Kirko Bangz

Kirk Jerel Randle (born August 20, 1989), better known by his stage name Kirko Bangz, is an American rapper from Houston, Texas. He is best known for his single, "Drank in My Cup" which was released in 2011 and peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. His name is derived from grunge rock singer Kurt Cobain.

Kirko Bangz
Kirko Bangz in 2012
Kirko Bangz in 2012
Background information
Birth nameKirk Jerel Randle
Also known asKirk Ko Bangz[1]
Born (1989-08-20) August 20, 1989
OriginHouston, Texas, U.S.
Alma materPrairie View A&M University (BS)
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2009–present
Labels

Early life

Kirko Bangz was born Kirk Jerel Randle in Houston, Texas.[2] Bangz started rapping at the age of fifteen, due in part to witnessing his mother struggle as a single parent; using his mother's pain as motivation. He graduated from North Shore High School in Houston and would later go on to attend Prairie View A&M University where he would major in communications.[3]

Career

2009–2012: Career beginnings and mixtapes

At Prairie View he was able to focus on his music, and in 2009 he released his first mixtape Procrastination Kills. He got the attention of a fellow student and now manager D Will.[4] His stage name is a play on late singer Kurt Cobain's name.[5] Bangz released his first official single titled "What Yo Name Iz?" on February 7, 2011. His first major hit actually began as a freestyle.[6] It has since peaked at number forty-one on the chart.[7] A remix was released on June 24, 2011, and features Big Sean, Wale and Bun B.[8] He released a mixtape shortly after on March 1, 2011, titled Procrastination Kills 3.[9]

His second single titled "Drank in My Cup" was released on September 16, 2011.[10] During the week of February 25, 2012, the single debuted at number ninety-six on the Billboard Hot 100.[11] It has since peaked at number 28 on the chart and at number one on the Hot Rap Songs chart.[12][13] The song spawned many remixes and freestyles featuring hip-hop artists J. Cole, 2 Chainz, Tyga, Bow Wow, Kid Ink, Chamillionaire and singer Trey Songz. Bangz released a new mixtape called "Procrastination Kills 4" on September 4, 2012. His third single from his debut album titled "Keep It Trill" was released on November 30, 2012.[14]

2013–present: Atlantic Records and 300 Entertainment

On March 26, 2013, it was announced that Bangz would be a part of XXL Magazine's 2013 Freshman Class.[15] Three days later he would announce the title of his debut album to be, Bigger Than Me.[16] On July 4, 2013, Bangz announced that he would release another mixtape, Progression 3 on August 1, 2013, prior to his debut album.[17] He has also revealed the cover for the mixtape.[18] However he would announce that it would be pushed back a week later.[19] The mixtape was released on August 12, 2013. Guest appearances came from Wale, Nipsey Hussle, French Montana, Z-Ro, Paul Wall, YG and Slim Thug among others. Production was handled by K.E. on the Track, DJ Mustard and Jahlil Beats among others.[20]

He was moved to Atlantic Records another subsidiarity of Warner Music Group. Then on January 28, 2014, Bangz released the album's first single "Hoe" featuring YG and Yo Gotti. His debut album will be released during 2014 by Atlantic Records.[21] From March 6 to April 17, 2014, Kirko Bangz went on The Trillest concert tour which was co-headlined by frequent collaborator Bun B.[22] On December 16, 2014, Bangz released the Progression V: Young Texas Playa mixtape, which was produced primarily by Austinite Kydd Jones and Sound M.O.B. (who produced Kirko's previous No. 1 hit "Drank in My Cup); the mixtape featured artists such as Texas heavyweights Bun B and Riff Raff.[23] On July 21, 2015, it was announced that Bangz signed with 300 Entertainment.[24] Although he released a few singles to promote his debut album Bigger Than Me, the album would go unreleased. Bangz stated in an interview that some of his unreleased material is owned by Warner Music Group, therefore being unable to release it. On August 31, 2015, Bangz released his first EP titled Fallin' Up Mix. On February 19, 2016, Bangz released his second Extended play, titled Playa Made. Then on August 26, 2016, Bangz released brand new mixtape titled Back Flossin'. On August 10, 2017, Bangz released another mixtape of the Progression series titled Progression 17. He is currently working on a new album titled Soul Food.

Personal life

Kirko Bangz is of African American, Mexican and Dominican descent.[25]

Discography

References

  1. "Master P - Friends with Benefits ft. Kirk Ko Bangz". YouTube. October 8, 2013.
  2. Caldwell, Brandon (September 6, 2017). "Kirko Bangz Is Still Finding His Way | Houston Press". Houston Press.
  3. "Rapper Kirko Bangz aka Mr. What Yo Name Iz?". Thebarmag.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  4. Rapper Kirko Bangz aka Mr. What Yo Name Iz? Archived July 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Thebarmag.com (October 17, 2010). Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  5. "Kirko Bangz Creatively Honors Legend Kurt Cobain". RapFix. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  6. "What Yo Name Iz? [Explicit]: Kirko Bangz: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. n.d. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  7. "Top Hip-Hop/R&B Songs – Week of April 23, 2011 He is also known for his song "Drank in My Cup"". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  8. "What Yo Name Iz? (feat. Wale, Big Sean, and Bun B)(Remix) – Single". iTunes.com. n.d. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  9. Kirko Bangz Procrastination Kills 3. Datpiff. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  10. Drank In My Cup: Kirko Bangz: MP3 Downloads. Amazon.com. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  11. "U.S. Billboard Hot 100 – Week of February 25, 2012". MusicStop. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  12. "Kirko Bangz – Chart history – Billboard". Billboard.
  13. "Kirko Bangz – Chart history – Billboard". Billboard.
  14. "Keep It Trill: Kirko Bangz: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. n.d. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  15. "XXL Freshman Class 2013 Cover Revealed - Page 2 of 2 - XXL". Archived from the original on March 29, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  16. "Kirko Bangz Says That He Should Have Been on "I Been On (Remix)," Calls Omission "Disrespectful"". Complex.
  17. Bangz, Kirko. "Progression 3 Tweet".
  18. Bangz, Kirko. "Progression 3 Cover". Twitter.
  19. "Kirko bangz pushes back Progression 3". Twitter.
  20. "Kirko Bangz Releases New Mixtape, 'Progression 3′ – XXL". XXL Mag. August 12, 2013.
  21. "Kirko Bangz Delivers 'Hoe' Featuring Yo Gotti, YG". The Boombox. January 28, 2014.
  22. "Bun B Announces Dates for 'The Trillest Tour' With Kirko Bangz". Complex.
  23. "Stream Kirko Bangz' "Progression V" Mixtape". Complex.
  24. "Kirko Bangz Inks Deal With 300 Entertainment – Fashionably-Early". July 21, 2015.
  25. BET Music (February 11, 2014). "Did you know @KirkoBangz is Black, Dominican and Mexican? YESSIR! http://bet.us/1m3vfaY #On106Today". Twitter. Retrieved February 8, 2021. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
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