Kevin Perez (born April 20, 2003), known professionally as Kay Flock, is an American rapper. Hailing from the Bronx, he began his career in 2020 and rose to fame through a variety of singles, most notably "Shake It". He released his debut mixtape, The D.O.A. Tape, in 2021.
Early life
Perez was born on April 20, 2003, in the Bronx, New York City; he is half Dominican and Puerto Rican.[3] He later described the area he grew up in as "dangerous". Perez‘s half brother on his father's side is fellow Bronx drill rapper JoWvttz, named Johnny Hernandez.[4]
Career
Kay Flock began his music career in May 2020, issuing his first single, "FTO";[5] other songs that he released following this included "Opp Spotter" (featuring B-Lovee), "Brotherly Love" (featuring B-Lovee and Dougie B) and "PSA".[6]
Kay Flock released his debut mixtape, The D.O.A. Tape, on November 5, 2021, which peaked at number one on the Heatseekers charts. In August, he released "Is Ya Ready"; the song was named within journalist Jon Caramanica's top 28 songs of 2021.[7] He later released "Being Honest",[8] which samples "Changes" by XXXTentacion.[9] The song was said to be "reminiscent of G Herbo" and was named within Pitchfork's top 38 rap songs of 2021 and top 100 songs of 2021.[9][10] A remix of the song, featuring G Herbo, was released in November.[11]
In April 2022, Kay Flock released "Shake It" with Dougie B and Cardi B, featuring Bory300;[15] it peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track was leaked months prior, although the leaked version of the song featured Yonkers rapper Mula Gzz, whose verse was replaced with Cardi’s.[16]
Legal issues
When Perez was 15, he was charged with third degree robbery and received 1 year probation.
On November 12, 2021, Perez was arrested for having an illegal weapon (gun), but the case has never been adjudicated, thus no charges were ever filed.
On December 23, 2021, Perez was arrested after allegedly shooting and killing 24-year-old Oscar Hernandez, also known as OY Wasca and/or Honcho, in Harlem, New York.[17] According to the New York Police Department, on December 16, 2021, as Perez walked past a barbershop near the scene of the crime,[18] Hernandez ran out of the shop before allegedly being shot in the neck and back by Perez. Hernandez later died from his injuries at Mount Sinai Hospital.[19] After Perez was named as the main suspect in the investigation, he turned himself in to the NYPD on December 23, 2021. He was sent to Rikers Island and was held without bond.
On February 23, 2023, Perez and 7 others were federally indicted on Racketeering charges, with the feds also picking up his murder case. He’s currently facing federal first-degree murder charges, attempted murder allegedly taking place on November 10, 2021, and racketeering charges in relation to the Sevside/DOA crew and was moved from Rikers Island to a federal prison pending trial. Perez was initially facing the Death Penalty, but on July 31, 2023, the US government said they would no longer seek the Death Penalty in his case.
Perez is the only defendant in the indictment who has not entered into a plea agreement with the Government. He plans to take it to trial, which is currently set for January 21, 2025 and if found guilty on all charges, he faces mandatory life in prison. [20]
Discography
Mixtapes
List of mixtapes, with selected details and chart positions