Happy Birthday, Ugly God!

Today, Sept. 19, is the birthday of Houston rapper and 2017 XXL Freshman Ugly God, who now turns 22.

Growing up in Cleveland, Mississippi and Houston, Ugly God, real name Royce Davison, was heavily influenced by “Ying Yang Twins, Project Pat and R. Kelly." The rising star and hilarious Internet troll started rapping during high school and college. His music started to catch fire online while the rapper was enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Ugly God's breakout Soundcloud hit "Water" dropped Nov. 18, 2016 and entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart by January of 2017. His viral success and his clear plan for execution earned U.G. a spot on the 2017 XXL Freshman class alongside Playboi Carti, PnB Rock, Madeintyo and more.

"I think the Freshman cover will give me a bigger platform, put my name out there for people who might not know who I am and give me a boost, give me a bigger chance, a bigger opportunity," said the then-21-year-old in his official Freshman interview.

After months of anticipation and snippets leaked online, U.G. ended the summer strong and dropped his debut project, The Booty Tape in August 2017. In April 2018, he dropped off Just a Lil Something Before the Album, a four-track EP that ended his semi-musical drought.

Happy Birthday, Ugly God!

See Behind-the-Scenes Photos of Ugly God at 2017 XXL Freshman Shoot