Lamar Jackson and Kodak Black represent two of Pompano Beach’s most famous exports.
The Ravens superstar and platinum-selling artist emerged from sun-scorched Florida thoroughfares with the backing of their local community. They’ve embraced their hometown, bringing it to centerstage while rocketing themselves up their respective industries.
In the process, Jackson and Kodak have formed a friendship tighter than most. Rappers want to be ballers. Ballers want to be rappers. But in Jackson and Kodak’s case, their relationship stems from a mutual appreciation for their hometown.
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With that, here’s what you need to know about Jackson, Kodak and the friendship that has taken the sports and entertainment world by storm.
Lamar Jackson-Kodak Black friendship
Jackson and Kodak burst onto their respective scenes in the mid-2010s, becoming two of the most recognizable figures in the worlds of college football and Florida rap, respectively. For Jackson, the notoriety stemmed from his showings on the gridiron. Jackson was a collegiate phenom, starring for Louisville from 2015 to 2017. He became the youngest-ever Heisman winner in 2016, capturing college football’s ultimate prize at just 19 years, 338 days old.
That 2016 campaign was filled with notable moments for Jackson. One of them came when the Cardinals thrashed No. 2 Florida State, 63-20. Bobby Petrino’s squad put a beating on Jimbo Fisher and FSU. Jackson propelled himself into the national consciousness with a five-touchdown, 362-total yard showing.
Jackson used his platform to spread awareness about Kodak’s plight.
At the time, Kodak was also a 19-year old Pompano Beach native who had become one of the most talked-about prospects in rap after releasing “No Flockin” in 2014 and “Skrt” in 2015. By 2016, Kodak was in jail. The then-teenager had pleaded no contest to multiple drug and firearm possession misdemeanor charges.
While imprisoned, authorities discovered outstanding warrants for his arrest, one of which stemmed from allegations of a felony criminal sexual assault believed to have taken place in South Carolina.
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Kodak was sentenced to 120 days in jail for his two misdemeanor drug charges. Two days before Kodak’s sentencing, Jackson pleaded for Kodak Black to be freed from prison.
“Free Kodak,” Jackson said as he strutted off the sideline following Louisville’s upset win.
Lamar Jackson pointed to the camera and said “Free Kodak” after beating Florida State pic.twitter.com/kcRMcJCBQ8
— HipHopHotspot (@HipHopHotspot_) September 17, 2016
Jackson was one of many to come to Kodak’s defense in light of his charges. In fact, the “Free Kodak” campaign swept across the internet at the time.
It was a polarizing moment. Some argued that the hardships and trauma Kodak experienced in his adolescence — by the time he reached high school, he had already been expelled once and arrested for auto theft — could not be healed in prison.
Others noted that Kodak’s suspected actions had caused real harm to a young woman in South Carolina.
From a 2016 Noisey article written by Michael Penn II:
To condemn him as the inventor of this sexual and gendered toxicity is to dismiss the world’s machinations, but we cannot continue to turn to MCs like Kodak Black to revel in their trauma while ignoring the pivotal moments when they recycle such trauma upon others. An empathetic understanding of his circumstances shouldn’t override the gravity of his alleged actions against a woman. If Kodak’s blackness cries for freedom, it’s anti-black to build that freedom on the backs of our own time and again. As much as we cherish and elevate survival stories, they should no longer take a backseat to the support and validation of survivors.
Kodak Black eventually pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree assault. He received a suspended sentence and probation for his actions.
In the years following Jackson’s public endorsement of Kodak Black’s push for recidivism, it seems the two formed a connection. Kodak pulled up on Jackson when Baltimore clinched the AFC North title back in 2018, looking on joyously as his comrade helped the Ravens reach new heights.
All love. @KodakBlack1k repping @Lj_era8 😈 pic.twitter.com/8rOnh4uVeQ
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 30, 2018
The love was reciprocated. In 2021, Jackson pushed then-President Donald Trump to commute Kodak Black’s sentence after the then 24-year old served 46 months in a federal prison for making false statements to possess weapons. Trump had previously expressed appreciation for Jackson’s skillset on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, prompting Jackson to respond with one of his most famous tweets.
Hey @realDonaldTrump @potus my friend @KodakBlack1k deserves to be commuted. The system punished him way to hard for a paperwork crime #freekodak
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) January 5, 2021
Kodak Black saw his sentence commuted on the final day of Trump’s presidency.
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The two linked up once more in 2022, with Jackson appearing in a music video alongside Kodak and famed Baltimore rapper Loe Shimmy.
Loe Shimmy x Kodak Black “Bounty” (Fast) 🔥💤 pic.twitter.com/ApQ9bv0fvt
— Mr. Jimmy Mack ➐ (@DjFrisco954) May 19, 2022
By that point, Lamar made his love for Kodak known to NFL fans around the world. He famously would cap off some of his scores with the “Kodak Bop”, a joyful caper popularized by Kodak Black during his younger years.
Would be pretty dope to see Lamar and his jit Lor Kodak Jackson hit that Bop together after a TD tho… pic.twitter.com/UJRMtpRGrY
— The Best Kept Secret (@Houston_TheReal) November 9, 2022
Their relationship has only intensified throughout Jackson’s career. Kodak has still been plagued by legal trouble. In December, he was arrested after being found with 0.14 ounces of cocaine in his car. Authorities allege that Kodak Black attempted to ingest the substance before officers could perform a search.
Kodak is currently in prison. That hasn’t stopped him from adorning Jackson with praise. Before Jackson and the Ravens faced the Texans in last week’s divisional round, Kodak penned a heartfelt Instagram post dedicated to his longtime friend.
Lamar replying to Kodak during warmups lmao pic.twitter.com/U1l3FD6oqR
— Nicky G (@bamfgringo) January 20, 2024
You So Amazing Bro. I’m F— Up About You. I’m Waiting On This Game. I Got A Straight Shot Of You From My Cell On The Top Tier Like The Penthouse. Ima Be Home To Watch You Win This Super Bowl From The Sky Box.
Lamar responded to the post with two finger crossing emojis. He proceeded to set M&T Bank Stadium ablaze, accounting for 252 yards of total offense and four touchdowns as Baltimore throttled Houston 34-7 to reach Jackson’s first AFC Championship.
Lamar Jackson net worth
Per Celebrity Net Worth, Jackson is worth $ 40 million. Much of that value stems from the mammoth $ 260 million deal he inked last spring, the largest in league history by way of average annual value (AAV). Jackson also owns Era 8 Apparel, a clothing line.
Kodak Black net worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Kodak Black is valued at $ 5 million. Kodak has shown an interest in real estate in the years since accumulating his money, buying two Florida properties — one in Pompano Beach, the other in Hollywood — for a combined $ 2.4 million.
