NoCap

Kobe Vidal Crawford was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama,{{cite news | last=Thomas| first=Fred| title =NoCap Biography by Fred Thomas| publisher =AllMusic| date =September 2018 | url =https://www.allmusic.com/artist/nocap-mn0003798633/biography| access-date =October 25, 2022}} and grew up in the Birdsville housing projects on the city's south side. Crawford begun to show interest in music at the age of nine, receiving inspiration from his mother's boyfriend at the time. He would continue to locally perform live shows alongside his brother, however, as the relationship between his mother and her boyfriend ended, Crawford would take a break from music until his teenage years.

{{Main|The Hood Dictionary}}

NoCap began his career in earnest with the release of his first EP, Believe It, in May 2017.{{cite news | last=A.| first=Aron| title =NoCap Taps Quando Rondo, OMB Peezy & More For "The Backend Child" Tape | work =HotNewHipHop| date =May 28, 2019 | url =https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nocap-taps-quando-rondo-omb-peezy-and-more-for-the-backend-child-tape-new-mixtape.119190.html| accessdate =September 7, 2019}} In early 2018, he released the song "Legend". The music video for that song accumulated over 1 million views on YouTube and would appear on NoCap's debut mixtape, Neighborhood Hero, in July 2018.{{cite news | title =Rising Alabama Stars Rylo Rodriguez & NoCap Share New Single "How We Roll"| work =RapFest| date =December 3, 2018 | url =http://therapfest.com/rising-alabama-stars-rylo-rodriguez-nocap-share-new-single-roll/| accessdate =September 7, 2019}} He followed that with a collaborative mixtape, Rogerville, with Rylo Rodriguez in September 2018. In November of that year, he was featured on the Lil Baby track, "Dreams 2 Reality", off the mixtape, Street Gossip.{{cite news | last=Jahmal| first=Karlton| title =Lil Baby Drops 'Street Gossip' Featuring Meek Mill, Gunna, Young Thug & More| work =HotNewHipHop| date =November 30, 2018 | url =https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-baby-drops-street-gossip-featuring-meek-mill-gunna-young-thug-and-more-new-mixtape.118683.html| accessdate =September 7, 2019}}

In 2019, NoCap signed a record deal with YoungBoy Never Broke Again's Never Broke Again and Atlantic Records. Months later, in March 2019, NoCap released the single, "Punching Bag" produced by CashMoneyAP.{{cite news | last=Ch| first=Devin| title =NoCap Reps 'Bama Strong On "Punching Bag" Produced By CashMoneyAp| work =HotNewHipHop| date =March 9, 2019 | url =https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nocap-reps-bama-strong-on-punching-bag-produced-by-cashmoneyap-new-song.1982252.html| accessdate =September 7, 2019}} Later that month, he released another single, "Ghetto Angels".{{cite news |last=Pierre |first=Alphonse |date=March 25, 2019 |title=The Ones: NoCap's "Ghetto Angels" and "Fortune teller" |work=Pitchfork |url=https://pitchfork.com/levels/nocap-ghetto-angels-new-song-listen/ |accessdate=September 7, 2019}} "Ghetto Angels" has totaled more than 80 million views on YouTube and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. In May, NoCap and Polo G were featured on the CashMoneyAP song, "No Patience".{{cite magazine | last=Saponara| first=Michael| title =CashMoneyAP Mobs With Polo G & NoCap For 'No Patience' Video: Premiere| magazine =Billboard| date =May 6, 2019 | url =https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8510119/cashmoneyap-no-patience-video-polo-g-nocap| accessdate =September 7, 2019}} Later that month, he released his second solo mixtape The Backend Child which marked his first appearance on the Billboard 200, debuting at number 170. The project featured guest appearances from Rylo Rodriguez ("Dead Faces"), OMB Peezy ("Demons"), and Quando Rondo ("New Ones"). NoCap also released music videos for songs off the album including those for "Blind Nights",{{cite news | title =NoCap – Blind Nights (Official Music Video)| publisher=YouTube| date =May 21, 2019 | url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqkUAEbkx5A| accessdate =September 7, 2019}} "Set It Off",{{cite news | title =Watch NoCap's Set It Off music video| work =JustNje| date =May 30, 2019 | url =https://justnje.com/watch-nocaps-set-it-off-music-video/| accessdate =September 7, 2019}} and "No Jewelry".{{cite news | last=Espinoza| first=Joshua| title =Premiere: NoCap Drops New Video for "No Jewelry"| work =Complex| date =June 12, 2019 | url =https://www.complex.com/music/2019/06/nocap-no-jewelry-video| accessdate =September 7, 2019}}

In July 2019, NoCap delivered a freestyle as a part of DJ Booth{{'}}s Bless The Booth series on Tidal.{{cite news | last=Chesman| first=Donna-Claire| title =NoCap Spits an Exclusive Freestyle for DJBooth & TIDAL's "Bless The Booth" Series| work =DJ Booth| date =July 8, 2019 | url =https://djbooth.net/features/2019-07-08-nocap-bless-the-booth-tidal-freestyle| accessdate =September 7, 2019}} The following month, he released the single, "Exotic",{{cite news | last=Pierre| first=Alphonse| title =The Ones: NoCap's "Exotic"| work =Pitchfork| date =August 5, 2019 | url =https://pitchfork.com/levels/nocap-exotic-new-song-listen/| accessdate =September 7, 2019}} and performed another freestyle on the HotNewHipHop Freestyle Session.{{cite news | last=C| first=Noah| title =NoCap Finds His Pocket in His HNHH Freestyle Session | work =HotNewHipHop| date =August 24, 2019 | url =https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nocap-finds-his-pocket-in-his-hnhh-freestyle-session-new-song.1984270.html| accessdate =September 7, 2019}} He was also featured on the Mozzy song, "Sad Situations".{{cite news | last=Montes| first=Patrick| title =Mozzy Recruits NoCap for Heartfelt New Single 'Sad Situations'| work =HypeBeast| date =August 28, 2019 | url =https://hypebeast.com/2019/8/mozzy-sad-situations-nocap-song-stream| accessdate =September 7, 2019}} On October 11, 2019, NoCap appeared on "Outta Here Safe" alongside Quando Rondo on YoungBoy's chart-topping mixtape, AI YoungBoy 2.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8532782/nba-youngboy-ai-youngboy-2|title=YoungBoy Never Broke Again Unleashes AI YoungBoy 2 Project Feat. NoCap & Quando Rondo: Listen|last=Saponara|first=Michael|magazine=Billboard|date=October 11, 2019|accessdate=June 15, 2024}} On November 19, 2019, NoCap released his third mixtape, The Hood Dictionary. The mixtape was preceded by three singles, "First Day In", released on September 27, 2019,{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/189952-nocap-drops-off-first-day-in-amid-serious-legal-issues-new-song|title=NoCap Drops Off "First Day In" Amid Serious Legal Issues|last=A.|first=Aron|website=HotNewHipHop|date=September 26, 2022|accessdate=June 15, 2024}} "Ghetto Angels (Remix)" featuring Lil Durk and Jagged Edge on September 30, 2019,{{cite web|last1=A.|first1=Aron|title=Lil Durk & Jagged Edge Join Alabama's NoCap On "Ghetto Angels" Remix|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/192131-lil-durk-and-jagged-edge-join-alabamas-nocap-on-ghetto-angels-remix-new-song|website=HotNewHipHop|access-date=June 15, 2024|date=October 4, 2019}} and "What You Know", just a day prior to the release of the mixtape on November 15, 2019.{{cite news|last=Pierre|first=Alphonse|date=November 19, 2019|title=The Ones: NoCap's "What You Know"|work=Pitchfork|url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/nocap-what-you-know-new-song-listen/|accessdate=June 15, 2024}} The album featured guest appearances from Quando Rondo, Lil Durk, and Jagged Edge{{cite news | last=Zidel| first=Alex| title =NoCap's "The Hood Dictionary" Features Quando Rondo, Lil Durk & More| work=HotNewHipHop | date =November 20, 2019 | url =https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nocaps-the-hood-dictionary-features-quando-rondo-lil-durk-and-more-new-mixtape.119799.html| accessdate =December 2, 2019}} and peaked at number 80 on the Billboard 200.{{cite magazine | title =Billboard 200| magazine=Billboard | date =November 30, 2019 | url =https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200| accessdate =December 3, 2019}}

On July 16, 2020, NoCap released his fourth mixtape, Steel Human, which debuted at number 31 on the Billboard 200.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/steel-human/1523648309|title=Steel Human by NoCap on Apple Music|via=Apple Music|date=July 16, 2020|accessdate=July 16, 2020}} The mixtape was preceded by "Count a Million" featuring Lil Uzi Vert on June 16, 2020.{{cite news|last=Yoo|first=Noah|date=June 17, 2020|title=Lil Uzi Vert Joins NoCap on New Song "Count a Million": Listen|work=Pitchfork|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/lil-uzi-vert-joins-nocap-on-new-song-count-a-million-listen/|accessdate=June 15, 2024}}{{cite magazine|last=Holmes|first=Charles|date=June 18, 2020|title=NoCap And Lil Uzi Vert Aren't Here To Celebrate on 'Count a Million'|magazine=Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/nocap-lil-uzi-vert-count-a-million-1017527/|accessdate=June 15, 2024}} NoCap released three music videos from the project: "By Tonight" on June 22, 2020, "Radar" on July 22, 2020, and "Overtime" on September 15, 2020. In December 2020, NoCap said on Instagram that he would be turning himself into authorities, in connection to a shooting in which he reportedly fired shots at someone his sister had an altercation with. He was charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling and reckless endangerment.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/rapper-nocap-plans-on-turning-himself-in-to-authorities-i-dont-know-how-long-ima-be-gone-news.123740.html|title=Rapper NoCap Plans On Turning Himself In: "I Don't Know How Long Ima Be Gone"|work=HotNewHipHop|last=Marie|first=Erika|date=December 28, 2020|access-date=January 21, 2022}}

{{Main|Mr. Crawford (album)}}

On July 21, 2021, NoCap was released from prison. Weeks after his release, on August 8, 2021, NoCap dropped "Vaccine" and "Vaccine (Falling Star)".{{cite web |last1=Zidel |first1=Alex |title=NoCap Returns With New Single "Vaccine" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/345104-nocap-returns-with-new-single-vaccine-new-song |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=June 15, 2024 |date=August 10, 2021}} "Vaccine" peaked at number 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. On February 23, 2022, NoCap released the single "I'll Be Here",{{cite web |title=NoCap proclaims "I'll Be Here" in new visual|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-02-28/154687/nocap-ill-be-here-video/|website=Revolt|last=Powell|first=Jon|date=February 28, 2022|accessdate=June 15, 2024}} followed by "Shackles to Diamonds" on March 16, 2022,{{cite web |title=NoCap Finds A Glimmer Of Hope On "Shackles To Diamonds"|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nocap-finds-a-glimmer-of-hope-on-shackles-to-diamonds-new-song.1994274.html|website=HotNewHipHop|last=A.|first=Aron|date=March 16, 2022|accessdate=March 16, 2022}} and "Save the Day" featuring Kodak Black on April 21, 2022.{{cite web |title=NoCap Enlists Kodak Black On "Save The Day"|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nocap-enlists-kodak-black-on-save-the-day-new-song.1994478.html|website=HotNewHipHop|last=A.|first=Aron|date=April 21, 2022|accessdate=June 15, 2024}} The singles appeared on NoCap's debut full-length studio album, Mr. Crawford which debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200, selling 29,000 copies in its first week and becoming his highest charting project.{{Cite magazine |date=May 8, 2022|title=Future Earns Eighth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With 'I Never Liked You' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/future-i-never-liked-you-number-one-billboard-200-chart-1235068356/ |access-date=June 15, 2024|magazine=Billboard}} The album included guest appearances from Internet Money, Kodak Black, and NBA YoungBoy.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nocap-taps-kodak-black-nba-youngboy-and-more-for-mr-crawford-new-mixtape.122579.html|title=NoCap Taps Kodak Black, NBA Youngboy & More For "Mr Crawford"|website=HotNewHipHop|date=April 29, 2022 |access-date=June 15, 2024}}

In November 2022, NoCap entered a heated exchange with Never Broke Again label head, YoungBoy Never Broke Again over social media due to claims of disloyalty on Cap's end.{{cite news|last=Espinoza|first=Joshua|title=YoungBoy Never Broke Again and NoCap Exchange Heated Shots Over Money Claims|work=Complex|date=November 18, 2022|url=https://www.complex.com/music/youngboy-never-broke-again-nocap-shots-over-money|accessdate=April 10, 2023}} YoungBoy claimed that Cap was scared and refused to defend Quando Rondo following the death of King Von while Cap claimed that YoungBoy was hating on him because his career was taking off.{{cite magazine|last=Coleman II|first=C. Vernon|title=YoungBoy Never Broke Again and NoCap Beef Erupts|magazine=XXL|date=November 18, 2022|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/nba-youngboy-nocap-beef/|accessdate=June 15, 2024}} NoCap's last project under Never Broke Again, The Main Bird, was released on December 16, 2022, featuring guest appearances from Rylo Rodriguez and Rob49.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/611700-nocap-releases-new-mixtape-the-main-bird|title=NoCap Releases New Mixtape, "The Main Bird"|last=Bras Nevares|first=Gabriel|work=HotNewHipHop|date=December 18, 2022|access-date=June 15, 2024}} Following NoCap's heated exchange with YoungBoy, through Apple Music, it was shown that NoCap's music was no longer licensed to Never Broke Again, indicating his departure from the YoungBoy Never Broke Again-founded label.

Despite not releasing a project and only four singles in 2023, on June 23, 2023, Cap appeared as a feature on long-time collaborator Rylo Rodriguez's "Thang for You" which served as the lead single to Rylo's sophomore album Been One. The single peaked at number 91 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Cap's first entry on the chart.{{cite magazine|last1=Zellner|first1=Xander|title=Hot 100 First-Timers: NoCap Scores First Appearance With Rylo Rodriguez Team-Up 'Thang for You'|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/nocap-hot-100-debut-rylo-rodriguez-collab-thang-for-you-1235377768/|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 15, 2024|date=July 25, 2023}}

{{Main|Before I Disappear Again}}

While teasing his sophomore album for over a year, on March 24, 2024, NoCap finally announced the release of his sophomore album, Before I Disappear Again for April 16, 2024, however, the album would later be pushed back until July 12, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C46DVevOlRx/|title=thebackendchild via Instagram: April 16th all yo pain will go away & I will remind you why you've always loved me. / #BeforeIDisappearAgainAlbum|website=Instagram|date=March 24, 2024|access-date=June 15, 2024|archive-date=June 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609112751/https://www.instagram.com/p/C46DVevOlRx/|url-status=live}} On June 8, NoCap released the album's lead single, "Baby Drake".{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/videos/nocap-baby-drake|title=NOCAP - 'BABY DRAKE'|website=HipHopDX|date=June 9, 2024|access-date=June 15, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Nevares|first=Gabriel Bras|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/815418-nocap-baby-drake-new-song-stream-hip-hop-news|title=NoCap Keeps A "Baby Drake" On New Single: Stream|website=HotNewHipHop|date=June 13, 2024|access-date=June 15, 2024}} The album's second single, "Yacht Party" was released on July 12.{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/videos/nocap-yacht-party|title=NOCAP - 'YACHT PARTY'|website=HipHopDX|date=July 14, 2024|access-date=July 19, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Horvath|first=Zachary|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/824535-nocap-yacht-party-stream|title=NoCap Is Full Of Anguish On "Yacht Party"|website=HotNewHipHop|date=July 14, 2024|access-date=July 19, 2024}} The album's third single "Maliboo" was released on August 2.{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/videos/nocap-maliboo|title=NOCAP - 'MALIBOO'|website=HipHopDX|date=August 3, 2024|access-date=August 13, 2024}}

In late 2019, Crawford turned himself in to Alabama police.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/09/26/alabama-rapper-nocap-charged-with-shooting-into-an-occupied-building|title=Alabama rapper Nocap charged with shooting into an occupied building|work=The Fader|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=October 25, 2022}} Crawford was later charged with firing a gun in an occupied building, possession of a controlled substance, and felony violation of probation. He was charged alongside his sister Brianna Crawford who was charged with shooting into an occupied building and reckless endangerment. Sgt. LaDerrick DuBose with the Mobile Police Department stated:

{{Blockquote

|text= "The victim and another subject were involved in an altercation that turned physical. That subject then summoned for Mr. Crawford to show up. Mr. Crawford showed up, arrived on the scene, and the victim fled into the house. Mr. Crawford then fired shots into the house and then he fled with his sister."

}}

In December 2020, Crawford had taken to his official Instagram to announce that he had thirty days to turn himself in:{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/346895-rapper-nocap-plans-on-turning-himself-in-to-authorities-i-dont-know-how-long-ima-be-gone-news|title=Rapper NoCap Plans On Turning Himself In: "I Don't Know How Long Ima Be Gone"|work=HNHH|date=December 28, 2020|access-date=October 25, 2022}}

{{Blockquote

|text= "I got 30 days to turn myself in & ma dukes tested positive for Covid this morning y'all pray 4 her, I don't know how long ima be gone I just want to appreciate my family, fans & friends for rocking w/ me continue to do that while I'm away, I'm not gone promise y'all nothing because I kno the process of dropping an album is not over night but I'm most definitely pushing for the beginning of da year 'Mr.Crawford The Album So Soon.'"

|author= @thebackendchild

}}

On January 11, 2021, Crawford turned himself in to police in Alabama regarding his September 2019 case where he allegedly violated his parole.{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/nocap-surrenders-police-probation-violation/|title=NoCap Surrenders to Police for Probation Violation After Saying He Has 30 Days to Turn Himself In|work=XXL|date=January 12, 2021|access-date=October 25, 2022}} Almost seven months after NoCap's incarceration, on July 21, 2021, he was released from jail.{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2021/07/alabama-rapper-nocap-released-from-jail-after-7-months.html|title=Alabama rapper NoCap released from jail after 7 months|work=Alabama Live LLC|date=July 26, 2021|access-date=October 25, 2022}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://nocap.com/}}

Category:Living people

Category:Rappers from Alabama

Category:Musicians from Mobile, Alabama

Category:Singers from Alabama

Category:American hip-hop record producers

Category:Record producers from Alabama

Category:Songwriters from Alabama

Category:African-American male rappers

Category:21st-century American male rappers

Category:1998 births

Category:Atlantic Records artists

Category:African-American songwriters

Category:21st-century African-American musicians

Category:American male songwriters

Category:American trap musicians