So, let’s talk about this underground Philadelphia emcee—yeah, the one you might’ve stumbled upon through those wild, over-the-top videos floating around Instagram. That’s right, we’re talking about Gillie Da King. He really started making waves with a series of mixtapes that boldly carried the title King of Philly, laying down his claim early on. Then, in 2015, he dropped his first official studio album, Welcome 2 Gilladelphia, which kind of cemented his persona and brought even more eyes to his unique style.
Now, if you’ve ever scrolled through his Instagram—specifically the gillie_da_king handle—you know what we’re talking about. The content? Totally absurd, sometimes hilarious, always unpredictable. And yet, it’s attracted a massive following, now well over 500,000 fans hanging on his every post. Not bad for someone who started deep in the underground scene.
But before all the viral fame and internet buzz, Gillie Da King actually stepped into the national spotlight in a pretty controversial way—by claiming he ghostwrote songs for none other than Lil Wayne. That definitely stirred up some conversations in the hip-hop community. Prior to that bold move, he was part of a seven-member group called Major Figgas, a crew signed to Suave House Records. Things shifted when Suave House lost its distribution deal with Universal, and from there, Gillie Da King decided to go solo—paving his own path.
Oh, and just a little personal detail: Gillie Da King has a younger sister named Kiara. Family matters, even for a self-proclaimed king of Philly.
Back in March of 2007, Babygrande Records dropped a compilation titled Best of the GDK Mixtapes, showcasing some standout tracks from the series. He’s also known to have a close friendship with legendary boxer Mike Tyson, which adds another interesting layer to his story. Over the years, he’s maintained that connection, and it’s clear that his influence reaches beyond just music. He’s built relationships across different worlds, and the bond with Mike Tyson is definitely one worth noting.