Desiigner Biography: Net Worth, Wife, Age, Children, Height, Parents, Songs, Panda

Biography

Desiigner, born Sidney Royel Selby III on May 3, 1997, in Brooklyn, New York, is a celebrated American rapper and singer whose trap-infused style draws frequent comparisons to Atlanta’s Future.

Rising from SoundCloud uploads under aliases like Designer Royel, he exploded onto the scene in 2015 with his debut single “Panda,” a viral hit that topped the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him a signing to Kanye West‘s GOOD Music imprint.

Featured on West‘s The Life of Pablo, Desiigner released his debut mixtape New English in 2016 and EP L.O.D. (Life of Desiigner), in 2018, though he’s often critiqued as a one-hit wonder.

He departed GOOD Music and Def Jam in 2019 amid personal struggles and, in November 2022, briefly announced his retirement from rap following the death of Migos‘ Takeoff.

Now 28, the grandson of blues musician “Guitar Crusher” Selby continues to evolve, blending Southern hip-hop with his high-energy flow.

American rapper and singer
Desiigner
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Sidney Royel Selby III
Stage Name:	Desiigner
Born:	3 May 1997 (age 28 years old)
Place of Birth:	Brooklyn, New York, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	N/A
Height:	1.93 m
Parents:	Kenneth Selby, Marcia Johnson-Selby
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Not Married
Girlfriend • Partner:	Joyce Bryant (2024)
Children:	Sidney Royel Selby IIII
Occupation:	Rapper • Singer
Net Worth:	$1 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Desiigner, born Sidney Royel Selby III on May 3, 1997, in Brooklyn, New York City, grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, specifically the Louis Armstrong housing projects.

Of Afro-Barbadian and African American descent, his family has deep roots in Barbados, reflecting a rich Caribbean heritage passed down through generations.

Raised in a Christian household, Desiigner was actively involved in church from a young age, singing in the choir and drawing spiritual inspiration that later influenced his music and public expressions of faith.

His parents, Kenneth Selby and Marcia Johnson-Selby, nurtured his early love for music—his father introduced him to classic funk and soul records, while his mother encouraged his vocal talents in church settings.

Desiigner was profoundly influenced by his paternal grandfather, Sidney “Guitar Crusher” Selby, a legendary blues musician whose career spanned decades and left an indelible mark on the family’s musical legacy.

He has one younger sister, who famously suggested he modify his early stage name “Designer” to “Desiigner” by adding an extra “i” for flair.

Though details of his formal education remain private, Desiigner participated in school choirs and began writing and recording music at age 14 under the alias “Dezolo.”

A life-altering incident that same year—being shot during a street altercation—prompted a deeper commitment to music as both an outlet and a path forward, a turning point strongly supported by his mother. This early blend of family tradition, faith, and personal resilience shaped the foundation of his journey into hip-hop.

Career

Desiigner’s career took off in late 2015 when he uploaded “Panda” to SoundCloud under the name Dezolo. The song—powered by a hard-hitting Menace beat, rapid-fire ad-libs, and a gravelly delivery often compared to Future—quickly became a New York club anthem and racked up millions of streams within weeks.

By February 2016, Kanye West sampled “Panda” twice on The Life of Pablo (“Pt. 2” and “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 2”), and the 18-year-old Desiigner signed to West’s GOOD Music via Def Jam in a deal reportedly worth $3 million.

Though released independently in December 2015, “Panda” received its official commercial push in April 2016 and shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for two weeks. It went platinum in the U.S. and earned gold certifications internationally. The Mike Dean–directed black-and-white video, filmed across Brooklyn, surpassed 1 billion YouTube views and cemented the track as one of the decade’s most recognizable rap hits.

Capitalizing on the momentum, Desiigner released his debut Def Jam mixtape New English in June 2016, featuring guest appearances from Pusha T and Tyga as well as a remix of “Timmy Turner” with Kanye West. The project debuted at No. 22 on the Billboard 200 and coincided with his viral XXL Freshman performance, although critics continued to compare his style to Future.

In 2017, he followed with the singles “Outlet” and “Liife,” featuring Gucci Mane, both of which achieved moderate chart success. His long-teased debut album Life of Desiigner never materialized under GOOD Music. Instead, he dropped the seven-track EP L.O.D. in May 2018, which peaked at No. 167 on the Billboard 200. Tensions with the label grew, and by November 2019, he bought out his contract with GOOD Music and Def Jam to pursue independence.

As an independent artist, Desiigner began rebuilding his catalog with singles like “Diva” (2020) and high-profile collaborations such as the BTS remix of “Mic Drop” in 2021. In November 2022, following the death of Takeoff, he briefly announced his retirement from music on Instagram, but returned weeks later with “Big Banc” and a series of SoundCloud releases.

Desiigner now runs his own imprint, LOD, releasing a mix of high-energy trap records and melodic experiments while touring intimate venues across the U.S. and Europe.

While “Panda” remains his defining hit, his evolving discography—spanning more than 100 unofficial and official tracks—continues to blend Atlanta trap influences with the gritty edge of his Brooklyn roots.

Social Media

• Instagram: Desiigner (@lifeofdesiigner)
• Wikipedia: Desiigner
• Twitter: DESIIGNER (@LifeOfDesiigner) / X
• Facebook: Desiigner

Personal Life

Desiigner, born Sidney Royel Selby III on May 3, 1997, is currently 28 years old.

Standing at an imposing 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters) tall, his stature often stands out in photos alongside fellow artists.

Desiigner has never been married and has no recorded marriages or ex-wives. His dating history is mainly private, with limited public details beyond his current long-term relationship. Since at least late 2024, he has been in a committed relationship with his girlfriend, Joyce Bryant, a public relations specialist.

The couple announced they were expecting their first child—a baby boy—in November 2024, sharing the news via Instagram with heartfelt posts emphasizing faith and family.

Their son, Sidney Royel Selby IIII, was born in early April 2025, marking Desiigner‘s entry into fatherhood as his first and only child to date.

Desiigner has occasionally referenced family and faith in his social media and interviews, but he keeps personal matters low-key, focusing more on his music career.

Net Worth

Desiigner, the Brooklyn-born rapper known for his 2016 breakout hit “Panda,” has an estimated net worth of $1 million.

This figure primarily stems from the viral success of “Panda,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100, earned multi-platinum certifications, and landed him a lucrative signing with Kanye West‘s GOOD Music and Def Jam—reportedly a $3 million deal.

Additional income has come from his 2016 mixtape New English, subsequent EPs like L.O.D. (2018), streaming royalties, modest-charting singles such as “Tiimmy Turner,” and occasional collaborations, including with BTS.

Despite label disputes leading to his 2019 departure and a brief 2022 retirement scare, Desiigner‘s independent releases and tours contribute to his earnings, though his post-“Panda” output has been critiqued as underwhelming, keeping his wealth modest compared to peers.

Discography

Studio Albums

• ii – Released August 1, 2025

Long-awaited debut album under his independent label LOD Records, featuring trap-heavy production and introspective lyrics.

Mixtapes

• New English – Released June 26, 2016

Debut mixtape via GOOD Music/Def Jam; debuted at No. 22 on the Billboard 200. Includes “Panda,” “Zombie Walk,” and features from Pusha T, Tyga, and King Savage.

EPs

• L.O.D. (Life of Desiigner) – Released May 4, 2018

Seven-track project via GOOD Music/Def Jam; peaked at No. 167 on the Billboard 200. Inspired the name of his independent label.

• Diamonds Forever – Released 2020

Independent EP showcasing experimental trap beats and luxury-themed lyrics.

• 3 the Hard Way – Released 2022

Short, aggressive EP marking his return after a brief retirement announcement.

Notable Singles (as Lead Artist)

• “Panda” – 2015 (official release 2016) – Breakthrough hit; No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks; over 1 billion YouTube views.
• “Tiimmy Turner” – 2016 – Follow-up single; peaked at No. 29 on Hot 100.
• “Outlet” – 2017 – Sports-themed track with modest chart performance.
• “Liife” feat. Gucci Mane – 2017 – Melodic collaboration with Southern rap influence.
• “Diva” – 2020 – First major independent single post-Def Jam.
• “Big Banc” – 2022 – Comeback track after 2022 retirement scare.
• Others: “Zombie Walk” (2016), “Priice Tag” feat. Gucci Mane (2017), “Tonka” (2018), “Hood” (2018), “I’m Ready” (2018), “Hills Alive” (2022)

Notable Features & Collaborations

• “Pt. 2” & “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 2” – Kanye West (The Life of Pablo, 2016) – “Panda” sampled and credited.
• “Champions” – Kanye West & GOOD Music (2016) – Posse cut with Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott, etc.
• “Mic Drop (Steve Aoki Remix)” – BTS (2017) – Global K-pop/hip-hop crossover.
• “Circles” – Post Malone feat. Ty Dolla $ign (2020) – Background vocals and ad-libs.
• Others: “Holy Ghost” (2018), “Overnight” – Mura Masa (2017), “Freak” – Rich The Kid (2016)