Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg/@micheleevephoto
Audio By Carbonatix
Kodak Black has it all: the hits, the fame, the fans, the turbulent past, the redemption, the keys to not one but two Florida cities, and now, his own coin.
Earlier today, the famous rapper from Pompano Beach announced he released his $YAK Coin in collaboration with music platform Audius. The project introduces a blockchain-powered fan club where $YAK holders get access to unreleased music, track stems, and behind-the-scenes material curated directly by the artist.
Kodak, born Bill Kapri, has been steadily shifting the public narrative. After years of legal troubles, the 28-year-old has emerged with a sharper focus on community and legacy. In July, he was awarded the key to his hometown of Pompano Beach in recognition of his extensive philanthropic work — including donating AC units to local families, distributing turkeys for the holidays, gifting bikes and toys to kids, and paying rent for hundreds of struggling households. “This recognition is not about celebrity,” said Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin at the time. “It’s about heart.”
That same spirit of community anchors the rollout of $YAK. As part of the launch, Kodak is handing out coins to fans during his annual Kodak Day celebration on November 11 at the Golden Acres housing project, where he grew up. He’s also dropping an exclusive, $YAK-gated track on the platform.
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“You already know – YAK,” the rapper said in the official press release, leaning into the catchphrase that doubles as the coin’s name and his own longtime nickname.
His manager, Killshot, framed the move as a forward-thinking business pivot. “The future of music is ownership, and $YAK puts that power in the fans’ hands,” he said. The launch coincides with a larger effort by Audius to allow artists to create branded digital currencies that reward engagement with exclusive perks.
The rollout comes just ten days after Kodak’s latest performance in Fort Lauderdale at the War Memorial Auditorium. The Bill Kill show featured special guests and marked a high point in his ongoing Just Getting Started era, named after his album released on October 31.
From South Florida stages to city hall to blockchain ecosystems, Kodak Black continues to redefine what a modern rap career can look like.
