Kodak Black's Lawyers Say His "Low Income" Upbringing Has Influenced His Decisions

BY Erika Marie 35.4K Views
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Kodak Black
His legal team is doing whatever they can to get the rapper out of jail.

Federal prosecutors aren't letting Kodak Black out on bond without a fight. They've painted a picture of the rapper as being a danger to society, especially following the news that his fingerprints were linked to a Florida shooting. Kodak remains behind bars following his arrest prior to his Rolling Loud performance when he was taken into custody on charges of making a false statement in connection with the acquisition of firearms from a federally licensed dealer.

The 21-year-old's lawyers have petitioned the court to allow Kodak to be released so that he may fight his sexual assault case in South Carolina. In documents obtained by The Blast, Kodak's attorneys are hoping that their portrayal of the rapper as a victim of the environment he grew up in will sway the judge's decision.

"Born on June 11, 1997, the boy who would become Kodak grew up in Golden Acres, a small, barracks like cluster of public housing originally built in the late 1940s to house farm workers.” They write that his community “spans just over 80 acres and over 170 units" and mirrored other “low income housing tracts" by having an overwhelming presence of gangs and drug activity. "People in his old neighborhood talk about a quiet little boy walking around with a notepad, constantly writing rhymes."

The legal team also state in these latest court documents that they have a plan set in place for Kodak to be under constant supervision. They also argue that the rapper hasn't ever thought he was using "illegal drugs" because he has a valid license to use cannabis and his mother has gone on  record to say she “has never witnessed her son use illegal drugs.”


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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