Wiki

New York rapper Wiki colors outside the lines of conventional east coast hip-hop, bringing new and unexpected angles to his storytelling, production, and flows. After collaborating with Sporting Life, Hak, Lil Ugly Mane, and others in various groups, Wiki eventually went solo, releasing critically acclaimed albums like 2021′s Navy Blue-produced Half God. Wiki was born Patrick Morales in1993 and raised in New York. The MC and producer developed a love of hip-hop from an early age, beginning to learn his craft in sixth grade, inspired by his math and Spanish teachers, who had grown up in the Bronx and had an affinity for hip-hop. Taking his name from Wikipedia — and later shortened to Wiki — Morales spent his time listening to Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, and Notorious B.I.G., as well as bands such as the Ramones and Suicide, which would eventually go on to influence his eclectic style. In 2011 Wiki started the hip-hop outfit Ratking with fellow members Sporting Life and Hak, and by 2014 they had released their debut full-length album, So It Goes, after signing to the XL Recordings-affiliated label HXC. A follow-up, 700 Fill, appeared in 2015, and at the end of the year Wiki delivered his debut solo mixtape, Lil Me. The following year, Hak departed from Ratking to pursue his own path, and Wiki joined forces with Lil Ugly Mane and Bay Area rapper Antwon to form new group Secret Circle. The collaborative EP What Happened to Fire? with Your Old Droog appeared at the beginning of 2017, and Wiki returned to the studio to record his debut album. Working with a host of producers including Kaytranada, Earl Sweatshirt, and Alex Epton, the resulting No Mountains in Manhattan was issued in fall 2017 on XL. Secret Circle disbanded in 2018, and in 2019 Wiki released his second solo album, Oofie. The album featured guest spots from familiar friends Lil Ugly Mane and Your Old Droog, as well as appearances from Princess Nokia and Denzel Curry. In 2021, Wiki released his third album Half God. Produced entirely by Navy Blue and featuring cameos from Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, and others, the textural and cinematic album evoked scenes of triumph and defeat in the big city. ~ Rich Wilson