Kid Ink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kid Ink
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Collins in 2014
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Brian Todd Collins |
| Also known as | Rockstar |
| Born | April 1, 1986 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2005–present |
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| Children | 3 |
Brian Todd Collins (born April 1, 1986), known as Kid Ink, is an American rapper and singer. He is from Los Angeles, California. He started his music career in 2005.
His first album, Up & Away, came out in 2012. It was released by himself and reached number 20 on the Billboard 200 chart. This chart lists the most popular albums in the United States.
Later, he signed with RCA Records. He released an extended play (EP) called Almost Home in 2013. An EP is like a mini-album with fewer songs. His second album, My Own Lane, came out in 2014. This album was a big success, reaching number three on the Billboard 200.
The song "Show Me" from My Own Lane was very popular. It featured singer Chris Brown and became a huge hit. It was certified four times platinum, meaning it sold millions of copies. Other popular songs from this album included "Iz U Down" and "Main Chick".
In 2015, Kid Ink released his third album, Full Speed. It featured songs like "Body Language" with Usher and "Be Real" with Dej Loaf. Both of these songs also sold very well.
His mixtape Summer in the Winter (2015) included the popular song "Promise" with Fetty Wap. He also released two more EPs, 7 Series in 2017 and Missed Calls in 2019. His most recent album, Alive, was released in 2021.
Contents
Kid Ink's Music Journey
Early Years and First Steps
When Kid Ink was a teenager, he went to music programs after school. He learned how to create hip-hop beats and songs. He looked up to artists like Pharrell Williams and Swizz Beatz. They inspired him to work hard and be open to different types of music.
In 2008, he got his first chance to produce a song for another artist, Nipsey Hussle. At 22, he started rapping full-time. He first used the stage name Rockstar.
On February 1, 2010, he released his first official mixtape, World Tour. A mixtape is a collection of songs, often released for free. This mixtape became popular and caught the attention of DJ Ill Will, who founded HotNewHipHop. Kid Ink then signed with DJ Ill Will's record label, Tha Alumni Group. He changed his stage name to Kid Ink to avoid confusion with another artist.
Mixtapes and First Album
In 2011, Kid Ink released more mixtapes. These included Crash Landing, Daydreamer, and Wheels Up. These mixtapes featured other artists like Ty Dolla Sign, Meek Mill, Sean Kingston, and Tyga.
In 2012, XXL magazine chose Kid Ink as one of their "Freshman class" artists. This list highlights new and exciting artists to watch. On June 12, 2012, he released his first studio album, Up & Away. The album did well, reaching number 20 on the Billboard 200 chart. Songs like "Time of Your Life" and "Lost in the Sauce" helped promote the album. Later that year, he released another mixtape called Rocketshipshawty.
Signing with RCA Records
On January 4, 2013, Kid Ink announced he had signed a deal with RCA Records. This was a big step for his career. He released his first song with RCA, titled "Bad ...", featuring Meek Mill and Wale. This song became popular on radio and music charts.
On May 28, 2013, he released his EP Almost Home. It featured artists like French Montana and ASAP Ferg. The EP reached number 27 on the Billboard 200. One of its songs, "Money and the Power", was used in the TV show Hard Knocks and the video game NBA Live 14. It was also an official theme song for WrestleMania 31.
On September 17, 2013, he released "Show Me" with Chris Brown. This song was the first single from his second album, My Own Lane, which came out on January 7, 2014. "Show Me" was a huge success.
More Albums and Mixtapes
On September 9, 2014, Kid Ink released "Body Language" featuring Usher and Tinashe. This was the first song from his third album, Full Speed, released on February 3, 2015. The album reached number 14 on the Billboard 200.
On December 25, 2015, he released a mixtape called Summer in the Winter. It included songs with artists like Fetty Wap and Akon.
Recent Projects
On September 19, 2016, Kid Ink released the mixtape RSS2 on SoundCloud. He wanted to bring back his older mixtape style. RSS2 featured new artists, including his younger brother, Juliann Alexander. The mixtape was later released on other streaming services.
On April 7, 2017, he released the song "F with U" featuring Ty Dolla Sign. His second EP, 7 Series, came out on May 5, 2017.
Kid Ink's Personal Life
Kid Ink has many tattoos, over 100 in total. He got his first tattoo when he was 16 years old. Some of his favorite tattoos are portraits of his mother and grandfather. He also has a tiger on his neck, which represents his Chinese birth sign. In 2013, he appeared in an ad for PETA to promote animal welfare.
Kid Ink has been with his partner, Asiah Azante, for over ten years. They got engaged in 2015 and married in 2016. They have three daughters, born in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Kid Ink's Albums
- Up & Away (2012)
- My Own Lane (2014)
- Full Speed (2015)
- Alive (2021)
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Awards | Category | Nominated work | Result |
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| 2014 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Push Act | none | Nominated |
