
The album charted on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 42. In February 2018, Youngsta released his debut studio album, 223, through Epic, with guest appearances from Lil Yachty, Travis Scott and French Montana. In December 2017, Blac Youngsta signed his first major label deal with Epic Records. After his release, Blac Youngsta established his own label imprint under CMG, Heavy Camp, and released a mixtape titled, I'm Innocent, in June 2017, with guest appearances from Slim Jxmmi and Ty Dolla Sign. After Blac Youngsta turned himself in for his involvement in a shooting targeted towards Yo Gotti's longtime rival, Young Dolph, a "Free Blac Youngsta" grassroots movement was started, with fellow rapper Young Thug releasing a song of the same name on May 17, 2017. In February 2017, Blac Youngsta released Illuminati, his fourth mixtape as a member of CMG, with guest appearances from Kodak Black, Lil Yachty and Slim Jxmmi. 2017–2019: Epic Records and major label debut In March 2016, Blac Youngsta released a mixtape titled Young & Reckless, followed by Fuck Everybody, released in September 2016, with features from Young Thug, Quavo, Jacquees and YFN Lucci. Blac Youngsta's first mixtape as a member of CMG, I Swear To God, was released on September 24, 2015, and featured guest appearances from Yo Gotti and Boosie Badazz. His breakout song "Heavy" was released in 2015, and gained the attention of Yo Gotti, who appeared on the song's remix and signed Blac Youngsta to his Collective Music Group label. Taking the stage name ' Blac Youngsta, Benson began taking a career in music more seriously in 2012, releasing three mixtapes as part of his Fast Bricks series, from 2012 to 2014.

Career 2012–2016: Early career and signing to CMG Shortly after, he began pursuing a career in music, releasing his debut mixtape Fast Bricks in 2012. In 2012, after serving a year in prison, Benson began hosting local block parties which made him locally popular in South Memphis. After losing his job at the store, Benson began selling drugs and served numerous sentences in prison for drug and gun charges. Benson's grandfather managed to get him a job at a local grocery store when he was just 7 years old, however, he was fired when the manager caught him placing fake orders to the store in order to take the food home for him and his brothers. Despite both of his grandparents having jobs, they earned very little and struggled to put food on the table. Benson and his younger brothers were raised by their grandparents. Sammie Marquez Benson was born on April 8, 1990, and raised in McMillan Street, a poor area on the southside of Memphis, Tennessee.

2.3 2020–present: More charting singles.2.2 2017–2019: Epic Records and major label debut.2.1 2012–2016: Early career and signing to CMG.
