Milwaukee rapper DC The Don signs with Republic Records, releases “Lie2Me,” and teases Q1 2026 project

A major-label move for a Milwaukee-born artist

Milwaukee rapper and singer DC The Don has signed with Republic Records, marking a new label home after several years of steady momentum built through independent releases, touring, and a fan base drawn to his genre-blending approach. The agreement was announced in mid-January 2026 alongside the release of a new single and music video.

DC The Don, born Daijon Cotty Davis on August 3, 1999, emerged in the late 2010s and later expanded his profile with projects that fused melodic rap with rock and pop elements. His catalog includes the studio albums Come As You Are (2020), My Own Worst Enemy (2022), FUNERAL (2023), and REBIRTH (released October 23, 2024). In 2023, he was named to the XXL Freshman List.

Republic Records outlines its rationale

Republic Records described DC The Don as an artist with a “genre-agnostic” sound and highlighted songwriting as a central part of his appeal. The label characterized the signing as a partnership intended to support his next phase.

“He’s a career artist with a truly genre-agnostic sound and an incredible knack for songwriting.”

“Lie2Me” debuts as the first release tied to the deal

The announcement arrived with “Lie2Me,” positioned as his first release connected to the Republic partnership. The song was released with an accompanying video and is being presented as the opening entry in a new rollout.

The release also comes amid heightened attention following “GET NAKED,” a 2025 single that drew significant streaming and social-media activity. Public materials tied to the Republic announcement cite nearly 90 million streams for “GET NAKED,” along with substantial engagement on TikTok.

What’s next: “the rumors are true” is slated for early 2026

DC The Don has also previewed a forthcoming project titled the rumors are true, which is expected in the first quarter of 2026. While no full track list or release date has been announced, the new single is framed as an early look at that release.

Key verified points

• DC The Don (Daijon Cotty Davis, born August 3, 1999) is a Milwaukee-born rapper and singer.
• He signed with Republic Records in January 2026.
• “Lie2Me” was released alongside the signing announcement.
• A project titled the rumors are true is planned for Q1 2026.
• His 2024 album REBIRTH was released on October 23, 2024.