Don ToliverRapper · Singer · Songwriter · Cactus Jack Records

Overview

Caleb Zackery "Don" Toliver is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Houston, Texas, who has emerged as one of the most distinctive voices in modern hip-hop. Known for his melodic flow, autotuned vocals, and genre-blending sound, Toliver rose to prominence after being featured on Travis Scott's 2019 hit "CAN'T SAY" from the album ASTROWORLD. He is signed to Scott's Cactus Jack Records and Atlantic Records.

Toliver's music blends elements of trap, R&B, and psychedelic hip-hop, creating a signature sound that has influenced the current wave of melodic rappers. His ability to craft infectious hooks and atmospheric production has made him a sought-after collaborator, working with artists like Kanye West, Travis Scott, Young Thug, and The Weeknd.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born Caleb Zackery Toliver on June 12, 1994, in Houston, Texas, Don Toliver grew up immersed in the city's rich hip-hop culture. He began making music in his late teens, initially releasing tracks on SoundCloud under the name Don Toliver.

His early work caught the attention of Houston's underground rap scene, leading to collaborations with local producers and artists. In 2017, Toliver released his debut mixtape Donny Womack, which showcased his unique melodic approach and laid the foundation for his signature sound.

Breakthrough and Cactus Jack Era (2018-2020)

Toliver's big break came in 2018 when he signed to Travis Scott's Cactus Jack Records, a subsidiary of Epic Records. His appearance on Travis Scott's ASTROWORLD album, particularly on the track "CAN'T SAY", introduced him to a global audience.

I wanted to create something that felt like Houston but also pushed the sound forward. Travis believed in that vision.

In March 2020, Toliver released his debut studio album Heaven or Hell, which debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200. The album featured hit singles like "No Idea" and "After Party", both of which went viral on TikTok and achieved platinum certification.

Continued Success (2021-Present)

Toliver's second album Life of a Don arrived in October 2021, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The project featured collaborations with Travis Scott, Kali Uchis, Baby Keem, and HVN.

In 2023, he released his third studio album Love Sick, which further experimented with R&B influences and featured artists like Future, WizKid, and Charlie Wilson. The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.

Most recently, in 2026, Toliver dropped OCTANE, his most ambitious project yet, featuring heavyweights like Kanye West (Ye), Travis Scott, and Young Thug.

Discography

Studio Albums

#	Album	Year	Peak	Cert.
1	Heaven or Hell	2020	#7	Gold
2	Life of a Don	2021	#3	Gold
3	Love Sick	2023	#4	Gold
4	OCTANE	2026	TBD	New

Notable Mixtapes & EPs

• Donny Womack (2017), debut mixtape that established his melodic trap sound
• Playa Familia (2024), collaborative project with Charlie Wilson exploring funk influences

Hit Singles and Chart Performance

Track	Album	Cert.	Hot 100
"No Idea"	Heaven or Hell	2x Platinum	#29
"After Party"	Heaven or Hell	Platinum	TikTok Viral
"What You Need"	Life of a Don	Gold	#62
"Private Landing" (ft. Justin Bieber)	Love Sick	Platinum	#18

Notable Collaborations

Don Toliver's collaborative work has been a significant part of his success:

• Travis Scott, "CAN'T SAY" (ASTROWORLD), "HIGHEST IN THE ROOM" Remix, "ESCAPE PLAN," "MAFIA," multiple OCTANE features
• Kanye West (Ye), "Moon" (DONDA), "Heaven and Hell" (DONDA), "Ok Ok Pt 2" (DONDA), OCTANE features
• Young Thug, "Ski" (So Much Fun), "Real Love," OCTANE collaborations
• Internet Money, "Lemonade" (2020)
• Eminem, "Use This Gospel (Remix)" (2021)
• Kali Uchis, "Drugs N Hella Melodies" (2021)
• Future, "Way Bigger" (2023)

Musical Style and Influence

Don Toliver's sound is characterized by its melodic trap foundation, heavily processed vocals with autotune, and atmospheric production. His music features:

• Autotuned Melodies, extensive use of vocal effects creating a signature sound
• Psychedelic Production, spacey, reverb-heavy beats influenced by Houston's chopped and screwed tradition
• Genre Blending, seamless fusion of trap, R&B, pop, and alternative hip-hop
• Hook-Driven Songwriting, catchy, memorable choruses that dominate tracks
• Emotional Range, balancing party anthems with introspective, romantic material

Don Toliver has one of the most unique voices in hip-hop right now. He's like Travis Scott's little brother, but with his own distinct flavor.

Awards and Recognition

• 2020, Billboard Music Awards: Top Streaming Songs Chart (Artist)
• 2021, Grammy Nomination: Best Melodic Rap Performance ("Moon" with Kanye West & Kid Cudi)
• 2021, XXL Freshman Class
• 2022, BET Hip Hop Awards: Best Collaboration ("Way Bigger" with Future)
• 2023, MTV Video Music Awards: Best Hip-Hop Video nomination