Kota the Friend

Avery Marcel Joshua Jones (born October 16, 1992), known by his stage name Kota the Friend (stylized as KOTA The Friend), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He took his stage name from the Disney movie Brother Bear and has claimed it is a Native American word meaning friend. Early life Avery Jones was born on October 16, 1992, in Brooklyn, New York City. Growing up as a Jehovah's Witness in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, he developed an affinity for music.