Kreayshawn
Kreayshawn – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
A deep dive into the life and career of Kreayshawn: from her California roots and viral breakout “Gucci Gucci” to her creative evolution, challenges, and enduring voice. Discover her biography, achievements, philosophy, and most memorable quotes.
Introduction
Natassia Gail Zolot—better known by her stage name Kreayshawn—is an American rapper, singer, director, and creative force who rose to fame in the early 2010s. Born September 24, 1989, Kreayshawn became a symbol of internet-era breakout success with her viral hit “Gucci Gucci.” She has navigated both acclaim and controversy, blending rebellious authenticity with entrepreneurial spirit. Today, her story resonates as much as a cautionary tale as an inspiration: a portrait of how creativity, identity, and internet fame collide in modern musical careers.
Early Life and Family
Natassia Zolot was born in San Francisco, California, on September 24, 1989.
Her mother, Elka Zolot, was a musician, a member of the garage-punk band The Trashwomen. That artistic lineage helped shape Kreayshawn’s early exposure to music and creative expression.
She also has Russian-Jewish ancestry (on her mother's side). Growing up in the Bay Area—especially East Oakland—Kreayshawn was immersed in a vibrant, often gritty urban culture that would later inform her music and aesthetic.
From as early as age 10, she began documenting her world. She acquired her first video camera, filming herself, raps, and everyday life. This early experimentation laid the groundwork for her dual interests in music and visuals.
Youth and Education
Kreayshawn’s educational journey was nontraditional and marked by instability. She first enrolled at MetWest High School, an alternative school where part of the curriculum involved internships at a local radio station. Dissatisfied, she moved on to Oakland High School, but admitted she “went to none of [her] classes.” This led to her expulsion for truancy.
Subsequently, she attended Alameda High School, but again was expelled. She later enrolled in the continuation school Island High, completing a second year—though she continued skipping and losing track of the schedule.
Around age 16, she relocated to live with her aunt in Berkeley, where she helped care for a younger cousin. She later moved in with a friend, V-Nasty, and entered a work program. There she passed a GED exam, providing a path forward.
At 17, she acquired a laptop and began recording her own songs and shooting music videos—initially for local artists, such as Lil B. The quality of those early videos drew attention, and she was awarded a full scholarship to Berkeley Digital Film Institute for two semesters. After this, she relocated to Los Angeles to further pursue her career in visual direction and music.
That blend of autodidactic creativity and formal film training would remain a backbone of her artistic identity.
Career and Achievements
Early Beginnings & White Girl Mob
Kreayshawn’s first musical forays included joining a group called the White Girl Mob, with friends V-Nasty and Lil Debbie. The group issued collaborative work and appeared in her early videos, though the group disbanded in 2012.
In 2010 she released a mixtape called Kittys x Choppas and produced a video for the track “Bumpin’ Bumpin’.”
Breakout: “Gucci Gucci” & Viral Fame
On May 16, 2011, Kreayshawn dropped the music video for her single “Gucci Gucci”. It rapidly became viral, earning nearly three million views within its first three weeks. The song—famously critiquing luxury-label culture with its refrain “Gucci Gucci, Louis Louis, Fendi Fendi, Prada / You basic, yeah, you basic”—resonated with a generation disenchanted with materialism.
This viral success caught the attention of major labels, and Kreayshawn soon signed with Columbia Records.
Her visibility soared: she directed a video for the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie.” In August 2011, Billboard placed her at No. 34 on its Social 50 chart, reflecting her online influence.
She was nominated for the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in 2011, though she lost to Tyler, the Creator. That same night, her account was hacked and nude photos were leaked—allegedly from her younger years—creating a media storm she had to confront.
Somethin’ ’Bout Kreay and Later Work
Kreayshawn released her debut studio album, Somethin’ ’Bout Kreay, on September 14, 2012 (digital) and September 25 physical release. Singles from the album include “Breakfast (Syrup)” (featuring 2 Chainz) and “Go Hard (La.La.La)”. The album had modest commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the U.S. Heat charts.
In 2013, the song “Left Ey3” was used on the soundtrack for the film The Heat.
Following her child’s birth, Kreayshawn parted ways with her label. She also pursued other creative avenues: launching a jewelry line called “Hella Cute”, developing a podcast (Lost in Thot), and doing visual direction and branding work.
In 2025, she has returned to performing live, notably at the Oakland Mosswood Meltdown festival, where she revisited her signature hit “Gucci Gucci” after years away from the spotlight.
Challenges, Financial Issues & Media Pushback
In December 2015, her bank accounts were seized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service due to unpaid taxes—she later claimed this was caused by mismanagement from her accountant. Her career has also not been free of criticism: some viewed her as a fleeting novelty or questioned the depth of her music beyond the viral hit. She has faced debates over her cultural positioning, race, and authenticity in hip-hop.
Nonetheless, Kreayshawn’s blend of vulnerability, irony, and self-awareness has kept her relevant to discussions of female artists in digital-era rap.
Historical Milestones & Context
-
2011: “Gucci Gucci” becomes viral and she signs with Columbia.
-
2011: Directs a major video (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and becomes a social media phenomenon.
-
2011: MTV VMA nomination.
-
2012: Releases debut album Somethin’ ’Bout Kreay.
-
2013: Birth of her son, Desmond, on September 18.
-
2015: IRS account seizure.
-
2014 onwards: Launches jewelry, podcast, branding, creative work.
-
2025: Returns to stage presence with nostalgic performances.
Kreayshawn emerged during the period when social media and YouTube began democratizing music discovery. She exemplifies how artists could bypass traditional gatekeepers and reach audiences directly. At the same time, her trajectory reveals the pitfalls of rapid fame without long-term infrastructure or stable support.
Legacy and Influence
While Kreayshawn’s commercial album career didn’t reach blockbuster heights, her impact is felt in a few key ways:
-
Paving the way for DIY-virality in hip-hop
She showed that a single punchy track with relatable voice and sharp visuals can propel an otherwise underground artist into the mainstream. -
Hybrid identity in music and visuals
As someone who combined directing, branding, and performance, she modeled how artists today often act as their own creative directors. -
Female presence in a male-dominated space
Kreayshawn challenged norms of how women (especially white women) can navigate—and disrupt—hip-hop culture, albeit not without criticism and scrutiny. -
Internet-era cautionary tale
Her story underscores the volatility of digital fame and the importance of sustainable business practices in artistic careers. -
Cult and nostalgic resurgence
Her resurgence in 2025 at Oakland and renewed interest in her archives suggest a growing reevaluation of her contributions, especially by newer fans discovering “Gucci Gucci” as a meme-era classic.
Personality and Talents
Kreayshawn has often been described as irreverent, bold, and unfiltered. She embraces imperfection and eccentricity, leaning into those traits to cultivate a persona that feels real rather than manufactured.
Her artistic influences are eclectic: she cites Missy Elliott and the Spice Girls as major inspirations—Missy for her style and boundary-pushing, the Spice Girls for their empowerment and pop sensibility.
She also admires underground and experimental artists such as Waka Flocka Flame, Kool Keith, and Aaliyah.
Her creative talents extend beyond rapping. She has demonstrated capacities in directing, branding, fashion, jewelry design, and podcasting. She leverages visual storytelling with music, often producing her own imagery or overseeing the aesthetic in her projects.
She’s also candid about imperfection and struggle—an attitude that draws fans who find resonance in rawness over polish.
Famous Quotes of Kreayshawn
Here are a selection of Kreayshawn’s memorable lines, which highlight her mindset, identity, and worldview:
“I like Goodwill and the thrift stores. I don’t like going into a store and picking from a bunch of cute stuff that’s already been found.”
“I don’t only like rap music. There’s everything from R&B to crazy gangster rap, hip hop… everything! But it all blends together nicely. It’s like a magical music rainbow.”
“Honestly if a girl’s wearing, like, a Gucci …” (fragment from an interview)
“In L.A., like, there’s a lot of, like, materialism, and, you know, people who think they’re better than each other because of the clothes they wear or how they dress, and in Oakland, it’s not like that.”
“My mom was in a punk rock band called The Trash Women, and they toured and all of that. She had me when she was 17.”
“I’m just trying to be the best version of myself every day.”
“Guys usually like my sense of humor, and I am pretty down to earth. And I’m a driven person.”
“I’m obsessed with horrible movies.”
These quotes reflect her self-awareness, critique of consumer culture, and personal honesty.
Lessons from Kreayshawn
-
Authenticity resonates: Kreayshawn’s appeal rested on her distinct voice and willingness to be weird rather than polished.
-
Visual identity matters: In her case, strong video aesthetics were as important as the song itself.
-
Build sustainable infrastructure: Viral fame can be fleeting; long-term success often depends on business acumen, support systems, and financial diligence.
-
Diversity of skills is a strength: Her work in multiple creative domains allowed her to pivot when music slowed.
-
Reemergence is possible: Even after years off, artists like Kreayshawn can reclaim interest through legacy, nostalgia, and reinvention.
Conclusion
Kreayshawn’s journey—from a teenager in the East Bay filming herself with a camcorder, to a charting rapper and then a creative entrepreneur—is a vivid snapshot of how the internet transformed the music landscape. Her triumphs and setbacks are lessons on the double-edged sword of viral success. While Somethin’ ’Bout Kreay didn’t become a massive commercial hit, her cultural footprint—especially through “Gucci Gucci”—has endured.
Her story encourages those who dream of creating outside the mold: stay true to your vision, diversify your craft, and prepare for storms even when the spotlight is at its brightest. If you’d like, I can also pull together a timeline, deeper lyrical analysis, or interesting lesser-known facts about Kreayshawn. Would you like me to expand any section?