FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Bill K. Kapri, better known as rapper Kodak Black, was released from Broward County jail early Saturday morning.
The 21-year-old rapper from Pompano Beach was born Dieuson Octave. He legally changed his name while he was in jail and earned his General Equivalency Diploma.
His first stop after driving away from jail in a black Bentley Bentayga sports utility vehicle with a temporary paper plate was at his mother's home to see his son.
A man hugs Kodak Black as he walks away from Broward jail on Saturday. Photo by Local 10 News photojournalist Brian Ely
An Instagram video showing marijuana near his son prompted deputies to search his Pembroke Pines home in January. He was arrested and charged with child neglect, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and marijuana possession.
In February, prosecutors dropped the charges of child neglect and grand theft of a firearm. He pleaded not guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and marijuana possession. He still has a pending sexual assault case in South Carolina.
Kodak Black greets a man after walking out of jail on Saturday. Photo by Local 10 News photojournalist Brian Ely
While Kapri was in jail, he mourned the loss of his friend Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, better known as rapper XXXTentacion. The 20-year-old rapper from Plantation was killed June 18 during an armed robbery in Broward County.
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Kodak Black is no longer behind bars.
As expected, the 21-year-old rapper was released from Broward County Jail on Saturday, after serving seven months of his initial yearlong sentence. Kodak—born Dieuson Octave—reportedly returned his mother’s house upon his release, and intends to get back in the studio ASAP.
Breaking: Kodak Black has been released from jail. pic.twitter.com/PPJcNYxF47 — DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) August 18, 2018
Bill K. Kapri, better known as rapper Kodak Black, was released from Broward County jail early Saturday morning https://t.co/z1bw8EA69M pic.twitter.com/8WLJRnRnC4 — WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) August 18, 2018
The Painting Pictures artist was arrested in early 2018 after authorities stormed his Florida home. Law enforcement claims the raid was sparked by Kodak’s Instagram Live broadcast, in which he and a group of houseguests were allegedly seen around a gun, marijuana, and a child. Kodak was immediately taken into custody and slapped with multiple charges, including grand theft of a firearm, possession of marijuana, possession of a weapon by a felon, and child neglect without great bodily harm. Those charges were eventually dropped over the course of several court hearings. Kodak eventually pleaded guilty to minor parole violations: driving with a suspended license and “associating with people committing crimes.”
Because of the reduced charges and motions filed by his legal team, Kodak’s release date was moved up from October to September to Aug. 18.
“All I can say is, I work very hard to try and give all of my clients a second chance,” Kodak’s attorney Bradford Cohen told Pitchfork about the shortened sentence. “We were lucky that the matter concerning [...] Kodak was resolved in a way we felt was extremely fair by the prosecutor handling the matter. He looks forward to getting out and creating new music and spreading his charity work.”
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While serving his time, Kodak made a couple of life changes: He finally earned his GED and changed his legal name to Bill K. Kapri. Cohen said Kodak decided to change his name because he wanted a “fresh start.” At this time, it appears the rapper will retain his rap alias.
Name change is granted for @KodakBlack1k new name Bill K. Kapri...new start. DCF case surrounding the alleged video has also been dismissed — Bradford Cohen (@bradfordcohen) May 2, 2018
Though he’s no longer incarcerated, Kodak isn’t completely out of the clear. The rapper was indicted on unrelated sexual assault charges in October 2017 and is now awaiting trial.
The reports earlier were true. Kodak Black is now a free man. At the stroke of midnight, the 21-year old rapper was released from Broward County Jail after serving seven months of his original year long sentence. As it was reported on Friday, the Florida rapper, born Dieuson Octave, headed straight to his mother’s house after getting out to see his kid and eventually to get back to work in the studio.
If you recall, Kodak was originally arrested earlier this year for a slew of charges, including grand theft of firearm, possession of marijuana, and neglecting a child. He had 7 charges in total, but 5 of which were later eventually dropped, saving him from serving a possible 12 year sentence.
“All I can say is, I work very hard to try and give all of my clients a second chance,” Kodak’s attorney Bradford Cohen said last month to Pitchfork about the shortened sentence. “We were lucky that the matter concerning [...] Kodak was resolved in a way we felt was extremely fair by the prosecutor handling the matter. He looks forward to getting out and creating new music and spreading his charity work.”
Check out the couple photos of Kodak's newly-found freedom (below). Welcome home Kodak!
Kodak Black Released from Jail ... Fresh Start Starts Now
Kodak Black's a Free Man After Early Jail Release
EXCLUSIVE
Kodak Black is a free man, which means the time has come for the life of Bill K. Kapri to begin anew.
The Florida rapper was released from the Broward County Jail early Saturday morning after serving 7 months. As you'll recall ... he was doing time for 2 probation violations stemming from being arrested in January.
Breaking: Kodak Black has been released from jail. pic.twitter.com/PPJcNYxF47 — DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) August 18, 2018
Kodak was initially facing 12 years behind bars, but 5 of the 7 charges against him were dropped and he was looking at an October release before a judge cut his sentence even more last month.
This was all good news for the rapper while he was sitting in a jail cell and, on top of it, he took steps to better his life and get a fresh start upon his release ... including a legal name change!
Kodak also got a jail tutor to help him get his GED.
The world's your oyster now, Bill.
