If you’ve spent any time on social media over the past two years, you’ve likely been exposed to the wild antics of the Island Boys. Snoop Dogg put it pretty perfectly, stating, “Two goofballs in the pool … I don’t know and ain’t tryna understand it.” From storming off Logan Paul’s podcast to posting a slew of viral videos on TikTok, their celebrity status peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic. In essence, the Island Boys’ antics are downright cringeworthy. However, it’s hard to look away from the hilarity of it all. Their appearance reinforces their virality, from the gravity-defying hair to the rainbow tattoos. Existing under the artist names Kodiyakredd and Flyysoulja, the Island Boys were apparently approached by Kodak Black to sign under his record label at one point.
Franky (Kodiyakredd) and Alex Venegas (Flyysoulja) started recording music under the Island Boys moniker after being released from prison. They were predominantly raised without a father, who passed away from a heart attack. Their mother kicked the two out when they were 18 years old. As a result, the two further engrained themselves into a life of crime. The two initially blew up off of the viral “I’m an Island Boy,” which proved that just about anything can be amplified on the Internet. This certainly wasn’t a duo looking to emulate the lyrical skills of Jay-Z. Ultimately, the song became a meme that propelled the Island Boys from jail to a Miami mansion.
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Controversy Is The Island Boys’ Currency
Of course, their virality isn’t because of the music. As ridiculous and empty-headed as the duo may appear in public formats, their ability to garner headlines through a variety of antics is a calculated business move on their part. From beefing with Logan Paul, Bryce Hall, and Snoop Dogg to creating cameos for US Army members, the identical twins don’t care what the headline says. As long as they’re in it, they’re winning. Their live performances of “I’m an Island Boy” and various other tracks certainly weren’t received well in a public setting. They were booed at a Miami’s Club Liv back in December of 2021. In fact, just about every Island Boys appearance is met with resounding boos.
The Island Boys haven’t had a quiet day since their teenage years. Transitioning from a life-threatening Percocet addiction to prison to Internet fame, their mother kicked the identical twins out for good reason, as she put it in Trolled, a 2023 documentary about their rise. “I had just lost control of everything, police were always in my house,” she said. While the two are still out of control, they’ve turned it into a profitable image.
Unfortunately, even with fame, they’ve found themselves dealing with law enforcement. In Feb. 2022, a childhood friend, who was later arrested, used their house to store a weapon in connection with a murder. Their estate was raided by a SWAT team, although the two were never convicted of any crime. More recently, Frank Venegas was arrested for domestic battery surrounding allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. However, he was soon released from jail.
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They’ve Lost Popularity Over The Past Year
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Outside of their music career and viral online antics, the Island Boys have also been making money off of Cameos, including one made for a military recruiter based out of Texas. The duo has been charging anywhere from $135 to $600 for a personalized shoutout. However, their involvement and implied support for the US military caused controversy, as people began to claim that the US military was using the two as a marketing tool to garner new recruits. In an official statement to NBC, the US Army Recruiting Command stated, “The Island Boys Cameo was not reviewed, authorized, nor paid for by US Army Recruiting Command as an official marketing tool.”
Over the past year, the controversial TikTokers have begun to see their fame dwindle. While they are still creating music, their virality hasn’t been sustainable. Their former manager went on the No Jumper podcast and claimed that their finances had “pretty much run dry.” In addition, he claimed that they owed him $150,000. The Island Boys aren’t exactly the Internet force they were in the two years preceding. However, the two madcap names will be looking for their next viral Island Boys moment, whether it’s in the world of pop culture or music.
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