Future, the Atlanta-based hip-hop artist, has been making headlines since breaking into the
rapping scene in 2010. Known for his use of auto-tuned singing and melancholy, Future has
earned an enormous following for his compositions. The now father of four children (belonging
to four different women (Jessica Smith, Brittni Mealy, India J, and Ciara) ), has had a long road
to success, ultimately proving that with mo’ money, comes mo’ problems. Future’s long list of
accomplishments reads as if engraved on a slab of stone. Long and impressive, it’s as if this
basketball playing, high school dropout was born to be the father of a music era.
Nayvadius D. Wilburn, the notorious king of the south, was first dubbed Future by his second
cousin Rico Wade, a member of the musical group, The Dungeon Family, and producer of hip-
hop production company, Organized Noize. Rico encouraged Nayvadius to pursue a career as
a rapper giving him the name Meathead A.K.A The Future. He first got his taste of music after
rapping in a musical group called, Da Connect, known as the second generation Dungeon
Family. Future is also credited as writing the hook for Ludacris’ 2004 single, Blueberry Yum
Yum.
Tantalized by Wade’s style of living, Future stuck around until Wade lost his mansion after
problems with the IRS arose. He and his cousin parted ways but Wade encouraged Future to
continue with his dream of making music. From 2010-2011, Future released several mixtapes,
which included his breakthrough, “Dirty Sprite”, after being picked up by Rocko da Don, founder
of A-1 recordings. It was during this time that Future partnered with Gucci Mane on “Free
Bricks” album and wrote YC’s single, “Racks”. Rocko dropped the “Meathead” part and
branded him solely as “Future” .In January of 2012, Future released his last mixtape, “Astronaut
Status” under Epic Records. His debut album, “Pluto” followed in April of the same year and
featured remixes of Tony Montana with “Drake” and “Magic” with T.I. The album proved to be
successful, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard top 200 list. Future gained traction later in 2012
after being credited as co-writing, and making a cameo, in Rihanna’s “Loveeeeeee Song”.
2013 proved to be a big year for Future. Not only did he release, F.B.G.: The Movie, a mixed
tape compilation, under his own label, Freebandz, he also released his second album, “Honest”,
originally titled “Future Hendrix.” It earned its spot at No. 2 on the Billboard top 200 list and
received much critical acclaim.
By October, he got engaged to his, then, girlfriend Ciara after working with her on remixes of
"Body Party” in 2013, “Sorry” in 2015 and appearing on Ciara’s “Where you Go”. Future had
previously denied meeting Ciara after Rocko had asked if he’d introduce them. Future
responded that they would “meet one day” regardless. He later proposed with a 15 carat
diamond ring during her 28th birthday celebration after working with her for less than a year.
During an interview on Hot 107.9, The Qdeezy Show, Ciara commented that she was attracted
to his gentleman-like behavior. Ironically enough, their relationship troubles became public in
the Summer of 2014, after rumors emerged of Future having cheated on her. By December of
2014, their relationship had failed despite Ciara’s allegations that they tried making it work. In
the online, five-part, documentary series, “Like I never went”, Future blamed his failed
relationship on the amount of media attention and creative differences the couple endured. After
all, he was quoted as saying, “I’m not a romantic” during an interview with Complex. Since then,
he has been granted joint custody of their son, Future Zahir Wilburn (born May 19, 2014).
On June 8th, 2015, Future’s relationship with his long-time mentor, Rocko, would also unravel.
Rocko claimed that Future had breached his 2011 six album contract with A-1 records by
signing a side deal with L.A Reid and Epic Records, cheating him out of 10 million dollars. The
lawsuit covers 25% commission of advanced money and 20% of tour and endorsement
earnings. Future responded on his twitter account, “Call them people and tellum you was just
playing Brodie”.
“Real street nigga went to the courthouse, how did it feel when u signed the papers????”
Future continued making headlines in 2015, this time being accused of dating model, Blac
Chyna. It might have been a misunderstanding. Both Blac Chyna’s on-set appearance of
Future’s music video “Stick Talk” and Blac Chyna’s Instagram pic of her new “Future” tattoo on
her hand can be considered as mere coincidences. The claim of them “dating” is still pretty hard
to prove. When asked about their relationship in an interview with Charlie Sloth of BBC Radio,
Future commented that their relationship was “great” and even hesitated when asked if they had
some “benefits”. No matter what Future tweets, it is easy to see why fans remain skeptical.
Despite his numerous lawsuits and rocky relationships, Nayvadius remains focused on his
Future. He was named “Best Rapper Alive” in 2015 by Complex. In 2016, he won “Best Group”
with Drake and their collaborative mixtape, “What a Time to be Alive”, was nominated for Top
Rap Album of 2016 at the BET Awards. There is no doubt that Future has made, and will
continue to make, his mark in the music industry, proving he works harder than any other rapper
in the industry, a promise he made to Rocko before being signed to his label.
