JKOD, whose real name is Juan Leandro Gonzalez, is a Cuban-American rapper and artist born and raised in Havana, Cuba. What started as a hobby has grown into a creative career that spans visual art and music.
Art school roots
JKOD trained as a visual artist before focusing on music. He studied at the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes San Alejandro in Havana, one of Cuba’s best-known art academies, and continued his education at the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA). It was during his time at ISA that he met Yohanny Domínguez (YOD), who became his partner in both life and business.
From visual art to music
Alongside his art, JKOD developed a passion for composing and producing music. He began by creating songs on his own and sharing them online for free, building an audience step by step. His sound blends hip-hop with the rhythms and storytelling of his Cuban heritage.
His releases
According to his team, JKOD has released several projects over the years, including The Recipe, The Recipe 2, That’s How We Do and Till Death Do Us Part, as well as Spanish-language work. His music has found listeners across Latin America, the United States and beyond, and he continues to release new songs and videos.
A multi-talented creative
What makes JKOD stand out is the way he combines his background in fine art with music. That visual sensibility shows in his videos and artwork, and his journey from Havana to an international audience reflects years of independent work and persistence.
Follow JKOD
If you are a fan and want to keep up with his latest music and videos, subscribe to his youtube channel or follow his instagram page.

