DaBaby is one of the most-coveted feature artists in hip-hop right now, landing guest verses on Hot 100 hits by Dreamville and J. Cole (“Under the Sun”), Megan Thee Stallion (“Cash Shit”), and Chance the Rapper (“Hot Shower”), as well as Lil Nas X’s “Panini (Remix)” and Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts (Remix).” In an interview with LA Leakers, the North Carolina rapper revealed his services don’t come cheap.
“It’s six digits,” DaBaby said about his typical price. “God is great. It’s six of ‘em. It’s six digits at least. I don’t give a fuck if they get offended or not, because I used to pay to play. You just got to respect the game.”
He continued by explaining that rapping is “the most sought-after occupation in the world,” with more people wanting to rap than be professional athletes. Earlier in the interview, he recalled having to pay for features before he became a star.
According to DaBaby, he once paid Boosie Badazz a total of $23,000 for two verses—$15,000 for the first and $8,000 for the second. He also gave Lil Baby an undisclosed amount for their first collaboration.
“This is the most complicated profession to thrive in,” he said. “Any way I can impact the game and change the narrative, I’m all for it.”
Elsewhere in the interview, DaBaby revealed that he ended up on “Under the Sun” despite not being present at the Revenge of the Dreamers III sessions because J. Cole wanted him on the track.
“To see that that’s the record that sets the tone for the project, it’s No. 1 [on the tracklist], is big,” he said. “It speaks volumes. That’s how you say a lot without saying nothing at all. And that’s the type of person I feel J. Cole is.”
DaBaby’s next album, Kirk, arrives this Friday, Sept. 27. There are several big features on the project, including Nicki Minaj, Chance the Rapper, Lil Baby, and Migos. It’s his second album of the year, following his debut, Baby On Baby, which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200.
Watch the full interview above, and read all the lyrics to DaBaby’s biggest hits on Genius now.
