CJ

CJ, born Christopher Daniel Soriano, is an American rapper from Staten Island, New York, of Puerto Rican descent. He began recording and posting music online as a teenager, but it wasn't until 2020 that he broke through in a major way with «Whoopty», a Brooklyn-drill-influenced track that went viral on TikTok and climbed into the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100.

The breakout success of «Whoopty» led to a deal with Warner Records, and CJ became closely associated with the drill sound's crossover into mainstream pop, delivering booming basslines, sliding 808s, and blunt, hook-driven verses. He followed up with singles like «BOP» and released his debut major-label EP, «Loyalty over Royalty», building on the momentum of his breakout hit.

CJ's rise reflects the broader moment when New York and UK drill sounds fused with viral social media culture to reach global pop audiences. His connections within the industry, including ties to French Montana's Coke Boys Records, helped position him within a wider network of collaborators as he worked to follow up his signature hit with a sustained career.