BabyTron

BabyTron, born James Edward Johnson II in Ypsilanti, Michigan, is a rapper who emerged as a key figure in the wave of Michigan rap that reshaped hip hop's regional sound in the late 2010s. A member of the group ShittyBoyz, he built a fanbase on YouTube before breaking through with the viral track «Jesus Shuttlesworth», which turned him into a meme-fueled internet phenomenon. His rapid-fire flow, dry humor, and dense punchlines set him apart from the more melodic trends dominating mainstream rap.

BabyTron is often credited as a pioneer of so-called scam rap, a subgenre built around boastful, tongue-in-cheek narratives about internet fraud and hustling, delivered with a distinctly Detroit-area cadence. His prolific output, more than a dozen mixtapes and projects between 2017 and 2023, reflects an independent, DIY work ethic that has kept him close to his local scene even as his profile grew nationally.

He has collaborated with artists such as Lil Yachty and Teejayx6, helping bridge Michigan's underground rap community with wider audiences. Tracks like «Prince Of The Mitten» and «King Of The Galaxy» showcase his playful, self-mythologizing persona, while his release Out On Bond, dropped shortly after a 2023 arrest, underscored his ability to turn personal setbacks into content without losing momentum.