Kid Ink

Biography

Brian Todd Collins (born April 1, 1986), known professionally as Kid Ink, is an American rapper and singer from Los Angeles, California. His debut studio album, Up & Away×Up & Away12 June 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1No One Left3:582Is It You4:563Time of Your Life3:554Act Like That (3-Some)3:375Walk in the Club3:386Drippin'2:487Lost in the Sauce3:298Roll Out4:119Rumpshaker3:1210Carry On4:1011Neva Gave a Fuck3:1812Hell & Back4:10 (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 (EP) Almost Home×Almost Home28 May 2013 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Bossin’ Up6:442Fuck Sleep3:573Was It Worth It3:394Money and the Power3:275Sunset3:486Bad Ass (remix)4:15 (2013), followed by his second album and major label debut, My Own Lane×My Own Lane3 January 2014 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Hello World3:252The Movement3:313Show Me3:374Iz U Down3:555We Just Came to Party3:546Main Chick3:177No Option3:288Murda3:379Rollin’3:1310Tattoo of My Name3:2811No Miracles4:3612I Don’t Care4:0213More Than a King3:3214Star Player3:4515My System3:4816Money and the Power3:2717Bad Ass4:5818Bossin’ Up6:50, the following year. The latter peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was led by the single "Show Me×Show Me19 February 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Show Me Remix [Explicit]4:33" (featuring Chris Brown), which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album spawned two additional singles: "Iz U Down" (featuring Tyga) and "Main Chick" (featuring Chris Brown). His third album, Full Speed×Full Speed30 January 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1What It Feels Like2:132Faster2:273Dolo3:234Body Language3:265Hotel3:386Cool Back3:027Be Real3:268Every City We Go3:529Round Here3:0510About Mine3:4111Blunted3:4012Like A Hott Boyy4:1513Show Must Go On3:2614Diamonds & Gold3:2415Pov3:45 (2015), peaked at number 14 on the Billboard 200 and spawned the singles "Body Language×Body Language9 September 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Body Language3:27" (featuring Usher and Tinashe) and "Be Real" (featuring Dej Loaf), both of which received platinum certifications by the RIAA.
Collins' sixth mixtape, Summer in the Winter×Summer in the Winter25 December 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Bunny Ranch2:482Real Recognize3:183Promise3:444Rewind4:005Blowin' Swishers, Pt. 23:026Same Day3:027Bank3:498Summer in the Winter3:079Good Idea3:1610That's on You3:3011Time Out3:19 (2015), was preceded by the double platinum-certified single "Promise" (featuring Fetty Wap). His second EP, 7 Series×7 Series5 May 2017 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Supersoka2No Strings3F With U2:594Mochi5Sweet Chin Music6Bad Lil Vibe7Lottery3:248Swish3:03 (2017), narrowly entered the Billboard 200 and was preceded by the single "F with U" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign). His third EP, Missed Calls×Missed Calls14 December 2018 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Do Me Wrong3:112Yuso2:543No Budget3:184Rain Dance3:075Lob3:246Tomahawk3:227Big Deal2:40 (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×ALIVE9 April 2021 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1New New2:512Night & Day3:033Red Light2:404Brakes3:295Rich Talk3:496Hoops2:497Don’t Want Me To Win3:028Warm It Up3:229All In Her Head2:5310Kick Back3:1811Thick Ole3:0612Look At That3:1113453:34 (2021), served as his first independent project in nearly a decade.

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

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. At 22, Collins began rapping full-time, soon after 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.
In 2011, Collins released his second mixtape, called Crash Landing×Crash Landing15 November 2010 · Other · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks1Crash Landing (intro)2:182Keep It Rollin3:283Take Over the World3:404Bathroom4:045Shorty Shorty3:336Double Take4:177Messin' Up My High3:198Closet Freak3:149Dancing on My Bed3:1910Gettin' Good3:53113604:3212La La La3:1313Love Life3:2714All I Know3:4415Please3:5216Nightshift3:4217Situation3:1818Run This2:2519Take Me Down4:0020Wait 4 Me4:09. 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×Daydreamer2011 · Other · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks1Intro2:182Daydreamer3:393I Just Want It All3:234Lowkey Poppin3:395Live It Up3:476Sick 'em4:067Ms Jane3:068Blackout3:339She's a Playa3:5210Time After Time3:4311I Need More3:4812Elevator Music3:1813End of the Night3:4114Home4:0815Neva Gon Leave3:0116Hold Up (Gimme What U Got)4:3517It's On2:2518Fastlane3:2719Star of the Show3:0120Cali Dreamin'3:1421Lights On3:1022Hold It Down3:25 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×Wheels Up2011 · Other · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Get Mine2What I Do3No Sticks No Seeds4Like a G5Stop6Never Change7Here We Go8Break It Down9Cruise Control10Rockin'11Tuna Roll12Whoopi13Aw Yeah14On My Own15Love Ya16Top of the World. The mixtape features guest appearances from 2 Chainz, Nipsey Hussle, and Tyga, among others.
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×Up & Away12 June 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1No One Left3:582Is It You4:563Time of Your Life3:554Act Like That (3-Some)3:375Walk in the Club3:386Drippin'2:487Lost in the Sauce3:298Roll Out4:119Rumpshaker3:1210Carry On4:1011Neva Gave a Fuck3:1812Hell & Back4:10; 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×Time of Your Life14 January 2012 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Time of Your Life (clean)3:572Time of Your Life (dirty)3:573Time of Your Life (instrumental)4:13", followed by a release of his second single, called "Lost in the Sauce×Lost in the Sauce26 April 2012 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Lost in the Sauce3:272Lost in the Sauce (clean)3:273Lost in the Sauce (instrumental)3:27". In November of that year, Collins released his fifth mixtape, Rocketshipshawty×Rocketshipshawty21 November 2012 · Other · Mixtape/StreetSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1OG2:232Badass2:183Bossin' Up2:244Fresh3:095Weekend4:066What They Doin3:187Holey Moley3:538Can't Ignore Me2:549Firestorm3:3410Ghost3:2611Get You High3:3512Poppin' Shit3:3513Last Time2:5514Loaded3:3815Keep Up3:0616Hell & Back (remix)4:14.

2013–2014: Signing with RCA, Almost Home, 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. The song would be released for digital download on January 22, 2013. The song was released to Rhythm Crossover radio in the United States on February 26, 2013. 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×Almost Home28 May 2013 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Bossin’ Up6:442Fuck Sleep3:573Was It Worth It3:394Money and the Power3:275Sunset3:486Bad Ass (remix)4:15 on May 28, 2013. It featured other artists including French Montana, Wale, Meek Mill, ASAP Ferg, and Rico Love. 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×My Own Lane3 January 2014 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Hello World3:252The Movement3:313Show Me3:374Iz U Down3:555We Just Came to Party3:546Main Chick3:177No Option3:288Murda3:379Rollin’3:1310Tattoo of My Name3:2811No Miracles4:3612I Don’t Care4:0213More Than a King3:3214Star Player3:4515My System3:4816Money and the Power3:2717Bad Ass4:5818Bossin’ Up6:50, entitled "Show Me×Show Me19 February 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Show Me Remix [Explicit]4:33" (featuring Chris Brown), produced by DJ Mustard. He released My Own Lane on January 7, 2014. On January 13, 2014, at Collins' album release party×Party9 July 2021 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Party3:02, he was awarded his first Gold plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for his single "Show Me".

2015–2016: Full Speed and Summer in the Winter

On September 9, 2014, "Body Language×Body Language9 September 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Body Language3:27", which features Usher and Tinashe, was released as the first single from his third studio album, Full Speed×Full Speed30 January 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1What It Feels Like2:132Faster2:273Dolo3:234Body Language3:265Hotel3:386Cool Back3:027Be Real3:268Every City We Go3:529Round Here3:0510About Mine3:4111Blunted3:4012Like A Hott Boyy4:1513Show Must Go On3:2614Diamonds & Gold3:2415Pov3:45. The album was released on February 3, 2015, and has since peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard 200 album chart. On December 25, 2015, Collins released a commercial mixtape, Summer in the Winter×Summer in the Winter25 December 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Bunny Ranch2:482Real Recognize3:183Promise3:444Rewind4:005Blowin' Swishers, Pt. 23:026Same Day3:027Bank3:498Summer in the Winter3:079Good Idea3:1610That's on You3:3011Time Out3:19, with songs featuring Fetty Wap, Akon, Omarion, Starrah, and Bïa Krieger.

2016–present: RSS2 and 7 Series

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×7 Series5 May 2017 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Supersoka2No Strings3F With U2:594Mochi5Sweet Chin Music6Bad Lil Vibe7Lottery3:248Swish3:03 was released May 5, 2017.

Personal life

Collins has over 100 tattoos on his face, back, arms, hands, and torso. 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.
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. They have three daughters, born in 2016, 2020 and 2024 respectively.