DDG admits he’ll go broke if he stops working: “I have to work every day” [VIDEO]
DDG Says He’s Living Check to Check Despite Wealth and Fame
In a moment of raw transparency, rapper and content creator DDG (Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.) revealed in his latest vlog that his lavish lifestyle comes at a high cost—literally. Despite being a multimillionaire with success across music, YouTube, Twitch, and business ventures, DDG says he lives paycheck to paycheck and must work every single day to avoid going broke.
“I have to make money. My bills are high. Did I tell you how much my bills is a month? , my bills high. . Like, if I don’t work, I’m gonna go broke asap. Like, I have to work. I don’t have a choice.”
The statement immediately went viral on X (formerly Twitter), with many users reacting with a mix of disbelief, criticism, and reflection on the pressures of living a luxury lifestyle.
“I Have to Work” — DDG on the Pressure Behind the Flex
In the same clip, DDG outlines the responsibilities tied to his income:
“I have multiple homes, multiple cars. I have family. I have a child. Like, I spent a lot of money.”
At 27, DDG is not only a rapper with platinum hits like “Moonwalking in Calabasas” but also a top Twitch streamer, YouTuber, and real estate investor. Yet, he claims that the demands of his lifestyle leave no room for financial downtime.
While his tone was casual, his message hit a nerve with audiences. The idea that someone as successful as DDG must constantly hustle to stay afloat challenges the notion that fame equals financial freedom.
The words from DDG in this video have opened up a lot of discussion. In addition, it’s enough to make anyone think about their own financial situation. With DDG, he just opened up about the realities of his life. This is something the average person can relate to.
Social Media Reacts: Sympathy or Skepticism?
The viral moment from DDG’s vlog sparked immediate reactions across platforms. Posts on X reflect a divided response:
@TheStevenDwayne: “Living check to check and being a millionaire is crazy. Kinda defeats the purpose. You’re supposed to be free.”
@Menkauree: “He chooses a lavish lifestyle, it’s called living above your means.”
@Kayy_Bee94: “Living beyond your means is killing my people, along with lack of financial literacy.”
Others sympathized, pointing to the pressure to keep up appearances and sustain multiple streams of income:
@Princ3De: “When you’re the breadwinner for multiple households AND the brand, that check to check life looks different.”
From Flexing to Financial Strain: A Shift in DDG’s Narrative
This isn’t the first time DDG has flexed his wealth. His social channels are filled with videos showing luxury cars, designer outfits, and exotic vacations. He’s given away designer items, funded BBLs for fans, and regularly shows off high-end purchases. Yet, his latest admission marks a shift from flexing to vulnerability.
That vulnerability may stem from fatherhood (he shares a son with singer-actress Halle Bailey), or it may simply be a byproduct of age and financial maturity. Either way, his candor is refreshing in an industry that often promotes endless grind culture without addressing its consequences.
DDG has become the rare rapper to discuss the realities of life. There are plenty of rappers to flaunt about their wealth and lifestyle. However, DDG is among the only ones to admit that this life isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Also, he rose during an era where rappers were doing more than making money from their music. Many rappers also either own, or are partners, in other successful ventures.
In the case of DDG, however, his streams of income are his music and his video streaming. As a result, he has to keep the new content coming.
BBL Giveaways, Backlash, and Budget Priorities
In the same vlog, DDG promotes a controversial collaboration:
“I’m linking with Dr. Dorfman to give away two BBL.”
This announcement drew immediate backlash online. Critics slammed the decision, calling it irresponsible at a time when he also claims to be financially stretched. One post read:
@Crashoutclub1: “Why he giving away free BBLs to random women???”
Another added:
@ayoitstero: “Some people can’t eat and you giving away free BBL’s?”
Following this backlash, DDG reportedly scrapped the BBL giveaways and redirected funds toward paying fans’ tuition instead. The pivot earned him some goodwill, but the damage to his financial image lingered.
A Broader Conversation on Lifestyle and Wealth
DDG’s comments speak to a larger societal issue: what does financial security actually mean? In an era where image is currency, many influencers and artists invest heavily in their brand—but at what cost?
The Investopedia definition of a financial checkup includes budgeting, savings, and debt management—areas where even celebrities can fall short. DDG’s admission opens the door to discussions about:
- The illusion of wealth in entertainment
- Burnout from always being “on”
- The mental toll of sustaining a high-spending lifestyle
- How financial literacy must adapt to new, digital-age income streams
DDG Isn’t Alone: The Hustle Trap of the Influencer Economy
DDG’s case isn’t unique. Many high-profile influencers and creators have confessed that their flashy lifestyles are often held together by constant content creation and brand deals.
For creators like DDG, whose revenue spans music royalties, ad revenue, streaming donations, and merch sales, income fluctuates. Missing a week of uploads or skipping a livestream can translate into massive financial gaps.
This instability makes headlines like “Millionaire Lives Check to Check” less ironic and more cautionary.
Conclusion: Hustle, Pressure, and Perspective
DDG’s vlog may have started as a routine update, but his blunt admission struck a chord. He’s not asking for pity—he’s pulling back the curtain on a reality most fans don’t see. Despite multiple revenue streams, luxury assets, and fame, DDG says the grind never stops because he can’t afford for it to.
Whether this fuels further critique or empathy, one thing is certain: he’s sparked a necessary conversation about financial literacy, hustle culture, and the cost of appearances in today’s creator economy.
And if nothing else, his message is clear: even in the spotlight, the pressure to perform never really goes away.