Blaq Pyrates Biography
Originally, the award winning Independent Hip Hop/Soul group, Blaq Pyrates, was known as the Trapville Pyrates and was founded by Ali "Obawale" Rahman, named Fetty Cash aka Zodoq Banks, in 2003. It included his 2 brothers Amin "Obayemi" Rahman, named Rasta Rudd, Karim "Obatunji" Rothwell, named Primo Dollars the Blaq God aka Marty MacFly, and cousin Hayward Hollingsworth, named Koolgi Kid. In 2007, because of the negative use of the word “trapping”, the name was changed to the acronym: B.L.A.Q. P.Y.R.A.T.E.S., which stands for “Brothers Linked Amongst Qualifications, Protect Your Riches Alias Through Extreme Status”. The current logo was created by the Rasta Rudd and converted into an electronic graphic by Lord Jafar Kellam. In 2009, Koolgi Kid left the Pyrates to start another group & was replaced by neighborhood friend, Michael Childs, named Nephew "2Cupps" Shawty. In 2010, a cousin and supporter of the cause, Jeffrey Alexander, named Jonny Papez "The 7", became a member. Then in 2015, musician Kendale Gibson, named York "Dalightman" ILL, became the final capstone member of the group.
In 2017, the group became a corporation and formed the Independent record label Blaq Pyrate Nation, LLC and named Fetty Cash aka Zodoq Banks as CEO. Also, in the same year, the group started the publishing company, Blaq Pyrate Nation Publishing, with the goal of publishing their own music, as well as, the music of other up and coming independent musicians. Each member of the Blaq Pyrates holds membership in either BMI Songwriter Association or ASCAP Songwriter/Publishing Association. In June 2017, after being discovered by Christopher Edwards Rapley and Timo James, the Blaq Pyrates became winners of the Rapco Radio/Albany Sony Distribution Competition Showcase Tour which awarded them a Sony Music Entertainment Distribution Record Deal. In December 2017, the Blaq Pyrates received Independent Tone Music Awards in the following categories: 2017 Alternative Rock Upcoming Artist/Band of the Year, 2017 Pop Artist of the Year, & 2017 R&B/Soul Artist of the Year. They were also the winners of the 2018 Independent Tone Award for “Hip Hop / Soul Group Of The Year”.
In January 2018, Blaq Pyrates graced the cover and was featured in "Crunk Atlanta Magazine". Also, in that same month, the group released their hit single "Get It", featuring Warner Brothers super producer Get Cool. However, due to distribution complications, “Get It” will be rereleased in summer 2020. In November of 2019, the group released their second major single, “Problems” under their independent record label, Blaq Pyrate Nation, LLC. In that same year, after meeting the Legendary Khujo Goodie, of Goodie Mob, Blaq Pyrates was able to land placement on Khujo’s latest album, “Feed the Lions”, after licensing the rights to use “Problems” for the project.
In 2020, the group continued to expand their online presence with the start of their official website, Blaqpyrates.com. In July 2020, the group will release the track and debut Vevo video “Steady Growth” featuring Vigilany of New World Renaissance. The video was filmed in New York City’s Time Square one month before the devastating COVID-19 outbreak. Vigilany linked up with Blaq Pyrates to create the subgroup The Administration. The year also saw the group stepping into retail with the start of their official online store, The Nation™, followed by the creation of the high end fashion line, Zódoq Mabenki™, named after founding member Fetty Cash aka Zodoq Banks. The fashion line’s upcoming, and highly anticipated, featured product is a handmade leather high top shoe created by Owusu A. Bonsu of West Africa. The year will also see the release of tracks and official videos for “Different Type Of Rich”, “Social Media”, “SupaFly”, “Summertime”, along with a highly anticipated track featuring Khujo Goodie. Blaq Pyrates also plans to release a host of new and rereleased mixtapes. Stay tuned for more and FOLLOW THE BLAQ PYRATE NATION!
Originally, the award winning Independent Hip Hop/Soul group, Blaq Pyrates, was known as the Trapville Pyrates and was founded by Ali "Obawale" Rahman, named Fetty Cash aka Zodoq Banks, in 2003. It included his 2 brothers Amin "Obayemi" Rahman, named Rasta Rudd, Karim "Obatunji" Rothwell, named Primo Dollars the Blaq God aka Marty MacFly, and cousin Hayward Hollingsworth, named Koolgi Kid. In 2007, because of the negative use of the word “trapping”, the name was changed to the acronym: B.L.A.Q. P.Y.R.A.T.E.S., which stands for “Brothers Linked Amongst Qualifications, Protect Your Riches Alias Through Extreme Status”. The current logo was created by the Rasta Rudd and converted into an electronic graphic by Lord Jafar Kellam. In 2009, Koolgi Kid left the Pyrates to start another group & was replaced by neighborhood friend, Michael Childs, named Nephew "2Cupps" Shawty. In 2010, a cousin and supporter of the cause, Jeffrey Alexander, named Jonny Papez "The 7", became a member. Then in 2015, musician Kendale Gibson, named York "Dalightman" ILL, became the final capstone member of the group.
In 2017, the group became a corporation and formed the Independent record label Blaq Pyrate Nation, LLC and named Fetty Cash aka Zodoq Banks as CEO. Also, in the same year, the group started the publishing company, Blaq Pyrate Nation Publishing, with the goal of publishing their own music, as well as, the music of other up and coming independent musicians. Each member of the Blaq Pyrates holds membership in either BMI Songwriter Association or ASCAP Songwriter/Publishing Association. In June 2017, after being discovered by Christopher Edwards Rapley and Timo James, the Blaq Pyrates became winners of the Rapco Radio/Albany Sony Distribution Competition Showcase Tour which awarded them a Sony Music Entertainment Distribution Record Deal. In December 2017, the Blaq Pyrates received Independent Tone Music Awards in the following categories: 2017 Alternative Rock Upcoming Artist/Band of the Year, 2017 Pop Artist of the Year, & 2017 R&B/Soul Artist of the Year. They were also the winners of the 2018 Independent Tone Award for “Hip Hop / Soul Group Of The Year”.
In January 2018, Blaq Pyrates graced the cover and was featured in "Crunk Atlanta Magazine". Also, in that same month, the group released their hit single "Get It", featuring Warner Brothers super producer Get Cool. However, due to distribution complications, “Get It” will be rereleased in summer 2020. In November of 2019, the group released their second major single, “Problems” under their independent record label, Blaq Pyrate Nation, LLC. In that same year, after meeting the Legendary Khujo Goodie, of Goodie Mob, Blaq Pyrates was able to land placement on Khujo’s latest album, “Feed the Lions”, after licensing the rights to use “Problems” for the project.
In 2020, the group continued to expand their online presence with the start of their official website, Blaqpyrates.com. In July 2020, the group will release the track and debut Vevo video “Steady Growth” featuring Vigilany of New World Renaissance. The video was filmed in New York City’s Time Square one month before the devastating COVID-19 outbreak. Vigilany linked up with Blaq Pyrates to create the subgroup The Administration. The year also saw the group stepping into retail with the start of their official online store, The Nation™, followed by the creation of the high end fashion line, Zódoq Mabenki™, named after founding member Fetty Cash aka Zodoq Banks. The fashion line’s upcoming, and highly anticipated, featured product is a handmade leather high top shoe created by Owusu A. Bonsu of West Africa. The year will also see the release of tracks and official videos for “Different Type Of Rich”, “Social Media”, “SupaFly”, “Summertime”, along with a highly anticipated track featuring Khujo Goodie. Blaq Pyrates also plans to release a host of new and rereleased mixtapes. Stay tuned for more and FOLLOW THE BLAQ PYRATE NATION!