On November 11, 2025, Kodak Black introduced a brand new chapter in his relationship with followers: $YAK, his personal Solana-based Artist Coin created in partnership with Audius, the decentralized music discovery platform and market. The launch positions Kodak among the many first main hip-hop artists to construct a fan neighborhood round blockchain-powered entry and possession. Kodak sat down with The Supply to debate

In keeping with Audius, $YAK holders will unlock unreleased music, observe stems, behind-the-scenes materials, and different unique content material that Kodak plans to launch on a rolling foundation. As a part of the debut, he’s distributing $YAK cash on to followers and residents throughout his annual Kodak Day celebration on the Golden Acres housing undertaking in Pompano Seaside, Florida, the place he grew up. He may also launch an unreleased observe obtainable solely to $YAK holders on Audius.

A Coin Designed Round Fan Empowerment
In an interview concerning the undertaking, Kodak says the aim of $YAK goes past digital collectibles.

“$YAK ain’t only a coin — it’s possession,” he explains. “While you rock with me, you must get one thing again. I would like my supporters to eat with me, not simply watch from the sidelines. This places actual energy in they fingers… now they a part of the motion for actual.”

Killshot, Kodak’s present supervisor and a key member of the artistic staff behind $YAK, echoed that sentiment within the official announcement: “The way forward for music is possession, and $YAK places that energy within the followers’ fingers.”

Audius Co-Founder and CEO Roneil Rumburg praised Kodak’s method as modern, noting that he’s utilizing the platform’s know-how “to unlock particular moments for [fans] and construct a extra significant relationship.”

Why Kodak Selected Audius
Kodak says Audius stood out as a result of it permits artists to manage their releases extra straight.

“Audius been exhibiting like to artists from the beginning,” he says. “They constructed one thing that allow us management our music, our drops, and join straight to the followers with no intermediary. They stable within the web3 world, however nonetheless perceive the tradition.”

Audius not too long ago launched a software that lets artists create their very own custom-branded Artist Cash in minutes. Followers who maintain them can entry unique music, personal Discord channels, badges, leaderboards, and personal messages from artists.

Bringing $YAK Residence First
Kodak emphasizes that launching the coin in Pompano Seaside is intentional and private.

“That’s the place it began,” he says. “Pompano raised me, so it solely make sense they the primary ones to the touch $YAK. This coin represents possession, loyalty, and love for the folks that all the time believed in me.”

Past Music: A New Type of Fan Neighborhood
Whereas $YAK affords early music entry, Kodak says the undertaking is about increasing what a fan relationship can appear like.

“It’s larger than music,” he explains. “$YAK holders gon’ get entry to actual moments — studio time, exhibits, personal drops, merch, all that. However I additionally wish to construct an area the place followers can join, develop, even make cash with me.”

The thought feels surprisingly communal, nearly old-school — a digital model of the loyalty ecosystems that hip-hop has constructed for many years, now supercharged by new know-how.

And talking of know-how, Kodak isn’t shy concerning the different massive disruptor in music proper now.

On AI’s Function in Hip-Hop
“AI already altering the sport,” he says. “Some folks fearful of it, however I see alternative. It’s gonna separate those who artistic for actual from those simply copying the wave. You continue to want the soul, the ache, the story that may’t be programmed. However should you use AI the appropriate means, it might make all the pieces larger — advertising, visuals, manufacturing. It’s a software should you good with it.”

In different phrases, innovation isn’t changing authenticity — it’s amplifying it.

New Music on the Horizon
Kodak confirms that new recordings are coming quickly, with some reserved solely for $YAK holders.

“I keep recording, I acquired warmth stacked up,” he says. “A few of it gon’ drop by $YAK first… I’ma make certain they get the true unique drops earlier than the remainder of the world even hear it.”