Belly

Biography

Ahmad Balshe (Arabic: أحمد بلشي; born 7 April 1984), known professionally as Belly, is a Palestinian-Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born in Jenin, Balshe was raised in Ottawa. His debut mixtape, Death Before Dishonor: Vol. 1 (2005) was followed by eight additional projects until the release of his debut studio album, The Revolution×The Revolution5 June 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 28 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Hi Haters2:192Revolutionary4:493Obsessions5:004I Swear4:115If I Don't4:556Ya Dunya3:497People Change3:238I'm the Man4:599I Ain't No Pimp3:3110B Variable3:2111History of Violence5:1312Goodbye4:4013Leave Me Alone4:2514Follow Me4:10Disc 21So Cold4:122The Freshest4:103Ridin'4:304Kill for You4:135Don't Be Shy3:516Good Evening4:187The Chronic Break0:448For the Love3:539How U?3:3910Magic3:2811Pressure4:3412Stomp on Em4:3913Welcome to the Jungle2:4514On the Low3:18 (2007). He then began co-writing for fellow Canadian singer the Weeknd, signing with his record label, XO, as a recording artist in 2015.
Released in a joint venture with Roc Nation, his eighth mixtape, Up for Days×Up For Days8 May 2015 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Came From Nothing3:392No Option2:563Might Not3:444Come Down Is Real4:165Maison3:186White Girls4:317Dealer Plated4:098Poltergeist3:289Love Kills4:1710Who Am I2:45 (2015), marked his first release on a major label and was led by the single "Might Not" (featuring the Weeknd) — his first entry on both Canadian Hot 100 and Billboard Hot 100 which received double platinum and platinum certifications by Music Canada (MC) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), respectively. His second studio album, Immigrant×IMMIGRANT12 October 2018 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Another Note2:302Xion2:143Who Hurt You2:434Immigrant3:535Numbers2:516All for Me2:037Dust2:418What You Want3:139What Does It Mean3:3610Maintain3:3011Street Cathedral3:20 (2018), narrowly entered the Billboard 200 along with his third, See You Next Wednesday (2021). His fourth album, 96 Miles from Bethlehem×96 Miles From Bethlehem30 May 2024 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Metal Birds1:342Blue Bags2:073Patience vs Patients1:344Jenin’s Song2:085Crucifix1:406Baroudeh2:357Carry Me2:018Maktub3:299The Gift, The Curse, and The Fate1:32 (2024) was released by SALXCO and explored political subject matter, namely the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
In songwriting, Balshe has been credited on each of the Weeknd's studio albums. His first credit was on the mixtape Echoes of Silence (2011). He has also provided backing vocals and songwriting for American singer Beyoncé's 2016 song "6 Inch". He co-wrote tracks on the Weeknd's fourth studio album After Hours (2020), including its single "Blinding Lights", which became Billboard's Greatest Hot 100 Hit of All Time in 2021.
Balshe was honoured as Songwriter of the Year at the 2016 SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) Awards for his "significant and outstanding contributions to popular music over the past year". Alongside his SOCAN award, Balshe has won a Juno Award, three MuchMusic Video Awards, and has twice attained a top chart position in the national Much Music Countdown. Balshe has collaborated frequently with fellow Palestinian DJ Khaled.

Early life

Ahmad Balshe was born on 7 April 1984 in Jenin, Palestine. When he was seven years old, he moved to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada with his family, through Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Jordan, to escape violence and poverty.

2007–2008: Early career and The Revolution

Balshe's first single, "Pressure" featuring Ginuwine, peaked at number 10 on the Canadian CHR radio charts, and number one on MuchMusic's Video chart. In April 2007, he released the video for his second single "Don't Be Shy", featuring Nina Sky, as well as the video for "History of Violence" directed by Martin Verigin and Jeffrey Hagerman. The latter remains his most controversial record to date, as he explains his views on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the War in Iraq.
During the 2007 NHL Playoffs, as the Ottawa Senators were competing, Belly released the single "Bandwagon", produced by Hussain Hamdan. When the Senators made the Stanley Cup Finals, he released a second version of the song which featured goaltender Ray Emery.
His debut album, The Revolution×The Revolution5 June 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 28 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Hi Haters2:192Revolutionary4:493Obsessions5:004I Swear4:115If I Don't4:556Ya Dunya3:497People Change3:238I'm the Man4:599I Ain't No Pimp3:3110B Variable3:2111History of Violence5:1312Goodbye4:4013Leave Me Alone4:2514Follow Me4:10Disc 21So Cold4:122The Freshest4:103Ridin'4:304Kill for You4:135Don't Be Shy3:516Good Evening4:187The Chronic Break0:448For the Love3:539How U?3:3910Magic3:2811Pressure4:3412Stomp on Em4:3913Welcome to the Jungle2:4514On the Low3:18, was released on 5 June 2007. This double disc album was divided into two sections: The People and The System. The People contained more in depth songs, such as "History of Violence", "Follow Me", and "Revolutionary", where he challenges his listeners to discover the facts regarding the Middle East situation. Other songs on this disc include "People Change" and "Leave Me Alone", where he talks about his longtime friends and the memories that he kept from them. The System contained his hit singles "Ridin'", and "Pleasure".
The Revolution achieved Gold sales in Canada and won the 2008 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year. The singles from The Revolution won two MuchMusic Video Awards for Best Rap Video: "Pressure" in 2007 and "Ridin'" in 2008.

2011–2012: Additional mixtapes and hiatus

In 2011, Balshe released his fifth mixtape Sleepless Nights, hosted by DJ ill Will. He also released his sixth mixtape in collaboration with rapper Kurupt entitled Belly & Kurupt The Lost Tapes 2008. The mixtape, also hosted by DJ ill Will, contained a compilation of songs the two had worked on some time after Belly's debut studio album was released. Some of the songs featured on the mixtape were previously unreleased. Belly then released his seventh mixtape The Greatest Dream I Never Had, hosted by DJ Drama.
Balshe's next project Sleepless Nights 1.5 was released in April 2012. The first single, "Hot Girl×Hot Girl8 September 2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Hot Girl4:14" featuring Snoop Dogg, was released on 8 September 2009. Its second single, "To The Top" featuring Ava, was released in 2010. Belly's first single of 2011 was "Back Against the Wall", featuring singer Kobe Honeycutt.

2015–2016: Signing to XO and Roc Nation

In May 2015, after a five-year hiatus, Balshe released his eighth mixtape Up for Days×Up For Days8 May 2015 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Came From Nothing3:392No Option2:563Might Not3:444Come Down Is Real4:165Maison3:186White Girls4:317Dealer Plated4:098Poltergeist3:289Love Kills4:1710Who Am I2:45. It was his first project to be released under the record labels XO and Roc Nation and featured guest appearances by Travis Scott, Juelz Santana, French Montana and the Weeknd. Belly was also prominently featured on the Weeknd's sophomore album Beauty Behind the Madness in August 2015, earning writing credits on six of the fourteen songs: "Often", "The Hills", "Shameless", "Earned It", "In the Night" and "As You Are". On 24 November 2015, Belly formally signed to Roc Nation.
In February 2016, Balshe released the single "Zanzibar", featuring Juicy J. On 27 May, he released his ninth mixtape Another Day in Paradise×Another Day in Paradise27 May 2016 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1It’s All Love3:532Money Go3:363Ballerina4:134Exotic3:445You4:246Another Day in Paradise3:217Favorite Color3:388God Bless3:589Barely Sober3:3910Amsterdam3:3711Zanzibar3:5312Angels & Demons3:15, which featured guest appearances by Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Kehlani, Starrah, Waka Flocka, Juicy J and B-Real. On 11 November, he released his tenth mixtape Inzombia×Inzombia11 November 2016 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Die Alone3:222The Day I Met You3:273Trap Phone3:314Frozen Water3:225Re Up4:196Consuela3:467Outkast3:258Hollywood Interlude3:109Seven Day Love3:1610Actin Different2:3711Can't Feel a Thing4:10. It featured guest appearances from Young Thug, Zack, Nav, Future, Ty Dolla $ign, Jadakiss and Ashanti. The mixtape was supported by two singles; "Consuela" and "The Day I Met You". Later that month, the Weeknd released his third studio album Starboy, with Belly earning writing credits on nine of the eighteen songs: "Party Monster", "False Alarm", "Rockin'", "Six Feet Under", "Love to Lay", "A Lonely Night", "Ordinary Life", "Nothing Without You" and "All I Know".

2017–2018: Mumble Rap and Immigrant

On 23 June 2017, Balshe was featured on DJ Khaled's tenth studio album Grateful on the song "Interlude". On 6 October, he released his eleventh mixtape Mumble Rap×Mumble Rap6 October 2017 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Immigration To the Trap1:532Make a Toast4:263The Come Down Is Real Too3:514Mumble Rap2:435Lullaby3:146Bobby Brown2:467Papyrus2:138Alcantara3:079Clean Edit2:1010P.O.P.3:2111All Alone2:32, which was executive produced by Boi-1da. On 8 December, he was featured on Juicy J's fourth studio album Rubba Band Business on the song "On & On", which also featured Tory Lanez.
Balshe featured in Toronto's Canada Day celebrations at Nathan Phillips Square, where he received criticism for his profanity-laden performance. Belly was unapologetic, and sent out tweets denouncing censorship around his music, saying organizers were aware his performance would contain profanities.
On 23 March 2018, Balshe released the single "4 Days", featuring rapper YG and producer DJ Mustard. The song's music video was released three days later. He then released the single "Maintain" featuring Nav on 6 April, followed by the single "What You Want" featuring the Weeknd, which was released on 24 May. Both singles appeared on his second studio album, Immigrant×IMMIGRANT12 October 2018 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Another Note2:302Xion2:143Who Hurt You2:434Immigrant3:535Numbers2:516All for Me2:037Dust2:418What You Want3:139What Does It Mean3:3610Maintain3:3011Street Cathedral3:20, which was released on 12 October. The album also features guest appearances from Zack, French Montana, Meek Mill, Yo Gotti, and M.I.A.

2021: See You Next Wednesday

On 7 April 2021, Balshe released the dual lead singles from his third studio album, See You Next Wednesday×See You Next Wednesday27 August 2021 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1Snakes & Ladders2:162IYKYK3:103Better Believe3:274Zero Love2:335Moment of Silence2:016Flowers2:497Razor2:498Die for It3:209Requiem3:4010Two Tone2:4411Wu Tang2:1912Sucker2:1813Scary Sight1:5314Money on the Table2:0515Can You Feel It3:3416Money on the Table2:2417Zero Love2:5618Better Believe3:4919Die for It3:27, "Money on the Table" featuring Benny the Butcher and "IYKYK". He then released the second single, "Zero Love" featuring Moneybagg Yo, on 3 June. On 22 July, he released the third single "Better Believe", a collaboration with the Weeknd and Young Thug. The song debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 88. On 18 August, Belly revealed the album artwork and tracklist, and announced the release date of 27 August. The album also features guest appearances from Nav, Nas, Gunna, Big Sean, Lil Uzi Vert, and PnB Rock. On 17 December 2021, a new posthumous single from Aaliyah was released, titled "Poison" featuring the Weeknd, in which Belly co-wrote the song, which contains vocals recorded by Aaliyah shortly before her death in 2001.

2023: Mumble Rap 2

On 21 April 2023, Balshe released the first single from his twelfth mixtape, Mumble Rap 2×Mumble Rap 219 May 2023 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Capone's Demise2Ambiance3Loyalty v. Royalty4Heroic Villains5Just Like Me6World Changed7American Nightmare8New Money, Old Devils9De La Hoya10Cocaine Spoon11Real Lapse, "American Nightmare", his first release after taking a hiatus all of 2022. He then released the second single, "Ambiance" on 5 May. The mixtape was released on 19 May and features guest appearances from Nav, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, and the late Gil Scott-Heron, while it was primarily produced by Hit-Boy.

2024: 96 Miles From Bethlehem

On 30 May 2024, Balshe released his fourth studio album, 96 Miles from Bethlehem×96 Miles From Bethlehem30 May 2024 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Metal Birds1:342Blue Bags2:073Patience vs Patients1:344Jenin’s Song2:085Crucifix1:406Baroudeh2:357Carry Me2:018Maktub3:299The Gift, The Curse, and The Fate1:32. The rapper described the nine-song album as being about “the gift, curse, and fate of being Palestinian” .The album feature some Arabic lyrics and melodies as well as guest appearances from Elyanna, Saint Levant, and MC Abdul , as well as production contributions from DaHeala. Balshe pledged to donate the album proceeds to Gaza, the west bank and other areas effected by the war in Palestine.

Personal life

On 30 July 2019, Balshe filed a lawsuit against Coachella Music LLC, Goldenvoice LLC, and IPS Security Incorporated alleging assault and battery, negligence, and emotional distress in response to an incident which occurred during the 2018 Coachella Music Festival. A video obtained by TMZ shows festival security staff pushing Balshe up against a security barrier and repeatedly punching him.
On 31 May 2021, Balshe announced his engagement to resident doctor and businesswoman Dina Rabadi. They married on 9 September 2023 in an intimate Catholic ceremony at Mission Santa Barbara, followed by a larger ceremony held in Montecito, California.

Studio albums

The Revolution (2007)
Immigrant (2018)
See You Next Wednesday (2021)
96 Miles from Bethlehem (2024)