Let me preface this review by saying I can't possibly review the genius that is K.O.D and this is merely a synopsis of my thoughts. Also, I'm biased.
K.O.D. covers addiction, the guilt fame often brings, and advice to the generation rising up before his eyes. Released on 4/20 (I see you, Jermaine) and speaking on addiction in many of the songs on the track, Cole speaks to those of us who smoke up, drink up, or pop pills to numb the monotony and tragedy of daily life. Not only does Cole bring into his music the life he lived before he blew up, he speaks to those who have been in similar circumstances.
This album shows, most prominently, Cole’s transformation from the days of “Power Trip” and “Work Out”. Cole has always had a touch of revolution in the tracks he spits out but takes fewer breaks between his lyrical activism and personal reveries in K.O.D. than Forest Hills and 4 Your Eyez Only.
“Photograph” and “The Cut Off” are reminiscent of “Déjà vu” and “Immortal” and touch those around him from his crew to his girls. “Window Pain” delves into that craving for conformity and respect that pulls young black boys into gangs and violence and reaches a new level of growth for the 33 – year- old rap king.
“How you claim blood or cuz when that was just a LA thing?
I don't mean no disrespect towards your set, no, I'm just sayin'
That it seem like for acceptance niggas will do anything
Niggas will rep any gang, niggas will bust any head
Niggas will risk everything, point him out and then he dead.”
"Window Pain"
“1985” speaks to a new ones coming up in the game. The flow brings thoughts of “High For Hours” with a free flow of consciousness, formed into constant verses. Cole gives his audience seconds to digest the story he’s narrating. The tone and choice of words in this track sounds almost fatherly. Cole gives advice, seemingly to his younger self but also to those coming up after him.
“I must say, by your songs I'm unimpressed, hey
But I love to see a Black man get paid
And plus, you havin' fun and I respect that
But have you ever thought about your impact?”
"1985"
Most notably J. Cole ventures into a territory few rappers are brave enough to go to at the moment. “Friends” touches those who are addicted and runs through the various reasons addiction is a chronic problem in underprivileged neighborhoods.
“Blame it on crack, you can blame it on the system
Blame it on the fact that 12 got jurisdiction
To ride around in neighborhoods that they ain't ever lived in
Blame it on the strain that you feel when daddy missing
Blame it on Trump shit, blame it on Clinton
Blame it on trap music and the politicians."
"Friends"
Though he acknowledges these reasons as pervasive, Cole proposes a different method of healing.
“I understand this message is not the coolest to say
But if you down to try it I know of a better way
Meditate.”
"Friends"
Overall, this release is another stone added to the steps that J. Cole is taking to make it to the top. K.O.D. shows just how far he’s come as an artist and activist and proves just how in touch he is with this generation.
