No Flockin
No Flockin
Main page

No Flockin

logo
Community Hub0 subscribers
What are your thoughts?
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
No Flockin

"No Flockin" (also known as "No Flockin Freestyle") is the debut single by American rapper Kodak Black. The song, a rap freestyle over an instrumental of the same name produced by Vinnyx (VinnyxProd), became a sleeper hit eventually peaking at 95 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in January 2017. The song first appeared on July 27, 2014, on Kodak Black's official YouTube account, before being released on iTunes on July 6, 2015, by Dollaz N Dealz Entertainment, Sniper Gang and Atlantic Records.

In 2015, Canadian rapper Drake played a role in boosting Kodak Black's profile by posting a video to Instagram of himself dancing to Kodak's track "Skrt". This exposure transformed Kodak from a relatively unknown artist into a contender for the 2016 Freshman cover. Drake further gave Kodak Black recognition by playing "No Flockin" on his OVO Sound Radio Show, further amplifying interest in the song and caused it to go viral alongside "Skrt".

In an interview with Genius, VinnyX described the circumstances surrounding the song's creation. At the time, he was a college student disenchanted with his studies. One day, feeling frustrated, he decided to experiment with a MIDI keyboard that had been unused for several months. This spontaneous decision led to the creation of a beat that he uploaded to YouTube, where it eventually caught Kodak Black's attention, despite the rapper being relatively unknown at the time.

In an interview with Genius, VinnyX elaborated on the production process, explaining that the song originated from a single melody. He progressively layered additional elements, incorporating percussion, hi-hats, and kicks, while opting for a reggae bass instead of traditional 808s. The beat was further enhanced with a choir and horn section, creating a unique sound that defied categorization. VinnyX noted Kodak's distinctive flow contributed significantly to the track's impact, stating, "It really embraced what I was feeling when I was making the instrumental". He reflected on the song's influence and his aspirations as a producer, acknowledging the challenges of establishing a name in the industry.

Lyrically, Kodak Black initially approached "No Flockin" with a sense of irreverence, using it as a means to tease his friends who were indulging in the use of Flakka. In an interview with DJ Akademiks, he confessed that he didn't particularly like the song, viewing it as a lighthearted jest rather than a serious track. Kodak explained that he was inspired by observing his friends and family, noting, "I was just clowning them." Despite its informal origins and his initial reluctance, the song gained widespread popularity, ultimately becoming a viral hit and contributing significantly to Kodak Black's rise in the music industry and the broader hip-hop landscape, paralleling the rise of other artists like Cardi B.

The song's accompanying music video, directed by BonesVision, first appeared on August 25, 2014, on Kodak Black's official YouTube account. It showcases a minimalistic night setting, featuring just one location—a street with a single car illuminated by a streetlight. The video highlights Kodak's commanding presence as a 17-year-old rapper, showcasing his unique flow over three uninterrupted minutes. The director, BonesVision, employs techniques like night vision and image doubling, creating a documentarian feel.

The music video received generally positive response from critics, noted for its minimalist approach and effective use of visual elements. According to Rolling Stone Australia, the video demonstrates that simplicity can lead to impactful storytelling, emphasizing that sometimes "all you need for a great video is one set, one car under one streetlight, one verse stretching on for three effortless minutes by one 17-year-old with outsized charisma, and a singular flow". Rolling Stone Australia also listed it 146th on their list of the "150 Greatest Hip-Hop Videos of All Time".

"No Flockin" debuted at number 95 on US Billboard Hot 100 for the chart dated January 14, 2017, over 2 years after the song's initial release date. The following week, the song dropped off of the Hot 100. The song was Kodak Black's first charting song as a lead artist, and his second charting entry following his feature on French Montana's "Lockjaw". In June 2017, the song was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over one million digital copies in the United States.

See all
User Avatar
No comments yet.