CJ (rapper)

Not to be confused with CJ (musician).

CJ
Birth name	Christopher Daniel Soriano Jr.
Born	(1997-01-04) January 4, 1997 (age 27) Staten Island, New York, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop trap drill
Occupations	Rapper songwriter
Years active	2017–2018
Labels	AWAL Cruz Control Warner[1][2]

Christopher Daniel Soriano Jr.^[3] (born January 4, 1997),^[4] better known by his stage name CJ, is an American rapper and songwriter from Staten Island, New York.^[5] He is best known for his 2020 breakout single "Whoopty", which peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart^[6] and at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100.^[7] The song was later included on his debut EP, Loyalty Over Royalty, released in February 2021.

Career

Soriano began rapping as a hobby at the age of 9 and began recording and uploading songs to YouTube and SoundCloud at the age of 14.^[8]

In July 2020, Soriano self-released his first commercial breakthrough single, titled "Whoopty". The song contains a sample from Arijit Singh's "Sanam Re", with CJ rapping over the beat that he found on YouTube (later the rights were cleared). The song peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 2021, and number 3 in the UK.^[9] He also reached the top of the Billboard Emerging Artists chart.^[10] He later signed a record deal with Warner Records and his uncle, record executive, James Cruz, on his record label, called Cruz Control Entertainment.^[11] He stated that various labels reached out to him, however, Warner had the "best situation".^[12] On January 26, 2021, CJ released the single, titled "Bop", the follow-up to "Whoopty".^[12] His debut extended play, titled Loyalty Over Royalty was released on February 19, 2021. It was executive produced by French Montana. The extended play featured his final single "Lil Freak" (featuring DreamDoll).^[13]

Artistry

Soriano's music influences various artist such as 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, and Pop Smoke.^[9]

Personal life

Soriano is of Puerto Rican descent.^[14]

Discography

Extended plays

List of EPs with selected details and chart positions

Title	Details	Peak positions
		US [15]	CAN [16]
Loyalty Over Royalty[17]	Released: February 19, 2021[13] Label: Warner, Cruz Control[2] Format: Digital download, streaming	56	35

Singles

Title	Year	Peak positions										Certifications	Album
		US [18]	AUS [19]	AUT [20]	FRA [21]	NLD [22]	NOR [23]	NZ [24]	SWE [25]	SWI [26]	UK [27]
"Whoopty"	2020	10	13	12	26	12	10	18 [28]	16	10	3	RIAA: 2× Platinum[29] ARIA: Platinum[30] MC: 2× Platinum[31]	Loyalty Over Royalty
"Bop"[A]	2021	—	—	—	—	—	—	—[B]	—	—	—
"La Mamá de la Mamá"[34] (with El Alfa and Chael Produciendo featuring El Cherry Scom)		—[C]	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Dembow Worldwide Hits Teteo 42

Notes

1. The quotation marks are part of the title.^[32]
2. ""Bop"" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 18 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.^[33]
3. "La Mamá de la Mamá" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 23 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100.^[35]

References

1. "'Whoopty' Rapper CJ is Not Signed to French Montana's Coke Boys Label: 'We're Just Family'". January 2021.
2. "‼️MIDNIGHT‼️ @realcj_". Instagram. February 18, 2021. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021.
3. "Songview Search: Christopher Daniel Soriano Jr'". bmi.com. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
4. "CJ: New York drill's newest star looking to inspire like Pop Smoke | NME". NME. January 13, 2021.
5. "CJ Says Pop Smoke's Absence Inspired 'Whoopty' — & He Wants Cardi B To Power The Remix". HipHopDX. January 2021.
6. Official Charts: CJ Singles on UK Singles Chart
7. "Here Are the Lyrics to CJ's 'Whoopty'". Billboard. January 7, 2021.
8. Seabrook III, Robby (November 25, 2020). "The Break Presents: Draco". XXL. Retrieved November 27, 2020.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
9. "CJ Bio". Spotify.
10. Zellner, Xander (January 5, 2021). "CJ Hits No. 1 on Emerging Artists Chart as 'Whoopty' Reaches the Hot 100's Top 40". Billboard.
11. "Whoopty' Star CJ Announces Partnership With Warner Records, Discusses New Songs & Cardi B Co-Sign: Exclusive". Billboard. January 13, 2021.
12. Walker, Joe (January 26, 2020). "'Whoopty' Rapper CJ Strikes With Follow-Up 'BOP' Single After Signing Major Label Deal". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
13. Findlay, Mitch (February 12, 2021). "CJ's Debut Project "Loyalty Over Royalty" Gets Release Date". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
14. Mamo, Heran (January 7, 2021). "Here Are the Lyrics to Draco's 'Choppa Town Remix'". Billboard.
15. @billboardcharts (March 1, 2021). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200..." (Tweet). Retrieved March 2, 2021 – via Twitter.
16. "Billboard Canadian Albums Chart: March 6, 2021". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
17. Murray, Robin (February 19, 2021). "CJ – Loyalty Over Royalty". Clash. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
18. "Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License' Leads Hot 100 for 4th Week, The Weeknd & CJ Hit Top 10". Billboard. February 8, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
19. "CJ discography". australian-charts.com.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
20. "CJ discography". austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
21. "CJ discography". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
22. "CJ discography". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
23. "CJ discography". norwegiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
24. "CJ discography". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
25. "CJ discography". swedishcharts.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 19, 2021.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
26. "CJ discography". swisscharts.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 19, 2021.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
27. "CJ | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
28. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
29. "American certifications – CJ". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
30. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
31. "Canadian certifications – CJ". Music Canada. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
32. ""BOP" – Single by CJ on Apple Music". Apple Music. January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
33. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
34. "La Mamá de la Mamá (feat. El Cherry Scom) – Single by El Alfa, CJ & Chael Produciendo on Apple Music". April 8, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021 – via Apple Music.
35. "El Alfa – Chart History – Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2023.