BabyTron

James Edward Johnson IV (born June 6, 2000), better known by his stage name BabyTron, is an American rapper and songwriter. He is a member of the hip hop group ShittyBoyz. Born and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan, he rose to prominence in the Detroit rap scene following the release of his 2019 mixtape BIN Reaper, which included the song "Jesus Shuttlesworth", which went viral.

In 2022, BabyTron released his studio album Megatron. That same year, he also released the mixtapes Lewis & Clark and Dookie Brothers 2 with TrDee. He released his mixtape series BIN Reaper 2 (2021) and BIN Reaper 3: Old Testament (2022), followed by BIN Reaper 3: New Testament (2023). His collaborative mixtape with artist Certified Trapper, Mario & Luigi, released in 2024.

BabyTron was named as part of the XXL 2022 Freshman Class on June 14, 2022, being featured in a XXL freestyle rap cypher. In 2024, BabyTron was featured on the song "Equilibrium" alongside G Herbo for Lyrical Lemonade's album All Is Yellow. During the same year, BabyTron, alongside Big Sean, was featured on Eminem's song "Tobey", which was the second single for his album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).

Early life and education James Edward Johnson IV was born on June 6, 2000, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He attended Lincoln High School and graduated in 2018.

Career

2017–2021: Early career, BIN Reaper and BIN Reaper 2 BabyTron began taking music seriously at age 16, alongside childhood friends TrDee and StanWill, and they established the rap trio ShittyBoyz while in high school. BabyTron would also consistently release solo songs and mixtapes on streaming platforms. He released his first official mixtape, Different Breed, on 2017. Two years later, he released his debut mixtape, BIN Reaper, which featured the track "Jesus Shuttlesworth", which became viral within the hip hop community, with a variety of memes spawning from the track. In 2020, he released his first album, Sleeve Nash, followed by Back to the Future. In 2021, he would feature on the Lil Yachty song "Hybrid", taken from the latter's Michigan Boy Boat mixtape and released two solo and two collaborative mixtapes in the same year.

2022–present: MegaTron and BIN Reaper 3

BabyTron gained traction in 2022 through his series of tracks that feature him rapping on a multitude of popular beats in one song. This began with "Prince of the Mitten" in January and was followed up with "King of the Galaxy" later that month. BabyTron released the albums Megatron and 6 in 2022, through Empire Distribution and The Hip Hop Lab. His song "Emperor of the Universe" was released on May 17, 2022, and featured a music video directed by Cole Bennett. He was named as part of the XXL 2022 Freshman Class on June 14, 2022, being featured in a XXL freestyle rap cypher. ShittyBoyz' second mixtape, Trifecta 2, was released on August 5, 2022. On September 19, BabyTron announced his seventh mixtape, BIN Reaper 3. On October 28, 2022, BIN Reaper 3: Old Testament released, peaking at number 69 on the Billboard 200, his first entry on the chart.

On January 5, 2023, BabyTron announced his eighth mixtape, BIN Reaper 3: New Testament. The album includes features from Lil Yachty, Babyface Ray and Cordae. New Testament acts as a sequel to BIN Reaper 3: Old Testament. The album was released on January 13, 2023, and peaked at number 100 on the Billboard 200.

Following his arrest on February 8, 2023, BabyTron surprise released the EP Out on Bond on February 24, which he followed up with his fifth album, MegaTron 2.

On February 24, 2024, he released his ninth mixtape, Case Dismissed. In July of that year, BabyTron was featured on the Eminem single "Tobey" along with Big Sean from the album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). On November 8, 2024, he released his sixth album Tronicles.

Group career Along with StanWill and TrDee, he is a member of rap group ShittyBoyz. He is also a member of Dog$hit Militia (D$M), a rap group featuring JuSleaze, MJPaid, Fordio, 72 Reezy, Beannskii, StanWill, Trdee, and $camaurion, until $camaurion's death. He frequently refers to the two groups combined as "SBD$M" in his lyrics.

Legal issues On February 8, 2023, Johnson was pulled over and arrested after a police officer conducted a search of his vehicle, finding marijuana, marijuana edibles, psilocybin mushroom edibles, and a 9mm handgun. He was booked into Dawson County Jail in Lexington, Nebraska, for Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was released after posting 10% of a $15,000 bond.

Discography

Studio albums + List of albums, with selected details and chart positions Title Studio album details Peak chart positions US BIN Reaper 2 Released: October 29, 2021 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming — Megatron Released: March 4, 2022 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming — BIN Reaper 3: Old Testament Released: October 28, 2022 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming, vinyl record 69 BIN Reaper 3: New Testament Released: January 13, 2023 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming, vinyl record 100 6 Released: June 6, 2023 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming — MegaTron 2 Released: October 27, 2023 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming 110 Tronicles Released: November 8, 2024 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming— Luka Troncic 2 Released: August 1, 2025 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming— Out On Bond Again Released: February 27, 2026 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming

Mixtapes + List of mixtapes, with selected details Title Mixtape details BIN Reaper Released: October 30, 2019 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming Sleeve Nash Released: October 31, 2020 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming Back to the Future Released: December 2, 2020 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming Lewis & Clark Released: January 1, 2021 Label: The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming Dookie Brothers 2 (with TrDee) Released: May 21, 2021 Label: The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming Luka Troncic Released: June 6, 2021 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming Case Dismissed Released: February 23, 2024 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming Mario & Luigi (with Certified Trapper) Released: July 9, 2024 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming, vinyl record

Extended plays + List of EPs, with selected details Title EP details Different Breed Released: October 25, 2017 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming Pre-Game Released: August 6, 2020 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming Shitty Bronx (with BandGang Biggs) Released: December 18, 2020 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming Dookie Brothers (with TrDee) Released: February 5, 2021 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming They Won't Clear This Released: December 1, 2022 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming Out on Bond Released: February 24, 2023 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming International Juggaholics (with AK Bandamont) Released: September 30, 2024 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming Song Wars Released: January 31, 2025 Label: Empire, The Hip Hop Lab Format: Digital download, streaming

Charted and certified singles +TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum US USR&B/HH AUS CAN IRE NZ SWE SWI UK WW "Half Doin Dope"2023——————————BlakkBoyz present Half Doin Dope/Van Gogh "#Certified"—————————— RIAA: Gold MegaTron 2 "Tobey"20242472921432574312923 MC: Gold The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)

Other certified songs +TitleYearCertificationsAlbum "Out on Bond"2023 RIAA: Gold Out on Bond