Aminé
A Portland rapper whose playful, genre-blending sound and sharp, self-aware wit carved a fresh lane in hip-hop.
Born 1994 (age 32)·American rapper·Birthday: April 18·Millennials
Biography
Aminé, born Adam Aminé Daniel, burst onto the scene with a viral, rainbow-colored joy. His breakout single 'Caroline' was an undeniable left-field hit, its buoyant beat and catchy hook masking a clever, technically adept flow. The Portland native, son of Ethiopian immigrants, brings a specific West Coast cool that is more skate park than street corner. His music is a vibrant collage, sampling everything from soul to indie rock, always underpinned by a melodic sensibility and lyrics that toggle between witty boasts, romantic musings, and thoughtful cultural commentary. Albums like 'Good For You' and 'Limbo' showcase an artist maturing without losing his playful edge, tackling themes of success, identity, and anxiety with a relatable honesty. Aminé’s world is visually distinct too, marked by colorful, quirky music videos and album art that feel like pages from his personal, upbeat sketchbook.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Aminé was born in 1994, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aminé Was Born
The biggest hits of 1994
#1 Movie
The Lion King
Best Picture
Forrest Gump
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Aminé's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1994Born
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1999Started school
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2007Became a teenager
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Could drive
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2012Could vote
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Turned 21
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2024Turned 30
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 32 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Achieved mainstream success with the platinum-certified single 'Caroline,' which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- His debut studio album, 'Good For You,' debuted at number 5 on the US Billboard 200 chart in 2017.
- Received a Grammy nomination for Best Music Video for the vibrant and socially conscious 'Black Lives Matter' visual in 2022.
- Founded the independent label CLBN (Club Banana), maintaining creative control over his music and visuals.
Did You Know?
The music video for 'Caroline' was filmed for just $500 and helped propel the song to viral status.
He is a talented visual artist and has directed or co-directed many of his own music videos.
Aminé was a talented high school basketball player and originally planned to pursue the sport in college.
He named his 2020 album 'Limbo' as a reflection of the feeling of being between identities as a Black man and the son of immigrants.
““I’m just trying to make music that feels good and is honest. If it’s not honest, it’s not going to connect.””
