records in 2019.

Early life

Jeffrey Mark Alexander was born on November 29, 1997, in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. His father died before he was born. He is of Guyanese descent. He started his entertainment career on the New York City Subway performing showtime dance routines.

2015-2018: Career beginnings & Atlantic Records deal

22Gz started releasing songs on SoundCloud at the age of 17 in early 2015. After releasing the singles "Blixky" and "Suburban" in 2016, he gained a following from his YouTube videos. "Suburban", produced by London-based drill producer AXL Beats, was regarded as one of the first major Brooklyn drill songs to become popular. 22Gz gained attention, leading him to sign with Atlantic in 2018 and his label A&R helping him become noticed by Kodak Black. One of his first songs released on the label, "Spin the Block", was a collaboration track with Kodak Black.

2019-present: The Blixky Tape & Growth & Development

22Gz released his first mixtape with Atlantic, The Blixky Tape, in July 2019. His follow-up mixtape, Growth & Development, was released on April 10, 2020, and was co-produced by London-based drill producer Ghosty. Torsten Ingvaldsen of Hypebeast praised the mixtape, stating 22Gz has "riotous energy, bringing forth aggressive lyrics and militant deliveries that continue to sculpt out his fast-paced rise".

Legal issues

In 2014, he was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, however the charges were dropped. 22Gz spent five months in jail in 2017 for second-degree murder charges related to a shooting in Miami; however, these were later dropped. 22Gz recorded a Facebook Live video from an NYPD holding cell in 2018.
In 2019, Alexander, along with Casanova, Pop Smoke, Sheff G, and Don Q, was removed from the Rolling Loud concert. NYPD cited "a higher risk of violence" if the artists were to perform.
On June 12, 2022, 22Gz was arrested in New York City on attempted murder charges over a March shooting in which three people were injured. He was released on US$500,000 bail four days later.