Lil Dicky, whose real name is David Andrew Burd, has amassed a net worth of $12 million. Known for his comedic and clever approach to rap, Lil Dicky first gained attention for his viral YouTube videos, before making a successful transition into the music industry and even television.
He has worked with high-profile artists such as Snoop Dogg, Ariana Grande, and Justin Bieber, and has also become a popular figure with his own original series, Dave, on the FX network.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on March 15, 1988, in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, Lil Dicky attended the University of Richmond, where he graduated in 2010.
Afterward, he moved to San Francisco, where he worked in the accounting department of the advertising agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.
His creative path began when he delivered a mandatory progress report in the form of a rap video, which caught the attention of his superiors, leading him to transition into the creative department.
Lil Dicky’s early work in advertising would later influence his career in music and comedy, where he blended humor with rap lyrics.
Music Career and Breakthrough
Lil Dicky’s music career took off in 2013 when he released the music video for his song “Ex-Boyfriend”, which quickly went viral, earning millions of views.
That success was the starting point for his rise in the music world. He went on to release his debut mixtape So Hard, followed by a series of music videos and songs that built his growing fanbase.
He used the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter to fund the next phase of his career, surpassing his $70,000 goal, which allowed him to release his debut studio album Professional Rapper in 2015.
The album reached #1 on the US Rap, Indie, and Comedy charts, and included hits like “Save Dat Money” (featuring Fetty Wap) and “Professional Rapper” (featuring Snoop Dogg).
Television Career
In 2020, Lil Dicky expanded his brand into television with the FXX original series Dave, which is loosely based on his own life as a rapper and comedian.
The series, which has been praised for its humor and depth, helped Lil Dicky reach a new audience.
His character in the show is a fictionalized version of himself, navigating the challenges of the music industry and his quirky approach to life.
Notable Projects and Collaborations
“Freaky Friday” (2018): A collaboration with Chris Brown, the music video for which became one of his most successful, racking up hundreds of millions of views.
“Earth” (2019): A charity single to raise awareness about climate change, featuring a star-studded lineup of artists such as Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Ed Sheeran. The song was released in partnership with the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.
Lil Dicky has cited several influential artists, including J. Cole, Snoop Dogg, and Donald Glover (Childish Gambino), as inspirations for his style, blending rap with comedy and relatable themes.
He has often emphasized that his music is an alternative to the braggadocio-heavy trends in mainstream hip-hop, focusing on humor and everyday relatability instead.
Real Estate and Lifestyle
Venice, California (2018): Lil Dicky purchased a 2,162-square-foot cottage in Venice for $2.5 million, nestled in a trendy neighborhood with limited space.
Studio City Estate (2023): In December 2023, he bought a $6.3 million estate in Studio City, California. The property was previously owned by smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G and was extensively renovated before being sold.
Lil Dicky’s Financial Philosophy
Despite his success, Lil Dicky is known for being relatively frugal. He has often mentioned in interviews that he takes pride in saving money and avoiding overspending, even joking about how he’s “relatively cheap” compared to the lavish spending common in the rap industry.
He finds humor in the irony of rapping about saving money in a genre that typically focuses on wealth and excess.
