Rapper and singer Baby Bash spent nearly a decade in the California and Texas underground scenes before becoming a pop-savvy hitmaker and collaborating with the likes of T-Pain, Akon, and Frankie J. • Before he found gold and platinum success, Baby Bash was known as Baby Beesh—a nickname derived from the Mitsubishi car he once drove around the Bay Area. • In the ’90s, before going solo, he was in the groups Potna Deuce and Latino Velvet, a project with N2DEEP’s Jay Tee. • Early in his career, he relocated from Vallejo, California, to Houston after visiting Texas to work with rapper South Park Mexican. He eventually signed to SPM’s Dope House Records. • In 2003, Baby Bash teamed with future Ariana Grande producer Happy Perez for “Suga, Suga.” The melodic track led to a $250,000 Universal Records deal. • Baby Bash earned his first gold plaque for his 2003 major label debut album, Tha Smokin’ Nephew. The Universal-backed album features C****o Bling and Frankie J. • In 2007, Baby Bash scored a second smash with the Lil Jon–produced, T-Pain–assisted “Cyclone.” • He guested alongside Jennifer Lopez on Santana’s 2008 track “This Boy’s Fire.” • In 2017, Bash reunited with “Suga, Suga” collaborator Frankie J for an independently-released joint effort, Sangria.