Jarad Anthony Higgins. You probably know him better as Juice WRLD, the guy who basically redefined what it meant to be vulnerable in hip-hop. He wasn't just a rapper; he was a voice for a generation of kids dealing with heartbreak and anxiety. But if you're looking for the specifics, the Juice WRLD date of birth is December 2, 1998.
He was born in Chicago, Illinois.
Honestly, it’s wild to think about how much he accomplished in such a short window of time. Most people are still trying to figure out their lives at 21, but by that age, Juice had already shifted the entire culture. He grew up in the South Suburbs, specifically spending a lot of time in Calumet Park before moving to Homewood.
Why December 2nd Matters More Than You Think
When we talk about the Juice WRLD date of birth, it’s not just a trivia point for a fan wiki. For the "999" community, December 2nd has become a day of reflection. It’s a day when fans blast Goodbye & Good Riddance and remember a kid who started out recording songs on his smartphone in his bedroom.
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His upbringing was kind of complicated. His parents divorced when he was only three. He was raised by his mom, Carmella Wallace, who was famously religious and very conservative. Because of that, she actually didn't let him listen to hip-hop at home.
Can you imagine? One of the greatest rappers of our time wasn't even allowed to listen to the genre as a kid.
Instead, he found his way through video games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Guitar Hero. This is where he discovered rock and pop-punk—bands like Blink-182, Black Sabbath, and Billy Idol. You can hear that "emo" influence in almost every melody he ever wrote. He learned piano at four, then moved on to guitar and drums, and even played trumpet in the school band. He was a musical sponge.
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The Fast Track from Homewood-Flossmoor to the Billboard Charts
Juice graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School in 2017. By then, he was already deep into the SoundCloud scene under the name JuicetheKidd. He later changed it to Juice WRLD, inspired by Tupac Shakur's role in the movie Juice. He felt like it represented "taking over the world."
And he did.
He signed a massive $3 million deal with Interscope Records not long after "Lucid Dreams" started blowing up. It’s hard to overstate how fast his rise was. One minute he’s a teenager in Illinois, the next he’s collaborating with Future and Drake.
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A Legacy Cut Short
The tragic irony of the Juice WRLD date of birth is how closely it sits next to the date he passed away. Jarad died on December 8, 2019, just six days after his 21st birthday.
He had just celebrated. He was entering a new chapter of his life.
There’s a line in his song "Legends" that everyone brings up because it’s so hauntingly prophetic: "What's the 27 club? We ain't making it past 21." He wrote that as a tribute to Lil Peep and XXXTentacion, but it ended up being his own reality. It's one of those things that still feels heavy when you think about it.
What You Can Do to Keep the "999" Spirit Alive
If you're a fan or just someone who respects the craft, there are a few ways to actually engage with his legacy beyond just hitting play on Spotify.
- Support the Live Free 999 Foundation: Started by his mother, Carmella Wallace, this organization focuses on mental health and helping young people struggle with addiction.
- Watch 'Into the Abyss': The HBO documentary gives a very raw, sometimes uncomfortable look at his life and the reality of his daily struggles. It's not a "fluff piece."
- Listen to the Unreleased Tracks (Ethically): There are thousands of unreleased Juice WRLD songs. While leaks are everywhere, supporting the official posthumous releases like The Party Never Ends helps ensure his estate and family are taken care of.
The world lost Jarad way too early, but the music he made between 1998 and 2019 is going to be around forever. If you’re ever feeling down, just remember his message: 999. It’s about taking whatever negative situation or "666" you’re going through and flipping it upside down to make it positive.