Kodak Black

Kodak Black
Atlantic Records press photo of Kodak Black from 2017.
Background information
Birth name Dieuson Octave
Also known as
  • Kodak Black
  • J-Black[1]
Born (1997-06-11) June 11, 1997[2]
Pompano Beach, Florida, United States
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2009–present
Labels
Associated acts

Bill K. Kapri[6][7] (born Dieuson Octave; June 11, 1997) is an American rapper better known by his stage name Kodak Black.[8] He is noted for his singles "Roll in Peace", "Tunnel Vision", and "No Flockin", as well as his numerous legal issues.

Early life

Kapri was born Dieuson Octave on June 11, 1997 in Pompano Beach, Florida, where he was also raised. His parents were migrants from Haiti. Kodak Black was raised by his mother in Golden Acres, a public housing project in Pompano Beach.[8]

Kodak Black started rapping in elementary school and began to go to a local trap house after school to record music.[9] He spent his youth reading thesauruses and dictionaries to further his vocabulary.[10] Kodak Black frequently participated in brawls and breaking and entering with his friends.[8] Kodak Black was expelled from school in the fifth grade for fighting and was arrested for auto theft while in middle-school.[11] About his upbringing, he said that he was given two options: "sell drugs with a gun on his hip or rap".[12]

From the age of six, Kodak Black used the nickname "Black". He also used the nickname "Lil' Black". When he joined Instagram he chose the username 'Kodak Black', "...‘cause you know Kodak, that’s pictures and all that." This later became his stage name when he started to rap and a name favored by his fans.[8][5]

Career

2009–2015: Beginnings and Project Baby

In 2009, at age 12, Kodak Black joined a rap group called Brutal Youngnz, under the stage name J-Black.[1] He then joined a local rap group called The Kolyons.[8][13] In December 2013, Kodak Black released his first mixtape, Project Baby,[14] followed in December 2014 with the mixtape Heart of the Projects,[15] and in December 2015 with the mixtape Institution.[16]

In October 2015, Canadian rapper Drake posted a video of himself dancing to one of Kodak Black’s songs, "Skrt", which helped him gain popularity[17][18] despite objections from other rappers such as Earl Sweatshirt.[19] That same month, he signed a deal with Atlantic Records.[4] In May 2016, Kodak Black and rapper and label-mate Lil Uzi Vert announced their intention to partner for a national tour called the "Parental Advisory Tour"; however, Kodak Black did not appear on the tour.[20]

2016–present: Breakout, Painting Pictures and Project Baby 2

In May 2016, he was featured on French Montana's single "Lockjaw", from French Montana's 21st mixtape MC4, which reached a peak position of 23 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[21] In August 2016, Kodak Black’s single Skrt reached number 10 on Billboard's "Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles" chart.[22] In June 2016, he released his fourth mixtape, Lil B.I.G. Pac, which became his first mixtape to chart on Billboard, reaching number 49 on the "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" chart and number 18 on the Heatseakers Albums chart.[23]

In June 2016, Kodak Black was named one of XXL magazine's "2016 Freshman Class".[24]

In August 2016, Kodak Black was criticized when a studio session video was released showing him ridiculing dark-skinned black women with lyrics which implied those women were less attractive than light-skinned black women.[25][26]

In 2016, Kodak Black released the song "Can I" while he was in jail.[27]

On February 17, 2017, Kodak Black released the single "Tunnel Vision".[28] The song debuted at number 27 and peaked at number 6, becoming Octave's first top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on the Canadian Hot 100.[29][30]

On March 31, 2017, Kodak Black released his debut studio album Painting Pictures.[31] The album reached 3 on the Billboard 200 and sold 71,000 equivalent units first week, a record for Kodak Black.[32] While discussing rappers and fellow 2016 XXL Freshmen, Lil Uzi Vert and Lil Yachty, Kodak Black created controversy when he insulted them whilst conducting a livestream on Instagram.[33] Lil Uzi Vert replied stating that he wasn't bothered by the insult and that he still "fucked with" Kodak Black.[34] He released the follow-up to Project Baby with Project Baby 2 on August 18, 2017.[35] In November 2017, Kodak Black released a deluxe version of Project Baby 2, "Project Baby 2: All Grown Up".[36] The single from the deluxe version, "Codeine Dreaming", peaked at number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In January 2018, Kodak Black was arrested following a raid on his Florida home. Octave later released the Heartbreak Kodak mixtape on Valentines Day.[37][38]

Musical style

Kodak Black’s music is frequently about "previous and future criminal misdeeds", and he stated that he's been influenced by rappers Boosie Badazz and Chief Keef.[8]

The New Yorker described his "manifestly youthful voice" and "mutinous sound", and stated "Kodak Black joins other young rappers who have rejected an old-school emphasis on lyrical variety, individualism, and personal catharsis".[39]

In 2016, The Fader wrote that he "articulates the constant state of affliction that living in a poverty-stricken environment can mean. He makes emotionally intelligent observations in a manner reminiscent of teenage artists of the '90s, such as Mobb Deep and Lil' Wayne, whose voices were valued as genuine illustrations of life in their corners of America."[40]

Kodak Black has been frequently described as a mumble rapper.[41][42]

Personal life

In 2014, Kodak Black stated that he was working towards his high school diploma at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach.[8][43]

During his incarceration, Kodak Black began to identify as a Hebrew Israelite after a priest who conducts prison ministry studied scripture with him.[44] He later filed to change his name to Bill Kahan Blanco, with Kahan meaning "priest" in Hebrew.[45] On May 2, 2018, he legally changed his name from Dieuson Octave to Bill K. Kapri.[6][7]

In June 2018, Kodak Black earned his GED while in jail.[46]

Controversy

In January 2017, Kodak Black broadcast an Instagram Live video of himself in a Washington, D.C hotel room with several other men, while a lone female performed oral sex on them. Kodak's Instagram account hit a record high during the broadcast.[47] The rapper later posted a message on Twitter about the incident reading "If I could change I swear I would .. I tried everything but I'm just so hood."[48]

In June 2017, he wrote on Instagram about his preference for light-skinned women over those with dark skin. This started when he was asked about actress Keke Palmer which Kodak Black replied "Keke Palmer, she straight, I'd bag her, but I don't really like black girls like that, sorta kinda."[49] Users on the social media platform Twitter then began to respond negatively,[50] provoking Kodak Black to delete both his Instagram and Twitter accounts.[51] Kodak Black said following that light-skinned women are easier to break down, black women are "too gutter" and that he doesn't like his own skin complexion.[52] Amber Rose responded to the comments several days following saying they made her "so sad".[53]

2016 arrest photo

Kodak Black was placed into a youth detention center three times in one year, and then placed on probation.[13]

In October 2015, he was arrested in Pompano Beach and charged with robbery, battery, false imprisonment of a child, and possession of cannabis. He was later released.[2]

In April 2016, Kodak Black was arrested in Hallandale Beach, Florida and charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, and fleeing from officers.[54] The following month, he was arrested in Broward County, Florida and charged with armed robbery and false imprisonment. He was detained in custody.[43][55]

In August 2016, he appeared in court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Several executives from Atlantic Records attended the court; vice-president Michael Kushner commented "Black has a bright future as a recording artist".[56] Kodak Black pleaded no contest to all charges and under a plea agreement was to be placed on house arrest for one year, have five years probation, perform community service as required, and take anger management classes. He would also be permitted to tour internationally.[57][58] Prior to his release from Broward Main Jail, police discovered two outstanding criminal warrants, the first from Florence, South Carolina alleging felony criminal sexual conduct, the second from St. Lucie County, Florida alleging two counts of misdemeanor marijuana possession. Kodak Black was not released from jail.[56]

In September 2016, Kodak Black pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor drug charges and was sentenced to four months in jail. He was credited for time spent in custody awaiting trial and was required to serve 120 days. He was also suspended from driving for one year.[59]

Kodak Black was released from jail in Florida, and was then transported to Florence, South Carolina to face charges of sexual assault. According to the female victim, who reported the incident to her school nurse, she had attended a February 2016 performance by Kodak Black at "Treasure City" in Florence, after which she accompanied him to his hotel room where he is alleged to have told her he "couldn't help himself" as he tore off her clothes, bit her repeatedly, and raped her as she screamed for help. Kodak Black was released from custody in South Carolina on December 1, 2016 after posting a $100,000 bond, but returned to court on February 8, 2017.[60] About Kodak Black, the Miami New Times asked "is he the product of larger societal problems, having been raised on a steady diet of misogynistic rap lyrics?"[61] Within hours of release, he recorded and released "There He Go",[62] a single which mentions his recent release from jail:

Just hopped off the plane I just got out about a day ago
Everybody love me, when they see me they be like, "There he go!"
Got me a new lady, we 'bout to take a trip to Mexico
Crackers took my 40 so I'm 'bout to go buy a Draco (an AK-47 handgun)[63]

In February 2017, Kodak Black was arrested again for violation of his probation. He was held without bond and his musical tour was postponed.[64]

In April 2017, he was indicted by a grand jury in South Carolina, and must stand trial there on a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.[65] Also in April 2017, he appeared in court in Florida, where his anger management counselor Ramona Sanchez spoke about him disrupting her class. Sanchez said he was constantly burping during her class, and when asked to leave, he refused. When Sanchez threatened to call 911, he grabbed her phone and her wrist. The counselor recommended that Kodak Black will participate in individual therapy instead of group therapy.[66]

On May 4, 2017, he was sentenced for violating his house arrest to 364 days in the Broward County Jail, with the possibility of an early release if he completes a life skills course. He was released on June 5, 2017. He will remain on house arrest for one year, and five years of probation.[67]

Kodak Black was arrested inside of his Pembroke Pines, Florida home in January 2018 on multiple charges stemming from an Instagram live-feed video showing him passing marijuana and a gun around a small child. He initially faced seven felony charges including child neglect, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and marijuana possession.[68] On February 22, 2018, three charges against Kodak Black were dropped[69] and he pleaded not guilty to the remaining two.[70] On April 17, he pleaded not guilty to the remaining charges, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana, and was sentenced to 364 days in prison with credit for time served.[71] He was released on August 18, 2018.

Discography

References

  1. 1 2 "Uncover Kodak Black's Music When He Was Known as J-Black - XXL".
  2. 1 2 "Dieuson Octave". Local 10.com.
  3. ↑ "Kodak Black". Soundcloud.
  4. 1 2 "Kodak Black Signs Record Deal With Atlantic Records". 24hourhiphop.com. October 21, 2015. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Tags:  daily discovery, kodak black. "Kodak Black Interview | Pigeons & Planes". Pigeonsandplanes.com.
  6. 1 2 "Kodak Black Changes Name to Bill K. Kapri - Rap-Up - Rap-Up". www.rap-up.com. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  7. 1 2 "Kodak Black Legally Changes Name". BallerStatus.com. May 3, 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Macadams, Torii (October 1, 2014). "Born in the Trap: An Interview with Kodak Black". Passion of the Weiss.
  9. ↑ "Everything You Need To Know About Kodak Black". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  10. ↑ Clarkson, Brett. "How Kodak Black made it big — and could lose it all". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  11. ↑ "Kodak Black Is America's Hardest Working Teenage Rapper". The FADER. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
  12. ↑ Jerome, Cristina (2015-12-14). "Kodak Black Talks Drake Co-Sign, Getting Locked Up, and New Music for 2016". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  13. 1 2 "Biography". Kodak Black. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  14. ↑ Project Baby by Kodak Black, 2013-12-26, retrieved 2016-07-14
  15. ↑ Heart Of The Projects by Kodak Black, 2014-12-30, retrieved 2016-07-14
  16. ↑ Institution by Kodak Black, 2015-12-25, retrieved 2016-07-14
  17. ↑ Walker, Angus (October 24, 2015). "Drake Dances To Kodak Black On Instagram". HotNewHipHop.
  18. ↑ "Kodak Black Reacts to the Drake Co-Sign: "You trying to show me you f**k with me or what?"".
  19. ↑ "Earl Sweatshirt Responds To Drake's Kodak Black Cosign". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  20. ↑ Low, Carver (May 6, 2016). "Lil Uzi Vert & Kodak Black to Headline "Parental Advisory" Tour". Hotnewhiphop.com.
  21. ↑ "French Montana - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  22. ↑ "Kodak Black - Chart history (Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Kodak Black - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  24. ↑ Schwartz, Danny (June 19, 2016). "XXL Freshman Class 2016". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  25. ↑ Cummings, Moriba (August 14, 2016). "So Problematic: Kodak Black 'Doesn't Want No Black B***h'". BET.
  26. ↑ DeCourcey, Danielle (August 12, 2016). "What This Rapper Said About Black Women Reveals a Big Problem With Colorism". ATTN.
  27. ↑ Walker, Angus (10 October 2016). "Kodak Black releases "Can I" from Lil B.I.G. Pac". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  28. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tunnel-vision-single/id1204526233
  29. ↑ "Kodak Black Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Kodak Black Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Stream Kodak Black's New Album 'Painting Pictures' - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
  32. ↑ "Kodak Black's 'Painting Pictures' Album Enters Top 5 of Billboard 200 Chart - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  33. ↑ "Kodak Black Isn't A Fan Of Lil Uzi Vert Or Lil Yachty". Vibe. 2017-08-10. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  34. ↑ "Lil Uzi Vert Isn't Bothered by Kodak Black's Diss". Complex. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  35. ↑ Kodak Black - Project Baby 2 [Album Stream] | Stream [New Mixtape], retrieved 2017-08-18
  36. ↑ "Kodak Black Releases 'Project Baby 2: All Grown Up' Mixtape - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
  37. ↑ Aswad, Jem (2018-02-14). "Kodak Black Drops Valentine's Day Mixtape — From Jail (Listen)". Variety. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
  38. ↑ "Kodak Black Announces Anti-Valentine's Day Project 'Heartbreak Kodak'". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
  39. ↑ Trammell, Matthew (April 25, 2016). "Teenage Dream". The New Yorker.
  40. ↑ Burney, Lawrence (July 20, 2016). "Why Kodak Black's American Story Is So Important". The Fader.
  41. ↑ Charity, Justin (April 18, 2017). "Declaring a Moratorium on the Term "Mumble Rap"". The Ringer. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Kodak Black mumbles freestyle for 12 minutes (MUMBLE RAP EXCELLENCE)". Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  43. 1 2 Ivey, Justin (May 24, 2016). "Kodak Black Drops "Jewels"". XXL.
  44. ↑ "Rapper Kodak Black Goes Hebrew Israelite". The Forward. Retrieved 2017-08-09.
  45. ↑ "Rap Star Kodak Black Wants To Give Himself The Name Of A Biblical Priest". The Forward. Retrieved 2017-08-09.
  46. ↑ "'Momma I Know I'm Late But I Got It'- Kodak Black Passes GED Test in Prison". Olisa.tv. July 2, 2018.
  47. ↑ Alexis, Diamond (January 28, 2017). "Kodak Black Posts Sex Session on Instagram Live, Twitter Reacts Accordingly". BET.
  48. ↑ "Kodak Black Reportedly Streams Group Sex On Social Media". VIBE. January 27, 2017.
  49. ↑ "Kodak Black Is Standing By His Brash Comments About Dark-Skinned Black Women". Essence.com. 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  50. ↑ "Kodak Black: 'I Don't Really Like Black Girls Like That'". Complex. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  51. ↑ India, Lindsey (June 27, 2017). "Kodak Black Deletes Instagram Account After Controversy Over Comments on Black Women". XXL.
  52. ↑ "Kodak Black says light-skinned women are easier to break down - BBC Newsbeat". BBC Newsbeat. 2017-03-07. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  53. ↑ Akingbade, Tobi (2017-07-02). "Amber Rose is not impressed with Kodak Black calling black women 'gutter'". Metro. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  54. ↑ "South Florida Rapper "Kodak Black" Arrested in Hallandale Beach". WSVN-TV. April 22, 2016.
  55. ↑ "Rapper "Kodak Black" Arrested Again in South Florida". WSVN-TV. May 19, 2016.
  56. 1 2 Clarkson, Brett; Anthony, Attiyya (August 17, 2016). "Kodak Black Staying in Jail After Authorities Discover Outstanding Warrants". Sun Sentinel.
  57. ↑ "Kodak Black To Be Released On House Arrest".
  58. ↑ Sun-Sentinel, South Florida. "Kodak Black to be released; Pompano Beach rapper gets house arrest, probation".
  59. ↑ Clarkson, Brett (September 19, 2016). "Kodak Black Gets 120 Days In Jail, License Suspended For A Year In St. Lucie County Case". Sun-Sentinel.
  60. ↑ Clarkson, Brett (December 1, 2016). "Kodak Black Released From Jail On $100K Bond". Sun Sentinel.
  61. ↑ Farzan, Antonia (January 17, 2017). "Kodak Black, Accused of Sexual Assault, Still Reaches for the Top". Miami New Times.
  62. ↑ Weinstein, Max (December 6, 2016). "Kodak Black Releases First New Song and Video Since Getting Out of Jail". XXL.
  63. ↑ Kodak Black (December 8, 2016). "There He Go". Urban Islandz.
  64. ↑ "Kodak Black Arrested for Probation Violation - XXL". XXL Mag.
  65. ↑ Clarkson, Brett (October 11, 2017). "Kodak Black Case: Prosecutor Says Sex Assault Trial Still Planned". Sun Sentinel.
  66. ↑ "Rapper Kodak Black Burped Excessively In Anger Management Class, Hearing Told". Sun Sentinel. April 21, 2017.
  67. ↑ Clarkson, Brett (May 4, 2017). "Kodak Black Sentenced to 364 days in Jail, but Could be Released in a Month". Sun Sentinel.
  68. ↑ "Rapper Kodak Black arrested in Florida on multiple charges". Associated Press. January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018 – via Yahoo! News.
  69. ↑ Tavss, Jeff (2018-02-27). "Rapper Kodak Black has charges dropped from Broward home raid..." www.local10.com. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  70. ↑ "Kodak Black Pleads Not Guilty to Latest Home Raid Charges: Report". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  71. ↑ "Kodak Black Sentenced to One Year in Jail - XXL". XXL Mag.
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