Career

2005-09: Career beginnings and record production

When he was a teenager, Kid Ink began his career doing the after-school music programs, so he could be make some beats, while producing most tracks. His inspiration was based upon his work ethic from several producers such as Timbaland, Pharrell Williams and Swizz Beatz. He said: "These were artists and producers who were writing for other people in all types of genres. It just gave me an open ear for all different types of music and that's how I approached it." Following these years of working as a record producer, Ink began pursuing his career, when he starting rapping at full-time at the age of 22.

2009-12: Tha Alumni Music Group and Up & Away

In 2009, he began branding his own image, when he adopted the moniker for his stage name Rockstar. On February 1, 2010, he released his first mixtape, titled World Tour. The release of his first mixtape gained him popularity and also grabbed some attention for this local radio disc jockey, named DJ Ill Will (whom connected along with these hip hop site such as HotNewHipHop among others), where he then signed Collins to his independent label, called Tha Alumni Group, and Collins then had to change his stage name to "Kid Ink". In 2011, he released his first and second-overall mixtape under his new stage name, titled Crash Landing. The tape features guest appearances from Roscoe Dash, Ty Dolla Sign and Meek Mill, among others. At the beginning of the 2011, during the summer, he then released his third mixtape Daydreamer, which was made available for digital download on various websites. The tape features guest appearances from Cory Gunz, Maejor Ali, Ray J, Sean Kingston and Bow Wow, among others. In September 2011, he released his fourth mixtape, titled Wheels Up. The tape features guest appearances from 2 Chainz, Nipsey Hussle and Tyga, among others.

On June 12, 2012, Ink independently released his debut album, titled Up & Away. The album includes the production by Ned Cameron and Jahlil Beats, among others. The album debuted at number 20 on the US Billboard 200. Supporting this album was the release of his single, titled "Time of Your Life" (which was released on February 7, 2012), then it preceded the release with the second single, "Lost in the Sauce" (released on April 26, 2012). On November 21, 2012, Ink released his fifth mixtape, titled "Rocketshipshawty".

2013-14: Signing with RCA, Almost Home and My Own Lane

See also: Almost Home (Kid Ink EP) and My Own Lane

On January 4, 2013, he announced that he had signed a deal with RCA Records and premiered his first major label single, titled "Bad Ass" featuring Wale and Meek Mill and produced by Devin Cruise. The song would be released for digital download on January 22, 2013. The song was released to Rhythm Crossover radio in the United States on February 26, 2013. It has since peaked at #90 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 27 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. On May 14, he announced his first project released under RCA, would be an EP titled Almost Home on May 28, 2013. It featured artists such as French Montana, Wale, Meek Mill, ASAP Ferg and Rico Love among others. Upon its release, the EP debuted at number 27 on the Billboard 200. It also produced the single "Money and the Power" which was featured in HBO's Hard Knocks and in the sports video game NBA Live 14 as well as being one of the official theme songs of WrestleMania 31. On September 17, 2013, he released the first single from his second studio album My Own Lane, entitled "Show Me" featuring Chris Brown and produced by DJ Mustard. On November 4, 2013, he revealed that My Own Lane would be released on January 7, 2014. On January 13, 2014, at Kid Ink's album release party, he was rewarded his first Gold plaque from the RIAA for his single "Show Me".

2015-present: Full Speed and Summer in the Winter

See also: Full Speed (album)

On 9 September 2014, "Body Language", which features Usher and Tinashe, was released as the first single from his third studio album, Full Speed. The album was released on February 3, 2015, and has since peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard 200 album chart. On 25 December 2015 Kid Ink released his new studio album, Summer in the Winter, with songs featuring Fetty Wap, Akon, Omarion, Starrah and Bïa Krieger.

Personal life

Kid Ink has 25 tattoos on his face, arms, hands, and torso. He got his first tattoo when he was 16 and has been "addicted" to getting tattoos since. His favorites include portraits of his mother and grandfather on his chest and a tiger on the front of his neck, which represents his Chinese symbol. He showed off his tattoos for one of PETA's "Ink Not Mink" anti-fur ads in 2013.

Kid Ink is the older brother of Hip hop artist Juliann Alexander. He has been dating fitness model Asiah Azante for over a decade. The couple became engaged in June 2015. Azante gave birth to their baby girl named Aislin Parvaneh Collins, in February 2016.

Discography

Main article: Kid Ink discography

• Up & Away (2012)
• My Own Lane (2014)
• Full Speed (2015)
• Summer in the Winter (2015)

Awards and nominations

Year	Awards	Category	Nominated work	Result
2014	Best Push Act	none	Nominated

[ Source: Wikipedia ]