Lil Baby has solidified his place as one of the most beloved figures in the new wave of hip-hop, and his journey proves why. Since his 2017 debut with mixtapes Harder Than Hard and Too Hard, he has far surpassed expectations, amassing an impressive $8 million net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Harder Than Hard introduced audiences to Baby’s breakout single, My Dawg, which marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 71. Even before fully committing to music, he caught the attention of Quality Control Records co-founder Kevin “Coach K” Lee, who encouraged him to leave his street life behind and focus on a rap career. After signing with the label, Baby released his debut studio album, Harder Than Ever, in 2018. While he once claimed he received $5 million to sign his record deal, he later walked back on that statement. Regardless, his growing net worth reflects years of dedication and success in the rap industry, which has opened countless opportunities for him.
Lil Baby’s Record-Breaking Success
Harder Than Ever proved to be a game-changer, selling over one million units and earning platinum status, thanks in part to the smash hit Yes Indeed featuring Drake. The single has since gone seven times platinum and remains one of Baby’s most iconic tracks.
2018 was a standout year for Lil Baby, as he also teamed up with Gunna to release the collaborative mixtape Drip Harder. Its lead single, Drip Too Hard, achieved diamond certification with over 10 million units sold. The mixtape itself peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 and went platinum with over one million copies sold. Later that year, Baby released his solo mixtape Street Gossip. While it didn’t match the success of Drip Harder, it still earned a gold certification from the RIAA, further cementing his growing influence.
From chart-topping hits to certified platinum records, Lil Baby’s relentless work ethic and undeniable talent have earned him a place at the forefront of hip-hop’s new generation.
Lil Baby continued his meteoric rise with his second studio album, My Turn, released in February 2020. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 197,000 units in its first week, and later achieved quadruple platinum status. In June 2021, he teamed up with Lil Durk for the collaborative album The Voice of the Heroes, which also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and earned both artists a platinum certification. Baby’s third studio album, It’s Only Me, dropped in October 2022, selling over a million copies and marking his third consecutive number-one album.
Lil Baby Reportedly Earns Six Figures Per Show
With a devoted fanbase and an unmatched discography, Lil Baby reportedly commands $400,000 per performance. During a 2020 interview on The Breakfast Club, he shared how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his touring schedule, forcing him to cancel about 100 shows that year—a potential loss of $40 million. Despite this setback, Baby revealed that the lockdown helped him save more money and that he could charge upward of $350,000 for features, allowing him to recoup some of his losses.
From Rapper to Restaurateur
In July 2023, Lil Baby expanded his ventures into the restaurant industry by opening the Seafood Menu Restaurant and Lounge in partnership with seasoned restaurateur Chad Dillion, the late owner of Boiler Seafood Atlanta. The venue’s design paid homage to music legends like Prince and Aretha Franklin and received positive reviews during its short-lived operation.
However, the restaurant mysteriously closed just months after its opening. In July 2024, Dillion was tragically killed, a loss that deeply impacted Atlanta’s restaurant community. While the establishment remains listed as “permanently closed” on Google, Baby has not commented on its future. Despite its brief existence, the Seafood Menu Restaurant and Lounge was a testament to Baby’s ambition to diversify his ventures.
From chart-topping albums to high-profile collaborations and business ventures, Lil Baby continues to cement his legacy as one of hip-hop’s most influential figures.