Jakobi Wilburn became officially recognized as Future’s son after a DNA test proved 99.9% paternity. Born on June 30, 2002, in Los Angeles, he is the eldest of Future’s seven children, including siblings Prince Wilburn and Hendrix Wilburn. His mother, Jessica Smith, raised him away from the intense spotlight while his father rose to hip-hop stardom. Unlike many celebrity children, Future son Jakobi has faced both public scrutiny and personal challenges, including legal troubles and a complex relationship with fame. At the same time, he’s carved his own path as King Kobi, a rising rapper with over 144,000 YouTube streams. This article explores Jakobi Wilburn’s age, his relationship with his mother, his legal battles, music career, and where he stands today.
Who Is Jakobi Wilburn? Early Life and Background
Jakobi Wilburn Age and Birth Details
Jakobi Wilburn was born on June 30, 2002, in Los Angeles, California. His zodiac sign is Cancer, and he attended schools in Los Angeles before enrolling at Columbia High School. However, details about his early education remain limited, as he skipped his graduation year following involvement in legal troubles.
The young rapper is now in his early twenties, having grown up during the rise of his father’s music empire. His birth came at a time when Future was still establishing himself in the hip-hop industry, which shaped the unique circumstances of his upbringing.
Jakobi Wilburn Mother: Jessica Smith
Jessica Smith, Jakobi’s mother, is an actress who separated from Future shortly after their son was born. She gained full custody and raised him primarily on her own. The relationship between Smith and the Atlanta rapper ended in what sources describe as “total bitterness”.
In 2012, Smith filed a lawsuit demanding financial support for their child’s care. She claimed that Future’s neglect as a father was causing their son emotional and behavioral problems. The tension escalated when Smith accused Future of lying to courts about his actual income during child support proceedings.
The Paternity Story and DNA Test
Before any financial arrangements could be made, court proceedings were necessary to establish paternity. Smith brought forward a DNA test that proved the odds of Jakobi being Future’s son were 99.9%. Following this confirmation, Future was ordered to pay $1,662 in monthly child support.
The agreement was based on Future’s reported monthly income of $16,516. Smith later challenged this figure, claiming the rapper actually earned upwards of $50,000 per month and requesting increased support payments. She alleged Future had misrepresented his earnings to reduce his financial obligations.
Growing Up Between Two Worlds
Despite the legal battles, Jakobi’s early years were relatively normal. In interviews, he described his childhood as “regular,” attending school with all the popular sneakers and clothing. He spent time playing outside, riding bikes, visiting parks and movies, doing everything other kids did.
The shift came when people started recognizing his father’s growing fame. Jakobi remained grounded through it, noting that nothing really changed except the status. This balance between normalcy and celebrity life defined his formative years.
Legal Challenges and Personal Struggles
The 2020 Arrest: What Happened
In January 2020, Jakobi Wilburn was arrested during a gang task force operation in Georgia. The then-17-year-old faced multiple charges, including criminal use of an article with altered ID mark, possession of a firearm, and giving false name, address, or birthdate to law enforcement officers. Police found him in possession of a gun with the serial numbers scratched off. Beyond the firearm charges, he also faced criminal gang activity and trespassing violations.
Gang-Related Charges and Court Proceedings
The charges carried serious consequences. Georgia law considers 17-year-olds as adults in criminal proceedings, meaning Jakobi faced adult sentencing despite his age. On the gang activity charge alone, he faced five to 20 years in prison. The arrest stemmed from a larger gang roundup involving multiple co-defendants.
However, this wasn’t his first encounter with law enforcement. In November 2019, he was arrested for allegedly spray-painting a home with “NORP,” an acronym for “Normal Ordinary Regular Playa,” associated with the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips. That incident resulted in charges of felony criminal damage to property and trespassing, later updated to unlawful gang activity.
How Future Stepped In
Initially, court documents listed Jakobi as indigent and needing a public defender. The courts based this designation on the teenager’s income rather than his father’s wealth. Future and Jessica Smith quickly intervened, confirming they would cover all legal fees. Both parents stayed actively involved throughout the proceedings. Jessica Smith released a statement requesting privacy to protect their son’s wellbeing during the situation.
Life After the Legal Battle
After spending weeks behind bars without bail, Jakobi received partial relief when the District Attorney filed a request to drop the altered firearm ID charge, which the judge approved. He was released from jail in March 2020. Despite this victory, he still faced prosecution for providing false information to police and the separate unlawful gang activity case.
Music Career and Creative Identity
Becoming King Kobi
Around 2021, Jakobi turned to music as both an outlet and opportunity. He adopted the stage name King Kobi, signaling his professional journey into hip-hop. When he first told Future about his musical aspirations, the response was skeptical. Future questioned whether his son genuinely wanted to pursue music or simply followed his path. “Show me that you wanna do it ’cause you wanna do it,” Future challenged.
Jakobi responded by spending every day in the studio. He often arrived before his father and stayed long after Future left. The dedication paid off. “You got hundreds of songs now! You really want it,” Future eventually acknowledged. His father became fully supportive once the commitment became undeniable.
Musical Style and Influences
King Kobi draws inspiration from XXXTentacion, Frank Ocean, and Pharrell Williams. His sound blends trap rhythms with melodic rap, emphasizing lyricism and emotional storytelling. The influences appear throughout his work, combining contemporary production with introspective themes. He experiments with vocal delivery and cadence while maintaining authenticity.
Released Songs and Growing Audience
Jakobi has released multiple singles since 2022. His tracks include Bad Reception, Bricc, Pink Lemonade, Trix R 4 Kids, and 40 FLOORS UP featuring Homixide Gang. His debut album Kobi$torm dropped in 2021, followed by 444 Degrees in 2022. His 15 YouTube videos have accumulated over 144,000 streams. Songs are available on streaming platforms including SoundCloud and Apple Music.
Fashion Nova Ambassador Role
Beyond music, Jakobi serves as a Fashion Nova ambassador. He showcases modern streetwear through social media posts, promoting the brand’s latest releases. This partnership highlights his interest in style and branding, expanding his influence beyond the recording studio. Fashion plays a central role in his public image alongside his musical identity.
Jakobi Wilburn’s Life Today
Relationship with Future and His Siblings
The bond between father and son has strengthened considerably. In recent years, especially throughout 2025 and 2026, the two appeared together more frequently. Future attended FreeWishes Foundation events where Jakobi showed his support alongside his younger siblings. This visibility signals growth in their relationship after years of distance. Jakobi witnessed his father’s rise from local Atlanta rapper to global superstar, giving him a different perspective than siblings born after Future achieved fame. Sources close to the family say Jakobi has taken on a mentor-like role for his younger brothers and sisters, helping them handle public attention.
Connection with Prince Wilburn, Hendrix Wilburn, and Others
Jakobi’s siblings include Prince Wilburn, Hendrix Wilburn, Future Zahir Wilburn, Londyn Wilburn, and others. As the eldest, he holds a unique position within this large blended family. Hendrix shares a close bond with his half-sister Shai Moss on their mother’s side.
Current Lifestyle and Social Media Presence
Beyond cameras, Jakobi enjoys travel, high-end fashion, and exclusive parties in Atlanta and Los Angeles. His Instagram allows him to control his narrative rather than letting tabloids define him. He frequently posts Fashion Nova outfits as their ambassador.
What the Future Holds
By 2026, Jakobi released several underground singles. He has resources and support to succeed in music, fashion, or private ventures.
Also Read: Tee Grizzley Net Worth
Conclusion
Jakobi Wilburn’s story reveals more than just celebrity privilege. His journey through legal battles, strained family dynamics, and eventual emergence as King Kobi demonstrates resilience. The relationship with Future has evolved considerably, transforming from courtroom disputes to studio collaborations. As the eldest among Future’s children, he carries unique responsibilities while building his own artistic identity. With dedication to music and fashion, Jakobi continues writing his own narrative beyond his father’s shadow.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Jakobi Wilburn and what is he known for?
Jakobi Wilburn, born June 30, 2002, is the eldest son of rapper Future and Jessica Smith. He has established himself as a rapper under the stage name King Kobi, releasing multiple singles and albums since 2021. He’s also recognized as a Fashion Nova ambassador and has accumulated over 144,000 YouTube streams.
Q2. What legal troubles did Jakobi Wilburn face?
In January 2020, Jakobi was arrested during a gang task force operation in Georgia on multiple charges, including possession of a firearm with altered serial numbers, criminal gang activity, and providing false information to law enforcement. He faced serious charges as a 17-year-old tried as an adult, but was released in March 2020 after some charges were dropped.
Q3. How was Future’s paternity of Jakobi Wilburn established?
Paternity was confirmed through a DNA test that showed 99.9% probability that Future was Jakobi’s biological father. Following this confirmation, Future was ordered to pay $1,662 in monthly child support, though his mother Jessica Smith later challenged the amount, claiming Future underreported his actual income.
Q4. What is Jakobi Wilburn’s relationship like with his father Future today?
The relationship between Jakobi and Future has significantly improved over the years. They now appear together frequently at public events, and Future became supportive of Jakobi’s music career after witnessing his dedication in the studio. As the eldest of Future’s seven children, Jakobi has taken on a mentor-like role for his younger siblings.
Q5. What kind of music does King Kobi create?
King Kobi’s musical style blends trap rhythms with melodic rap, drawing inspiration from artists like XXXTentacion, Frank Ocean, and Pharrell Williams. He has released multiple singles including “Bad Reception,” “Bricc,” and “Pink Lemonade,” along with albums “Kobi$torm” (2021) and “444 Degrees” (2022), available on streaming platforms like SoundCloud and Apple Music.