NoCap

Kobe Vidal Crawford Jr., known professionally as NoCap, is an American rapper and singer born on August 20, 1998, in Mobile, Alabama. Raised in the Birdsville housing projects on the city’s south side, NoCap’s early exposure to music came from his mother’s boyfriend, who inspired him to pursue his passion. Despite a brief hiatus from music due to personal circumstances, NoCap’s interest in rap and hip-hop was reignited during his teenage years, leading him to perform live shows alongside his brother.

NoCap’s musical career took off with the release of his debut EP, Believe It, in May 2017. The following year, he released the track “Legend,” which garnered significant attention and accumulated over a million views on YouTube. This success set the stage for his debut mixtape, Neighborhood Hero, released in July 2018. The mixtape showcased his lyrical skills and included collaborations with Rylo Rodriguez, leading to the joint project Rogerville in September 2018. His growing popularity was further solidified with his feature on Lil Baby’s track “Dreams 2 Reality,” from the mixtape Street Gossip.

In 2019, NoCap signed with YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s label, an imprint of Atlantic Records. His singles “Punching Bag” and “Ghetto Angels,” the latter of which was certified Platinum, marked a significant milestone in his career. The release of his second solo mixtape, The Backend Child, in May 2019, debuted at number 170 on the Billboard 200 and included notable collaborations. The mixtape was followed by The Hood Dictionary in November 2019, which peaked at number 80 on the Billboard 200. This project further established NoCap’s presence in the rap scene, showcasing his distinctive wordplay and high-pitched voice.

NoCap’s career continued to rise with the release of his fourth mixtape, Steel Human, in July 2020, which debuted at number 31 on the Billboard 200. The mixtape was supported by singles like “Count a Million” featuring Lil Uzi Vert, and music videos for tracks such as “By Tonight,” “Radar,” and “Overtime.” However, his career faced a setback when he was charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling and reckless endangerment in December 2020, leading to a brief imprisonment.

Following his release from prison in July 2021, NoCap returned to music with the singles “Vaccine” and “Vaccine (Falling Star),” the latter of which peaked at number 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 and was certified platinum. His debut studio album, Mr. Crawford, released in February 2022, debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 and was well-received by critics. The album featured collaborations with Internet Money, Kodak Black, and NBA YoungBoy, highlighting NoCap’s growth as an artist.

Despite a public feud with YoungBoy Never Broke Again in late 2022, NoCap continued to make waves in the industry. His last project under the Never Broke Again label, The Main Bird, was released in December 2022. Although 2023 saw a reduced output with only a few singles, NoCap featured on Rylo Rodriguez’s “Thang for You,” which marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100.

NoCap’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Before I Disappear Again, was initially set for release in April 2024 but was postponed to July 2024. The album’s lead single, “Baby Drake,” was released in June, followed by “Yacht Party” in July, continuing to showcase his distinctive style and lyrical prowess.