Geko (rapper)

Geko began rapping at the age of 8; at 13, he signed to K Koke's UK music collective U.S.G., becoming their youngest member.[2] Under USG, he released the single "Mommy" featuring Jay Soul,[5] followed by the mixtape Voice Of The Future,[4] the EP Heartless and a single "Crazy Life" (now only available via SoundCloud)[6] which garnered him some underground following.[2] He was the youngest rapper to record a session for Charlie Sloth's Fire in the Booth on BBC Radio 1.[2] In 2014, at the age of 16, he left USG, a move which K Koke wasn't happy about, calling him a "snake"[7] and an "ungrateful little shit".[8]

After leaving USG, Geko started his own label, OneTape Records.[2][9] In October 2015, he released the EP Baba which he debuted in the O2 Academy Islington.[10] Following that, in 2016 Geko released several singles to digital platforms independently, starting with "Y", featuring Afro B, the video of which was shot in Cova da Moura, Portugal.[11] It was followed by "Make You Come", featuring Canadian singer RamRiddlz[12] and "Khalas" featuring Ard Adz.[13] In July, he performed in Wireless Festival.[9]

On 10 March 2017, Geko released his debut album LionHeart with Sony Music, although it was leaked earlier.[14] It was led by the single "Drunk on You", released on 10 February.[15] The album was described by Jon Caramanica of The New York Times as "sweet pop music with an international bent".[3] After releasing the album, Geko went on a The LionHeart Tour in England.[16] He went on to release multiple singles to digital platforms, including "Bipolar" with Sneakbo,[17] "Diamond" with Team Salute[18] and "Ronaldo",[19] in which he pays homage to Cristiano Ronaldo and compares Ronaldo's touch to his own.[20] In June, he was featured on NSG's "Yo Darlin'"[21] and he brought them up to perform it in Wireless Festival that July.[22] The single would later be certified Silver by the BPI in 2019 and Gold in 2022.[23] His last single for 2017 was "Lock The Door", which was described as "an afrobeats inspired groover, with hints of J Hus".[24]

Geko started 2018 with "Likes That", his first release with 3 Beat Productions.[25] In April, he was featured with Afro B on Ay Em's "Come to Me".[26] However, his breakthrough to the mainstream came in May 2018 with "6:30" (featuring NSG), his first single to make the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 56,[1] and later being certified silver in 2019 and gold in 2020 by the BPI.[23]

In September 2018, he was signed by 3 Beat Productions for exclusive worldwide publishing of all his songs and future EPs and records, after already being signed to them earlier for records.[27] The next single, "Will Smith" featuring Not3s,[28] barely made the UK chart, peaking at number 100,[1] but both "Will Smith" and "6:30" were featured in Capital XTRA's "Best Grime & UK Hip Hop Songs Of 2018".[29]

The first single of 2019, "Don Daddy", with a video shot in Paris,[30] did not make the UK chart but "New Money" that followed it, in collaboration with French Montana and Ay Em,[31] made it to number 49, Geko's highest peak.[1] To end 2019, Geko released two more collaborations, "Hey Mama", featuring Maleek Berry and Latifah,[32] and "Link Up", with Stefflon Don, Deno and Dappy, which samples Ja Rule and Ashanti's "Always on Time",[33] peaking at number 84 on the UK chart.[1] Lastly, in December 2019, Geko released his first major album 22, including the six singles from "6:30" to "Link Up" and an additional seven tracks, including "Literally", featuring Mr Eazi.[34] The album was described by GRM Daily's Jack Lynch as "mature and versatile".[35] "Bad & Boujie", a single by AJ which featured Geko, Ard Adz and Koomz, and also charted in the UK chart,[1] was nominated for the 17th Urban Music Awards in 2020.[36]

After releasing 22, Geko announced he will go on The 22 Tour in 2020,[37] however, this tour was rescheduled due to COVID-19.[38] Geko released only two major singles in 2020, the afrobeat influenced "Tantrum"[39] and "Ride Or Die", a collaboration with Paigey Cakey.[40] He was also featured on several singles, including Jorday's "Closer Part II"[41] and "Plan Tonight" by Nafe Smallz,[42] but none of those singles charted. 2021 brought more singles including "Woi Oi", in collaboration with Ms Banks and BackRoad Gee,[43] and being featured by other artists such as KD Blockmoney's "No Calling",[44] but none of those singles have charted as well.