Kodak Black

Hailing from the United States, Kodak Black is a prolific rap artist known for his captivating and complex narratives that offer a gritty depiction of inner-city life. Bursting onto the scene from Pompano Beach, Florida at just 18, Kodak Black's sound reflects the raw, rough-edged reality of the Dirty South of the 90's. As of today, he has accumulated an extraordinary 12.4 billion streams on Spotify, with his most popular track "ZEZE(feat. Travis Scott & Offset)" accounting for more than 971.1 million streams on the platform.

Kodak Black's career takes root in the stark realities of his youth and troublesome legal issues, traits that are evident in his unapologetically raw lyrical narratives and snarling attitude. Although controversy has often shadowed his promising career, his uncompromising flow and fiery temperament have helped his albums reach the upper echelons of the charts. Released in 2020, "Bill Israel" along with "Back for Everything" and "Kutthroat Bill: Vol. 1" released in 2022, climbed to high spots on the music charts and proved that the rapper's art was undeterred by his legal troubles.

His debut mixtape was "Project Baby," released in 2014 when he was just 16, rolling out from the back of a drug house. Subsequent heavy-hitters included the 2015 mixtape "Heart of the Projects", featuring the hit track "SKRT". Renowned artist Drake not only shared the track online but also played it on his OVO Sound Radio show, propelling the young rapper's notoriety. In total, his mixtapes and albums have topped multiple charts and earned him recognition as one of the most influential contemporary artists of the genre.

Despite dealing with significant legal challenges, Kodak Black has persevered, using his experiences as fuel to propel in his music. His music has told stories of unyielding resilience, each album released demonstrated a determination that resonated with his fans and critics alike. More recently, Kodak has expanded his musical repertoire, venturing into R&B with mixtapes like "Heart Break Kodak" released on Valentine's Day in 2018.

Appearances by notable artists such as Gucci Mane, Lil Yachty, and Young Thug highlight the respect and recognition he has earned within the industry. His track "super Gremlin" from the Halloween-themed mixtape "Nightmare Babies" became platinum and climbed to number four on the Billboard charts. Kodak's latest album "Kutthroat Bill: Vol. 1" features singles "Walk" and "Spin", alongside collaborations with artists Lil Crix, VVSNCE, NFL Tuewop, and Prince Swanny, which further solidify his place in the music business.

Even while battling legal woes, the Pompano Beach artist continues to produce chart-topping music. His latest album 'Pistols & Pearls,' released in 2023, rose to the top 40 of Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, reinforcing Kodak Black's undeniable talent and determination in the face of adversity.

Kodak Black, born Dieuson Octave, may have emerged from a world of violence and struggle, but through his potent musical narratives, he has carved out a space for himself in the world of hip-hop and R&B, unapologetically authentic and undeniably skilled.