Jibbs

Early Start in St. Louis

Jibbs was born Jovan Camaran Campbell on November 13, 1990, in St. Louis, Missouri, and was raised on the city's south side. He began rapping as a child to impress his older brother, DJ Beatz, half of the production duo Da Beatstaz, who had worked with Nelly and Chingy. Before music took over he boxed, winning Golden Gloves titles, and his mother, an aspiring MC, gave feedback on his early rhymes.

Chain Hang Low

Da Beatstaz had Jibbs record the hook of "Chain Hang Low" when he was a child, and the demo later reached Geffen Records, which signed him. Released in June 2006, the song set its chorus to the melody of the children's song "Do Your Ears Hang Low?", which shares its tune with "Turkey in the Straw." Produced by The Beatstaz, it peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 on Hot Rap Songs, reached No. 1 in New Zealand, was certified platinum, and was the most-downloaded rap song of August 2006. Jibbs was 15 when it came out.

Jibbs Featuring Jibbs

His debut album, Jibbs Featuring Jibbs, followed on Geffen on October 24, 2006. With Da Beatstaz as executive producers and additional production from Zaytoven, David Banner, Polow da Don and Dr. Luke, it peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, No. 8 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 4 on Top Rap Albums. Singles included "King Kong" featuring Chamillionaire (No. 54 on the Hot 100), "Go Too Far" with Melody Thornton of the Pussycat Dolls, and "Smile" with Fabo of D4L. In 2007 he toured with Bow Wow and Lloyd on the Price of Fame tour.

After Geffen

In November 2008, Jibbs signed with Akon's Konvict Muzik and Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, though no major-label album came out of the deal. He continued with the mixtapes Round One (2009) and Round Two (2011), both hosted by DJ Twin, and in June 2012 released Back 2 The American Dream as a free album. Along with Huey, he is part of the mid-2000s wave of young St. Louis rappers who reached the national charts in the wake of Nelly and Chingy, with production that came out of the same local circle.