Dave East

Biography

David Lawrence Brewster Jr. (born June 3, 1988), known professionally as Dave East, is an American rapper. East began his career in 2010, and gained attention in 2014 for his eighth mixtape, Black Rose×Black Rose22 July 2014 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1The Offering3:412Fuck You Think3:243Red Bottoms4:564The Town2:585Broke4:216Drunk in Queensbridge / Hangover6:037Free Charlie (interlude)2:158In Some Shit (Pt.1)4:419Smokin Kush4:4010Hermes4:2811New Jux City / Savage3:3912Around Here3:2313Ghost4:0314Talk4:3215Let It Go5:22. Its release caught the attention of fellow New York rapper Nas, who signed East to a recording contract with his label Mass Appeal Records in 2014, which entered a joint venture with Def Jam Recordings two years later.
In 2016, Dave was chosen as part of the XXL's Annual Freshman Class. His tenth mixtape, Kairi Chanel×Kairi Chanel30 September 2016 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1It Was Written4:122Type of Time5:563Again3:294Can't Ignore4:015Sending My Love4:11630 N***Az4:447Keisha4:238Eyes on Me6:239S.D.E.3:4010Don Pablo2:2211The Only Thing3:4312The Real Is Back4:2413Slow Down4:0814Don't Shoot4:00, was released in September of that year and peaked at number 38 on the Billboard 200. His eleventh mixtape, Paranoia: A True Story×Paranoia: A True Story18 August 2017 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Paranoia3:062The Hated (skit)3:523The Hated4:274Phone Jumpin4:075Jazzy (interlude)1:386Perfect5:167Found a Way3:538Maneuver3:299Pop's Crazy0:5310My Dirty Little Secret3:3311Kairi Speaks (skit)1:1412Wanna Be Me3:3413Have You Ever3:33 (2017) peaked at number nine on the chart. His debut studio album, Survival×Survival8 November 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks1They Wanna Kill You2:352Penthouse3:403Godfather 44:124Need a Sign6:245On My Way 2 School3:336Seventeen3:067Mama I Made It4:378OG3:429What’s Goin On3:0710Baby3:1711Alone4:2112Everyday3:2113Devil Eyes5:2114Night Shift3:4315Wanna Be a G4:1816Me & Mines4:0617Daddy Knows3:2218What You Mad At4:5519On Sight2:4320The Marathon Continues (Nipsey tribute)3:46 (2019) peaked at number 11 and his fifteenth mixtape, Karma 3×Karma 314 August 2020 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Handsome2:532Unruly4:113The City2:214Get the Money3:375Thank God4:356Said What I Said3:467Broke or Not3:008Mission3:029Menace2:5610Fuck Dat3:4111Blue Story3:5212Stone Killer3:1213Envy2:5714Know How I Feel4:5015Believe It or Not3:41 (2020) peaked at number 36. His second studio album, Fortune Favors the Bold×Fortune Favors the Bold14 July 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 24 tracks1Here I Go Interlude0:192Come 2 Far2:413Pops Interlude0:174Still Here3:555Long Way3:496DAMN3:147Sex So Good2:328Good Good Good4:189Pops Interlude Pt. 20:1810HUSTLERS2:5911WDGAF2:2412Kairi Interlude0:0413Can’t Make This Up3:0314Still Outside Interlude0:0715Dope Boy3:1116Million Off Rap2:4417Good Things2:4718Rich Problems3:5419Weirdos4:3120Thru The Mud2:4921It’s A Lot3:0922Like A Rose3:5223Letter 2 Kobi3:2324Hallway Piss2:57 (2023), failed to chart and served as his final release with Def Jam.
East began an acting career in 2017, when he was cast as himself in Being Mary Jane and The Breaks. He also had a supporting role in the Netflix film Beats (2019) as "Mister Ford". His breakthrough acting role came in the Hulu series Wu-Tang: An American Saga (2019), where he portrays Method Man.

Early life

David Lawrence Brewster Jr. was born in New York City and spent his life between East Harlem where his mother resided, and Ravenswood where he lived with his aunt in his late adolescent life. The rapper is of Bajan, Louisiana Creole and Dominican descent. He played basketball, and football at Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, MD near Washington, D.C. Additionally, he played in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) with then-future NBA players Ty Lawson, Greivis Vasquez and developed a close friendship with current all-star Kevin Durant.

College basketball career

After Springbrook High School, East attended the University of Richmond, then transferred to Towson University where he played basketball. While attending Towson, East had ongoing issues with coaching staff which ultimately led to his decision to leave the university. Shortly afterward, he started running into legal trouble in Baltimore, Maryland.

2010–2013: Beginnings

In 2010, he released his first mixtape Change of Plans×Change of Plans15 July 2010 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks1Poetic Justice2:492Dirty Money3:443Exhibit D3:064Devin the Dude Speaks0:265Thru Harlem3:456Roger That2:337I'm No Star1:488Family Affair3:149Flexin1:5510Music for the Mob3:1211Real Shit3:1912Mayor3:1513Noe Speaks0:4314Kill Em With Success3:0615Drugs3:4316Livin My Life2:5317Slow Jams3:5918BBB2:1219Another Family Affair3:1320Do the Math3:20 which gained him minor local recognition. He later released the mixtapes Insomnia, American Greed, Don't Sleep and No Regrets, solidifying his commitment to music. In 2013, East periodically sold drugs throughout Harlem to support himself and his music. He then released his sixth mixtape, Gemini×Gemini15 April 2013 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Amazing Pt II3:552110th (skit)2:103Harlem World3:274M.H.C.2:455Gangstas4:116Recognize3:547That Dope4:098Skit1:189I Want You3:3610Everybody3:1611Leave Me Alone3:3612Pablo4:3913Some Things Never Change4:0914I Own It3:3015Goon Music4:1116Ball Up3:0017Love3:28 in April of that year.

2014–2016: Mass Appeal signing and Kairi Chanel

In 2014, his music caught the attention of prominent hometown native Nas, who soon looked for ways to contact East. Unbeknownst to Nas, East was close friends with Nas' younger brother and fellow rapper Jungle, who quickly introduced the two. By mid-2014, East was signed to Nas through his newfound record label, Mass Appeal Records. In July 2014, he released his seventh mixtape, Black Rose×Black Rose22 July 2014 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1The Offering3:412Fuck You Think3:243Red Bottoms4:564The Town2:585Broke4:216Drunk in Queensbridge / Hangover6:037Free Charlie (interlude)2:158In Some Shit (Pt.1)4:419Smokin Kush4:4010Hermes4:2811New Jux City / Savage3:3912Around Here3:2313Ghost4:0314Talk4:3215Let It Go5:22 for the label, which received favorable critical reception. In 2015, he released his eighth mixtape Hate Me Now×Hate Me Now1 October 2015 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks1Call My Coach1:562KD3:143Demons2:354Forbes List3:585It's Time3:056Give It To Her4:287Get Acquainted3:138I Can't Complain3:189Dumb Shit5:0210Arizona3:1311All I Know3:4312Nino4:2413Everything Lit3:1814Bring A Friend3:3415No Coachella For Me3:5416Streets Ain't The Same3:4917Chose Me4:1618Momma Working3:1219Numb3:2020I'll Do Anything4:37, which gained further recognition and high-profile guest appearances from label boss Nas, as well as Pusha T, and two-thirds of The Lox; Jadakiss and Styles P.
In June 2016, XXL magazine revealed their annual Freshman Class for 2016, which included East, along with G Herbo, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, Desiigner, Lil Dicky, Denzel Curry, and Anderson Paak. The following month, he performed on the Freshman Cypher along with G Herbo, hosted by Philadelphia-based disc jockey, DJ Drama. In August 2016, he released a joint extended play with rapper Kur titled Born Broke, Die Rich. In September 2016, East performed at the BET Hip Hop Awards cypher alongside Young M.A., Ms. Jade, Kur and Sam Black. In September 2016, he signed a joint venture record deal with Def Jam Recordings negotiated by hop executive Steven "Steve-O" Carless, and the next day released the mixtape Kairi Chanel×Kairi Chanel30 September 2016 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1It Was Written4:122Type of Time5:563Again3:294Can't Ignore4:015Sending My Love4:11630 N***Az4:447Keisha4:238Eyes on Me6:239S.D.E.3:4010Don Pablo2:2211The Only Thing3:4312The Real Is Back4:2413Slow Down4:0814Don't Shoot4:00, which peaked at number 38 on the US Billboard 200. The mixtape featured guest appearances from Fabolous, the Game, The Diplomats, Cam'ron, Beanie Sigel, and 2 Chainz.

2017–2018: Acting debut and Paranoia 2

In January 2017, East made his acting debut, starring in BET's Being Mary Jane series. He later appeared in Puma's Tsugi Shinsei commercial and starred in rapper, Trina's "It Ain't Me" music video. In August 2017, East released his the EP, Paranoia: A True Story×Paranoia: A True Story18 August 2017 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Paranoia3:062The Hated (skit)3:523The Hated4:274Phone Jumpin4:075Jazzy (interlude)1:386Perfect5:167Found a Way3:538Maneuver3:299Pop's Crazy0:5310My Dirty Little Secret3:3311Kairi Speaks (skit)1:1412Wanna Be Me3:3413Have You Ever3:33, supported by the singles "Perfect" featuring singer Chris Brown, "Paranoia" along with Jeezy, and "Phone Jumpin" with Wiz Khalifa. The EP peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200. Later in the year East then released his eleventh mixtape, Karma×Karma24 November 2017 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Legendary2:512Enough3:303Bentley Truck3:544We Never Argue3:375How U A Gangsta?3:266Checc4:207Devil On Me3:188Salty2:499Fast Life (Interlude)2:4410Hate Being Broke3:2611We Riding3:0912Militant3:0913Trenches3:1214Made It Worse3:0515Feeling A Way4:04 which was hosted by DJ Holiday. This was the beginning of the Karma series. This tape featured tracks such as "Militant" with Bronx rapper, Don Q. Chris Brown also reappeared on "Bentley Truck" track which was also featured on the Karma tape. In September 2017, East hosted the first annual Goldie Awards, a DJ and producer battle set taking place in New York City.
East began the new year by releasing his twelfth mixtape Paranoia 2×Paranoia 216 January 2018 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Talk to Big4:282Prosper3:573Woke Up3:124Powder3:355Corey5:166Thank You3:437I Can Not3:278Regular Harlem Shit0:509Annoying2:5810What Made Me3:5711Violent3:5512I Found Keisha4:0013Maintain2:4614Never Been3:4615Grateful6:24. on January 15, 2018. In the following month, East signed a sponsorship with Belaire Rose. The signing of this deal led up to a promotional music video for the brand with his song, "Fresh Prince of Belaire" by Rick Ross featuring East. March 2018, East signed an endorsement deal with New Era Cap launching his new "lifestyle" 59fifty fitted collection. Shortly after his newly found endorsement, East was featured in New Era's "Claim the Crown" commercial along with some of the top MLB players Javier Báez and Jose Altuve, as well as record producer, Mike Will Made It. As things continued to look up for East, he released his thirteenth mixtape, Karma 2×Karma 226 July 2018 · Studio album · Mixtape/StreetSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1Karma (interlude)1:212NOBU2:503Nothing Personal2:244Traumatized4:205Russia2:406Highly Anticipated2:367Scaled and a Razor2:368No Stylist2:399My Nigga Dead (interlude)3:0810Levelin Up4:3911This Summer2:5612Day Dreaming4:2213Imagine2:4114Cut Em Off2:5315I Dont Understand It2:4016Us2:3917We On2:4018Going Hard2:4119I Aint Goin3:11 on July 27, 2018. The project mixtape featured artists including Lil Durk, Gunna and BlocBoy JB, as well as close affiliates Kiing Shooter and Border Buck. Although the project failed to reach the same success as his studio album, managed to peak at number 41 on the Billboard 200. In the same calendar year, he released his fifteenth mixtape, Beloved, which saw him join his personal-favorite rapper, Styles P. The tape exposed and expressed the gritty street life of New York City.

2019–2021: Survival and Karma 3

East made his movie debut in the Netflix film Beats (2019) in which he had a supporting role as "Mister Ford". His breakthrough acting role came in the Hulu series Wu-Tang: An American Saga (2019) where he portrays Method Man as a series regular. In September 2019, it was confirmed that East would have a supporting role in the film Boogie (2021). After a night in Las Vegas gone wrong, East was pulled from the film. The role of "Monk" was recast and eventually played by Pop Smoke.
In 2019, he was featured on the single "Is U Down" by Pvrx and appeared as a guest vocalist on the single "Taxin" by DJ Shadow. He released a two part promotional release titled Survival Pacc with the singles "Everyday" featuring Gunna on and "Wanna Be a G" featuring Max B on August 1, 2019, as a pre-release for his debut album.
On October 4, 2019, East released the single "Alone" featuring Jacquees to support the release of his then upcoming debut album. He released the album, Survival×Survival8 November 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks1They Wanna Kill You2:352Penthouse3:403Godfather 44:124Need a Sign6:245On My Way 2 School3:336Seventeen3:067Mama I Made It4:378OG3:429What’s Goin On3:0710Baby3:1711Alone4:2112Everyday3:2113Devil Eyes5:2114Night Shift3:4315Wanna Be a G4:1816Me & Mines4:0617Daddy Knows3:2218What You Mad At4:5519On Sight2:4320The Marathon Continues (Nipsey tribute)3:46, on November 8, 2019, through Def Jam Recordings, Mass Appeal Records, and his own label From the Dirt. It features guest appearances from Teyana Taylor, Rick Ross, Nas, The-Dream, Lil Baby, amongst others. East also started his first world tour in release of the album, titled the Survival Tour which spanned from November 22, 2019 — December 20, 2019.
On March 8, 2020, East announced that he was working on the third installment in the Karma series of mixtapes. The mixtape cover featured background images of East with the now late rappers Nipsey Hussle and Pop Smoke, and East stated that he and Nipsey were making plans to create a collaborative project prior to his death. The album was initially set to be titled Thoughts of a Menace, however it was changed to simply Karma 3. Like his previous album, it was released via Def Jam and Mass Appeal. He released the lead single of the mixtape, "Really wit Me", on March 12, 2020. Numerous people, including Korey Wise made a cameo in the music video. Karma 3 was released on August 14, 2020, to critical acclaim. A deluxe version of the mixtape followed on October 23, 2020, with features from Dej Loaf, Junior Reid, Chris Brown and G Herbo, as well as the "Handsome" remix featuring Jeezy.
On July 30, 2021, East and producer Harry Fraud released a collaborative album titled Hoffa×HOFFA30 July 2021 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1The Disappearance2:53260 for the Lawyer2:343Diamonds2:504Just Another Rapper2:325Go Off2:266Uncle Ric2:507The Product3:228Money or Power2:349I Can Hear the Storm3:4210Dolla and a Dream2:5811Count It Up2:5712The Win2:4913Yeah I Know2:4814Red Fox Restaurant2:59. That same year, he purchased a storefront in his hometown, and plans to open additional businesses.

2022-2025: Various collaboration albums

In a January 2022 interview with Vibe, East revealed he had been working on various projects, which he intends to release in the year, the first of which will be Beloved 2, a sequel to his 2018 joint-album with Styles P. He also said his next solo project with Def Jam/Mass Appeal will likely be released in February or March. He also confirmed a follow-up to Survival. And he has Book of David 2 with Buddha and Grandz, HDIGH 2 with Mike and Keyz, Cool and Dre Collab tape, young chris EP 6 PACC, Pablo and Blanco 2 with Millyz and Arrabmuzik collab tape all in the works.
In 2023, Dave East left Def Jam and went back to releasing music independently.

Artistry

East is known for his raw lyricism and dark storytelling about street life. He is influenced by, Styles P, Jadakiss, Eminem, Cam'ron, Big Pun, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Raekwon, DMX, Tupac, Snoop Dogg and The Diplomats.

Personal life

East as a teen joined the Rollin' 30s Harlem Crips, a subset of the larger Crips gang. East started serving a prison sentence, and during this time he converted to Islam and considered himself a Muslim. Commenting on his conversion, East stated; "Islam really brought a discipline to my life that I didn't really have before... My old mindset was if they ain't helping me, I ain't helping them, but you can't live life that way." East has three daughters with Milagrito "Millie" Colon, Kairi Chanel Brewster born in 2016 and Kobi Chanai Brewster born in 2020. In an Instagram post from August 2025, he posted his youngest daughter Kasey Celine as she just celebrated her first birthday.
In 2024, an investigation by Rolling Stone listed Dave East among several artists whose verified accounts allegedly solicited money from independent musicians for promotion deals that were never carried out.