FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Bill K. Kapri, better known as rapper Kodak Black, was released from Broward County jail early Saturday.
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 sport utility vehicle with a temporary paper plate was to his mother's home to see his son.
Brian Ely/WPLG A man hugs Kodak Black as he leaves a Broward County jail early Saturday.
Black had little to say to Local 10 News photojournalist Brian Ely as he left jail.
"I don't really talk too much," Black said.
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.
Brian Ely/WPLG Kodak Black greets a man after walking out of jail early Saturday.
While Kapri was in jail, he mourned the loss of his friend Jahseh Onfroy, better known as rapper XXXTentacion. The 20-year-old rapper from Plantation was killed June 18 during an armed robbery in Deerfield Beach.
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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!
He served seven months in prison.
But rapper Kodak Black was a free man on Friday night, after being released from the Broward County Jail, according to TMZ.
The 20-year-old left with his new name, Bill K Kapri.
He's out! Rapper Kodak Black was a free man on Friday night, after being released from the Broward County Jail
The Tunnel Vision rapper was granted a legal name change by a Florida judge, according to TMZ, officially dubbing himself to Bill K. Kapri.
The Florida native, who is currently behind bars, is hoping the name will help give him a 'fresh start' when he's released, according to his lawyer Bradford Cohen.
He will still go by the name Kodak Black in his professional life, however.
Meet Bill: The hitmaker left with his new name, Bill K Kapri
Still young: The singer is only 20-years-old
New start: Kodak Black has been granted a legal name change by a Florida judge, according to TMZ, officially dubbing himself to Bill K. Kapri. Above the star is seen in December 2017
While Kapri is a little less flashy that his rap moniker, it isn't his birth name either.
Black was born Dieuson Octave back on June 11 1997.
The Like Dat rapper is currently behind bars after he was arrested and jailed for felony charges including child neglect and drug possession in January.
In the pokey: The Like Dat rapper (mugshot above) is currently behind bars after he was arrested and jailed for felony charges including child neglect and drug possession in January
Name game! While Kapri (above last December) is a little less flashy that his rap moniker, it isn't his birth name either. Black was born Dieuson Octave back on June 11 1997
The Transportin' hitmaker's arrest followed an Instagram Live video which showed the rapper handling marijuana and a gun inches away from an infant.
While the new charges against Kapri have since been dropped, he will continue to serve time for violating the terms of his house arrest and probation.
Now the star is hoping for a September 2018 release.
Self improvement! Kodak is making the most of his time behind bars, currently studying for his GED and taking parenting classes
Kodak is making the most of his time behind bars, currently studying for his GED and taking parenting classes.
He isn't letting prison get in the way of his music either.
Last month Kodak's producer/engineer Dyryk revealed that the rapper 'recorded a couple verses over the phone yesterday...' and is 'about to smack all of y'all with another [wave emoji.]
