Bandman Kevo Gives First Interview Since Prison Release

Nearly three years removed from beginning a prison sentence for bank fraud charges, Chicago's own Bandman Kevo is once again a free man. On Monday (March 18), the 30-year-old rapper was released from his cell in the city's Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone (FCI Sandstone).

Fresh off his prison departure, Kevo, who made a name for himself with project's like 2014's Fast Life mixtape, is embracing the positive vibes in his first interview since getting out.

"I'm overwhelmed a little bit man, just getting all the love from all the radio stations, the DJs, the whole city loving me," Kevo tells XXL. "I'm blessed, man. I got a good girl that rode the bid for me. She held me down real good. You know, most girls don't, so you know, I'm in a good position right now."

The position Kevo speaks of, one he says led FBI agents to compliment his decked out condominium when they arrested him nearly four years ago, is one that was almost lost.

At the time of his October 2014 arrest, the rapper was a well-respected, street-connected artist with money and success at his back as he maneuvered through the Windy City's indie rap scene. However, things started heading south when he was arrested after he was hit with allegations that he'd participated in a state-wide bank fraud scheme.

On Jan. 7, 2016, the rapper, born Kevin Ford, and his co-defendant, Cortez Stevens, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. After being caught with a cellphone in FCI Sandstone, Kevo's original 22-month sentence had an additional eight months added, with four of those months being served in solitary confinement.

Kevo says that while behind bars, he used his time to read up on the music industry and just about anything else he thought could help him once he got out. He says he also made sure to hit the gym and that he lost 69 pounds while he was in lockup. "I look like damn body builder," he offers, pointing to his weight loss and his now-sculpted frame.

Since he's been out, Kevo, who dropped off his first post-prison song, "Finesse God," on Tuesday (March 19), has been contacted by the likes of fellow G Herbo, Future, Roddy Ricch and more. He's also made it a personal goal to reward his girlfriend for her loyalty. While phoning in, he actually said

When Kevo isn't car shopping or counting a million dollars—something he said he did as soon as he got out—he's plotting on his return to the Chi's center stage. Having just been released from prison, he knows he's got some ground to make up. He plans to do so by serving up big features, dropping a new album and signing a new artist to his Band Klan label.

"It's a lot of shit going on in Chicago, man, and I'm 'bout to get in and bring my city back," he affirms. "That's all I'm on."

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