Ken Carson
Kenyatta Lee Frazier Jr. (born April 11, 2000), known professionally as Ken Carson (formerly stylized as Ken Car$on) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is known for his second studio album X (2022) which peaked at number 115 on the Billboard 200 and for being signed to Opium, the record label belonging to Playboi Carti.[2]
Ken Carson | |
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![]() Carson in 2021 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Kenyatta Lee Frazier Jr. |
Also known as |
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Born | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | April 11, 2000
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2015–present |
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Early and personal life
Kenyatta Lee Frazier was born in Atlanta, Georgia on April 11, 2000. His cousin is a fellow record producer TM88.
Career
2015–2019: Beginnings
Frazier initially joined 808 Mafia in 2015 as a rapper after meeting uncle and fellow record producer TM88,[3] and would begin releasing music on SoundCloud as early as 2017. After gaining popularity in the underground rap scene, he would be discovered by fellow Atlanta rapper Playboi Carti and signed to his label Opium in 2019.[4][5]
2020–present: Boy Barbie, Teen X, Project X and X
After signing to Opium in 2019, Frazier would release two extended plays in 2020, Boy Barbie and Teen X.[6]
At the start of 2021, he would release a sequel EP called Teen X: Relapsed, before releasing his debut studio album Project X later that year.[7][8]
In February 2022, he appeared as a guest on the track "Geek High" off American rapper Yeat's album, 2 Alive.[9] He released his second studio album X on July 8, 2022.[10] It peaked at number 115 on the Billboard 200.[2]
In October 2022, he and fellow Atlanta rapper SoFaygo released a single titled "Hell Yeah" for SoFaygo's debut studio album Pink Heartz with an accompanying music video.[11][12][13] On October 31, 2022, Ken Carson released a deluxe version of his X album named Xtended, alongside a music video on YouTube for his song "MDMA" featuring Destroy Lonely.[14] On January 13, 2023, he would release the music video for his song "Freestyle 2" on YouTube. Shortly after, on February 14, he would release his single "I Need You".
Later on May 5, 2023, he would feature on Destroy Lonely's debut studio album If Looks Could Kill.
Musical style
Ken Carson's musical style on his studio album has been described as "[having] electronic production that is energetic in nature," with Ken having "focused" flows and being "intent on making his audience get up from their seats."[15] He has been compared to his mentor Playboi Carti and his 2020 album Whole Lotta Red and to Lil Uzi Vert for his flow and mentality .[8]
References
- "Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely come to Fonda". Daily Trojan. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- "Billboard 200 Week of July 23, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- "Ken Carson (Friday)". Creative Loafing. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- "Ken Carson Is a Leader of the New School". Complex. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- "Playboi Carti Gives Rare Interview on New Music, Fatherhood, More". XXL. August 17, 2022.
- "Atlanta Rapper Ken Carson Drops New Album 'X'". UDiscoverMusic. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- "Ken Car$on drops long-awaited debut album 'Project X'". Our Generation Music. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
- "Ken Car$on: Project X". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- "Gëek high (feat. Ken Carson)". Spotify. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
- "Stream Ken Carson's New Album 'X' f/ Destroy Lonely and Homixide Gang". Complex. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- "SoFaygo and Ken Carson Drop Video for "Hell Yeah"". Complex. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
- "SoFaygo & Ken Carson Bring Undeniable Energy On "Hell Yeah"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
- "Taylor Swift, Lil Uzi Vert, Carly Rae Jepsen, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
- "XTENDED by Ken Carson". October 31, 2022 – via music.apple.com.
- "Ken Carson Makes A Statement With New Album "X"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 15, 2022.