The Show
The New York City native Kota the Friend returns to his home city for this episode of Live from My Den. In front of an intimate audience of fans, the rapper brings vibrant energy to his relaxed take on East Coast hip-hop. Pre-show, Kota walks around his hometown neighborhood in Brooklyn, and he reflects on the influence that growing up in New York has on his creative process. Kota the Friend is one of hip-hop’s most exciting independent artists, committed to make his music career on his own terms.
“Live from My Den” is a digital series available on Variety.com showcasing some of today’s most extraordinary artists performing live from the creative spaces of their homes, studios, and cities most meaningful to them. Read the article and watch Kota the Friend’s full episode here.
In front of an intimate audience of fans, the rapper brings vibrant energy to his relaxed take on East Coast hip-hop.
Kota the Friend
Born and raised in New York, Kota the Friend was exposed to a wide range of music, from rap of fellow Brooklynites Jay-Z and Nas to Bob Dylan and The Beatles. He released his debut album FOTO in 2019, which blended his love of soulful jazz beats with his East Coast flow. Since then, Kota has defied the expectations of the music industry. He’s stayed fiercely independent, building up a loyal following through his steady drip of mixtapes, albums, and singles. An ambitious creative, Kota also created his own fashion and skate culture brand, FLTBYS (pronounced “Flight Boys”).
