KOTA THE FRIEND (Sat, 6/27/26)

Avery Marcel Joshua Jones (born October 16, 1992), known by his stage name KOTA The Friend, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He got his stage name from the Disney movie Brother Bear and is actually a Native American word, “Koda,” meaning friend. Kota most recently released his No Rap on Sunday album, which includes singles featuring Big Sean and Fivio Foreign. Besides his No Rap on Sunday release, Kota has released a number of albums and EPs. In 2024, he released Once in a Blue Moon, an album collaboration with Statik Selektah, and in the same year, he released Lyrics to Go 5, the 5h installment of his popular Lyrics to Go series.

Kota is a trained musician as well. He started playing the trumpet in the 4th grade, in a Brooklyn public school. He was able to get accepted into music programs in middle school, high school, and college as a trumpet player. After Kota left college, he started his music career as a writer and performer.

Kota the Friend released his debut mixtape, Palm Tree Liquor, in 2016, followed by his second mixtape, Paloma Beach, in 2017. 

In 2018, he released his third mixtape, the lengthier Anything, with 2019 marking the release of his first independent studio album, FOTO, followed by the Lyrics to GO, Vol. 1 compilation in January 2020 and then his second studio album, EVERYTHING, in late May of the same year. Kota then went on to release Lyrics to GO, Vol.2 in January 2021 and the collaborative project To Kill A Sunrise with Statik Selektah later in March. Lyrics to GO, Vol. 3 was surprise-released in January 2022, with Kota’s third studio album, MEMO, following in July of that year. Kota the Friend has spent the last couple of years of his life traveling the world.

Kota has remained 100% independent throughout his career—turning down 3 major record labels; instead, creating his own label and apparel brand, FLTBYS (Flight Boys). He frequently cites a do-it-yourself mentality, such as filming his own music videos, recording within a home setup, and producing most of his discography. His mentality was fueled by a desire for freedom and to avoid the sense of musical confinement.

Kota’s music has been featured in movies on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming platforms.

Kota the Friend cited Jay-Z, Nas, Kid Cudi, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Pharrell as some of his influences in music.