Lil Dicky is a professional rapper. Ask him to prove it, and he will show you a copy of his debut album, titled Professional Rapper.
But Lil Dicky--born Dave Burd, near Philadelphia, in 1988--is much more than that. Like Donald Glover, Burd raps and helms his own TV show. His performance for the annual Young Leadership Division's Big Event Fundraiser at The Salt Shed on Saturday, Dec.7, will focus on his comical rap songs.
"After the darkest and loneliest year many of us have experienced, we don't only need but deserve a night of joy, community, and laughter-surrounded by our fellow Jews, and our beloved allies," said Adam Greitzer, YLD Board President.
Burd, who is Jewish, had his first brush with fame with the video for his 2013 song "Ex-Boyfriend," which went viral with over one million YouTube views in 24 hours. The next year, he released the single "Save Dat Money," which hit the Billboard Hot 100 and went double platinum.
Then, his 2015 debut album--Professional Rapper, an ambitious 2-disc set--entered the Billboard 200 charts at number seven, topped the Rap Albums and Independent Albums charts, and spent over 100 weeks atop the Comedy Album chart. The title track, featuring Snoop Dogg, went gold. Also on the album were rappers Fetty Wap, T-Pain, and comedian Hannibal Buress, who was the headliner for YLD's Big Event Fundraiser 2015. Next came his 2018 hit single "Freaky Friday," a duet about body-swapping with Chris Brown, which reached more than 1.5 billion streams globally.
The following year, Burd turned to more serious issues; his charity single "Earth"--which launched his initiative to raise environmental awareness--went platinum, and the effort has raised over $800,000 for climate change and COVID-19 relief organizations. It was accompanied by an animated short film that was once again star-studded, with cameos by singers Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, and comedian Kevin Hart.
"We are gearing up for a fantastic 2024 YLD Big Event Fundraiser," 2024 YLD Campaign Chair Jordan Shapiro said. "There is a lot to be excited about this year, from a hilarious musical performance by Lil Dicky to our new venue at The Salt Shed."
Beyond his musical success, Burd is the co-creator, executive producer, writer, and star of the autobiographical FX comedy
Dave
, which debuted in 2020. The show-now in its third season-was hailed by
The Guardian
as "one of the most nuanced, not to mention one of the funniest, shows around… At times, it touches perfection."
After graduating summa cum laude from University of Richmond, Burd landed a job at an ad agency. When he rapped his monthly progress report, the agency shifted him from the account team to its creative side. While working there, he financed his performance career through Kickstarter.
Local Jewish comedian Matt Friend will open for Lil Dicky at the Big Event Fundraiser. Friend, who has a million followers across social platforms, is a gifted impressionist who began mimicking Austin Powers at age 4. Now, at 26, his repertoire includes more than 250 impressions, and he has voiced characters for
The Simpsons
and
Family Guy
.
What you need to know
YLD's Big Event Fundraiser will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7 at The Salt Shed, at 1357 N. Elston in Chicago. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., with the program starting at 8:15 p.m. Seating is first come, first served.
Early registration, which ends Nov. 7, costs $75 plus a donation to the JUF Annual Campaign--and includes a chance to win a photo with Lil Dicky! General registration is $85 plus a donation to the JUF Annual Campaign, and closes on Dec. 5.
Included in the ticket is the show, plus an afterparty with a DJ, late-night food, drinks, and more. Dietary laws will be observed.
YLD Level Up and Ben-Gurion Society members are invited early, at 7 p.m., with a guest, for a VIP Pre-Event including drinks, appetizers, and schmoozing. Level Up is a society for young adults in their 20s who contribute at least $18 a month, or $216 a year, to the JUF Annual Campaign. Ben-Gurion is a national donor-recognition society for young adults, 22-45, who contribute $1,000 or more to the JUF Annual Campaign.
To register, visit
juf.org/yld/BigEvent
. If you have questions about the event, or your donation to the JUF Annual Campaign, please contact YLD@juf.org or 312-357-4880.
