Jarad Anthony Higgins, known professionally as Juice WRLD, was an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He was a leading figure in the emo rap and SoundCloud rap genres which gained mainstream attention in the mid-to-late 2010s. His stage name was reportedly inspired by the 1992 film "Juice" and his belief that it represented "taking over the world".
Early Life
Born on December 2, 1998, in Chicago, Illinois, Higgins was raised primarily by his mother in the south suburbs of the city. His parents divorced when he was three years old. His mother was very religious and did not allow him to listen to hip hop, though he was exposed to rock and pop music through video games like "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater" and "Guitar Hero". He began learning piano at age four and later picked up guitar and drums. Higgins started recording songs on his smartphone during his high school years.
Career
Higgins began his career as an independent artist in 2015, initially under the name JuicetheKidd, uploading his music to SoundCloud. In 2017, he signed with Grade A Productions, a record label co-owned by Chicago rapper Lil Bibby, and later secured a joint venture with Interscope Records. His 2018 single "Lucid Dreams" became a massive hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving diamond certification. This song was featured on his debut album "Goodbye & Good Riddance" (2018), which also included successful singles like "All Girls Are the Same" and "Lean wit Me". In 2018, he released a collaborative mixtape with Future titled "Wrld on Drugs". His second studio album, "Death Race for Love" (2019), became his first to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Musical Style
Juice WRLD's music was known for its genre-blending, incorporating elements of emo, hip-hop, rock, and punk. He cited a wide range of influences, including Travis Scott, Chief Keef, Kanye West, and rock bands like Blink-182 and Fall Out Boy. His lyrics often explored themes of heartbreak, mental health struggles, and drug use with raw vulnerability.
Death and Legacy
On December 8, 2019, just days after his 21st birthday, Higgins died from an accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine. His death sent shockwaves through the music industry and his fanbase. Posthumous albums, including "Legends Never Die" (2020) and "Fighting Demons" (2021), were released to commercial success, with "Legends Never Die" achieving the most successful posthumous debut. His mother established the Live Free 999 fund to help young people struggling with addiction and mental health. Juice WRLD is remembered for his freestyling ability, emotional honesty, and his significant impact on the emo rap genre.