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Kreayshawn
Background information
Birth name	Natassia Gail Zolot
Also known as	DJ Kreayshawn
Born	(1989-09-24) September 24, 1989 (age 35) San Francisco, California, U.S.
Origin	Oakland, California
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper, music video director
Years active	2008–present
Labels	Columbia
Website	kreayshawn.com

Natassia Gail Zolot (born September 24, 1989), better known by her stage name Kreayshawn, is an American rapper, creative director of OK 1984 and music video director from Oakland, California. In 2011, while serving as a member of a rap group with her friends, she released the music video to her debut single, "Gucci Gucci", to internet viral success. The popularity of the song and its video led to a recording contract with Columbia Records soon after. Kreayshawn released her debut studio album, entitled Somethin' 'Bout Kreay, on September 14, 2012.

Early life and education

Natassia Zolot was born on September 24, 1989, in San Francisco. She has Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry from Russia on her mother's side. Her mother, Elka Zolot, is a former member of the San Francisco garage punk band The Trashwomen. Kreayshawn moved to East Oakland and acquired her first video camera at age ten, whereupon she started documenting her raps and films about herself and everyday life.

At the age of 13, Natassia enrolled at Met West High School, which she described as a "new alternative type of high school". Instead of having the usual classes, such as English and mathematics, she had to take an internship at a local radio station three days a week. She was dissatisfied with the lack of work and wanted to go to a normal high school, so she switched to Oakland High School. However, according to Kreayshawn, she "went to none of classes, ever" at her new school, which led to her finishing the term with a 0.0 grade point average and getting expelled for truancy. After taking a short break, she went to Alameda High School but after a few months she was expelled for threatening to throw a watermelon at a schoolmate. After the incident, she then enrolled in the continuation high school, Island High, where she then completed her sophomore year. While attending, she began skipping school for weeks on end. After two weeks, she returned to find out the school moved to a different location. Since she had no address or any contact with the school she was unable to find the new location and never went back.

At the age of 16, she moved to live with her aunt in Berkeley and was taking care of her little cousin. She later moved again to live with her friend V-Nasty and enrolled in a work program, where she passed her GED test. After graduating, she received financial support from her work program and used the money to get her own apartment. She became employed at IKEA, and was also selling marijuana and working a short-lived stint as a "Craigslist pimp" in her spare time. When she was 17, she got a laptop and began recording songs and exploring her interest in cinematography, by shooting music videos for local artists such as Lil B. Her videos caught the attention of Dean Patrick Kriwanek, and she attended Berkeley Digital Film Institute with a full scholarship for two semesters. She then moved to Los Angeles to pursue her music video career. Her manager Chioke McCoy, whom she met while directing a video for DB tha General, encouraged her take on a music career of her own.

Career

Kreayshawn performed in the hip hop group the White Girl Mob (WGM). The group included her friends V-Nasty and Lil Debbie. The White Girl Mob, after many disputes, disbanded in 2012. However, the entire White Girl Mob crew appears in Kreayshawn's video "Go Hard (La.La.La)".

In 2010, Kreayshawn released her first mixtape, Kittys x Choppas, as well as her first music video for the song "Bumpin Bumpin." On May 16, 2011, she released a music video for her single "Gucci Gucci", which generated nearly three million views on YouTube in the first three weeks. "Gucci Gucci," according to Kreayshawn, is a song coaxing people to wear their own styles and not succumb to being "basic bitches," The popularity of her "Gucci Gucci" video caught the attention of several record labels, and Kreayshawn quickly signed a contract with Columbia Records. Kreayshawn's management was contacted by the label representing the Red Hot Chili Peppers about directing a music video for the band's single, "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" (from the album, I'm with You).Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). In August 2011, Billboard ranked Kreayshawn number 34 on their Social 50 chart for her presence on social media.

Kreayshawn sparked controversy during a Tinychat freestyle, wherein she insulted rapper Rick Ross by calling him "fake." She later retracted her statements and described it as a misunderstanding; however, a few days following her statement, Kreayshawn continued making negative remarks about Ross's body weight, once again calling him "fake" and stating that "he can't rap." These remarks eventually led to Rick Ross verbally threatening Kreayshawn and her manager Chioke "Stretch" McCoy entourage during the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. She was nominated for the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist, but lost the category to Tyler, The Creator. She also hosted the Red Carpet event. The same night, nude pictures of herself were leaked via her Twitter being hacked. She claimed the photos were taken when she was underage.

In July 2011, Kreayshawn's first physical release, Nattymari presents Kreayshawn and Sortahuman Murder in Memphis Vol 1, came out on cassette tape via Clan Destine Records. Produced by Nattymari with features by V-Nasty and Yung Hawaii Slim among others, the release was limited to 100 copies and celebrated Memphis' culture of murky, underground rap distributed via tape. Side A of the tape is available for free online via clothing company Mishka NYC, while the instrumental side B is tape exclusive. In 2012, Kreayshawn was nominated for the O Music Awards.

Kreayshawn's debut studio album, Somethin' 'Bout Kreay was released for digital download on September 14, 2012 under Columbia Records in the United States. It was released on CD elsewhere on September 25, 2012. The singles, "Breakfast", featuring 2 Chainz, and "Go Hard (La.La.La)" precede the album. A music video was released for "Blasé Blasé" exclusively through HungerTV.

On one of her YouTube videos she stated that she's working on an EP. On February 15, Kreayshawn vlogged her at the shoot for her new line of jewelry along with her appearing in a new music video with Bukkweatbill for their song "Pipe Down" Kreayshawn announced in a vlog released on February 22, 2014 that she has recorded several songs that might be on her upcoming EP, she also announced that she had an interest in getting a production crew together and to start directing again along with making a reel. In the same vlog, she also said that she had been unsigned from her label after she had had her first child. On July 24, Kreayshawn released a collection of chokers called "Hella Cute". Kreayshawn has been the creative director of OK 1984 since releasing her first collection. She also released a new song "Pizza Song". When responding to a fan on Twitter, Kreayshawn stated that she was working on music and would have something out by the end of 2014 hopefully.

On October 22, Kreayshawn announced on her Facebook page that she had created a podcast, Lost in Thot. It features Kreayshawn and Chippy Nonstop. Lost in Thot is usually released on SoundCloud and Stitcher.

On June 2 Kreayshawn collaborated with female electro duo NERVO for their single "Hey Ricky". The single will feature also DEV and Alisa Ueno.

Artistry

Influences

Kreayshawn has stated that the biggest influences on her rapping style are the Spice Girls and Missy Elliott. Kreayshawn states that Missy Elliot is her strongest influence because "she's always been stylish, and she’s always kept her own thing going." In an interview for M.I.S.S., Kreayshawn stated that there were several musicians she was a major fan of, some include Waka Flocka Flame, Kool Keith, Aaliyah, and The Spice Girls.

Accolades

Kreayshawn was listed as one of the 19 Most Important White Rappers in 2011 on the same list as Eminem and Mac Miller by Business Insider. Her 2011 hit song "Gucci Gucci" was critically acclaimed and referred by Pitchfork as #141 of The 200 Best Tracks of the Decade So Far.

An amateur pops off with a genuine hit—it's nearing 50 million views, aka Bieber numbers—and suddenly everyone has to make sure you know she didn't write her own lyrics, that everyone just liked the beat, it was really the Odd Future cosign, that the writer deserves the credit, that anything can and must be taken from her. But "Gucci Gucci", a perfect pop-rap record, has sustained, because Kreayshawn was at its center. Not that collaboration didn't help it come together: DJ Two Stacks' beat was immediate and hooky, and the song's lyrics are eminently quotable. But the spirit of Kreayshawn was what people wanted, what captured our eyes and ears. Down to the quotidian detail, she got what it was like to be a young and urbane hip-hop head in 2011, growing up on the Cool Kids and Curren$y, choosing style over fashion, dealing Adderall out of your backpack and shooting music videos for the gangster rapper up the street. In one record she built a universe—and transformed "basic" into the slang term heard round the world.

— David Drake

"Gucci Gucci" was included in many music critic year-end lists.

Personal life

On May 5, 2013, Kreayshawn announced via her Instagram that she was expecting her first child. She gave birth to her son, Desmond, on September 18, 2013.

Discography

• Somethin' 'Bout Kreay (2012)

Filmography

Television

Awards

References

1. "Lady Tragik Explains the Grimes/Kreayshawn L$D Project - MTV Hive". MTV Hive.
2. "California Birth Index, 1905–1995". Center for Health Statistics. California Department of Health Services.
3. Harkov, Lahav (September 1, 2011). "The Weekly Schmooze: All hail El Bloombito". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
4. "Kreayshawn: 'There Are, Like, Times When It Sucks Being White'". Colorlines. August 3, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
5. Hutchins, Andy (May 27, 2011). "Beyond Kreayshawn: The Women In Hip-Hop Who The Internet Should Freak Out About Next". Village Voice blog. Retrieved September 5, 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
6. ^ "Who Is Kreayshawn?". Complex. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
7. ^ "On the verge: Rapper Kreayshawn". USA Today. October 1, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
8. ^ "Kreayshawn reminisces about high school". Kreayshawn via YouTube. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
9. Nicholson, Rebecca (October 1, 2011). "Kreayshawn: haters are 'old and don't know what swag is'". The Guardian. London. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
10. Abebe, Nitsuh (June 17, 2011). "Krea Is the Latest Controversial White Rapper". Vulture.com. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
11. Haithcoat, Rebecca (November 10, 2011). "V-Nasty as She Wants to Be". LA Weekly. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
12. Palmer, Tamara. "Kreayshawn Kicks Lil Debbie Out of White Girl Mob, Basic Bitches Mourn". SF Weekly. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
13. Interview with "Gucci Gucci" Rapper Kreayshawn: Music. GQ.com; retrieved on 2011-09-05.
14. Weaver, Joshua R. (June 8, 2011). "Kreayshawn: Gucci Gucci Rapper's Just Not Good". Theroot.com. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
15. Rapper Kreayshawn Inks Deal With Columbia Records. rapfix.mtv.com
16. Red Hot Chili Peppers Video 'Crazier' With Kreayshawn Calling Shots. MTV (June 30, 2011). Retrieved on 2011-08-18.
17. "Kreayshawn - Chart history". Billboard.com. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
18. "Kreayshawn Didn't 'Intentionally' Dis Rick Ross". MTV.com.
19. "Kreayshawn Caught Dissing Rick Ross Again". BET.com.
20. Rick Ross and Kreayshawn Verbally Spar at the VMAs. PopCrush. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
21. MTV Talent Charms Kreayshawn On The VMA Black Carpet » MTV Remote Control Blog. Remotecontrol.mtv.com (August 28, 2011). Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
22. Kelly Rowland | Video. MTV. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
23. Romero, Dennis (August 30, 2011). "Nude Photos of Kreayshawn Are From Anonymous Offshoot Called Hollywood Leaks, Which Targets Celebrities – Los Angeles News – The Informer". Blogs.laweekly.com. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
24. Maeby, Liana. (August 31, 2011) Kreayshawn Claims She Was Underage in Leaked Nude Photos. Crushable. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
25. Kreayshawn. Kreayshawn.tumblr.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
26. "Guess Which VMA Nominated Artist Has Topless Photos Floating Around!!!". PerezHilton.com. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
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31. Somethin Bout Kreay. "Somethin Bout Kreay: Kreayshawn: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
32. Answering some twitter questions. YouTube. January 29, 2014.
33. A vlog not worth watching. YouTube. February 22, 2014.
34. "Kreayshawn 'Goes Hard' On '90s Nostalgia With New Line of Chokers". MTV News.
35. "Kreayshawn Launches "Hella Cute" Choker Collection". BallerStatus.com. July 23, 2014.
36. "Kreayshawn \u0026 DJ Two Stacks - Pizza Song [CLICK BUY FOR MORE FREE D/L] by djtwostacks - Hear the world's sounds". SoundCloud.
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40. "Kreayshawn Interview - MISS Interviews Kreayshawn - M.I.S.S." missomnimedia.com.
41. M.I.S.S. TV Presents: Kreayshawn. YouTube. June 2, 2011.
42. "The 19 Most Important White Rappers In 2011 - Business Insider". Business Insider. November 10, 2011.
43. ^ "The 200 Best Tracks of the Decade So Far (2010-2014)". Pitchfork.com.
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47. "The 75 Best Songs of 2011". PopMatters.
48. "Kreayshawn Announces Pregnancy on Instagram". MTV. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
49. "Twitter / KREAYSHAWN: Yee I had my a baby boy". Twitter.com. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
50. "Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
51. http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshha292NzPcoZRjHsi4
52. Gallo, Phil (July 20, 2011). "Katy Perry, Adele, Kanye West Lead 2011 MTV VMA Nominees". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 21, 2011.

External links

• Official website
• Kreayshawn on YouTube

Template:Persondata

• Kreayshawn
• 1989 births
• Living people
• 21st-century American musicians
• American female rappers
• Hip hop musicians from San Francisco, California
• Rappers from the San Francisco Bay Area
• West Coast hip hop musicians
• American people of Russian-Jewish descent