Rapper and multimedia creator DDG channels the pain of personal loss into his music with his latest release, Moo. Dropped on Friday (Oct. 10), the album begins with the poignant track “17 More Years,” where DDG bares his soul over his troubled relationship with Halle Bailey and the complexities of co-parenting their 1-year-old son, Halo.

Hailing from Michigan, DDG delves into the emotional strain of sharing parenting responsibilities under public scrutiny. The song’s title signifies the years remaining until their son reaches adulthood, serving as a poignant reminder of both affection and frustration intertwined in their journey.

In his lyrics, DDG expresses a desire to move past conflict, lamenting, “I don’t wanna fight no more, tired of the court dates / Lawyers getting over on us, watching money go to waste.” He acknowledges Halle as a “good mom” and wishes for harmony for Halo’s benefit. He reassures, “If you ever needed money, you know I’ll give that,” before delivering a particularly heartfelt line: “I can’t even call your phone or see where my kid at / I’m happy for you and whoever that you with / Long as he can treat you better than I did.”

Their tumultuous relationship has unfolded publicly over the past year. In June, TMZ reported that DDG sought an emergency injunction to prevent Halle from leaving the country with their son after she pursued a restraining order against him. The legal action referenced Halle’s plans to travel to Italy with Halo for work and highlighted previous conflicts between the pair.

In legal documents, DDG claimed that during Halle’s pregnancy, she took his firearm and left without informing him of her whereabouts, though the weapon was never discharged. He also accused her of attempting to terminate the pregnancy in secrecy and later sending “a series of alarming text messages threatening to kill herself and suggesting that their infant son, Halo, might also be harmed.”

In court filings, DDG alleged that while Halle was pregnant, she took his gun and left their home without telling him where she was going, though the weapon was never used. He also claimed she once attempted to terminate the pregnancy without his knowledge and later sent “a series of alarming text messages threatening to kill herself and suggesting that their infant son, Halo, might also be harmed.”

Halle, however, has made her own serious accusations. Earlier this year, she accused DDG of physical abuse, submitting photos she said showed bruises from an incident in which he allegedly slammed her face into a steering wheel, chipping her tooth. Following a temporary restraining order, DDG was granted visitation rights, but only under the supervision of a professional monitor.

Most recently, the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles barred both parents from posting images or information about their child online.

“For reasons discussed on the record, and with no objection from either party, the Court orders both parties to refrain from posting, uploading, or disseminating on the Internet or social media platforms, photographs, images, and/or information regarding the minor child or causing any other person to engage in such posting, uploading, or dissemination,” the documents state.

Photo Credit: Halle Bailey Instagram