K-Trap

Devonte Kasi Martin Perkins was born on October 21, 1995, in the Lambeth area of South London.{{Cite web|last=Femi|first=Caleb|url=https://trenchtrenchtrench.com/features/ktrap-interview|title=K-Trap Has Dreams Bigger Than The Bando|website=Trenchtrenchtrench.com|date=January 16, 2018|access-date=May 23, 2024}}

K-Trap started rapping at a young age, yet he only began to start taking music seriously in 2015. Despite him just starting to take his career seriously, K-Trap was arrested and was in jail for two years before being found not guilty. He entered the music scene in 2017 after being released from prison and was known distinctively for his choice of wearing a balaclava to hide his identity. K-Trap independently released his debut mixtape, The Last Whip on June 25, 2017, featuring guest appearances from Blade Brown, Headie One, Potter Payper, alongside several other artists. The mixtape would go on to be labelled as a cult classic of his. K-Trap released his second mixtape, The Re-Up on July 12, 2018, through Just Jam Records and would include guest appearances from popular British artists such as Loski, D-Block Europe, Sharna Bass, and Yxng Bane.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mixtapemadness.com/blog/news/k-trap-releases-new-mixtape-re|title=K TRAP RELEASES NEW MIXTAPE 'THE RE UP'|website=Mixtape Madness|date=July 2, 2018|access-date=May 30, 2024}} The mixtape marked K-Trap's first appearance on the UK Albums Chart, debuting at number 37.

In 2019, K-Trap signed his first record deal with Black Butter Records before the release of his debut single, "Big Mood" which peaked at number 66 on the UK Singles Chart. In the music video for the track, K-Trap revealed his face for the first time after removing his balaclava to promote his third full-length mixtape, No Magic.{{cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/k-trap-big-mood/|title=K Trap Finally Takes His Mask Off In Brand-New "Big Mood ...|last=Wynter|first=Courtney|work=GRM Daily|date=June 27, 2019|access-date=February 8, 2024}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/k-trap-announces-new-mixtape-no-magic|title=K-Trap announces new mixtape No Magic|last=Kenneally|first=Cerys|magazine=The Line of Best Fit|date=June 26, 2019|access-date=May 30, 2024}} The mixtape would eventually be released on June 27, 2019, and would peak at number 33 on the UK Albums chart.{{cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/k-trap-no-magic-mixtape/|title=K Trap Unleashes Brand-New Mixtape 'No Magic'|last=Wynter|first=Courtney|work=GRM Daily|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=February 8, 2024}}

In a December 2020 interview with Notion, K-Trap would go in-depth into the reasons behind him revealing his face:{{cite magazine|url=https://notion.online/notion-88-k-trap/|title=Notion 88: K-Trap - Interview|last=Bishop|first=Aaron|magazine=Notion|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=May 30, 2024}}

{{Blockquote

|text= Me taking off the mask… there wasn’t too much thought into it. Obviously the reason why I wore the mask in the first place, the circumstances just weren’t valid anymore. I felt like, to get to that next level and the level I want to get to, it’s something that I needed to do. And I got to the stage where I actually wanted to show the real me. Like, as much as in this game we play, and in entertainment, there’s a lot of people that act a certain way or they behave a certain way, or they put out an image that might not be them. I feel like the mask deep down isn’t me, I wasn’t too much of a fan of it and I just felt like it was that time to level up.

}}

{{Main|Strength to Strength}}

On October 26, 2020, K-trap shared the tracklist for his fourth mixtape, Street Side Effects.{{Cite web|last=Evans|first=Elle|url=https://www.mixtapemadness.com/blog/news/k-trap-shares-street-side-effects-tracklist-with-features-from-blade-brown-m1llionz-more|title=K-Trap Shares 'Street Side Effects' Tracklist With Features From Blade Brown, M1llionz & More!|website=Mixtape Madness|date=October 26, 2020|access-date=May 30, 2024}} The mixtape was preceded by the single "New Opp Block" featuring British drill rapper, Abra Cadabra.{{Cite web|last=Harmony|first=Rehana|url=https://www.mixtapemadness.com/blog/news/k-trap-abra-cadabra-offload-new-opp-block-visuals|title=K-Trap & Abra Cadabra Offload "New Opp Block" Visuals.|website=Mixtape Madness|date=October 1, 2020|access-date=May 30, 2024}}{{Cite web|last=Dingley|first=Tom|url=https://www.thelinkup.com/content/2574/k-trap-abra-cadabra-collaborate-for-brand-new-banger-new-opp-block|title=K-TRAP & ABRA CADABRA COLLABORATE FOR BRAND-NEW BANGER 'NEW OPP BLOCK'|website=Link Up TV|date=October 1, 2020|access-date=May 30, 2024}}{{Cite web|last=A.|first=Aron|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/286778-k-trap-and-abra-cadabra-scope-out-the-scene-on-new-opp-block-new-song|title=K-Trap & Abra Cadabra Scope Out The Scene On "New Opp Block"|website=HotNewHipHop|date=September 26, 2022|access-date=May 30, 2024}} The mixtape was released on November 13, 2020. It would make his second and final release under Black Butter Records.{{cite magazine|last=Davey|first=Jacob|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/jacob-davey/k-trap-street-side-effects|title=K-Trap's Debut Album, 'Street Side Effects', Has Arrived|magazine=Complex UK|date=November 13, 2020|access-date=May 30, 2024}}

K-Trap's breakthrough single, "Warm" was released on May 13, 2021.{{cite web|last=Mensah|first=Kafui|url=https://grmdaily.com/k-trap-warm/|title=K-Trap Lets Off Video For New M1OnTheBeat-Produced Track "Warm"|work=GRM Daily|date=May 13, 2021|access-date=May 30, 2024}} The track would eventually go viral on the video-sharing app TikTok for its catchy introduction. The track would later appear on K-Trap's fifth mixtape, Trapo released under his newly-founded independent record label, Thousand8.{{cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/k-trap-trapo/|title=K-Trap Drops New 'Trapo' Mixtape With Youngs Teflon, Doroad & more|work=GRM Daily|date=September 10, 2021|access-date=May 30, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jon|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2021-09-10/101247/k-trap-delivers-his-latest-project-trapo|title=K-Trap delivers his latest project 'Trapo'|work=Revolt TV|date=September 10, 2021|access-date=May 30, 2024}} K-Trap received his first MOBO Award nomination for the Best Drill Act which he lost out to Central Cee.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/11/dave-nominations-2021-mobo-awards-central-cee-ghetts-little-simz-aj-tracey|title=Dave tops nominations at 2021 Mobo awards|work=The Guardian|date=11 November 2021|accessdate=May 30, 2024|first=Ben|last=Beaumont-Thomas}}

On March 25, 2022, K-Trap and Blade Brown released the collaborative mixtape, Joints.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/blade-brown-k-trap-joints|title=Blade Brown & K-Trap's 'Joints' Project Has Finally Arrived|website=Complex|date=25 March 2022|access-date=May 30, 2024}} On August 28, 2022, K-Trap released the single "Spoilt" alongside announcing the release of his sixth mixtape, the sequel to his debut, The Last Whip II.{{Cite web|last=Dingley|first=Tom|url=https://www.thelinkup.com/content/5172/k-trap-delivers-double-treat-with-mew-track-spoilt-the-last-whip-2-ann|title=K-TRAP DELIVERS DOUBLE TREAT WITH MEW TRACK 'SPOILT' & 'THE LAST WHIP 2' ANNOUNCEMENT|website=Link Up TV|date=August 18, 2022|access-date=May 30, 2024}} The mixtape was preceded by the singles "Busy", "Spoilt", and "Extra Sleeve" featuring Headie One, release just a day before the mixtape's official release on September 30, 2022.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/k-trap-drops-new-album-the-last-whip-ii/|title=K-Trap Drops New Album 'The Last Whip II'|last=Murray|first=Robin|magazine=Clash|date=September 30, 2022|access-date=May 23, 2024}}{{cite magazine|last=Keith|first=James|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/james-keith/k-trap-the-last-whip-ii|title=Listen To K-Trap's 'The Last Whip II' f/ Headie One, Krept & Konan, Youngs Teflon & More|magazine=Complex UK|date=September 30, 2022|access-date=May 30, 2024}}

Over a year after the release of the original, following an increase in popularity of "Warm" on social media, K-Trap recruited UK rap legend Skepta to appear on the remix of "Warm".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/skepta-joins-k-trap-on-new-remix-of-warm|title=Skepta joins K-Trap on new remix of "Warm"|last=Kenneally|first=Cerys|magazine=The Line of Best Fit|date=November 3, 2022|access-date=May 30, 2024}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/k-trap-links-with-skepta-on-warm-remix/|title=K-Trap Links With Skepta On 'Warm (Remix)'|last=Murray|first=Robin|magazine=Clash|date=November 4, 2022|access-date=May 23, 2024}} K-Trap won his first MOBO Award for the Best Drill Act at the 2022 ceremony on November 30, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/mobo-awards-2022-winners-list-little-simz-ezra-collective-craig-david-b1044088.html|title=MOBO Awards 2022: Full winners list including Little Simz and Ezra Collective|website=Evening Standard|first=Lowenna|last=Waters|date=1 December 2022|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}

On September 22, 2023, K-Trap released his collaborative mixtape, Strength to Strength with fellow UK drill rapper, Headie One.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/james-keith/k-trap-headie-one-strength-to-strength|title=K-Trap & Headie One Revive Drill With New Project 'Strength To Strength'|last=Keith|first=James|magazine=Complex UK|date=September 22, 2023|access-date=May 30, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/headie-one-k-trap-strength-to-strength-mixtape/|title=Headie One & K-Trap share highly anticipated 'Strength to Strength' mixtape|last=Archibald-Powell|first=Naimah|website=GRM Daily|date=September 22, 2023|access-date=May 30, 2024}} The mixtape was preceded by three singles, "Catfish"{{cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/k-trap-headie-one-daily-duppy/|title=Premiere: K-Trap & Headie One tease joint mixtape with cold 'Daily Duppy' freestyle|website=GRM Daily|date=September 10, 2023|access-date=May 30, 2024}} and "Park Chinois".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/james-keith/k-trap-headie-one-park-chinois|title=K-Trap & Headie One Confirm Joint Mixtape With New Single "Park Chinois"|last=Keith|first=James|magazine=Complex UK|date=September 15, 2023|access-date=May 30, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/k-trap-headie-one-park-chinois/|title=K-Trap & Headie One team up again for "Park Chinois" video|website=GRM Daily|date=September 14, 2023|access-date=May 30, 2024}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/09/15/headie-one-k-trap-strength-to-strength|title=U.K. rappers Headie One and K-Trap announce joint project Strength to Strength|last=Renshaw|first=David|magazine=The Fader|date=September 15, 2023|access-date=May 30, 2024}} The mixtape was released on September 22, alongside the single "Triple Threat" with Clavish.{{cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/clavish-headie-one-k-trap-triple-threat/|title=CLAVISH, HEADIE ONE & K-TRAP ARE A "TRIPLE THREAT" ON COLD NEW COLLAB|last=Archibald-Powell|first=Naimah|work=GRM Daily|date=September 21, 2023|access-date=February 8, 2024}} The project proceeded to debut at number 4 on the UK Albums Chart.

K-Trap won his second consecutive MOBO Award for the Best Drill Act at the 2023 ceremony on February 7, 2024.{{Cite news |last1=Beaumont-Thomas |first1=Ben |last2=Vinter |first2=Robyn |date=2024-02-07 |title=Mobo awards 2024: Central Cee tops winners thanks to megahit Sprinter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/feb/07/mobo-awards-2024-central-cee-tops-winners-thanks-to-megahit-sprinter |access-date=2024-05-30 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

{{Main|Smile?}}

On April 18, 2024, K-Trap announced the release of his debut studio album, Smile?.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/james-keith/k-trap-old-school-era|title=K-Trap Announces Debut LP 'Smile?' With "Old School Era" Music Video|last=Keith|first=James|magazine=Complex UK|date=April 19, 2024|access-date=May 23, 2024}} The album was preceded by five singles, "Heaven or Hell",{{cite magazine|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/k-trap-returns-with-the-release-of-his-latest-single-heaven-or-hell|title=K-Trap returns with the release of his latest single, "Heaven or Hell"|last=Kelly|first=Tyler Damara|magazine=The Line of Best Fit|date=February 9, 2024|access-date=May 23, 2024}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/james-keith/k-trap-heaven-or-hell|title=K-Trap Toasts MOBOs Victory With Video For New Single "Heaven Or Hell"|last=Keith|first=James|magazine=Complex UK|date=February 8, 2024|access-date=May 30, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/k-trap-heaven-or-hell/|title=K-Trap Returns In His Feels For "Heaven Or Hell"|last=McDonald|first=Jordan|work=GRM Daily|date=February 8, 2024|access-date=May 30, 2024}} "Old School Era",{{cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/k-trap-old-school-era/|title=K-Trap takes it back to the "Old School Era"|work=GRM Daily|date=April 18, 2024|access-date=May 30, 2024}} "Mobsters" with Blade Brown,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/k-trap-blade-brown-connect-on-mobsters/|title=K-Trap, Blade Brown Connect On 'Mobsters'|last=Murray|first=Robin|magazine=Clash|date=May 3, 2024|access-date=May 23, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/k-trap-blade-brown-mobsters/|title=K-Trap & Blade Brown reunite for new collaboration "Mobsters"|work=GRM Daily|date=May 2, 2024|access-date=May 30, 2024}} "Victory Lap",{{cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/k-trap-daily-duppy-2024/|title=PREMIERE: K-TRAP STEPS UP FOR HIS THIRD DAILY DUPPY FREESTYLE|website=GRM Daily|date=May 23, 2024|access-date=May 23, 2024}} and "Whistle".

Perkins has referred to his early influences stemming from R&B and that he often listens to slow jams, reggae, and soul music.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/ive-grown-as-a-musician-k-trap-is-staking-his-claim/|title="I've Grown As A Musician" K-Trap Is Staking His Claim|last=Simpson|first=Joe|magazine=Clash|date=4 June 2024|access-date=4 June 2024}}

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Category:People from Lambeth

Category:Rappers from the London Borough of Lambeth

Category:Living people

Category:English male rappers

Category:Gangsta rappers

Category:UK drill musicians

Category:British drill musicians

Category:1995 births

Category:Black British male rappers