Island Boys
Island Boys | |
---|---|
Born | Alex Venegas Franky Venegas July 16, 2001 |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Social media personalities |
Children | Alex: 1 |
TikTok information | |
Page | |
Followers | 7.5 million |
Likes | 168.0 million |
Last updated: August 6, 2023 |
Alex and Franky Venegas (born July 16, 2001), known as Flyysoulja and Kodiyakredd respectively, and better known collectively as the Island Boys, are American social media personalities and a
Career
While in jail as teenagers, the brothers decided to pursue a rap career. In October 2021, a video of the duo performing a song went viral on Twitter. The pair's distinctive appearance, including tattoos, diamond teeth, and vertical dreadlocks helped turn their video into a meme that gained traction on TikTok. They subsequently turned down a record deal with Kodak Black.[3] The original video garnered 9 million views before it was deleted.[4]
That November, the duo released a fully produced version of their viral song, "I'm an Island Boy", backed by a music video. The twins promoted the release with a poorly received performance at Club LIV in
Personal lives
The Island Boys are twin brothers. Their given names are Alex and Franky Venegas. They were born on July 16, 2001, and are of Cuban ancestry.[7] In a podcast interview, the twins explained that their father died when they were young and they were raised by their single mother.[3] Growing up, the twins were often in trouble with the law and committed crimes including robbery and burglary, automobile theft, and possessing narcotics.[8] Their mother kicked them out at the age of 18 due to poor behavior.[7] Alex has a daughter.[9]
In July 2023, videos of them kissing to promote their OnlyFans account went viral.[10]
Controversies
Domestic abuse accusations
In January 2022, Franky Venegas was accused of
In March 2022, Franky Venegas was accused of battery after allegedly hitting his brother's girlfriend when she refused to leave their house. No charges were filed.[12]
In May 2023, Franky Venegas was arrested for domestic battery in a
Celebrity feuds
The Island Boys have been involved in multiple online feuds involving other social media personalities such as podcaster
The pair first clashed with Logan Paul after being invited onto his podcast "Impaulsive" in December 2021 and disagreeing with Paul's co-host George Janko regarding financial advice. Janko suggested that the brothers invest money from their initial success in case their career as rappers didn't prove lucrative in the future. The brothers responded by saying that they did not need financial advice, and Alex addressed Janko by saying "I probably make more money than you." The pair later attended a boxing match in support of Paul, but were allegedly "kicked out for throwing shoes" according to online commentator Keemstar. When the boys entered the boxing arena, they were booed by Paul's fans for walking off of "Impaulsive". Paul's brother, Jake Paul, discussed the controversy on the next episode of "Impaulsive", saying, "For you to have the audacity to stand up to George Janko, the nicest guy in the world, ... you're a fucking punk."[3]
US Army marketing
In January 2022, the twins made a commissioned video through
Association with Andrew James Thomas
On February 7, 2022, the Venegas brothers' home in Florida was raided by police. A man named Andrew James Thomas, a childhood friend of the Venegas brothers, was arrested on the property in connection to a drive-by shooting that killed an 8-year-old girl just three days before.[3] Alex Venegas claimed that Thomas ran towards him with a gun, asking to hide the weapon in their house. After Venegas refused, Thomas placed the gun in a closet. It was subsequently found by pursuing SWAT personnel.[19]
The Venegas brothers were not implicated in the case, and their manager Dovi Bezner told press that the twins' childhood friend had been staying in their home and said, "We had no clue about any of these allegations towards him. We just knew him as a good person, someone that grew up with the Island Boys. If we knew something like this was going on we never would have allowed him on the property." Thomas currently faces charges of first-degree murder with a firearm, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.[3] Following the arrest, Alex Venegas denounced gun violence.[20]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Studio album details |
---|---|
17 (credited to Flyysoulja) |
|
Trendsetters (credited to Kodiyakredd) |
|
Extended plays
Title | EP details |
---|---|
Stardom (credited to Flyysoulja) |
|
Life Been Good (credited to Flyysoulja) |
|
References
- ^ a b "'This is actually kinda sad': TikTok's 'Island Boys' get booed at first show". The Daily Dot. November 27, 2021.
- ^ Baker, KC (9 February 2022). "Police Raid TikTok Stars' Fla. Home, Arrest Friend for Allegedly Killing Young Girl in Drive-By Shooting". People. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Colombo, Charlotte; Bergman, Sirena (12 February 2022). "Meet 'The Island Boys,' the controversial TikTokers who keep feuding with social media stars and celebrities". Insider. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
- ^ a b Jawnson, Kershaw St (November 26, 2021). "The Island Boys Booed At Club LIV". AllHipHop.
- ^ "Island Boys Get Offer For Boxing Reality Show, Could Win $1 Million!". TMZ. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
- ^ Funcheon, Deirdra (15 December 2022). "New documentary to tell "untold" story of South Florida's Island Boys". Axios. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Who are the 'Island Boys' on TikTok?". Yahoo! News. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
- ^ a b c d Sung, Morgan (24 January 2022). "TikTok-famous 'Island Boys' promote Army recruitment in Cameo". NBC News. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
- ^ "Island Boys' Flyysoulja Sends Condolences to Victim's Family After Friend's Arrest". TMZ. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
- ^ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (15 July 2023). "Island Boys Brother Flyysoulja Says Clip Of Them Kissing Isn't Sexual In Nature". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ Fenley, Nick. "Island Boy Kodiyakredd Accused Of Domestic Abuse By His Girlfriend". Blavity News & Politics. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
- ^ Deutsch, Kevin (27 March 2022). "Woman Alleged Battery by Island Boys Rapper at Coral Springs Home". Coral Springs Talk. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ Crespo, Veronica (9 May 2023). "'Island Boys' twin arrested for domestic battery in Pompano Beach". WPLG. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- ^ Yousefi, Ryan (9 May 2023). "Island Boys Rapper Island Boys' Kodiyakred Arrested After Pushing Girlfriend Into Pool During Argument". Coral Springs Talk. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- ^ "Island Boys' Franky Venegas Can't Go Near Ex Following Domestic Battery Arrest". TMZ. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- ^ Marie, Erika (1 June 2022). "Adam22 & "Island Boys" Star FlyySoulja Get Into Heated Exchange: "You Inbred F*ck"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Trent (25 December 2022). "Blueface and Island Boys Beef Erupts on Instagram Live - Watch". XXL Mag. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
- ^ Cole, Alexander (24 August 2023). "Fousey Confronts The Island Boys For Kissing Each Other". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Island Boys Home Raided and Child Murder Suspect Arrested". Paper. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
- ^ Marie, Erika (10 February 2022). ""Island Boy" Flyysoulja Speaks On Friend Being Arrested For 8-Year-Old's Death". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 24 March 2023.