Kreayshawn Graces Complex Cover: From Hustler to Hip-Hop Star
Kreayshawn, the 22-year-old viral sensation from Oakland, continues her meteoric rise, gracing the cover of Complex magazine’s October/November 2011 issue. Once an aspiring director juggling odd jobs and illegal hustles to make ends meet, Kreayshawn has transformed into one of the most talked-about artists in hip-hop. Her journey from East Oakland’s “Murder Dubs” to mainstream success exemplifies a modern-day rags-to-riches tale—albeit one not without controversy.
In the Complex feature, Kreayshawn offers a raw and unfiltered look at her past struggles, her unexpected rise to fame, and the pressures of navigating her newfound spotlight.
From Oakland’s Streets to YouTube Stardom
Born Natassia Zolot in 1989, Kreayshawn’s upbringing was anything but conventional. Her mother, Elka Zolot, a guitarist in the punk band Trashwomen, moved the family frequently before settling in East Oakland when Kreayshawn was 10. Growing up in a neighborhood notorious for its crime rate, Kreayshawn found herself hustling to survive.
By 16, she had dropped out of high school after bouncing between multiple institutions. “I was over it,” she admits. Instead, she turned to jobs at IKEA and the GED work program Job Corps, eventually moving into her own apartment at 17. Her side hustles included selling drugs and running Craigslist ads for escorts, a lifestyle she describes as a means to support her dreams of becoming a video director.
In 2009, she landed her first paid gig directing a music video for local Oakland act the Go Gettas. Her work soon caught the attention of artists like Lil B, who helped her establish herself in the Bay Area’s underground music scene. However, it wasn’t until May 2011, when her video for “Gucci Gucci” went viral on YouTube, that Kreayshawn’s life truly changed. The video’s blend of quirky visuals and catchy lyrics catapulted her into the national spotlight, garnering over 11 million views within a few months and earning her a seven-figure deal with Sony.
Navigating Fame and Controversy
With fame came scrutiny. In the Complex interview, Kreayshawn addresses some of the controversies that have followed her rise. Chief among them is her association with V-Nasty, her partner in the White Girl Mob, who has been criticized for her repeated use of the N-word.
“I’ve never said it one time in my motherf***ing life,” Kreayshawn states emphatically. She admits that V-Nasty’s language has complicated her own reputation. “I’ve sat down and had talks with her, like, ‘Please, if you took this word out of your vocabulary, it would help your career. It would really help mine.’” Despite her efforts, Kreayshawn acknowledges that she can’t control her friend’s actions. “She’s just been like, ‘This is who I am. This is how I was raised. I’m not gonna change for anybody.’”
Another major controversy stems from her dig at Rick Ross during a freestyle, where she called him “fake” due to his past as a correctional officer. While she downplayed the line’s significance in a later MTV interview, a leaked Ustream video revealed Kreayshawn and V-Nasty mocking Ross’s weight and credibility. The backlash was swift, adding fuel to the ongoing debate about authenticity in hip-hop.
The intense scrutiny has been a learning curve for Kreayshawn, who admits that navigating fame has been far from easy. She shares that criticism often feels personal, but she strives to rise above it. “People can say whatever they want, but at the end of the day, I know who I am,” she says. “It’s hard, but I try to focus on the positive and keep pushing forward.”
“Gucci Gucci:” The Game-Changer
The success of “Gucci Gucci” was a defining moment for Kreayshawn. The track’s irreverent lyrics and anti-designer ethos struck a chord with a generation raised on internet culture. Lines like “Gucci, Gucci, Louis, Louis, Fendi, Fendi, Prada / Them basic bitches wear that shit, so I don’t even bother” became instant quotables.
Reflecting on the song’s impact, Kreayshawn says, “I never made anything with the intention of signing a record deal. It was just for fun. The moment I realized I could get a record deal was when I got a record deal.”
The song’s success not only brought Kreayshawn mainstream attention but also opened doors for collaborations with artists like Snoop Dogg and Soulja Boy. However, it also placed her under intense pressure to deliver a full-length album that could match the single’s success.
Juggling Success and Stress
Kreayshawn admits that the rapid pace of her rise has been overwhelming. “Even Columbia says, ‘We’ve never worked an artist as hard as we work you,’” she reveals. Between press appearances, performances, and recording sessions, finding time to focus on her debut album has been a challenge.
“I’m praying for a break for two weeks to finish the album,” she says. Initially slated for a late 2011 release, the album has been delayed, with label reps hinting at an early 2012 drop instead.
Despite the pressure, Kreayshawn remains determined to stay true to herself. “I still wanna keep everything like how the old days were,” she says, though she acknowledges that returning to her pre-fame life is no longer an option.
The Road Ahead
As Kreayshawn navigates the complexities of fame, she’s focused on proving that she’s more than a one-hit wonder. Her aspirations extend beyond music, with a burgeoning directing career that has already earned her accolades from peers like Lil B and Odd Future’s Left Brain.
“People say, ‘You’re changing the game,’” she reflects. “I’m just being me. This is what I’ve been doing.” Whether she’s shooting music videos or creating viral hits, Kreayshawn’s authenticity is her greatest asset.
Final Thoughts
Kreayshawn’s Complex cover feature captures an artist at a pivotal moment in her career. Her journey from the streets of Oakland to international fame is a testament to hip-hop’s ability to embrace diverse voices and perspectives. While her path has been fraught with challenges and controversies, Kreayshawn’s resilience and creativity ensure that she remains a compelling figure in the ever-evolving landscape of hip-hop.
As fans and critics alike await her next move, one thing is clear: Kreayshawn is here to stay.
