In His Skin

Young buck Kid Ink steels up to make major moves

Imagine your life going from boring to bad-ass practically overnight. That’s exactly what Brian Todd Collins, a.k.a. Kid Ink, did when he signed to major label RCA Records. If you’ve been keeping up, you might’ve seen his video “Bad Ass” with Meek Mill and Wale that features women dressed as firefighters who are more concerned with throwing water on each other (it’s a rap video, people). But the bottom line is, this kid from MidCity LA who was once a darling of the independents’ is now making major moves.

On the cusp of his next album and reaching for a wider fan base, Kid Ink is focused. “I’m just working and recording in the studio,” he tells CULTURE. “That’s the biggest thing is getting the music right.” And so far, that strategy has worked. His independent release, Up & Away, debuted at No. 20 on the Billboard 200. His host of singles, such as “Time of Your Life,” made an impression on fans and labels alike. It’s hard to believe he almost chose to stay behind the scenes.

As a producer-turned-rapper, Collins’ music places a heavy emphasis on the overall structure of a song. He can write a great verse and a great hook, too. “It, of course, gives me more of a range than some who are just hip-hop artists who are only focused on rapping and aren’t concerned with writing hooks because a lot of the melodies are written for them and given to them,” he says in regards to his producing skills. The No. 1 goal, according to Ink, is to refrain from being repetitive and to maintain originality. “I honestly feel like I haven’t had much of a chance that I can get out the variety in everything that I can do musically and as a producer.”

Variety as an artist from the West Coast can be tough because it means a break with long-standing traditions. However, Ink isn’t sweating the LA, gangster rap paradigm much.

“I think it’s not the regular stereotypes from the old West Coast,” he says. “It’s something brand new . . . I don’t really have a concern to make a West Coast sound more than make good music.”

But there is one California rapper stereotype even Kid Ink can’t refuse. According to his estimate, he buys about an ounce of cannabis every day and a half or so. “It just depends on the situation,” he says. “Sometimes you have a party night, studio night, and you run through more than a regular day. An ounce I feel comfortable with.”

And why not? The man works hard. Despite his songs becoming the pre-game soundtrack for everybody on their way to the club, Kid Ink isn’t really ’bout that life. Or at least not recently.

“Honestly, I haven’t been to the clubs lately,” he said. “I’ve been out of town, on the road or in the studio. I don’t know what’s really the most poppin‘ clubs right now.”

For the sake of his next release, let’s hope his work ethic stays that way. Until then, expect Kid Ink to stay grounded on what will surely be a huge year. Up . . . and away.

kidinkmusic.com

A Brain and a Heart

Kid Ink is hardcore—about animal rights! The rapper recently put his hip-hop weight behind PETA’s “Mink, Not Ink” anti-fur campaign (“Be comfortable in your own skin, and let animals keep theirs”). “As much as I just love my pets and animals, I could never think of my dog getting skinned or anything happening to him,” Ink told PETA. “Why wouldn’t I compare that to a rabbit or a fox or any other animal with a brain and a heart?”