<p>It’s been all celebration this past week for rising hip-hop artist <a class="Link" href="https://www.xxlmag.com/raq-baby-interview/" target="_blank" ><u>Raq Baby</u></a>. He turned 21 on June 8 ahead of his homecoming performance at the 2026 Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash on Sunday. But for the Englewood-bred rapper, he’s not just marking a milestone birthday; his debut at the music fest is a victory lap after enduring a serious car crash that threatened to cut his promising career short.</p><p>2026 is a big year for Raq, born Brian L.