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Slayr

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Not to be confused with Slayer or Slayyyter.
For other uses, see Slayer (disambiguation).

Slayr
Slayr performing at Rolling Loud Orlando
Slayr performing at Rolling Loud Orlando
Background information
Also known as
  • Countdragons
  • Slayer77
  • SwagSlayer[1]
Born
Evan McDonald[2]

(2007-05-22) May 22, 2007 (age 19)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S [3]
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Years active2021–present
LabelColumbia[a]

Evan McDonald (born May 22, 2007), known professionally as Slayr (stylized in lowercase), is an American rapper, singer, and record producer from Philadelphia. He's widely known for the release of his seventh mixtape, Half Blood, in 2025 and a deluxe reissue titled Half Blood (Bloodluxe) in 2026.[7]

Early life

Evan McDonald was born on May 22, 2007[8] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[9] Both of his parents are Jamaican immigrants.[1] He grew up in Philadelphia and was interested in video games such as Sonic Colors and Kingdom Hearts.[9] He has credited video game soundtracks with getting him into music.[9]

Career

2021–2023: Career beginnings and Gaia

McDonald first became involved in music through the online messaging app Discord.[5] His first viral song was "Fourth Gear Cypher", released in 2021.[5] Following the single's success, McDonald released his third mixtape Gaia in 2023. It was inspired by artists Pi'erre Bourne and Kanye West.[5] He has described the mixtape as a major development for his sound.[5]

2025–2026: Major releases, Half Blood, and BloodLuxe

In 2025, McDonald released his sixth mixtape Half Blood.[10] Subsequently, he has garnered millions of views on YouTube and "been subjected to irrational aura debates".[10] McDonald also signed a major label deal, which was later revealed to be with Columbia Records.[10] The mixtape featured rapper Lucy Bedroque.[11]

In April 2026, Pitchfork reviewed Half Blood (Bloodluxe), rating it a 6.7.[9] Writer Mano Sundaresan argued that the mixtape reflected a commercial accessible take on the rage rap genre, stating that McDonald made "maximalist, crowd-pleasing rage rap that prioritizes craft over feeling".[9] He added that, "if rage rap ever makes its way onto a Target store playlist, it might sound a little like Slayr."[9] On May 10, 2026, McDonald performed at Rolling Loud in Orlando, Florida.[12] On June 13, 2026, McDonald performed at Summer Smash 2026,[13][14] he also made a guest appearance on PlaqueBoyMax's set as well.[15] His debut headlining tour, in support of Half Blood, is scheduled to begin in August 2026 in San Francisco and conclude in September 2026 in Milwaukee.[16]

Critical reception

McDonald's music has generated positive reviews, with fans and critics praising his creativity.[4] Additionally, Slayr was listed as one of the "32 coolest artists of 2026" by The Fader.[17] On June 24, 2026, it was announced that McDonald was featured in the Freshman XXL class of 2026.[18]

Discography

Mixtapes

Title Album details
Lost Files (Exclusives)
BeFour My Creation
  • Released: August 17, 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Gaia
  • Released: May 22, 2023
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Stay Safe
  • Released: February 10, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Gaia 2
  • Released: October 4, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
HeavenTunes
  • Released: May 30, 2025
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Half Blood
  • Released: November 5, 2025
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Fabula Nova
  • Scheduled: 2026
  • Label: Columbia[a]
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Reissues

Title Album details
Half Blood (BloodLuxe)
  • Released: March 6, 2026
  • Label: Columbia[a]
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

EPs

Title EP details
Destruction
  • Released: April 30, 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Before My Creation
  • Released: July 2, 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Chaos (#B4Gaia)
  • Released: February 8, 2023
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
#B4G2
  • Released: 2023
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
17
  • Released: May 22, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Enter My Mind for a Second
  • Released: July 19, 2024
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Luxe 0.1 (as Countdragons)
  • Released: December 21, 2025
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Seventh Heaven
  • Scheduled: 2026
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

List of singles as lead artist, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Fourth Gear Cypher!" 2021 Non-album singles
"Feel the Thrill" 2022
"Got Me Thinking"
"Victorious! Freestyle"
"Zah Zah"
"See it All"
"Fairy Dust"
"##DumbDumb"
"Idol"
"A King Needs a Throne"
"Sweep" 2023
"X"
(with 666Rehab and Kaisani) 		2024
"Jealous"
(with Kaisani)
"Poster Child (Power 3)" 2025
"Missedplay"
"Move Her Body"
"Body Parts"
"Set in Stone" Half Blood
"Just Like Mine" Non-album singles
"Slay Pro"
"Turn It Up"[19] 2026
"Homerunner"[20] Fabula Nova
"Constantly"
(with Tiffany Day)[21]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Although streaming platforms attribute the phonographic copyright solely to Slayr, he is signed to Columbia Records.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Slayr Interview: Aura, Half Blood, Greek Mythology, Lil Uzi Collab? Diss Wars, Rage, Sloppy Joe". Kids Take Over. Retrieved April 4, 2026 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ "Information on Slayr's songs in ASCAP ACE database". ASCAP. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  3. ^ "Slayr - Half Blood (BloodLuxe)". Pitchfork. April 6, 2026. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Press-Reynolds, Kieran (May 8, 2026). "Toward a Theory of Burger Music". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d e Vivian, Medithi. "slayr on Bloodluxe and making heart-on-his-sleeve digicore". The Fader. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  6. ^ "Slayr Team Roster". ROSTR. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  7. ^ "Slayr Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | All..." AllMusic. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  8. ^ Spencer, Tallie (May 22, 2026). "Homerunner - Song by slayr". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved May 22, 2026. The track drops on the artist's 19th birthday
  9. ^ a b c d e f Sundaresan, Mano. "Slayr: Half Blood (BloodLuxe)". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  10. ^ a b c "Slayr to open for Yeat on upcoming LOVE/LYFE Tour". The Fader. March 30, 2026. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  11. ^ Corcoran, Nina (March 6, 2026). "8 New Albums You Should Listen to Now". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  12. ^ "Lineup". Rolling Loud Orlando 2026. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  13. ^ Smentkowski, Elena (April 13, 2026). "Lyrical Lemonade Releases 2026 Summer Smash Lineup". Secret Chicago. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  14. ^ Braboy, Mark (June 14, 2026). "Why is EDM playing at a hip-hop festival? Summer Smash shows why the genres go hand in hand on day two, as Skrillex headlines". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  15. ^ "Your next favorite rapper performed at Summer Smash 2026". The Fader. June 17, 2026. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  16. ^ Medithi, Vivian (June 24, 2026). "slayr announces 23-date tour this summer". The Fader. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  17. ^ Hess, Tobias (June 3, 2026). "The 32 coolest artists of 2026 (so far)". The FADER. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  18. ^ Cline, Georgette (June 24, 2026). "2026 XXL Freshman Class Revealed". XXL. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  19. ^ Cole, Alexander (March 21, 2026). "Turn It Up - Song by Slayr". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  20. ^ Spencer, Tallie (May 22, 2026). ""Homerunner" – Song by slayr". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  21. ^ Giandurco, Jillian (June 2026). "Tiffany Day Finished Her New Song "Constantly" In Four Hours". Nylon. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
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