Joyner Lucas
A Massachusetts wordsmith who uses intricate storytelling and viral videos to tackle America's thorniest social divides.
Born 1988 (age 38)·American rapper·Birthday: August 17·Millennials
Biography
Joyner Lucas, born Gary Maurice Lucas Jr., carved his path from the gritty streets of Worcester, Massachusetts, with a focus on narrative precision often missing from modern hip-hop. He built an early online following with the harrowing true-crime story 'Ross Capicchioni,' but it was 2017's 'I'm Not Racist' that detonated in the public consciousness. The video, featuring Lucas and a white man exchanging brutal racial epithets, was a uncomfortable mirror held up to America, earning a Grammy nomination and proving his fearlessness. His technical skill is undeniable—evident in rapid-fire remixes of songs like 'Gucci Gang'—but his ambition lies in concept albums and cinematic visuals. Projects like 'ADHD' and 'Evolution' showcase an artist relentlessly experimenting with form while probing themes of mental health, violence, and personal evolution.
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.
Joyner was born in 1988, 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 Joyner Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Joyner's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- His 2017 single 'I'm Not Racist' went viral and was nominated for Best Music Video at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
- The music video for 'I'm Not Racist' surpassed 100 million views on YouTube within a year of its release.
- He launched his own independent label, Twenty Nine Music Group, after his major-label tenure.
- His 2020 album 'ADHD' debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart.
Did You Know?
He is of Cape Verdean and Honduran descent.
Lucas is a self-taught video editor and has directed many of his own music videos.
He once worked as a backup dancer for artist Mya.
“I'm not racist, but there's two sides to every story and I wanna tell 'em both.”
