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Sk8star

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Sk8star
Sk8star in 2026
Sk8star in 2026
Background information
Born
J'Corey King

(2004-03-29) March 29, 2004 (age 22)
Macon, Georgia, U.S.[a]
OriginAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Instrument
  • Vocals
Years active2020–present
Labels
Member ofØ Way[2][3]

J'Corey King (born March 29, 2004),[4] known professionally as Sk8star, is an American rapper from Macon, Georgia. Known for his contributions in the Atlanta hip-hop scene, his project, Designer Junkie was critically acclaimed by media outlets such as Pitchfork and The Fader. King is also known for being affiliated with Young Thug's YSL group and is also a member of the Atlanta-based collective, Ø Way.[5][6][3]

Early life

[edit]

J'Corey King was born in Macon, Georgia and spent half of his life there before relocating to Atlanta.[7] He labeled himself as a black sheep within his community.[7] King began recording early at the age of nine, when he did a remix over A$AP Rocky's 2011 track "Peso";[7] his older cousin, Juwon, recorded the verse.[7] However, he began taking music seriously in tenth grade, using Mixcraft with a $30 snowball mic.[7]

Career

[edit]

2021-2025: Beginnings and early releases

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After taking music seriously in tenth grade, King released his first track, titled "Stand 4 Sum," on streaming platforms. His first major release was titled Superstar Status.[8][7] Following his career start, King would release a prolific amount of music onto streaming platforms. His second project, titled New World Order, was released in 2022,[9] which was later followed with Mogul.[10][9] King then followed with Rebel and Whole New Meaning in 2023.[11][9][12] Rebel in the Room appeared in 2024,[13][9] and his EP, REBELUTION was issued in 2025.[8][9]

2025-present: Rise to fame, Designer Junkie release

[edit]

In July of the same year, he released his last project of the year titled PALE FEVER.[14][9] On December 10, 2025, serving as his last release of the year, King released "2 Sexy", which served as one of the two lead singles to King's upcoming album, titled Designer Junkie.[15] Entering 2026, King would release "ForMyFolks," serving as the last release before his album.[16] Then, on February 11, 2026, King would go on to release Designer Junkie.[17][18] The album would have 20 tracks with features from Tezzus and Diamond*.[19][7] Upon release, it was critically acclaimed for its music production, experimentation and lyricism from King.[17][18] Serge Selenou of Pitchfork gave the album a 7.2/10, commenting that King "tightens his wild experimentation on an album that spotlights his increasingly distinct voice".[20] On April 8, 2026, he released Quagoo.[21] Eight days after the release, King was featured on Tezzus and Diamond's mixtape, UY Scuti Bøyz, specifically on the track "JØTP", alongside EA TJ, and Lil Righteous.[22] On June 22, 2026, it was announced that King would be supporting rapper Lucki on his Bad Influence Tour.[23] On July 8, 2026, King was featured on the eighth track "3 Wishes" on Bling Slime Vøl 1: Høsted by DJ Holiday by Diamond*.[24] On August 12, 2026, Sk8star released his EP The Beautiful Rebellion.[25][26] On August 28, 2026, King was featured on Young Thug's YSL Slime Language 3 project.[27][28]

Musical style, artistry, and influences

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King's musical style is experimental[20] and reminiscent of Playboi Carti and Young Thug.[9] His style incorporates choppy and ad-lib heavy flows paired with AutoTuned vocals.[9] His vocal flows throughout his project, Designer Junkie received comparisons to Lil Gotit from music reviewers.[7][15]

In his interview with Hypebeast, King stated that the whole Atlanta hip-hop scene influenced his music, with artists such as Young Thug, Lil Wayne, Future, T.I., Rich Kidz, and early YSL offsprings such as Lil Keed and Lil Gotit also played a role in shaping King's current sound.[3] Outside of artists, he also stated that his love for movies is also a source of inspiration for him.[3]

Reception

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King's music has been positively received amongst the underground hip-hop scene, which helped get him generate a co-sign from Atlanta rapper Young Thug.[7] His track, "2 Sexy", was labeled as one of the best songs of 2025 by The Fader.[15] Additionally, his track "Slatt Slatt" was listed on the "Pitchfork Selects" playlist during the week of February 17, 2026. [29] Additionally, King was listed as one of the 32 coolest artists of 2026 by The Fader.[30]

Notes

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  1. ↑ While some sources say that King is from Birmingham, England, King himself stated in an interview that he isn't from the United Kingdom, and that he's been living in Georgia for his entire life.[1]

References

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  1. ↑ "Sk8star Interview: ØWAY, Young Thug, Designer Junkie, Activism, His Letterboxd Account, Richie Souf". YouTube. Kids Take Over. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  2. ↑ Johri, Antonio (July 29, 2026). "Meet ØWAY: The Young Thug-Affiliated Collective Taking Over Atlanta's Underground". Complex. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Bernstein, Elaina (August 26, 2026). "Sk8star: ØWAY's Reserved Rebel". Hypebeast. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  4. ↑ "ASCAP Repertory – SK8STAR". ASCAP Repertory. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  5. ↑ Williams, Kylah (April 21, 2026). "diamond* and Tezzus on Young Thug, "ØWay Cypher," and UY SCUTI BØYZ". The FADER. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  6. ↑ Medithi, Vivian (January 9, 2026). "Meet ØWay, the Atlanta rap collective behind 2026's first viral cypher". The FADER. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Medithi, Vivian (February 9, 2026). "Sk8star talks Young Thug, Richie Souf, and Designer Junkie". The FADER. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Sk8star – "Rebelution" Review". Legends Will Never Die. March 19, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Sk8star Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Sk8star – "Mogul" Review". Legends Will Never Die. December 18, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Sk8star – "Rebel" Review". Legends Will Never Die. January 20, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Sk8star – "whole new meaning" review". Legends Will Never Die. May 10, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Sk8star – "Rebel in the Room" Review". Legends Will Never Die. August 7, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Sk8star – "Pale Fever" Review". Legends Will Never Die. July 7, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 Medithi, Vivian (December 29, 2025). "The Best Rap Songs of December 2025". The FADER. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  16. ↑ Cole, Alexander (January 27, 2026). "ForMyFolks – Song by Sk8star". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  17. 1 2 Cole, Alexander (February 12, 2026). "Designer Junkie – Album by Sk8star". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  18. 1 2 Corcoran, Nina; Lindert, Hattie; Mickles, Kiana (February 13, 2026). "12 New Albums You Should Listen to Now: Charli XCX, Feng, and More". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  19. ↑ ""Yeannn" [ft. Tezzus]". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  20. 1 2 Selenou, Serge. "Sk8star: Designer Junkie". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  21. ↑ Cole, Alexander (April 9, 2026). "Quagoo – Song by Sk8star". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  22. ↑ "UY SCUTI BØYZ – Album by Diamond* & TEZZUS". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 17, 2026.
  23. ↑ Medithi, Vivian (August 24, 2026). "The Opener: Sk8star sounds like the future of Atlanta trap music". The FADER. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  24. ↑ Suskind, Alex (July 8, 2026). "Listen to Diamond's Surprise Mixtape Featuring Young Thug and PZ". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 9, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ↑ Cole, Alexander (August 12, 2026). "The Beautiful Rebellion - EP by Sk8star". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  26. ↑ Williams, Stereo (August 14, 2026). "The Listening: New Music From Erykah Badu & The Alchemist, Nipsey Hussle, Shabazz Palaces, Arya Starr, October London, Flo Milli and More". Okayplayer. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  27. ↑ Atkinson, Katie (August 28, 2026). "Young Thug's YSL Records Surprise-Drops 'Slime Language 3' Double Album". Billboard. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  28. ↑ Cole, Alexander (August 28, 2026). "Slime Language 3 - Album by Young Thug & Young Stoner Life". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Sk8star, Jill Scott, Venturing, and More: This Week's Pitchfork Selects Playlist". Pitchfork. February 17, 2026. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  30. ↑ Hess, Tobias (June 3, 2026). "The 32 coolest artists of 2026 (so far)". The FADER. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
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