Jakobi Wilburn: Future’s Eldest Son Who Is Building His Own Name in Rap
Who Is Jakobi Wilburn?
Jakobi Wilburn is a 23-year-old American rapper born on June 30, 2002, in Los Angeles, California. Jakobi is the eldest son of hip-hop star Future and his ex-girlfriend Jessica Smith. He raps under the name King Kobi and has released two albums since 2021. He also works as a brand partner for Fashion Nova. His life has not been easy, but he has turned a complicated upbringing into real motivation to build something of his own.
Jakobi Wilburn Early Life
Jakobi Wilburn came into the world as the firstborn child of one of rap’s biggest names. But that fame did not make his childhood simple or comfortable.
His parents Future and Jessica Smith split up shortly after he was born. His mother took custody and raised him mostly on her own in Los Angeles. Life at home was quiet compared to the flashy world his father was building in music.
Jessica shielded Jakobi from a lot of media attention as he grew up. That grounded upbringing helped him stay focused, even as his father’s name grew louder across the world.
His Father Future: The Rapper Behind the Name
Future, born Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn, grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and became one of the most important figures in modern hip-hop. He helped invent the trap music sound that now dominates streaming platforms globally.
His biggest songs include Mask Off, Life Is Good with Drake, and Wait for U with Drake and Tems. He has released multiple platinum albums and built a career that very few artists in his generation can match.
But Future also became known for something else. He fathered eight children with several different women over the years. Jakobi is the oldest of all his children. That position came with both attention and pain.
His Mother Jessica Smith: The Woman Who Raised Him
Jessica Smith is an American actress who dated Future in the early 2000s. After their relationship ended, she stepped up and became the primary caregiver for Jakobi.
Jessica never chased the spotlight. She stayed private and focused on her son. What she did do was fight hard in court to make sure Future played his part financially and as a father.
Her persistence shaped a lot of Jakobi’s early years. He has spoken about her with clear respect, and it shows that her influence runs deep in who he has become.
The DNA Test and Paternity Dispute
Future did not acknowledge Jakobi as his son right away. That forced Jessica Smith to take legal action and prove paternity in court.
She presented a DNA test showing a 99.9% probability that Future was Jakobi’s biological father. The court accepted the result. Future was then required to start paying child support, with the initial amount set at $1,662 per month.
That ruling changed things legally, but the emotional distance between father and son took much longer to close.
The 2013 Child Support Lawsuit
In 2013, Jessica Smith filed her first lawsuit against Future. She accused him of deliberately hiding his real income to keep his child support payments low.
The court reviewed the case and concluded that Future owed more. His monthly payments were increased to $2,800. The case drew public attention and painted a picture of a father who was not fully stepping up for his child.
For young Jakobi, these legal battles were part of the background noise of his childhood, even if he did not fully understand them at the time.
The 2016 Lawsuit: A Mother’s Warning
Three years later, Jessica went back to court. This time the lawsuit went beyond money.
Jessica claimed that Future’s continued absence and neglect was causing Jakobi real emotional damage. She told the court that their son needed behavioral and clinical therapy because of how little his father was present in his life. She also asked for an increase in support payments to reflect Future’s growing wealth.
The case put Future’s parenting in the public eye again. It also revealed just how much Jakobi had been quietly carrying.
Years later, when someone asked Jakobi directly what it was like having Future as his father, he said one word: “Regular.” Not special. Not exciting. Just regular. That answer told the whole story.
School Years and Growing Up in LA
Jakobi Wilburn went to school in Los Angeles during his early years. He later attended Columbia High School. He has not shared much about his academic life publicly.
What is clear is that music found him early. Being even loosely connected to his father’s world meant he was around studios, artists, and beats from a young age. By his teenage years, he already knew what he wanted to do.
Becoming King Kobi: The Music Career Begins
Jakobi chose to become a rapper and picked the stage name King Kobi. It was a bold step. Following a parent as famous as Future means every move gets compared and every shortcut gets noticed.
He decided not to take shortcuts.
Proving Himself to Future
Before Future offered any real support, Jakobi had to earn it. He reportedly showed up to the studio more consistently than Future himself, putting in longer hours just to prove he was serious.
That dedication worked. Future recognized his son’s commitment and began offering guidance. Their relationship, strained for so long, started finding new ground in a shared love of music.
His Musical Influences
Jakobi Wilburn has named XXXTentacion, Frank Ocean, and Pharrell Williams as his biggest inspirations. That combination reveals a lot. Jakobi is drawn to artists who are emotional, creative, and unafraid to be different. He is not chasing his father’s sound. He is building his own.
Jakobi Wilburn’s Albums and Songs
Jakobi has been releasing music seriously since 2021. His catalog keeps growing.
Kobi$Torm (April 2021)
His debut album arrived in April 2021 and contained 12 tracks. It introduced the world to King Kobi as a full artist, not just a celebrity’s son. Fans and listeners responded well, and it gave him a real platform to stand on.
444 Degrees (August 2022)
His second album dropped in August 2022 with 7 songs. It felt tighter and more focused than his debut. The project showed he was developing a real artistic voice and was not going anywhere.
Popular Singles
Some of his most-played songs include Pink Lemonade, Bricc, Bad Reception, Outside, In Due Time, Leave Me Alone, and NORP Season. His music lives on Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, and YouTube, where he has collected over 144,000 streams across 15 videos.
Who Has He Worked With?
Jakobi has collaborated with emerging artists including Ken Car$on and Lil Cozy. These working relationships show he is connecting with the next generation of hip-hop on his own, not just trading on his father’s network.
The 2020 Arrest: A Turning Point
The most serious moment of Jakobi’s young life came on January 19, 2020. He was arrested in Newton County, Georgia at just 17 years old.
What Happened
The arrest took place during a gang task force operation. Police charged him with:
- Criminal gang activity
- Criminal trespass
- Possession of a firearm with an altered serial number
- Providing false information to law enforcement
Because Georgia tried him as an adult, he faced the possibility of up to 20 years in prison. At 17, that is a terrifying reality to face.
How It Resolved
Jakobi was released in March 2020 after some charges were dropped. The case was later sealed by the court. He walked away without a long prison sentence and with a chance to redirect his life.
He took that chance seriously. Within a year, he was in the studio recording his debut album.
His Relationship With Future Today
The father-son relationship between Jakobi and Future has changed over time. What started as absence and courtroom battles eventually moved toward something more real.
Once Jakobi Wilburn proved he was serious about music, Future became more involved. The two have reportedly worked together creatively, with Future offering guidance and support in the studio.
It is not a perfect relationship. But it is a working one. Going from DNA disputes and court orders to studio sessions together is real progress, and Jakobi seems to have made peace with the complicated history.
Jakobi Wilburn’s Half-Siblings
Future has eight confirmed children. Jakobi, as the eldest, has seven half-siblings. Each one has a different mother.
- Londyn Wilburn (daughter)
- Prince Wilburn (son)
- Future Zahir Wilburn (son, born to pop star Ciara)
- Hendrix Wilburn (son)
- Paris Wilburn (daughter)
- Kash Wilburn (son)
- Reign Wilburn (daughter)
Jakobi has never spoken badly about his siblings. They share a bond through their father, even if their lives have been lived in very different places and circumstances.
Fashion Nova and Social Media
Music is not Jakobi’s only income stream. He is an official Fashion Nova brand ambassador, earning paid partnerships through social media promotions.
He stays active on Instagram and YouTube under the King Kobi name. His online presence is growing steadily alongside his music, giving fans a consistent place to follow his journey.
He keeps his personal posts focused on his creative work. You will not find him airing out family drama or begging for attention online. He lets his work lead.
Jakobi Wilburn’s Relationship and Personal Life
As of 2026, Jakobi Wilburn has not publicly confirmed any girlfriend or romantic relationship. He keeps that part of his life completely private.
He has chosen to let his music represent him rather than his personal life. That decision has earned him a certain quiet respect from fans who appreciate the boundary.
Height and Physical Description
Jakobi stands 5 feet 9 inches tall (1.75 meters) and weighs approximately 65 kilograms (143 pounds). He carries himself with the kind of calm confidence that comes from having been through real things at a young age.
Jakobi Wilburn’s Net Worth
His estimated net worth sits around $500,000 as of 2026. That figure reflects his music royalties, streaming income, and his Fashion Nova brand deal. These are estimates, not confirmed numbers.
He is only 23. If his music keeps growing, that number will look very different in a few years.
Key Life Events at a Glance
June 30, 2002 — Born in Los Angeles, California
2013 — DNA test confirms Future as his father. Child support set at $2,800/month after lawsuit
2016 — Second lawsuit filed. Mother claims emotional neglect is harming Jakobi
January 19, 2020 — Arrested in Newton County, Georgia on four charges including gang activity and firearm possession
March 2020 — Released after charges dropped. Case sealed
April 2021 — Releases debut album Kobi$Torm with 12 tracks
August 2022 — Releases second album 444 Degrees with 7 tracks
2023 to 2026 — Continues releasing music, builds Fashion Nova partnership, grows online audience
FAQs About Jakobi Wilburn
How old is Jakobi Wilburn?
He turned 23 years old on June 30, 2025. He is currently 23 in 2026.
What is Jakobi Wilburn’s rap name?
He goes by King Kobi.
Is Jakobi Wilburn actually Future’s son?
Yes. A court-ordered DNA test confirmed it at 99.9% certainty.
What happened with Jakobi Wilburn’s 2020 arrest?
He was charged as an adult in Georgia on four counts. Some charges were dropped and he was released in March 2020. The case was sealed.
What music has Jakobi Wilburn released?
His two albums are Kobi$Torm (2021) and 444 Degrees (2022). Popular singles include Pink Lemonade and Bricc.
Who are Jakobi Wilburn’s siblings?
His seven half-siblings are Londyn, Prince, Future Zahir, Hendrix, Paris, Kash, and Reign Wilburn.
What is Jakobi Wilburn’s net worth?
Around $500,000 as of 2026, based on music and brand income.
Where Is Jakobi Wilburn Now?
In 2026, Jakobi is 23 years old and actively building his career as King Kobi. He is releasing music, growing his audience, and doing brand work with Fashion Nova.
He has come a long way from being just “Future’s son.” That label used to define him before people knew his story. Now, more people are paying attention to what he is actually doing and who he actually is.
Jakobi grew up without a consistent father.
- He got tangled up in legal trouble at 17.
- He watched his family play out in headlines and courtrooms.
- He took every one of those things and kept going anyway.
That is the Jakobi Wilburn story. Not perfect. Not easy. But real and still moving forward.
