Kirk Jerel Randle (b. August 20, 1989), better known by his stage name Kirko Bangz, is a rapper from Houston, TX. Debuting around 2009, Kirko represents H-town to the fullest while mixing in some next generation flows. He has both the singing voice that makes the ladies drool and the free-styling ability that makes any SLAB rider turn their head. The sound of his voice has led to comparisons with some of his peers in the hip-hop industry, but his lyrics and flow are undeniably Houston.

Kirko is known for his two lines of mixtapes: the Procrastination Kills series and the Progression series. One of the few Houston rappers to become nationally known outside of the 2004-2005 boom (e.g., Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Mike Jones), Kirko is probably best known for his Sound M.O.B.-produced single “Drank In My Cup”, which was on the 2011 mixtape Progression 2: A Young Texas Playa. He has also spawned other well-known singles such as “What Yo Name Iz?” and “Keep It Trill”. He was also on the cover of XXL’s 2013 Freshman.

After seemingly taking a brief hiatus from recording from 2014-2016, Kirko came back with the Back Flossin album in 2016. He followed in 2017 with the mixtape Progression 17, continuing his line of Progression series. Although most fans outside of Houston may have forgotten him post-“Drank In My Cup”, Kirko is still a favorite in Texas, and is seen as one of the faces for the new school of Houston artists.