Heating up April 2018, as well as the rap game, J. Cole returns with his surprise, highly-anticipated fifth studio album, ‘KOD.’ He focuses on drugs, money, sex, and a variety of issues.

Hip-hop enthusiasts’ ears perked up ‘round the world when it was announced J. Cole would release his fifth studio album, KODon April 20, 2018.  Sure, stoners were already enthused, but things get a bit more exciting when a high-profile music release comes unexpectedly. On KOD, the 33-year old North Carolinian rapper speaks about relevant societal issues including drugs, money, and sex.  He also seems to school the SoundCloud rappers.  The title means three different things: Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed, and Kill Our Demons.

KOD. 3 meanings.

Kids on Drugs
King Overdosed
Kill Our Demons

The rest of the album I leave to your interpretation.

— J. Cole (@JColeNC) April 19, 2018

“KOD”

KOD initiates with the jazzy, lush “Intro,” which clocks in at under two-minutes in duration. “Intro” sets the tone for an album where J. Cole, or his character/persona struggles with a variety of vices.  The real ‘heat’ begins on “KOD,” which sounds more modern compared to some of J. Cole’s records. The rapper has never been characterized as a trap musician, but that’s the sound he conjures up on the title track, particularly on the ultra-druggy hook. Notably, Cole busts out a pronouncedly more agile flow than usual on the second verse.  The title track deals with drug addiction.

“Photograph” follows with a relatively simple concept:  J. Cole falls in love with a pic of a girl on social media.  Ultimately, the song depicts how he’s going to make his fantasy and infatuation his reality.  “Photograph” offers up nothing game changing, but ultimately, it’s successful. 

“I never fantasize ‘bout murder ‘cause I’m still sane

But I can’t seem to fight this urge to make you feel pain.”

Goodness!  Anyways, the dusty, soulful drums and throwback, jazzy production is a big selling point on “The Cut Off.” Notably, “The Cut Off” features kiLL edward, the only guest on the album.  The vocals are definitely ‘rough around the edges,’ but that seems to be the vibe J. Cole intends.  There’s plenty of kiLL edward, who handles the intro, pre-chorus, chorus, and bride sections.  As for J. Cole, on his sole verse he asserts, “I had to cut some people off ‘cause they was using me.”

“ATM”

The ‘trap’ returns on highlight “ATM.” Also, elements of the album intro also return – “There are many ways to deal with this pain / Choose wisely.” In this context, the album intro carries more weight.  “ATM” at its simplest is about money.  J. Cole seems to reference his own excess of the past, potentially shades the new crop of rappers about their greed, and also discusses money issues in the black community.  “ATM” is among the best songs from KOD.  Money is the motivation and ultimately a vice on the brief “Motiv8,” not to mention “demons” such as popping pills.

J. Cole busts out the singing voice on “Kevin’s Heart,” at least portions of the record.Here, he focuses primarily on sex and drugs. The wordplay is a key selling point, particularly interchanging hip-hop expressions like skrt with and “skirt.” “BRACKETS” ranks among the better moments of KOD despite being he lengthiest (over five minutes). One reason for the success is the old-school, dusty, low-key production work.  Simply put, the backdrop is where Cole excels. The central topic? Taxes.

“FRIENDS” 

Despite the fact “Once an Addict – Interlude” is labeled as an interlude, it’s as long (or longer) than the other full-length numbers. Here, J. Cole speaks about his mother’s alcoholism. The distinct kiLL edward returns on “FRIENDS” with pitch-shifted vocals on the hook. J. Cole speaks about addictions to various substances, the central “demon” of KOD.  Essentially, he goes H.A.M. explaining how and why it happens, encouraging addicts to meditate as opposed to abuse potentially deadly drugs.

On the penultimate record “Window Pain – Outro,” he’s thankful for his blessings, as well as listing his goals for his life, family, and his community.  Among those goals, the most notable is as he raps, “All I wanna do is keep my niggas out the yellow tape.” Perhaps the deepest point he illustrates, he refers to an example where a little girl lost her cousin who was shot.  “1985 – Intro to ‘The Fall Off’” finds the rapper reflecting back, educating (and possibly dissing) the new crop of rappers, and flexing with his rhymes.

Final Thoughts

All in all, J. Cole delivers an enjoyable and meaningful album with KOD.  There is lots to like and respect about the fifth studio from the North Carolina standout. Is it perfect? No, but throughout the course of the album, relevant issues, conversations, and discussions are raised.  While alternatives such as meditation on “FRIENDS” utilizing the rap platform meaningfully on “1985” are suggested, more solutions and more unification could’ve taken KOD to the next level.  Still, the most loyal fans will be pleased, as will many rappers – save for the SoundCloud/mumble rappers…

Gems: “KOD,” “Photograph,” “ATM,” “BRACKETS” & “1985 – Intro to ‘The Fall Off’”

J Cole • KOD• Dreamville / Roc Nation • Release: 4.20.18

Photo Credits: Dreamville / Roc Nation