Kreayshawn
Kreayshawn | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Natassia Gail Zolot |
Born | San Francisco, California | September 24, 1989
Origin | Oakland, California |
Genres | Westcoast hip hop, alternative hip hop |
Occupation(s) | Music video director, rapper |
Years active | 2008–Present |
Labels | Columbia |
Website | http://www.kreayshawn.com |
Natassia Gail Zolot (born September 24, 1989),[1] better known by her stage name Kreayshawn, is an American rapper and music video director. Her stage name is a play on the word "creation".[2] She is best known for her 2011 hit single, "Gucci Gucci". In August 2011, Billboard ranked Kreayshawn number 34 on their Social 50 chart for her presence on social media.[3]
Biography
1989–2009: Early life and career beginnings
Natassia Gail Zolot was born on September 24, 1989, in San Francisco, California, and moved to Oakland, California when she was 10 years old. She is of Russian descent,[4] and the daughter of Elka Zolot, a former member of the San Francisco garage punk band The Trashwomen.[5] Zolot got her first video camera when she was ten years old, and started documenting her raps and films about her self and everyday life.[2] When she was seventeen, she began exploring her interest in cinematography by shooting videos of friends and later music videos for local rappers such as Lil B.[6] Her videos caught the attention of dean Patrick Kriwanekhe, and Zolot attended Berkeley Digital Film Institute with a full scholarship for two semesters.[7] She then moved to Los Angeles to pursue her music video career.[2]
2010–present: Success with "Gucci Gucci" and Somethin' Bout Kreay
In 2010, Zolot released her first mixtape, Kittys x Choppas,[8] as well as her first music video for the song "Bumpin Bumpin". On May 16, 2011, she released a music video for her single Gucci Gucci, which generated nearly three million views on YouTube in the first three weeks. Gucci Gucci, according to Zolot, is a song coaxing people to wear their own styles and not succumbing to being a "basic bitch". The song is well known for its catchy chorus.[9] The popularity of her Gucci Gucci video caught the attention of several record labels, and Zolot quickly signed a contract with Columbia Records.[10] In June 2011, Zolot's management was contacted by the label representing the Red Hot Chili Peppers about directing a music video[11] for the band's single, "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" (from the album, I'm with You).[12] However, the band later opted to re-shoot the video and did not release the version directed by Zolot.[13] In September 2011, Zolot was nominated for the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist, but lost the category to Tyler, The Creator. She also hosted the Red Carpet event before the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.[14][15] Kreayshawn's debut album will be released August 14, 2012.[16]
Collaborations
Zolot performed as Kreayshawn in the musical group White Girl Mob. The group initially included her friends Vanessa "V-Nasty" Reece[17] and Jordan "Lil' Debbie" Capozzi. However, Capozzi and Zolot are no longer members as of November 2011 and April 2012, respectively. Though the group may not currently be performing under the official name, the entire White Girl Mob crew appears in Kreayshawn's video "Go Hard" which was released July 24, 2012. [18][19] In 2012, it was announced that Zolot would appear as Kreayshawn on "When I'm Clownin' (Kuma's Clownin' Remix)" in the remix album Mike E. Clark's Extra Pop Emporium, a bonus album from Insane Clown Posse's twelfth studio album, The Mighty Death Pop![20] In June 2012, Zolot announced she would be performing as Kreayshawn in the band L$D along with Lady Tragik and Grimes. Their debut single, "Don't Smoke My Blunt Bitch" was released on June 10.
Controversy
Critics of Zolot's music cite cultural appropriation and "exploitation of black culture".[21] West coast rapper Game released a diss track entitled, "Uncle Otis", containing lyrics criticizing Zolot for her alleged use of the word 'nigga'.[22] Zolot sparked more controversy during a televised freestyle, wherein she insulted rapper Rick Ross by calling him "fake". She later retracted her statements and described it as a misunderstanding;[23] however, a few days following her statement, Zolot continued making negative remarks about Ross's body weight, once again calling him "fake" and stating that "he can't rap."[24] These remarks eventually led to an altercation[25] between Zolot's manager and Rick Ross' entourage during the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. The same night, while Zolot was attending the awards ceremony, her Twitter account was compromised by an anonymous hacktivist group[26] who posted nude photos of Zolot.[27] She claimed the photos were taken when she was underage,[28] and they were removed from most websites.[29]
Discography
Studio albums
- Somethin' Bout Kreay (August 14, 2012)[30]
Mixtapes
- Kittys X Choppas (2010)
- Kreayshawn X The Bay (2011)
- Young, Rich, & Flashy (2012)
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | US R&B |
US Rap |
UK | UK R&B | ||||
"Gucci Gucci" | 2011 | 57 | 62 | 18 | 77 | 22 | Somethin' Bout Kreay | |
"Breakfast (Syrup)" (featuring 2 Chainz)[31] |
2012 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"Go Hard (La.La.La)" [32] |
2012 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. |
Guest appearances
Title | Year | Album | Artist(s) |
---|---|---|---|
"Stuntin' Hard" | 2011 | Ballin' wit No Deal 1.0 | G4 Boyz |
"Murder" | T.R.U. REALigion | 2 Chainz | |
"Firetruck" | Before, Volume 1 | The Madden Brothers, Hollywood Holt | |
"U Trippy Mane" | Blue Dream & Lean | Juicy J | |
"Stop Square" | 2012 | Hey | Jultopia |
"More Bitches" | Doin Number$ | V-Nasty, Roach Gigz | |
"Ratchet" | Your Girl Does Party | Millionaires | |
"Swisher Street Swag" | Promise | Soulja Boy, V.I.C. | |
"When I'm Clownin' (Kuma's Clownin' Remix)" | Mike E. Clark's Extra Pop Emporium | Insane Clown Posse |
Music video filmography
- "Fuchsia Glaze" – Ka'ra Kersey
- "I Do My Own Thing" – Dread
- "Ride by" – The Brother-hood
- "Like a Martian" – Lil B
- "They Can Tell" – The Brother-hood feat. YP
- "So Many" – Krisstaxx feat. Novaboy
- "Insane" – Lil B
- "We Eatin'" – Novaboy
- "Based World 1989" – Lil B
- "Guilty by Association" – D.B. Tha General
- "Best of Me" – Krisstaxx feat. Young Eez
- "I Like You Like You." – BEME
- "SNRS" - Soulja Boy Tell'em
- "Gucci Gucci" - Kreayshawn
- "Breakfast" - Kreayshawn featuring 2 Chainz
- "Go Hard (La La La) - Kreayshawn
Awards & Nominations
Year | Award | Nomination | Nominated Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | MTV Video Music Award | Best New Artist | "Kreayshawn" | Nominated |
References
- ^ "California Birth Index, 1905–1995". Center for Health Statistics. California Department of Health Services.
- ^ a b c "On the verge: Rapper Kreayshawn –". Usatoday.com. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/kreayshawn/chart-history/1692521
- ^ Kreayshawn: “There Are, Like, Times When It Sucks Being White”. Colorlines (2011-08-03). Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
- ^ Hutchins, Andy. (2011-05-27) Beyond Kreayshawn: The Women In Hip-Hop Who The Internet Should Freak Out About Next – New York Music – Sound of the City. Blogs.villagevoice.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
- ^ Rebecca Nicholson. "Kreayshawn: haters are 'old and don't know what swag is' | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ^ "Who Is Kreayshawn?". Complex. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ^ Interview with "Gucci Gucci" Rapper Kreayshawn: Music. GQ. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
- ^ Weaver, Joshua R. (2011-06-08). "Kreayshawn: Gucci Gucci Rapper's Just Not Good". Theroot.com. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ^ Rapper Kreayshawn Inks Deal With Columbia Records. rapfix.mtv.com
- ^ Red Hot Chili Peppers Video 'Crazier' With Kreayshawn Calling Shots – Music, Celebrity, Artist News. MTV (2011-06-30). Retrieved on 2011-08-18.
- ^ Red Hot Chili Peppers' New Video To Be Directed By ... Kreayshawn? – Music, Celebrity, Artist News. MTV (2011-06-23). Retrieved on 2011-08-18.
- ^ Video Sneak Peek: Red Hot Chili Peppers, 'The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie' » MTV Buzzworthy Blog. Buzzworthy.mtv.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-18.
- ^ MTV Talent Charms Kreayshawn On The VMA Black Carpet » MTV Remote Control Blog. Remotecontrol.mtv.com (2011-08-28). Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
- ^ Kelly Rowland | Video. MTV. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
- ^ "Kreayshawn's Debut Album Somethin 'Bout Kreay to be Released August 14, 2012".
- ^ Rebecca Haithcoat (2011-11-10). "V-Nasty as She Wants to Be – Page 1 – Music – Los Angeles". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ^ Palmer, Tamara. "Kreayshawn Kicks Lil Debbie Out of White Girl Mob, Basic Bitches Mourn". SF Weekly. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
- ^ https://twitter.com/#!/KREAYSHAWN/status/192442621510164482
- ^ Insane Clown Posse – The Mighty Death Pop – Infomercial. YouTube. Retrieved on 2012-04-22.
- ^ Viera, [Bene Viera]. "Kreayshawn: Another Case of Appropriating Black Culture". Sutton New Media LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
- ^ Langhorne, Cyrus. "Game Defends 'White B*tch' Kreayshawn Diss". 4CONTROL Media, Inc. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
- ^ "Kreayshawn Didn't 'Intentionally' Dis Rick Ross". MTV.com.
- ^ "Kreayshawn Caught Dissing Rick Ross Again". BET.com.
- ^ Rick Ross and Kreayshawn Verbally Spar at the VMAs. PopCrush. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
- ^ Romero, Dennis (2011-08-30). "Nude Photos of Kreayshawn Are From Anonymous Offshoot Called Hollywood Leaks, Which Targets Celebrities – Los Angeles News – The Informer". Blogs.laweekly.com. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ^ Maeby, Liana. (2011-08-31) Kreayshawn Claims She Was Underage in Leaked Nude Photos. Crushable. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
- ^ Kreayshawn. Kreayshawn.tumblr.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
- ^ "Guess Which VMA Nominated Artist Has Topless Photos Floating Around!!!". PerezHilton.com. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/news/kreayshawn-s-debut-album-to-prove-there-1007112172.story
- ^ "Kreayshawn Talks New Album, Working With Diplo". Pitchfork. 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
- ^ "Kreayshawn Talks New Album, Working With Diplo". Pitchfork. 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
External links
- 1989 births
- Living people
- American music video directors
- American rappers
- American Jews
- Female rappers
- American people of Russian descent
- American musicians of Russian descent
- People from San Francisco, California
- People from Oakland, California
- Rappers from the San Francisco Bay Area
- American female singers
- Pseudonymous rappers