Baby Kia
It’s been an explosive year for Atlanta’s newest rapper, Baby Kia. Born Khari Jahmill Hoard in 2005, Baby Kia has quickly become a formidable presence in the rap scene. On his latest release, "HELL CAN'T SAVE YOU," Kia finds solace in playing the villain—or, if we're to go by the album title, the Devil himself. This album, the follow-up to 2023's plugg-indebted "Kia World," showcases Baby Kia splitting the difference between his previous influences and a new set of styles
On his viral hit "OD CRASHIN'," Kia cues up a loop of haunted horn synths reminiscent of SpaceGhostPurrp's brand of phonk, but the rapper brings a ferocious growl to the track, giving any triumph lent by the suite of brass instruments an ominous feel. On the track, Kia outlines just how quickly his unique style has flowed through the city of Atlanta, practically screaming, "Whole city fuckin' with this shit, even got opps stealin' my flow." Kia’s recent come-up has been nothing short of a spectacle. The music video for "OD CRASHIN’" was a viral sensation, shooting up the YouTube Music Video charts, peaking at #26 and #51 on the Top 100 Videos in the US respectively. His animated and shockingly aggressive delivery has spawned tens of thousands of memes, videos, and imitations of the rapper online. Internet personalities and artists alike have joined in, getting nods from the likes of Bryce James, Lil Yachty, Kai Cenat, NLE Choppa, and others.
In "HELL CAN'T SAVE YOU," Baby Kia showcases dazzling synths and spacey bars that converse with peers like Tony Shhnow, while honing in on horrorcore machinations pioneered by fellow ATLien 21 Savage, and before both of them, the legendary demon conjurers, Memphis' own Three 6 Mafia. The album debuted in the Top 10 on Apple Music’s Hip Hop charts and at #17 across all genres, a significant achievement for a newcomer, especially one carving out a lane all his own. Adding to his rising profile, Baby Kia is set to join the upcoming $NOT tour, where his raw and intense performances are expected to bring electrifying energy to the stage. This opportunity to tour with $NOT, a well-known figure in the rap scene, is a significant step for Baby Kia, likely to expand his audience and solidify his place in the genre.
