DDG's '17 More Years' Song Directly Addresses Halle Bailey Custody Battle

Rapper and streamer DDG just dropped his new album, Moo, and one track in particular, "17 More Years," is making waves as he openly addresses his ongoing custody disputes with Halle Bailey over their son, Halo.

TL;DR

• DDG's new song "17 More Years" from his album Moo is a direct plea to Halle Bailey regarding their shared son, Halo, and their custody battle.
• The song highlights the financial and emotional toll of court dates and urges for a peaceful co-parenting resolution for their one-year-old son.
• This new music arrives amid a contentious legal situation, which has included restraining orders and a judge banning social media posts about Halo.

DDG's New Album "Moo" Drops with a Powerful, Personal Message

Well, folks, Ddg just gave us all a lot to talk about with the release of his latest album, Moo, which dropped on Friday, October 10th. While fans were ready for some fresh tracks, it's the lead single, "17 More Years," that's really captured everyone's attention. Why? Because DDG (real name Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.) isn't holding anything back, seemingly using the song as a very public, very direct message to Halle Bailey, the mother of his one-year-old son, Halo, about their ongoing custody battle.

This isn't just a catchy tune; it's a raw, emotional plea for peace in a highly publicized legal dispute. DDG released a minimalistic music video for the track on the same day, showing him on a California hilltop at dusk, reflecting the somber, reflective tone of the song. It feels less like a typical music video and more like a confessional, inviting listeners right into his personal struggles.

Breaking Down the Emotionally Charged Lyrics of "17 More Years"

The song's title itself is pretty poignant, referring to the 17 years until his son, Halo, reaches adulthood. DDG's lyrics are incredibly candid, painting a clear picture of the frustrations and hopes he harbors regarding his co-parenting relationship with Halle. He dives right into the heart of the matter, lamenting the toll their legal battles are taking on everyone involved.

Take a listen to these lines:

"I don't wanna fight no more, tired of the court dates Lawyers gettin' over on us, watchin' money go to waste We should all get together on his birthday, light the cake If we talk, it'll get better, go ahead and drop the case."

He's clearly frustrated with the financial drain and emotional burden of the court system, openly suggesting that conversation, rather than legal wrangling, is the key to a better path forward. The idea of celebrating Halo's birthday together is a powerful image, emphasizing his desire for a united front as parents. He even touches on the emotional distance between them, noting, "Used to text your phone, now we speaking through the mail," and expresses that he still holds love for her.

DDG also challenges a painful comparison that has surfaced online:

"I can't leave my son 'cause he need me in his life Why you got him thinkin' that you Tina and I'm Ike?"

This lyric directly pushes back against the narrative that he might be abusive, drawing a sharp contrast to the infamous, tumultuous relationship of Ike and Tina Turner. He further laments the communication breakdown, stating, "We ain't got no communication, that's the main thing," while still acknowledging Halle's role as a mother: "Still got respect for you, you are a good mom." It's a complex mix of frustration, longing, and a clear desire for a different, more peaceful future.

A Timeline of Public Scrutiny and Legal Battles

This musical olive branch doesn't come out of nowhere. DDG and Halle Bailey's relationship has been under intense public scrutiny for over a year. They first went public with their romance in January 2022 but called it quits in October 2024. Since then, things have been, well, complicated, to say the least.

The legal drama really intensified earlier this year. In June 2025, Halle Bailey was granted a temporary domestic violence restraining order against DDG. In court documents, she alleged abuse, including one claim that DDG "slammed her face into a steering wheel." She later sought sole custody of Halo, requesting supervised visits for DDG when their son was in Los Angeles.

DDG, however, has consistently denied these allegations. He responded by filing his own restraining order request against Bailey, claiming she had made multiple threats of self-harm. Halle addressed this in her court declaration, stating:

"I have been very vocal about my anxiety, depression, and previous thoughts of suicide. Without waiving the psychotherapist-patient privilege and physician-patient privilege, I have reached out to my doctor and received treatment to address these issues. I have been and remain 100% available and capable as a parent to our son, Halo."

— Halle Bailey, in a court declaration

She further asserted that DDG "has exaggerated, lied, and misconstrued for the court not only the history of our relationship but our parenting and my mental health." It's clear there are two very different accounts of their past, making the legal process even more fraught.

The Social Media Silence Regarding Their Son, Halo

Another significant development in their case occurred in August 2025 when a judge issued an order banning both DDG and Halle from posting their son, Halo, on social media. This came after Bailey claimed that DDG was using their son to "incite online violence against her."

She explained in her declaration that when DDG "wishes to cause upset, he starts badmouthing me to his several millions of fans. He claims I am withholding our son and that I am with other men. As a result, I then receive threats and hate on social media." Bailey stated that DDG would "go 'live' ranting about me and alleges that I am keeping Halo from him. This is false. I have requested a set schedule, which he refuses." This social media ban highlights just how public and intense their conflict had become, affecting not just them but their young son.

Halle Bailey's Own Artistic Response is on the Horizon

While DDG is using his music to speak his truth, Halle Bailey is also preparing to share her story through her own art. Her highly anticipated debut album, love? or something like it, is set to be released on October 24th, just a couple of weeks after DDG's album drop.

Halle has described her album as "a story of first love, heartbreak, and everything that comes after." She previously released tracks like "braveface," which seemed to delve into the pain she learned to conceal during a difficult relationship, and "back and forth," a more flirtatious song. Given the timing and her journey, fans are certainly expecting her album to offer her perspective on the events of the past year and her relationship with DDG. It's safe to say both artists are navigating their personal lives through their creative expressions, offering fans a unique, if indirect, dialogue.

What "17 More Years" Means for Celebrity Co-Parenting

The decision by DDG to address such a personal and legally sensitive matter through his music is a fascinating one. It highlights a growing trend among celebrities who use their platforms not just for entertainment, but as a direct channel to communicate their experiences, frustrations, and hopes, especially when traditional communication channels have broken down.

For fans, "17 More Years" offers an unfiltered glimpse into the complexities of high-profile co-parenting. It shifts the narrative from purely legal battles to a human appeal for the sake of a child. While some fans applaud DDG's vulnerability and his call for peace, others remain skeptical, wondering if a public song is the most effective way to resolve such deep-seated issues. Regardless of individual opinions, it undeniably sparks conversation about the responsibilities of parents, even when their personal relationship has dissolved, to prioritize their child's well-being over their own disputes.

As both DDG and Halle Bailey continue to navigate their personal and professional lives, their music becomes a powerful, often raw, reflection of their journey. We'll be keeping an eye out for Halle's album to hear her side of the story, and hoping that, for Halo's sake, a peaceful path forward can eventually be found.

Frequently Asked Questions About DDG, Halle Bailey, and Their Custody Battle When did DDG release his new album, Moo? DDG released his new album, Moo, on Friday, October 10, 2025. What is "17 More Years" about? "17 More Years" is a song by DDG where he seemingly addresses his ongoing custody battle with Halle Bailey over their son, Halo, expressing frustration with court proceedings and urging for a more amicable co-parenting relationship. When is Halle Bailey's new album, love? or something like it, being released? Halle Bailey's debut album, love? or something like it, is set to drop on October 24, 2025. Are DDG and Halle Bailey still together? No, DDG and Halle Bailey broke up in October 2024, after going public with their relationship in January 2022. Sources

• DDG Seems to Reference Halle Bailey Custody Battle in New Song ‘17 More Years’ - Billboard
• DDG Seemingly Addresses Halle Bailey Custody Battle in "17 More Years" Track: 'You Are a Good Mom' - TMZ
• DDG releases new album, asks Halle Bailey to ‘drop the case’ on lead single - IOL
• DDG Seemingly Addresses Halle Bailey Custody Battle in "17 More Years" Track: 'You Are a Good Mom' - Complex