Kodak Black Biography

Kodak Black, born Dieuson Octave, is an American hip-hop artist. Since 2013, the young rapper has been making interesting and well-received mixtapes. In 2015 he took it one step further, by signing a contract with Atlantic Records. His idol and major influence is Lil’ Boosie. In 2016, Kodak Black appeared on French Montana’s hit single Lockjack. He is currently working on his first studio album, Painting Pictures.

Career Beginnings 

Kodak Black began his rapping career at the age of 12. He has been part of 2 groups called Brutal Yungenz and The Kolyons. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, Black released one mixtape per year: Project Baby, Heart of the Projects and Institution. Near the end of 2015, the R&B artist Drake offered him great exposure by posting a video of himself dancing to a Kodak Black song.

Breakthrough & Issues

In 2016 the young rapper collaborated with Frech Montana and the result was a high-charted hit song. Moreover, Black’s own single, Skrt, reached number 10 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. A few months later he released a new mixtape which also took over the Billboard charts. He also made it into XXL Magazine‘s 2016 Freshman Class. However, fame came with a lot of problems for Kodak Black. He was heavily blamed for racism and for posting an indecent video on his Instagram. His response was: “If I could change I swear I would .. I tried everything but I’m just so hood.” Furthermore, he spent time in jail for weapon possession, possession of cannabis, and fleeing from officers. In 2017, he released another worldwide hit, Tunnel Vision. He is currently back in prison for violating his probation.

Photo credit: Billboard