Kodak Black is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter who has a net worth of $5 million as of 2024. He is best known for his hit songs such as “No Flockin”, “Tunnel Vision”, “ZEZE”, and “Roll in Peace”. He has also collaborated with artists like French Montana, Yo Gotti, Rae Sremmurd, DJ Khaled, and more.
However, he is also notorious for his numerous legal issues involving weapons, drugs, assault, robbery, and sexual assault, resulting in multiple arrests and prison sentences. How did he achieve such a remarkable career in the music industry despite his troubled background? Let’s take a look at his biography, income sources, and achievements.
From Pompano Beach to Atlantic Records
Kodak Black, whose birth name is Bill K. Kapri, was born on June 11, 1997, in Pompano Beach, Florida. His parents were Haitian immigrants who separated when he was a child. He was raised by his mother in a public housing project called Golden Acres.
He started rapping at the age of 12 and joined a local rap group called Brutal Youngnz. He later switched to another group called The Kolyons. He also got involved in criminal activities, such as selling drugs, stealing cars, and breaking into houses.
He was expelled from school several times and arrested for various offenses. In 2013, he released his debut mixtape, Project Baby, which gained him some local popularity. He followed that with two more mixtapes, Heart of the Projects and Institution, in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
He also released his debut single, “No Flockin”, which went viral on YouTube and SoundCloud. He caught the attention of rapper Drake, who posted a video of himself dancing to Kodak’s song “Skrt”. This boosted Kodak’s fame and exposure, and he was signed by Atlantic Records in 2015.
From Mixtapes to Albums
In 2016, Kodak released his fourth mixtape, Lil B.I.G. Pac, which was his first to chart on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 49. The mixtape featured guest appearances from Gucci Mane, Boosie Badazz, and PnB Rock.
It also included the single “Skrt”, which reached number 10 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. In 2017, Kodak released his fifth mixtape, Painting Pictures, which was his first to debut in the top 10 of the Billboard 200, peaking at number 3.
The mixtape featured guest appearances from Future, Young Thug, Bun B, and more. It also included the single “Tunnel Vision”, which became his first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 6. Later in 2017, Kodak released his debut studio album, Dying to Live, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making him the first male solo artist to achieve this feat with a debut album since 2011.
The album featured guest appearances from Lil Pump, Juice WRLD, Offset, and more. It also included the singles “ZEZE”, which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Roll in Peace”, which peaked at number 31. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2019.
In 2018, Kodak released his sixth mixtape, Heart Break Kodak, which peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200. The mixtape featured guest appearances from Tory Lanez, Lil Wayne, and more. It also included the single “Codeine Dreaming”, which peaked at number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2019, Kodak released his second studio album, Bill Israel, which peaked at number 43 on the Billboard 200. The album featured guest appearances from Gucci Mane, Tory Lanez, Lil Yachty, and more. It also included the single “MoshPit”, which peaked at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100.
From Fame to Infamy
Kodak Black’s success in the music industry has been overshadowed by his numerous legal troubles and controversies. He has been arrested and charged with various crimes, such as possession of firearms, marijuana, and ammunition, robbery, battery, false imprisonment, sexual assault, and making false statements.
He has also been involved in several feuds and beefs with other artists, such as Lil Wayne, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, T.I., and The Game. He has also made insensitive and offensive remarks about women, race, religion, and sexuality.
Some of his notable legal cases are:
- In 2015, he was arrested for robbery, battery, false imprisonment of a child, and possession of marijuana. He was later released on bail.
- In 2016, he was arrested for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, and fleeing from officers. He was later released on bail.
- In 2016, he was charged with sexual assault in South Carolina. He was accused of raping a teenage girl in a hotel room after a concert. He was later released on bail.
- In 2017, he was arrested for violating his house arrest by leaving his home without permission and attending a strip club. He was later sentenced to 364 days in jail, but was released after serving 97 days due to good behavior.
- In 2018, he was arrested for grand theft of a firearm, possession of marijuana, child neglect, and two counts of probation violation. He was later sentenced to one year in jail, but was released after serving seven months due to good behavior.
- In 2019, he was arrested for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana at the US-Canada border. He was later released on bail.
- In 2019, he was arrested for making false statements on federal forms to purchase firearms. He was later sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.
- In 2020, he was sued by Danielle Bregoli, also known as Bhad Bhabie, for using a sample of her song “Babyface Savage” without permission in his song “Sorry”. He later agreed to pay her $450,000 to settle the case.
- In 2021, he was pardoned by former President Donald Trump on his last day in office, along with other celebrities such as Lil Wayne and Steve Bannon. He was released from federal prison after serving two years of his sentence.
- In 2021, he was accused of assaulting a prison guard in 2019. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault and battery and was sentenced to 18 months of probation.
Conclusion
Kodak Black is a controversial and successful rapper who has achieved fame and fortune in the music industry despite his troubled background and legal issues.
He has a net worth of $5 million and has released several hit songs and albums. He has also collaborated with some of the biggest names in the rap game. He is an influential and popular figure in the hip hop culture, but also a notorious and problematic one. He is a rapper to watch out for, and a star to admire and criticize.