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K-Trap

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K-Trap
Birth nameDevonte Kasi Martin Perkins
Born (1995-10-21) 21 October 1995 (age 29)
Lambeth, London, England
OriginGipsy Hill, London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2013–present
Labels
Websitektrapofficial.com

Devonte Kasi Martin Perkins (born 21 October 1995), better known by his stage name K-Trap, is a British rapper and songwriter from South London.[1][2][3] He is known for his prominence in the UK drill scene, releasing notable mixtapes such as The Last Whip (2017), The Re-Up (2018) and No Magic (2019). Previously, K-Trap was widely known for wearing a balaclava to conceal his identity until June 2019 when he revealed his face for the first time in the music video for his single ‘Big Mood’, promoting his mixtape No Magic.[4]

His fourth mixtape, Street Side Effects, was released on 13 November 2020. His mixtape collaboration with Headie One, Strength to Strength, was released on September 22, 2023, reaching number 4 on the UK albums chart and 1 on the UK Hip-Hop and R&B albums chart.[5]

Early life

[edit]

Devonte Kasi Martin Perkins was born on October 21, 1995, in the Lambeth area of South London.[6]

Career

[edit]

2017–2019: Career beginnings, The Last Whip, The Re-Up, and No Magic

[edit]

K-Trap started rapping at a young age, yet he only began to start taking music seriously in 2015.[4] 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.[4] 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.[1] 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.[7] 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.[2] 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.[8][9] The mixtape would eventually be released on June 27, 2019, and would peak at number 33 on the UK Albums chart.[10]

In a December 2020 interview with Notion, K-Trap would go in-depth into the reasons behind him revealing his face:[11]

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.

2020–2023: Mainstream breakout, The Last Whip II, and Strength to Strength

[edit]
Main article: Strength to Strength

On October 26, 2020, K-trap shared the tracklist for his fourth mixtape, Street Side Effects.[12] The mixtape was preceded by the single "New Opp Block" featuring British drill rapper, Abra Cadabra.[13][14][15] The mixtape was released on November 13, 2020. It would make his second and final release under Black Butter Records.[16]

K-Trap's breakthrough single, "Warm" was released on May 13, 2021.[17] 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.[18][19] K-Trap received his first MOBO Award nomination for the Best Drill Act which he lost out to Central Cee.[20]

On March 25, 2022, K-Trap and Blade Brown released the collaborative mixtape, Joints.[21] 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.[22] 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.[23][24]

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".[25][26] K-Trap won his first MOBO Award for the Best Drill Act at the 2022 ceremony on November 30, 2022.[27]

On September 22, 2023, K-Trap released his collaborative mixtape, Strength to Strength with fellow UK drill rapper, Headie One.[28][29] The mixtape was preceded by three singles, "Catfish"[30] and "Park Chinois".[31][32][33] The mixtape was released on September 22, alongside the single "Triple Threat" with Clavish.[34] 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.[35]

2024–present:Smile?

[edit]
Main article: Smile?

On April 18, 2024, K-Trap announced the release of his debut studio album, Smile?.[36] The album was preceded by five singles, "Heaven or Hell",[37][38][39] "Old School Era",[40] "Mobsters" with Blade Brown,[41][42] "Victory Lap",[43] and "Whistle".

Artistry

[edit]

Influences

[edit]

Perkins has referred to his early influences stemming from R&B and that he often listens to slow jams, reggae, and soul music.[44]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected details and peak chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[45] 		UK R&B
[46]
Smile? 10 1

Mixtapes

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected details and peak chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[45] 		UK R&B
[46]
The Last Whip — 8
The Re-Up
  • Released: 12 July 2018
  • Label: Just Jam
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 37 11
No Magic
  • Released: 27 June 2019
  • Label: Black Butter
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 33 19
Street Side Effects
  • Released: 13 November 2020
  • Label: Black Butter
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 26 1
Trapo
  • Released: 10 September 2021
  • Label: Thousand8
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 33 4
The Last Whip II
  • Released: 30 September 2022[48]
  • Label: Thousand8
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 12 2
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Collaborative mixtapes

[edit]
List of collaborative mixtapes, with selected details and peak chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[45] 		UK R&B
[46]
Joints
(with Blade Brown)
  • Released: 25 March 2022[49]
  • Label: Thousand8, BxB Ent.
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD
 18 2
Strength to Strength
(with Headie One)
  • Released: 22 September 2023[28]
  • Label: Thousand8, One Records
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 4 1

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[45] 		UK
R&B/HH
[50] 		IRE
[51]
"David Blaine" 2017 — — — Non-album single
"Paper Plans" — — — The Last Whip
"Behind Barz"[52] — — — Non-album single
"Wild Thoughts"[53] — — —
"Watching"[54] 2018 — — — The Re-Up
"Anything Else" — — —
"A to B"[55] — — —
"Back to Cali"
(with Blade Brown)[56] 		2019 — — — Non-album single
"Won't Stop"[57] — — —
"Plaza Riddim"
(with Tiggs Da Author) 		— — — Morefire
"Mask Off"[58] — — — No Magic
"Big Mood"[2] 66 38 —
"Mad About Bars"
(with Mischief and Mixtape Madness) 		— — — Non-album single
"Out The Mud"[59] — — —
"Exit"[60] — — —
"Paid the Cost"[61] 2020 — — —
"Off White"
(featuring Nafe Smallz) 		— — —
"Private Snap"[62] — — —
"Shivers" — — —
"Whip That Work"[63] — — — Street Side Effects
"Daily Duppy"[64] — — — Non-album single
"New Opp Block"
(with Abra Cadabra)[13] 		— — — Street Side Effects
"Warm"[17]
(solo or remix with Skepta) 		2021 17 6 41 Trapo
"Maths"[66]
(with DoRoad) 		— — —
"Pick 'n' Mix"[67] — — —
"Different"
(with Bis) 		— — — Non-album single
"6 Figures"[68]
(with Blade Brown) 		2022 — — — Joints
"Daily Duppy (5 Million Subs Special)"[69]
(with Blade Brown and GRM Daily) 		— — — Non-album single
"Busy" — — — The Last Whip II
"Extra Sleeve"[23]
(featuring Headie One) 		71 29 —
"Mad About Bars"[70]
(with Kenny Allstar and Mixtape Madness) 		— — — Non-album single
"Back 2 Back"[70]
(with Rimzee and Dirtbike LB) 		— — — Cold Feet
"Predicate"
(with Youngs Teflon and Tiny Boost) 		2023 — — — Purple Hearts
"Outings" — — — Non-album single
"Catfish"[30]
(with Headie One and M1onTheBeat) 		— — — Strength to Strength
"Park Chinois"[31]
(with Headie One) 		39 18 —
"Triple Threat"[34]
(with Headie One and Clavish) 		31 13 —
"Heaven or Hell"[37] 2024 47 21 — Smile?
"Old School Era"[36] — — —
"Mobsters"[41]
(with Blade Brown) 		— — —
"Victory Lap"[43] — — —
"Whistle" — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
[edit]
List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[45] 		UK
R&B/HH
[50]
"Diamonds"
(Yxng Bane featuring K-Trap) 		2017 — — Non-album singles
"Airforce" (Remix)
(DigDat featuring K-Trap and Krept & Konan) 		2018 20 6
"I Spy"
(Krept & Konan featuring K-Trap and Headie One) 		2019 18 11 Revenge Is Sweet
"Are You Mad"
(Yxng Bane featuring K-Trap) 		2020 66 — Quarantime: The Lost Files
"Pull Up"
(Ms Banks featuring K-Trap) 		2021 — — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted and certified songs

[edit]
List of songs, with year released, selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[45]
"Joints"
(Blade Brown featuring K-Trap) 		2019 70 Bags & Boxes 4
"Interlude" 2022 — The Last Whip II

Guest appearances

[edit]
List of non-single guest appearances, with year released, other artist(s) and album name shown
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Operation Fortress"[71] 2023 D-Block Europe DBE World

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Organization Award Work Result Reference
2021 MOBO Awards 2021 Best Drill Act Himself Nominated [20]
2022 MOBO Awards 2022 Won [27]
2023 MOBO Awards 2023 [35]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Joshi, Tara (20 July 2019). "One to watch: K Trap". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Ball, James (29 June 2019). "K-Trap removes his mask on new music video for 'Big Mood'". Mixmag. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  3. ^ McQuaid, Ian (4 January 2018). "10 UK rap artists to watch in 2018". Fact. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Patterson, Joseph JP (29 July 2019). "Mask Off: The Levelling Up Of K-Trap". Complex UK. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  5. ^ "STRENGTH TO STRENGTH by HEADIE ONE FT K TRAP". Official Charts. The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  6. ^ Femi, Caleb (16 January 2018). "K-Trap Has Dreams Bigger Than The Bando". Trenchtrenchtrench.com. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  7. ^ "K TRAP RELEASES NEW MIXTAPE 'THE RE UP'". Mixtape Madness. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  8. ^ Wynter, Courtney (27 June 2019). "K Trap Finally Takes His Mask Off In Brand-New "Big Mood ..." GRM Daily. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  9. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (26 June 2019). "K-Trap announces new mixtape No Magic". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  10. ^ Wynter, Courtney (28 June 2019). "K Trap Unleashes Brand-New Mixtape 'No Magic'". GRM Daily. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  11. ^ Bishop, Aaron (4 December 2020). "Notion 88: K-Trap - Interview". Notion. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  12. ^ Evans, Elle (26 October 2020). "K-Trap Shares 'Street Side Effects' Tracklist With Features From Blade Brown, M1llionz & More!". Mixtape Madness. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  13. ^ a b Harmony, Rehana (1 October 2020). "K-Trap & Abra Cadabra Offload "New Opp Block" Visuals". Mixtape Madness. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  14. ^ Dingley, Tom (1 October 2020). "K-TRAP & ABRA CADABRA COLLABORATE FOR BRAND-NEW BANGER 'NEW OPP BLOCK'". Link Up TV. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  15. ^ A., Aron (26 September 2022). "K-Trap & Abra Cadabra Scope Out The Scene On "New Opp Block"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  16. ^ Davey, Jacob (13 November 2020). "K-Trap's Debut Album, 'Street Side Effects', Has Arrived". Complex UK. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  17. ^ a b Mensah, Kafui (13 May 2021). "K-Trap Lets Off Video For New M1OnTheBeat-Produced Track "Warm"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  18. ^ "K-Trap Drops New 'Trapo' Mixtape With Youngs Teflon, Doroad & more". GRM Daily. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  19. ^ Powell, Jon (10 September 2021). "K-Trap delivers his latest project 'Trapo'". Revolt TV. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  20. ^ a b Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (11 November 2021). "Dave tops nominations at 2021 Mobo awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Blade Brown & K-Trap's 'Joints' Project Has Finally Arrived". Complex. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  22. ^ Dingley, Tom (18 August 2022). "K-TRAP DELIVERS DOUBLE TREAT WITH MEW TRACK 'SPOILT' & 'THE LAST WHIP 2' ANNOUNCEMENT". Link Up TV. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  23. ^ a b Murray, Robin (30 September 2022). "K-Trap Drops New Album 'The Last Whip II'". Clash. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  24. ^ Keith, James (30 September 2022). "Listen To K-Trap's 'The Last Whip II' f/ Headie One, Krept & Konan, Youngs Teflon & More". Complex UK. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  25. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (3 November 2022). "Skepta joins K-Trap on new remix of "Warm"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  26. ^ Murray, Robin (4 November 2022). "K-Trap Links With Skepta On 'Warm (Remix)'". Clash. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  27. ^ a b Waters, Lowenna (1 December 2022). "MOBO Awards 2022: Full winners list including Little Simz and Ezra Collective". Evening Standard. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  28. ^ a b Keith, James (22 September 2023). "K-Trap & Headie One Revive Drill With New Project 'Strength To Strength'". Complex UK. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  29. ^ Archibald-Powell, Naimah (22 September 2023). "Headie One & K-Trap share highly anticipated 'Strength to Strength' mixtape". GRM Daily. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  30. ^ a b "Premiere: K-Trap & Headie One tease joint mixtape with cold 'Daily Duppy' freestyle". GRM Daily. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  31. ^ a b Keith, James (15 September 2023). "K-Trap & Headie One Confirm Joint Mixtape With New Single "Park Chinois"". Complex UK. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  32. ^ "K-Trap & Headie One team up again for "Park Chinois" video". GRM Daily. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  33. ^ Renshaw, David (15 September 2023). "U.K. rappers Headie One and K-Trap announce joint project Strength to Strength". The Fader. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  34. ^ a b Archibald-Powell, Naimah (21 September 2023). "CLAVISH, HEADIE ONE & K-TRAP ARE A "TRIPLE THREAT" ON COLD NEW COLLAB". GRM Daily. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  35. ^ a b Beaumont-Thomas, Ben; Vinter, Robyn (7 February 2024). "Mobo awards 2024: Central Cee tops winners thanks to megahit Sprinter". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  36. ^ a b Keith, James (19 April 2024). "K-Trap Announces Debut LP 'Smile?' With "Old School Era" Music Video". Complex UK. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  37. ^ a b Kelly, Tyler Damara (9 February 2024). "K-Trap returns with the release of his latest single, "Heaven or Hell"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  38. ^ Keith, James (8 February 2024). "K-Trap Toasts MOBOs Victory With Video For New Single "Heaven Or Hell"". Complex UK. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  39. ^ McDonald, Jordan (8 February 2024). "K-Trap Returns In His Feels For "Heaven Or Hell"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  40. ^ "K-Trap takes it back to the "Old School Era"". GRM Daily. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  41. ^ a b Murray, Robin (3 May 2024). "K-Trap, Blade Brown Connect On 'Mobsters'". Clash. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  42. ^ "K-Trap & Blade Brown reunite for new collaboration "Mobsters"". GRM Daily. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  43. ^ a b "PREMIERE: K-TRAP STEPS UP FOR HIS THIRD DAILY DUPPY FREESTYLE". GRM Daily. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  44. ^ Simpson, Joe (4 June 2024). ""I've Grown As A Musician" K-Trap Is Staking His Claim". Clash. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  45. ^ a b c d e f "K-TRAP | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  46. ^ a b c
  47. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (19 April 2024). "K-Trap announces his forthcoming debut album, "SMILE?"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  48. ^ Eede, Christian (30 September 2022). "K-Trap releases new mixtape, 'The Last Whip II': Listen". DJ Mag. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  49. ^ "Blade Brown & K-Trap's 'Joints' Project Has Finally Arrived". Complex. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  50. ^ a b Peak R&B chart positions in the UK:
  51. ^ "Discography K-Trap". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  52. ^ Hornibrook, Myles (26 June 2017). "K Trap goes hard on his behind barz freestyle". GRM Daily. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  53. ^ Griffin, Alex (10 September 2017). "PREMIERE: K Trap is back with new video "Wild Thoughts"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  54. ^ "PREMIERE: K Trap is "Watching" in hard new video". GRM Daily. 14 January 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  55. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (11 June 2018). "K-Trap shares new track "A to B" and announces Brixton Electric headline show". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  56. ^ Wynter, Courtney (13 January 2019). "Blade Brown & K Trap Join Forces For "Back To Cali Freestyle"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  57. ^ Wynter, Courtney (14 February 2019). "Premiere: K Trap "Won't Stop" On Latest Drop". GRM Daily. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  58. ^ Murray, Robin (14 June 2019). "K Trap's 'Mask Off' Is Cut From A Different Cloth". Clash. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  59. ^ Evans, Elle (5 September 2019). "K-Trap Celebrates Life "Out The Mud" In Brand New Visuals". Mixtape Madness. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  60. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (22 October 2019). "K-Trap drops ominous new cut "Exit"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  61. ^ Murray, Robin (24 January 2020). "K Trap Blasts Back With 'Paid The Cost'". Clash. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  62. ^ Wynter, Courtney (28 May 2020). "K-Trap Comes Through With Hard New Track "Private Snap". GRM Daily. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  63. ^ Evans, Elle (3 September 2020). "K-Trap Gifts Supporters With "Whip That Work" Visuals". Mixtape Madness. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  64. ^ Archibald-Powell, Naimah (20 September 2020). "Premiere: K Trap drops cold new 'Daily Duppy' freestyle". GRM Daily. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  65. ^ a b c d "British certifications – K-Trap". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 October 2023. Type K-Trap in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  66. ^ Smith, Niall (12 June 2021). "K-Trap Brings The Bally Out For "Maths" Video With DoRoad". Complex UK. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  67. ^ Wynter, Courtney (26 August 2021). "K-Trap Unleashes Video For Hard Drill Heater "Pick 'n' Mix" & Announces New Mixtape". GRM Daily. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  68. ^ Wynter, Courtney (3 March 2022). "Premiere: Blade Brown & K-Trap Re-Connect On "6 Figures"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  69. ^ Wynter, Courtney (29 March 2022). "#5MilliSubs: Blade Brown & K-Trap Unite To Drop Joint 'Daily Duppy' Freestyle". GRM Daily. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  70. ^ a b Wynter, Courtney (2 October 2022). "K-Trap Returns To 'Mad About Bars' To Drop A Hard New Freestyle". GRM Daily. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  71. ^ Keith, James (7 July 2023). "D-Block Europe Share New 24-Track Project 'DBE World'". Complex UK. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
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