Kingdon Chapple-Wilson (born 1991), known professionally as Kings, is a New Zealand rapper, record producer, singer and songwriter. He has been producing music under his self-run label Arch Angel Records since 2018, and holds the record for longest-running No. 1 single in New Zealand for his 2016 song "Don't Worry Bout' It" [sic].
Early life Kings is of Māori and Samoan ethnicity. His grandfather was artist and educator Arnold Manaaki Wilson. He has one daughter and they live in Auckland, New Zealand. He is 6 feet tall. His music studio is at Awataha Marae, which was built by his grandfather. Kings began playing the guitar at age seven and first learned the skills of his trade from completing a foundation year course at MAINZ.
Career Kings started his career providing music production services for companies around the world for use in commercials, television and film. He pursued a solo career in the mid-2010s, collaborating with New Zealand electronic producers such as Dan Aux, General Lee, and Jolyon Petch.
In 2016, Kings released his debut single "Don't Worry Bout' It". The song became the biggest New Zealand single release that year and surpassed the record for longest running No. 1 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, previously held by Lorde, spending 33 consecutive weeks at the top. The music video was filmed impromptu by Kings in Fiji and then edited on the plane ride home. "Don't Worry Bout' It" was certified double platinum and won the "Highest Selling New Zealand Single" and "Radio Airplay Record of the Year" awards at the 2017 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.
Kings released his self-titled debut extended play (EP) in late 2016, which also included the singles "What We Supposed To Do" and "Someday". Kings was named "Breakthrough Artist of The Year" at the 2016 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, as well as "Best Pacific Male Artist", "Best Urban Artist", "Best Producer" at the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards. Kings was nominated for "Best Solo Artist" for the EP, at the 2017 New Zealand Music Awards.
In late 2017, Kings independently released his debut album Chapter One. The album featured the singles "We'll Never Know", "Domino" and "In the Sun". Six months later Kings released his second album Two, in early 2018, which featured the singles "You Do" and "Temporary Me". The single "Temporary Me" saw Kings make the finalist list for the 2018 APRA Silver Scroll Award. In 2021, Kings was featured on the New Zealand version of The Masked Singer as the "Monster". He was revealed in his fifth appearance.
Discography Studio albums Title Details Chapter One Released: 2017 Label: Arch Angel Format: Digital download Two Released: 2018 Label: Arch Angel Format: Digital download Lov3 & 3go Released: 2018 Label: Arch Angel Format: Digital download Raplist Released: 2021 Label: Arch Angel Format: Digital download, streaming
Extended plays Title Details Peak chart positions NZ Kings Released: 2016 Label: Arch Angel Records/Warner Music NZ Format: CD, digital download 32
Singles As lead artist Title Year Peak chart positions Album NZ "Don't Worry Bout' It" 2016 5Kings "Out Here Alive"2018 — Two "6 Figures" 24 Lov3 & 3go "D'ussé" 2019 — "Flex" — rowspan="3" "Hit That (Or Nah)" — "R.I.P." — "Help Me Out" 2020 17 Raplist "Teach Me How to Love" 2021 — "One Man Up" — "Pohewatia" — rowspan="10" "Loved Up" — "Young 4eva" — "Light Up the Dark" 2022 — "LDN TYO" — "Action Man" — "Dad's Son" 2023 — "Man of the House" — "Believe" — "Rose" —
As featured artist Title Year Peak chart positions Album NZHotPeak positions for Kings' singles on the NZ Hot Singles chart: For "Real Ones": For "Feelings": NZArtistPeak positions for Kings' singles on the NZ Artist singles chart: For "Real Ones": For "Feelings": "Real Ones"2022 11 19 L.A.B. V "Feelings" 12 18 All In
Guest appearances Title Year Other artists Album "Kei Aro Atu Koe / Don’t Worry Bout' It" 2019 Waiata / Anthems "Mocking Bird" 2022 Stan Walker All In
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