Kodak Black facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kodak Black
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Kodak Black in 2023
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| Birth name | Dieuson Octave |
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| Born | June 11, 1997 Pompano Beach, Florida, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2009–present |
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Bill Kahan Kapri (born Dieuson Octave; June 11, 1997), known professionally as Kodak Black, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He first became known in 2014 with his songs "No Flockin" and "Skrt". These songs helped him get a record deal with Atlantic Records. "No Flockin" later became a double platinum hit, and "Skrt" also went platinum.
In 2017, his song "Tunnel Vision" became very popular, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This led to his first album, Painting Pictures (2017), which reached number three on the Billboard 200 chart. His mixtape, Project Baby 2, also did well, reaching number two. It included the triple platinum song "Roll in Peace" with XXXTentacion.
His second album, Dying to Live (2018), was a huge success. It topped the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured the song "Zeze" with Travis Scott and Offset. "Zeze" reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and is his highest-charting song.
Kodak Black's career has seen great musical success. He has also faced some challenges. In 2021, his prison sentence was ended by President Donald Trump. While in prison, he released his third album, Bill Israel (2020). His 2021 song "Super Gremlin" brought him back into the spotlight, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. This song was part of his fourth album, Back for Everything (2022). He released two more albums in 2023, Pistolz & Pearlz and When I Was Dead.
Contents
Early Life and Name
Kodak Black was born Dieuson Octave on June 11, 1997, in Pompano Beach, Florida. His mother, Marcelene Octave, was an immigrant from Haiti. He grew up in a public housing area called Golden Acres. Later, he legally changed his name to Bill Kahan Kapri.
He started rapping when he was in elementary school. He would read dictionaries to learn new words. From age six, people called him "Black" or "Lil' Black". When he joined Instagram, he chose the name "Kodak Black" because "Kodak" made him think of pictures. This became his stage name when he started rapping.
Music Career Highlights
Early Years: 2009–2015
In 2009, when he was 12, Kodak Black joined a rap group called Brutal Youngnz. He used the name J-Black. He then joined another local group called The Kolyons. He released his first mixtape, Project Baby, in December 2013. He followed this with Heart of the Projects in 2014 and Institution in 2015.
In October 2015, famous Canadian rapper Drake shared a video of himself dancing to Kodak Black's song "Skrt". This helped Kodak Black become much more popular. That same month, he signed a deal with Atlantic Records.
Breakthrough Success: 2016–2017
In May 2016, Kodak Black was featured on French Montana's song "Lockjaw". This song reached number 23 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. His song "Skrt" also reached number 10 on Billboard's "Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles" chart. In June 2016, he released his fourth mixtape, Lil B.I.G. Pac. This was his first mixtape to appear on Billboard charts.
XXL magazine chose Kodak Black for their "2016 Freshman Class" list, highlighting him as a rising star.
On February 17, 2017, Kodak Black released the song "Tunnel Vision". It quickly became a hit, reaching number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This was his first song to make it into the top 10.
On March 31, 2017, he released his first studio album Painting Pictures. The album reached number 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. He then released Project Baby 2 on August 18, 2017. Later, a deluxe version called Project Baby 2: All Grown Up was released. The song "Codeine Dreaming" from this version reached number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Albums and Hits: 2018–Present
In January 2018, Kodak Black released the Heart Break Kodak mixtape on Valentine's Day.
On December 14, 2018, he released his second album Dying to Live. This album included the very popular song "Zeze" featuring rappers Travis Scott and Offset. Other songs like "If I'm Lyin, I'm Flyin" and "Calling My Spirit" were also on the album. "Zeze" reached number 2 on the Hot 100. Dying to Live reached number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
On October 25, 2019, Kodak Black released "Zombie" with NLE Choppa and DB Omerta. In February 2020, he released "Because of You". On November 11, 2020, he released his third album, Bill Israel, while he was in prison.
After his release from prison, he released the song "Last Day In" on January 23, 2021. He also released "Every Balmain" in February 2021. In February, he was featured on Lil Yachty's song "Hit Bout It".
Kodak released a mixtape called Haitian Boy Kodak on May 14, 2021. The cover art showed his pride in his Haitian background. He then released Happy Birthday Kodak on June 11, 2021, which was his 24th birthday. In November 2021, his song "Super Gremlin" became a big hit, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100. This song was also on his fourth album, Back for Everything, released in February 2022. This album reached number 2 on the Billboard 200.
Later, Kodak Black announced he was leaving Atlantic Records and signing with Capitol Records. His last project with Atlantic, Kutthroat Bill: Vol. 1, was released on October 28, 2022. It reached number 8 on the Billboard 200.
Kodak Black also worked with Kendrick Lamar on the song "Silent Hill" from Lamar's album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022).
Musical Style
Kodak Black's music often talks about his life experiences. He has said that rappers Boosie Badazz and Chief Keef have influenced his music.
A writer for The New Yorker magazine described his "young voice" and "rebellious sound". They noted that he, like other young rappers, focuses on expressing real feelings rather than just complex lyrics.
In 2016, The Fader magazine said that he "shows the constant struggles of living in a poor area." They felt he made smart observations, similar to young artists from the 1990s like Mobb Deep and Lil Wayne. Kodak Black is often described as a mumble rapper.
Personal Life
In 2014, Kodak Black shared that he was working to get his high school diploma at Blanche Ely High School.
While he was in prison, Kodak Black began to learn about the Black Hebrew Israelites. He later changed his name to Bill Kahan Kapri in May 2018.
In June 2018, Kodak Black earned his GED (General Educational Development) diploma while in prison.
In February 2021, Kodak Black returned to social media with a new look. He and his lawyer, Bradford Cohen, announced that Kodak would help pay for the education of the children of two FBI agents who passed away while on duty.
In February 2022, Kodak Black was shot during a fight outside a restaurant in Los Angeles. This happened near a party hosted by Justin Bieber.
Helping Others
Kodak Black has shown a strong commitment to helping his community.
- On October 1, 2018, he gave $10,000 to the Jack and Jill Children's center. This center provides early education for children.
- In November 2018, Kodak Black announced plans to build a school in Haiti.
- On December 20, 2018, he donated money to Paradise Childcare in Florida. This helped provide gifts for 150 children and supported their annual Christmas party.
- In late 2018, he donated $2,500 to the family of police officer Terrence Carraway, who died while on duty.
- On May 3, 2019, Kodak Black donated $12,500 to a girl named Paige Cook. Paige's goal was to give pencils and notebooks to 7,600 students in a low-income school district in Texas.
- After the 2019 STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting, Kodak Black offered to pay for the funeral of Kendrick Ray Castillo, a student who died protecting others. He also offered a $10,000 scholarship for students studying science or engineering.
- He also reportedly donated $50,000 to Gekyume, the son of his friend and fellow rapper XXXTentacion, who passed away in 2018.
Discography
- Painting Pictures (2017)
- Dying to Live (2018)
- Bill Israel (2020)
- Back for Everything (2022)
- Kutthroat Bill: Vol. 1 (2022)
- Pistolz & Pearlz (2023)
- When I Was Dead (2023)
Tours
Headlining
- Dying to Live Tour (2019)
Images for kids
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Kodak Black's signature
