Wikipedia

Kid Ink

Brian Todd Collins (born April 1, 1986),[2] known professionally as Kid Ink, is an American rapper and singer from Los Angeles, California.[3][4] His debut studio album, Up & Away (2012) was released independently and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200. He then signed with RCA Records to release his debut extended play Almost Home (2013), followed by his second album and major label debut, My Own Lane the following year. The latter peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was led by the single "Show Me" (featuring Chris Brown), which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album also spawned the follow-up singles "Iz U Down" (featuring Tyga) and "Main Chick" (featuring Chris Brown). His third album, Full Speed (2015) spawned the singles "Body Language" (featuring Usher and Tinashe) and "Be Real" (featuring Dej Loaf), both of which received platinum certifications by the RIAA.

Kid Ink
Collins in 2014
Collins in 2014
Background information
Birth nameBrian Todd Collins
Also known asRockstar
Born (1986-04-01) April 1, 1986 (age 38)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres Hip hop, pop rap
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
DiscographyKid Ink discography
Years active2005–present
Labels
Children2
Websitekidinkmusic.com

Collins' surprise commercial mixtape, Summer in the Winter (2015) was preceded by the platinum-certified single, "Promise" (featuring Fetty Wap). His second EP, 7 Series (2017) narrowly entered the Billboard 200 and was preceded by the single "F with U" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign). His third EP, Missed Calls (2019) was supported by the single "YUSO" (featuring Lil Wayne and Saweetie) and failed to chart, serving as his final release with RCA. His fourth album, Alive (2021), served as his first independent project in nearly a decade.

Career

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2005–2012: Career beginnings, Tha Alumni Music Group, and Up & Away

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During his teenage years, Collins attended after-school music programs, where he produced hip-hop beats and tracks. He cites Pharrell Williams and Swizz Beatz as part of his inspiration for its work ethic with the production and songwriting, when he said: "These were artists and producers who were writing for other people in all types of genres. It just gave me an open ear for all different types of music and that's how I approached it". He landed his first genuine production credit for a Nipsey Hussle single in 2008.[5] At 22, Collins began rapping full-time, soon after[6] adopting the temporary stage name Rockstar. On February 1, 2010, Collins released his first official mixtape, titled World Tour. The mixtape gained popularity that grabbed some of the attention towards a radio disc jockey, DJ Ill Will, the founder of HotNewHipHop. He later signed to his record label, Tha Alumni Group, and its joint label, 88 Classic. Collins also changed his stage name to Kid Ink, in respect for a label-mate, DJ Rockstar.[7]

In 2011, Collins released his second mixtape, called Crash Landing. The mixtape features guest appearances from Roscoe Dash, Ty Dolla Sign, and Meek Mill, among others. During the summer of 2011, Collins released his third mixtape, called Daydreamer that made available for digital download. The mixtape features guest appearances from Cory Gunz, Maejor Ali, Ray J, Sean Kingston, and Bow Wow, among others. In September 2011, Collins released his fourth mixtape, called Wheels Up. The mixtape features guest appearances from 2 Chainz, Nipsey Hussle, and Tyga, among others.[8]

In February 2012, Collins was revealed to be a part of the XXL's yearly Freshman class alongside fellow emerging artists at the time, such as Future, Iggy Azalea, and French Montana, among others. On June 12, 2012, Collins released his debut studio album, called Up & Away; including the production that was provided from Ned Cameron, Capsvl, and Jahlil Beats, among others. The album debuted at number 20 on the US Billboard 200. Supporting this album was the release of his single, called "Time of Your Life", followed by a release of his second single, called "Lost in the Sauce".[9][10] In November of that year, Collins released his fifth mixtape, Rocketshipshawty.[11]

2013–2014: Signing with RCA, Almost Home, and My Own Lane

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See also: Almost Home (Kid Ink EP) and My Own Lane

On January 4, 2013, he announced that he had signed a deal with RCA Records and premiered his first major label single, titled "Bad Ass" (featuring Meek Mill and Wale), produced by Devin Cruise.[1][12] The song would be released for digital download on January 22, 2013.[13] The song was released to Rhythm Crossover radio in the United States on February 26, 2013.[14] It has since peaked at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 27 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. He released an EP titled Almost Home on May 28, 2013. It featured other artists including French Montana, Wale, Meek Mill, ASAP Ferg, and Rico Love.[15] Upon its release, the EP debuted at number 27 on the Billboard 200. It also produced the single "Money and the Power" which was featured in HBO's Hard Knocks and in the sports video game NBA Live 14 as well as being one of the official theme songs of WrestleMania 31. On September 17, 2013, he released the first single from his second studio album My Own Lane, entitled "Show Me" (featuring Chris Brown), produced by DJ Mustard.[16][17] He released My Own Lane on January 7, 2014. On January 13, 2014, at Collins' album release party, he was awarded his first Gold plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for his single "Show Me".[18][19]

 
Collins performing in March 2012

2015–2016: Full Speed and Summer in the Winter

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See also: Full Speed (album)

On September 9, 2014, "Body Language", which features Usher and Tinashe, was released as the first single from his third studio album, Full Speed. The album was released on February 3, 2015, and has since peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard 200 album chart.[20] On December 25, 2015, Collins released a commercial mixtape, Summer in the Winter, with songs featuring Fetty Wap, Akon, Omarion, Starrah, and Bïa Krieger.

2016–present: RSS2 and 7 Series

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On September 19, 2016, Collins released the mixtape RSS2 on SoundCloud. Collins wanted to get back into his old mixtape sound. RSS2 features underground artists including his younger brother, Juliann Alexander. RSS2 spawned the "One Day" single from the project, with a music video. RSS2 was released on Spotify and every other streaming service on March 30, 2017. On April 7, Collins released the single "F with U" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign), with DJ Mustard producing. His second EP 7 Series was released May 5, 2017.

Personal life

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Collins has over 100 tattoos on his face, back, arms, hands, and torso.[21] He got his first tattoo when he was 16 and has been "addicted" to getting tattoos since. His favorites include portraits of his mother and grandfather on his chest and a tiger on the front of his neck, which represents his Chinese birth sign. He showed off his tattoos for one of PETA's "Ink Not Mink" anti-fur ads in 2013.[22]

Collins has been in a relationship with model Asiah Azante for over a decade. The couple became engaged in June 2015 and married in November 2016.[23] They have two daughters, born in 2016 and 2020 respectively.[24]

Discography

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Main article: Kid Ink discography

Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Category Nominated work Result
2014 MTV Europe Music Awards[25] Best Push Act none Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Markma, Rob (January 4, 2013). "Kid Ink Inks Deal With RCA Records". MTV. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  2. ^ Kellman, Andy. "Kid Ink | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  3. ^ "Kid Ink - MTV UK". Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  4. ^ Gustafson, Kyle (May 7, 2012). "Kid Ink at Howard Theatre". Washington Post. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  5. ^ "Kid Ink interview, "In the middle of it all"". Billboard. 2017.
  6. ^ Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY 7 a.m. EST February 23, 2014 (February 23, 2014). "On the Verge: Kid Ink embraces radio-friendly rap". Usatoday.com. Retrieved March 20, 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Kid Ink interview
  8. ^ "Introducing Kid Ink: Rising L.A. Artist Talks Transition From Producing & Quick Notoriety". BallerStatus.com. February 13, 2012. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  9. ^ "Kid Ink "Up & Away" Cover Art, Release Date". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  10. ^ "Kid Ink Reveals 'Up & Away' Album Cover Art x Confirms Release Date". Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  11. ^ "Mixtape Release Dates: Joe Budden, Wale, Pusha T, Young Jeezy". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  12. ^ "Kid Ink Signs To RCA Records". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  13. ^ "iTunes - Music - Bad Ass (feat. Meek Mill & Wale) - Single by Kid Ink". iTunes. January 22, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  14. ^ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  15. ^ Paine, Jake (May 14, 2013). "Kid Ink "Almost Home EP" Release Date & Cover Art". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  16. ^ Nigel D. (January 11, 2013). "Kid Ink ft. Chris Brown - Show Me (Prod. By DJ Mustard) » RealTalkNY Brought To You By Nigel D". Realtalkny.uproxx.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  17. ^ "Kid Ink - Show Me Feat. Chris Brown (Prod. By DJ Mustard) [Radio Rip] | Stream & Listen [New Song]". Hotnewhiphop.com. September 4, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  18. ^ "DJ Enuff Presents Kid Ink w/ Gold Plaque @ Webster Hall In NYC!! |". Deucetv.net. January 14, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  19. ^ "DJ Enuff Presents Kid Ink w/ Gold Plaque at Webster Hall in NYC". YouTube. January 13, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  20. ^ "Kid Ink Announces New Single "Vegas Strip"". HNHH. September 2, 2014.
  21. ^ "Five things you didn't know about Kid Ink". AXS. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  22. ^ Latifa Muhamed,"Kid Ink Joins PETA's "Ink Not Mink" Campaign," HipHopWired.com, March 12, 2013.
  23. ^ "Kid Ink Gets Engaged To Longtime Girlfriend Asiah Azante". BallerStatus.com. July 1, 2015.
  24. ^ "Kid Ink & Fiance Asiah Azante Welcome First Child Together". HotNewHipHop. February 11, 2016.
  25. ^ "MTV Europe Music Awards 2014 - All this year's nominees and winners". Digital Spy. November 9, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
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