Lil Baby refuses to lose momentum.
After notching multiple wins throughout 2022, the ATL native returned this week to deliver a stellar performance on Saturday Night Live. The episode, hosted by Creed III star Michael B. Jordan, marked Baby’s first time as SNL’s musical guest, but it wasn’t the first time he’s graced the stage.
The Grammy-winning rapper appeared on the series back in 2019 during DJ Khaled’s set. Baby—along with Lil Wayne, John Legend, Meek Mill, SZA, and more—participated in a tribute performance for Nipsey Hussle, who was fatally shot in Los Angeles just months before.
To no one’s surprise, Baby’s official SNL debut did not disappoint. He began with a performance of “California Breeze.”
Both tracks appeared on Baby’s third studio album, It’s Only Me, which arrived back in October. The project spanned 23 tracks, including the hit singles “In a Minute” and “Heyy.” It also boasted guest appearances by everyone from Young Thug and Future to EST Gee and Jeremih to Pooh Sheisty and Rylo Rodriguez.
It’s Only Me went on to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and helped Baby earn 40 entries on the Hot 100–a 2022 record he shared with Drake. The rapper spoke about the release in an interview with XXL, and was asked if he felt any pressure to outdo his sophomore effort, My Turn.
“Yes, and then no,” he told the outlet. “Yes, because I’ma always want to outdo myself. I’m the only person where I’m like I’m tryna outdo, ya feel me? And then no, because I never actually try to outdo myself. I just know to do what I suppose to do and it just like always happens for me that way, feel me? I’ll outdo myself with no problem.”