Hus Kingpin

Hus Kingpin (born Cory Atkins, April 12, 1982), also known as Hus "Wavo" Kingpin or Lord Wavy, is an American rapper, lyricist, and entrepreneur celebrated for his evocative, gritty contributions to the underground hip-hop scene. Hailing from Hempstead, Long Island, New York, with roots in Brooklyn, Hus emerged in the mid-2000s as part of the duo Tha Connection alongside SmooVth, gaining international traction through releases on labels like Japan’s Goon Trax and Switzerland’s Feelin’ Music. His career, spanning over two decades, is marked by a prolific discography—over 40 projects by 2025—blending boom-bap aesthetics with cinematic storytelling and a distinctive wavy, off-kilter flow. Notable for his collaborations with Roc Marciano, Madlib, and 9th Wonder, Hus has cultivated a sound that bridges New York’s golden era with modern underground sensibilities, earning praise from outlets like Stereogum, Bandcamp Daily, and The Source. Now based in Los Angeles, his work with his crew #TheWinners and his label Wavo 3000 reflects a relentless drive to innovate, making him a pivotal figure in the genre’s evolution as of March 23, 2025.
Early life
Cory Atkins was born on April 12, 1982, in Brooklyn, New York, to parents of Caribbean descent—his mother from Barbados and his father from Trinidad. His early years were nomadic, shaped by his father’s career as a U.S. Navy officer, which saw the family relocate to Queens, South Philadelphia, and even Hawaii before settling in Hempstead, Long Island, during his high school years. Hempstead, a town with a rich hip-hop lineage including forebears like Rakim and Roc Marciano, provided the cultural bedrock for Atkins’s musical ambitions.
Atkins adopted the name "Hus Kingpin" in his late teens—short for "Hustle"—a nod to his streetwise persona and entrepreneurial spirit. Growing up, he was immersed in New York’s 1990s rap scene, drawing inspiration from Nas, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, and Max B, whose "wavy" aesthetic would later influence his own style. Before music, he navigated Hempstead’s tough streets, an experience that infused his rhymes with raw authenticity.
Career
Tha Connection and international beginnings (2005-2012)
Hus Kingpin’s rap career began in the mid-2000s with Tha Connection, a duo formed with fellow Hempstead rapper SmooVth. Featuring production from Snowgoons and Khrysis, alongside verses from SmooVth, Rozewood, and Marciano, the mixtape melded street philosophy with luxurious imagery, earning critical acclaim for its lyrical density.
Relocating to Atlanta in 2012 and later Los Angeles, Hus expanded his scope, releasing projects like House of Kingpin (2015) and Lord Wavy (2015), the latter hosted by actor Mahershala Ali.
Mainstream attention and 16 Waves (2017-2020)
Hus’s profile surged with 16 Waves (2017), a mixtape featuring a Madlib-produced opener, "Lootpack," where he boldly claimed, “I’m the nicest since Nas passed the torch over.”
In 2020, Portishus, inspired by Portishead, marked a sonic pivot, layering poetic rhymes over moody, trip-hop-influenced beats.
===Later career and #TheWinners (2021-2025)===
Hus’s later years saw him refine his craft with projects like The Firm (2021), Bjorkingpin (2022), and The Supergoat (2024) with 9th Wonder. His crew, #TheWinners—featuring SmooVth, Rozewood, Marvelous Mag, and producer Giallo Point—emerged as a creative hub, releasing collaborative works like Paid in Full (2023) with SmooVth.
As of March 23, 2025, Hus remains a prolific force, with over 41,000 monthly Spotify listeners and a discography that continues to expand, blending nostalgia with innovation.
Musical style and influences
Hus Kingpin’s sound fuses 1990s New York boom bap with a modern, wavy twist, characterized by jazzy loops, heavy basslines, and a flinty, off-beat delivery. Critics praise his ability to “push old sounds to new places,” avoiding commercial concessions while appealing to purists and innovators alike.<ref name="stereogum" />
Personal life
Hus resides in Los Angeles, having left New York to broaden his creative horizons.<ref name="source" /> He maintains close ties with his #TheWinners crew and credits his Caribbean heritage for his eclectic perspective.<ref name"source" /> Private about his personal affairs, he has cited family—particularly his parents—as a grounding influence, often texting his mother during moments of existential reflection.<ref name"stereogum" />
Discography
Selected albums and mixtapes
*Love Royale (with Tha Connection, 2008)
*The Cognac Tape (2013)
*House of Kingpin (2015)
*H.N.I.C.: Hempstead Niggas In Charge (with SmooVth, 2016)
*16 Waves (2017)
*Cocaine Beach (with Big Ghost Ltd, 2017)
*Portishus (2020)
*End of a Decade (2020)
*The Firm (2021)
*Bjorkingpin (2022)
*The Supergoat (with 9th Wonder, 2024)

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