Kid Capri
Kid Capri, born David Anthony Love Jr. on February 7, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the Bronx, is an acclaimed American DJ, rapper, and record producer who has been a pivotal figure in the development of hip-hop culture since the 1980s.[1][2][3] Known as the "Guru of Mixtapes" for his innovative blending of tracks and live performances, Capri began his career as a child DJ at age eight, scaling his family's stereo to experiment with scratching records, which laid the foundation for his meteoric rise in New York's underground scene.[4][1] By the late 1980s and 1990s, he became one of the highest-paid and most sought-after hip-hop DJs, touring with artists like Heavy D and producing hits for icons including Snoop Dogg, Madonna, and 50 Cent.[5][6] His production work earned him a Grammy Award for Jay-Z's 1998 album Hard Knock Life, and in 2018, he narrated Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer Prize-winning album DAMN., marking a rare honor for hip-hop.[6][7] Capri has released several albums, including his 2022 comeback The Love after a nearly 25-year hiatus, and in 2025 announced the single "Talk Heavy," continuing to influence the genre through residencies, such as his long-running role at New York City's Apollo Theater.[6][7][8]Early years
Childhood and family background
David Anthony Love Jr., known professionally as Kid Capri, was born on February 7, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York.[1] He is of African-American and Italian descent, with his mother, Prudence, being of Italian heritage and his father, David Love Sr., a singer of African-American background.[3] Raised primarily in the Bronx, New York, Capri grew up in a musical household that fostered his early interest in sound and rhythm. His father's ownership of a Zenith stereo system provided a pivotal tool for his initial experiments with music playback and manipulation during childhood.[9] This environment, immersed in the vibrant cultural scene of the Bronx during the 1970s, shaped his foundational exposure to hip-hop's emerging elements.[1] Capri's family dynamics extend to his daughter, Vina Love, an R&B singer and songwriter who has appeared on shows like Growing Up Hip Hop: New York. In 2022, they collaborated on the single "Uptown," marking her first feature with her father and highlighting their shared musical legacy.[10] On May 15, 2021, Capri was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame during Bronx Week celebrations, recognizing his deep roots in the borough that influenced his early life.[11] This honor, presented by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., underscored his enduring connection to the community where he was raised.[12] At the age of eight, Capri began transitioning into DJing, building on the sounds he encountered in his family home.[13]Introduction to DJing and early influences
Kid Capri, born David Anthony Love Jr. in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the Bronx, discovered his passion for DJing at a young age amid a musically inclined family background that included his father as a soul singer and his grandfather as a trumpeter.[3][14] At eight years old, he began experimenting with scratching records on his family's stereo equipment, honing his skills through persistent practice in the vibrant hip-hop environment of the Bronx. This early exposure laid the foundation for his technical proficiency, transforming casual play into a dedicated pursuit of the art form.[14] As a teenager in the early 1980s, Capri immersed himself in the Bronx's burgeoning hip-hop scene, participating in block parties and local gatherings that defined the era's street culture. These events, often held in parks and schoolyards like those in Kingsbridge Terrace, allowed him to connect with fellow aspiring DJs such as Silver D and Money Mark, fostering a competitive yet communal atmosphere centered on rap, cutting, and crowd engagement. His involvement in these informal settings sharpened his ability to read audiences and adapt mixes on the fly, using basic setups hooked to light poles for power.[15] Capri drew significant inspiration from hip-hop pioneers like DJ Kool Herc, credited with igniting the genre at a 1973 back-to-school block party, and Grandmaster Flash, a Bronx native and personal hero whom Capri observed closely for innovative approaches. Self-taught through these observations, he developed techniques in mixing, blending '70s records with added beats, and early forms of beat juggling to extend breaks and maintain energy, emphasizing the importance of rhythm as the core of any performance. Flash, in particular, influenced Capri's view of DJing as an artistic endeavor comparable to rapping, pushing him to elevate the role beyond mere record playback.[16] By the mid-1980s, Capri transitioned to paid gigs at New York clubs, starting with spots like the S&S Club on 145th Street after winning a DJ battle that caught the attention of established figures like Starchild. These underground performances helped him build a reputation for seamless transitions and crowd-hyping sets, solidifying his presence in the city's evolving club scene while selling custom mixtapes on street corners to supplement his earnings.[17]Professional career
Breakthrough as a DJ and radio host
Kid Capri emerged as a pivotal figure in hip-hop DJing through his early mixtapes, which he began releasing in 1989 and helped pioneer the genre's cassette-based format by blending exclusive freestyles, rare tracks, and seamless transitions that influenced countless imitators.[18] One seminal example, Classic 6/20/89, captured the Bronx street sound with cuts from artists like Heavy D & the Boyz and James Brown, establishing his reputation for innovative mixing that bridged old-school breaks and emerging rap.[19] These underground tapes, sold directly from his car in New York, laid the groundwork for the commercial mixtape boom and solidified his status as a tastemaker in the late 1980s scene. In the mid-1990s, Capri achieved mainstream breakthrough as the house DJ for HBO's Def Comedy Jam, where he provided the musical backdrop for seven seasons, introducing hip-hop selections to support the comedy showcase.[20] His role extended to the 2017 Netflix Def Comedy Jam 25th Anniversary Special, where he once again handled the beats, reuniting with host Martin Lawrence to celebrate the series' legacy.[1] This television exposure elevated his profile, transitioning him from street DJ to a nationally recognized entertainer. Capri's live performance career flourished in the 1990s and 2000s as the touring DJ for prominent artists, including Jay-Z on his early headline runs, Aaliyah during her peak pop-R&B phase, Salt-N-Pepa on their reunion efforts, and Timbaland for select shows, where his scratching and beatmatching added dynamic flair to their concerts.[14] These high-profile gigs showcased his versatility and helped cement his influence across live hip-hop events. Later, Capri ventured into radio with The Block Party on SiriusXM's FLY channel, debuting in 2016 as a weekend program featuring themed mixes of classic and contemporary hip-hop tracks, which he hosted until the fall of 2023.[21] The show became a staple for fans seeking curated sets that echoed his mixtape roots, further extending his reach in broadcast media.Production work and major collaborations
Kid Capri's production career spans decades, beginning in the early 1990s with contributions to hip-hop albums and singles. He co-produced the track "Nuttin' But Love" for Heavy D & the Boyz on their 1994 album Nuttin' but Love, blending smooth R&B elements with rap verses. In 1998, Capri produced "It's Like That" featuring himself on Jay-Z's Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, a high-energy track that contributed to the album's Grammy win for Best Rap Album in 1999.[22] That same year, he handled production for "Unify" featuring Snoop Dogg and Slick Rick on his own compilation album Soundtrack to the Streets. Extending into the 2000s, Capri produced "Rowdy Rowdy" for 50 Cent in 1999, serving as the lead single for the soundtrack to the film In Too Deep. In 2012, he remixed Madonna's "Masterpiece" from her album MDNA as part of a promotional collaboration with Smirnoff Nightlife, infusing the track with hip-hop flair.[23] Overall, these credits highlight Capri's role in bridging hip-hop production with mainstream artists from the 1990s onward.[7] Beyond traditional track production, Capri expanded his collaborative footprint through vocal and performance elements. In 2017, he provided narration throughout Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer Prize-winning album DAMN., delivering iconic DJ-style intros and transitions that evoked a radio broadcast aesthetic, marking the first non-jazz or classical album to win the Pulitzer for Music.[24] From 2016 to 2018, Capri featured as a DJ and performer in Jennifer Lopez's Las Vegas residency All I Have at the Zappos Theater, hyping crowds during the Bronx-themed segment with his signature energy.[4] In 2023, Capri curated and hosted the Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary tribute at the BET Awards, orchestrating a multi-era medley performance with artists like The Sugarhill Gang, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, Warren G, and Master P to celebrate five decades of the genre.[25] That year, he also produced the full debut album Hidden Gems for the upstate New York duo The Hoodies, a 12-track project released via EMPIRE that showcased their lyrical prowess over Capri's beats.[26] In January 2024, Capri announced he was cancer-free after privately battling the disease for a year, allowing him to continue his professional engagements without interruption.[27] These efforts underscore his enduring influence as a producer and collaborator in hip-hop's evolution.Television hosting and live performances
Kid Capri served as a co-host and judge on the BET reality competition series Master of the Mix, which premiered in 2010 and featured aspiring DJs competing in challenges to showcase their skills.[28] The show, sponsored by Smirnoff, ran for three seasons, with Capri providing expertise alongside host Just Blaze, emphasizing the artistry of DJing through mentorship and critiques.[29] In later seasons on VH1, he continued as a lead judge, evaluating contestants on technical proficiency and creativity in mixing tracks.[30] Capri has made recurring appearances on We TV's Growing Up Hip Hop: New York since its 2019 debut, often sharing insights from his career as a veteran DJ and interacting with cast members, including during family-related segments involving his daughter.[31] These features highlight his role in the hip-hop community, where he offers guidance on the industry's evolution and personal experiences in New York City's rap scene.[32] In 2023, Capri curated and hosted a major hip-hop tribute segment at the BET Awards, orchestrating performances that celebrated 50 years of the genre with artists like The Sugarhill Gang, MC Lyte, and Big Daddy Kane.[33] This high-profile event underscored his influence in bridging hip-hop's past and present through live curation. Later that year, he performed as a DJ at the televised Hip Hop 50 Live special at Yankee Stadium, delivering sets that included surprise guest appearances and paid homage to the Bronx origins of hip-hop.[34] Capri voiced himself in a guest role on the Disney+ animated series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder in 2022, appearing as a DJ at a quinceañera party in one episode, bringing his real-life persona to the show's hip-hop-infused narrative.[35]Musical output
Studio albums
Kid Capri's studio discography consists of three albums, reflecting his evolution from a mixtape-influenced DJ-rapper to a more introspective artist, with releases bookended by a significant hiatus due to his focus on DJing and hosting. In late 2025, he announced an upcoming fourth album, More Love, as a sequel to his 2022 release.[36] His debut album, The Tape, was released on February 19, 1991, by Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros. Records.[37] The project captures the raw energy of early 1990s New York hip-hop, blending storytelling tracks with club-ready beats and samples drawn from classic soul and funk, evoking the freestyle mixtape sessions for which Capri was already known.[38] Critics praised its authentic street narratives and vocal delivery, with AllMusic noting its hearty Bronx accent and emotional depth across 14 tracks, though it received mixed retrospective ratings averaging around 3/5.[39] The album did not achieve major commercial chart success but solidified Capri's reputation as a bridge between DJ culture and rap albums. Capri's second studio effort, Soundtrack to the Streets, arrived on November 17, 1998, via Trackmasters/Columbia Records.[40] This 26-track release explores urban life through narrative interludes and high-profile collaborations with artists like Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Slick Rick, and Nas, emphasizing themes of unity, street survival, and hip-hop camaraderie.[41] The album's production, handled by Trackmasters, incorporates polished East Coast sounds with West Coast influences, earning positive reviews for its eclectic guest features and energetic flow; AllMusic awarded it 3.5/5, highlighting its role as a "soundtrack" to city experiences.[41] It marked Capri's most commercially oriented project, charting on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums while achieving gold certification for over 500,000 units sold.[42] After a 24-year break from full-length albums, Capri returned with The Love on February 7, 2022, released independently through his No Kid'n Records.[43] The 19-track collection delves into personal reflections on family, resilience, and the music industry, inspired by Capri's COVID-19 survival and featuring his daughter Vina Love on tracks like "Her Type."[10] Critics and outlets described it as a heartfelt "masterpiece" of introspection, with VIBE commending its positive hip-hop ethos and BET noting its divine, life-affirming themes post-hiatus.[44] RapReviews lauded the production and Capri's rapping maturity, though user scores averaged lower at around 1.5/5 on aggregate sites.[45][46] The album received acclaim for bridging generations but did not chart prominently, focusing instead on artistic fulfillment over mainstream metrics.[46]| Album | Release Date | Label | Key Themes | Notable Reception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Tape | February 19, 1991 | Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros. | Early hip-hop storytelling, mixtape energy | 3/5 (AllMusic); praised for authentic narratives[39] |
| Soundtrack to the Streets | November 17, 1998 | Trackmasters/Columbia | Urban unity, collaborations | 3.5/5 (AllMusic); gold-certified, charted on Billboard[41][42] |
| The Love | February 7, 2022 | No Kid'n Records | Personal reflections, family | Positive for introspection (VIBE, BET); ~1.5/5 average user score[10][46] |