J. Cole - KOD: My Track By Track Review

Slightly customized cover art (by me, Joseph Sanker II) for J. Cole's 5th studio album "KOD"

J. Cole. Admittedly, I've never been the biggest J. Cole fan. I'll go on record to say I never really paid attention to the Dreamville Records co-founder until his major breakthrough project "2014 Forest Hills Drive". Before that, I had heard of him here and there during the times where "Work Out" and "Power Trip" were being played constantly on the radio. I even listened to a few tracks off the "Sideline Story" thanks to a melon review.

If you're one of the three people who don't know who J. Cole is just know he's a rapper from Fayetteville, North Carolina for people with a certain level of intelligence because he went platinum multiple times with no features. Don't believe me? Well, twitter, a reputable social media service, can surely back me up...

                      J. Cole in the music video for the lead single off his "KOD" album "ATM"

They grow up so fast!

Witness the greatness of COLE, you dunce!

But seriously though, Cole went to college, found out it wasn't for him, eventually decided to pursue rapping as a career. Started making and releasing mixtapes online (some of them such as "Friday Night Lights", and "The Warmup", are heavily acclaimed and celebrated amongst Cole fans) until finally, a camel in a 3 piece suit (shoutout to CK for that one lol) signed him to his label, Roc Nation. Due to his organic fanbase + a machine behind him + actual quality music being made, it's no wonder people gravitated toward him so quickly.

After 2014 though, I started paying attention. When "4 Your Eyez Only" came out, I was right there, eager to see what Cole was going to release upon the world. Now, I understand what Cole was doing thematically and conceptually with "Eyez Only" but come on. A song about folding clothes? Really dude? This is worse than the premature ejaculation virgin raps on Forest Hills Drive! 

but...but...platinum NO FEATURES

I was beginning to think Cole would always be that rapper that I simply wouldn't see the hype for. In a way I was jealous of his fans or avid supporters, every time I would put on a J. Cole album, I wasn't feeling it in on a primal, visceral level. So maybe Cole just wasn't for me...until he popped up on features. 

It started with "Jermaine's Interlude" on DJ Khaled's "Major Key" album, his feature on the song "Legendary" with Joey Bada$$ (it was rumored to be his last feature, but rappers stay fake retiring), his feature on Logic's "AfricAryan", his feature on Jeezy's "American Dream" with Kendrick Lamar, and finally his feature on Royce Da 5'9"s "Boblo Boat" (which is a single from Royce's upcoming album "Book of Ryan") that finally made me interested in Cole's newest outing.

Enter KOD, the newest album from one of the two mainstream conscious rappers. Cole first announced this album relatively suddenly. One day, on April 16th, four days before the album was even known by anyone. Cole announced a listening session for the album in New York, and for London the following day.

The tweet Cole sent out to basically announce his new project via a listening session

KOD is an acronym that has 3 different meanings according to Cole himself. "King Overdosed", "Kill Our Demons", and "Kids On Drugs".

Now when I first heard the title "Kids on Drugs" my mind immediately raced to this scene from the movie "Lean On Me" starring Morgan Freeman. Please watch this 30 second clip to fully realize what terrible expectations I had for this project.

ya smoke CRACK don't ya?

As far as King Overdosed and Kill Our Demons were concerned, I figured one would be about his self destruction as "King" of the rap game and the "Kill Our Demons" would be some type of sanctimonious  "I found 'God' moment" ala "Good Kid Maad City"...

So what did it end up being to me? Well, let's find out...

1. Intro

Album starts off with what I can only describe as "BLOOD." from DAMN. mixed with the instrumental from Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp a Butterfly" but instead of the artist themselves talking it's a sultry narrator's voice.

The narrator presents the listener with a question essentially. I'm paraphrasing here but the basic gist is, there are ways humans deal with pain, "How will  you (the listener) deal with said pain? Choose wisely".

That's about it, it's neither good or bad because it's not a song, mostly something for the rap genius analysts and conspiracy theorists on forums like hiphopheads and kanyetothe to analyze and interpret. Similar to Kendrick Lamar's "DAMN." this introduction is purposely lending itself to conspiracy, and  as a result, I expect someone (a Cole stan mostly) to make some grandiose thesis on KOD, virtually using this intro, a few key lyrics from the songs on the album, and his own reasoning to basically crown Cole as the best rapper of all time dead or alive...it's only a  matter of time.

2. KOD

"How come you won't get a few features? I think you should?' How 'bout I don't?"

All memes aside, I actually like this song. The hook is a little bit on the basic side but it works perfectly, the beat doesn't do too much and is simple as it is catchy.

Lyrically, Cole addresses the masses since he spent his last effort constructing a whole storyline on his last album. He straight up says he doesn't want features and that he's been "stack[ing] a few M's like [his] last name was shady" (I thought his delivery on that line was fuego). 

I'm glad this was the opening, I was expecting something more lowkey like his last album but the thumping bassline and Cole's shit talking was much needed, especially with the slander that's been aimed towards Cole lately. 

Yeah, cool opener, so far so good. 1 of 1 (remember the 'intro' wasn't even a song).

3. Photograph

I love the subject matter on this one. Anyone alive in the modern first world has been on Instagram. The emotions that these pictures on social media can evoke is extremely powerful. I will admit though, I think I like the subject matter Cole is addressing more than the actual song itself. 

The song itself is very repetitive in the same way soundcloud rappers have their hooks. Heavy chorus, little in the way of actual verses (which Cole does have in here, but the hook has just as much, if not more of a presence on this song.) I would not play this again, but I love what it addresses but too much repetitiveness for my liking, I wonder if that was done on purpose though? Either way, still don't care for it outside the subject matter.

This song also seems to be addressing the "Kids On Drugs" aspect of the "KOD" acronym. As kids are mostly the ones on social media and social media is like a drug in that it is VERY easy to get addicted to it.

4. The Cut Off (feat. kiLL edward)

HA! Talked all that mess about "niggas ain't worthy to be on my shit" but look at THIS a feature with...oh "kiLL edward" is just chopped and screwed Cole vocals that he calls his alter ego? Cool.

I'm starting to have the same problem I've been having with Cole albums...it's not doing anything for me, I'm not moved or anything. I understand, conceptually what he is trying to do here with the whole "kiLL edward" being the hedonistic drug user. But honestly, nah. "Gimmie drink, Gimmie smoke' is  sure to get stuck in your head,  but for me it's in a bad way.

There's just nothing  that interesting about Cole's vocals  here, maybe if Cole just maybe had an additional voice in replacement of "kiLL edward" then it would've been more memorable of a song? At least the dynamic would be interesting. Imagine Future on "kiLL edward's" vocals? That would be abundantly fascinating AND add another layer to the song and Cole's album...but you know...Cole is anti feature so what can you do?

Anyway, catchy chorus but not something I would actively return to like the title track "KOD".

5. ATM

This visuals for this song really help to drive the point home on this song. To summarize, in the music video, Cole is a successful entertainer, has the money, the girl, the flashy clothes, the whole nine and the video basically tells the viewer, that your ultimately fruitless pursuit of material gains in exchange for neglect of your health, will lead to your premature death. I recommend everyone reading this to take a look at the video to better judge for yourselves.

But none of that matters to be honest...is the song good? Yes and no, for various reasons. Musically speaking (Aka the most important reason) No, musically, it's not good. Cole's imitation of the modern wave of soundcloud era rappers is way too on the nose, like yes I get that a lot of hooks are repetitive nowadays to the point of grating...I guess you'd rather be a teacher and show these new rappers that they can add lyrics to their "turn up" hooks. But maybe the new rappers just don't care?

 There is a deeper meaning as to why the hooks on these songs are so repetitive and I do like more dissect-able hip hop BUT the music has to capture me first and foremost to even spark the initial reaction of actually reading into the lyrics.

That's how it's bad, cause musically it doesn't hit for me even though I see what Cole is doing,  he wants to influence the youth to put meaningful lyrics into their catchy melodies.

However, I'll say it is also good because it illustrates  how the whole "get money and die young" mentality is really more harmful than good to the children of today (especially in the music video I linked above).

While the message was nice and well meaning, I cannot, for the life of me. Ever see myself returning to this unironically...or even ironically for that matter.

6. Motiv8

It's clear Cole is just doing this whole "repeat the hook ad nauseum" to demonstrate how today's drug  induced hip hop artists can make music in their style without sacrificing lyrical ability, it doesn't make the song any better though. I know a lot of today's music sucks...why not make  an album that's different from all that instead of mocking it? Is the whole first half just a "Look what YOU, new age soundcloud rapper, can do" message? I guess Cole is more "for the culture than I thought. Good stuff.

Still, I don't like this song and won't return to it outside of the context of fully listening to this album, 

To put it simply, next!

7. Kevin's Heart

"She my number one, don't need nothing on the side"

The above video is an apology video from famous comedian actor Kevin Hart. The video came out because of Kevin's infidelity toward his wife and the side chick's attempt at extorting the self proclaimed "comedic rockstar". Kevin decided that instead of  giving  into the side chick's demands (she wanted something crazy like $10 Million lol should've asked for a couple hundred thousand but that's beside the point) that he expose himself before anyone else could. The result is the above video,  which the Joe Budden Podcast did a great job at breaking down lol.

Okay, as for the song, it is much better than the last track. The repetitiveness is not as abundant here like on the last two tracks. T-Minus's laidback instrumental is the best part of the song. Reminds me of "Blow My High" by Kendrick  Lamar off "Section.80". 

While, not a favorite of mine, I appreciate a break from the bass heavy sound from the last two tracks. It's okay. Lyrically, Cole is still on his "this vice is bad for you" mode, but this time it's drugs, and these drugs include Xanax and smoking weed.

Yeah, decent enough, but it's not entering my regular rotation or anything. Cool for what it is...meh.

8. BRACKETS

J. Cole addresses taxation and it's effects on various people including himself.

NOWWWW we're talking! Cole finally stops beating over the head with Ab-Soul's "These Days" formula of "look how terrible this modern music is...let me substitute MY actual music to show you how bad this modern music is" and is instead making music that is more in line with what he's been making on previous projects.

On "BRACKETS", in the first verse, Cole starts off telling the listener, and more importantly, the newer rappers who have been talking down on his name  that he does have people willing to take their life for him, but he chooses not to go down that path...but to me, Cole is saying "yeah, just keep it rap...cause it can all go left real quick if you want it to, we can lose lives over this if it came down to it...carry on with your disses"

As the song progresses however, Cole focuses his attention solely on taxes and questions how his money is getting spent, he mentions how he would like a more technology friendly way of seeing where exactly the tax dollars go, and finally ties it all together by illustrating a scenario in which, those same tax dollars are indirectly helping fuel gun violence in poor and disenfranchised communities (namely a black community). It's a slow track that eventually ramps up to something very compelling.

By far a highlight on "KOD", "BRACKETS" shows exactly why Cole is so popular in the first place. He keeps it relatable (majority of people pay taxes), yet still intellectually probing (Why can't I just vote on where my tax money goes to through an app on my phone?), and while that does attract the pseudo intellectual crowd, I'm glad it a rapper of substance is at least being promoted to this point, even if he had to make some compromises along the way. Cole is about as hip hop as it gets in the mainstream and I say that as a person not even that big of a fan of him. Trust me.

But yeah, if you listen to just a few tracks off 'KOD' make sure "BRACKETS" is one of them.

9. Once an Addict (Interlude)

A short one verse song that paints a picture of Cole's mother's alcoholism (a drug she's using in an attempt to kill her own demons). I like the passion that grows in Cole's voice as he goes further on about his mother's alcoholic episodes. I personally can't relate as my own mother was vehemently against things like alcohol and cigarettes (not to worry, mother was messed up in her own ways, believe me, we're human). Still, I KNOW someone out there, some child is hearing this and crying his/her eyes out cause they are going through that same exact scenario Cole is describing in his one verse.

I like the song, but it's not on the replay list for me, but it is good and as far as this album goes...it is a favorite of mine.

10. FRIENDS (feat. kiLL edward)

J. Cole's solution for all these drugs that's slowly killing us? Meditate.

J. Cole resurrects "4 Your Eyez Only" vibes by specifically addressing his friends (with the help of his king alter ego 'Edward') and telling them that although they are surrounded by societal traps ("What I'm tryna say is the blame can go deep as seas/Just to blame 'em all I would need like twenty CD's") and even though they have inner demons that need to be killed, they don't need to "medicate" themselves. 

Instead, they should "meditate" and achieve a peace of  mind that way.

This track, like the last two, have been interesting to listen upon first listen. On repeated listens it loses its novelty a little bit because you know what's coming but the message rings true from Cole's perspective, even if you don't buy into mediation, at least Cole is offering some sort of solution for all of his friends' rampant drug use. 

I like the message, I really do, and musically? It's solid. But I cannot replay or repeat this song. It's GOOD but not addictive to listen to or anything...more like "Oh, that was cool...yeah, mediation is cool" and that's it...out of sight, out of mind. I wanted to like it much more than I did because of the message but yeah, not doing it for me.

11. Window Pain (Outro)

This track was a grower for me. I ended up liking it. At first, the beat got through to me...then the lyrics moved me. The vocal interludes with the little girl I don't really like, but I see why he put the girl on there. Cool, surface level reflection here. I don't see anything that compelling about it that can make me come back and revisit it. But the song as a overall is really (as Cole says) "in one ear and out the other like a bullet out the muzzle of a pistol".

And that's what the song "Window Pain" is, like a bubble, it's here one second, gone the next, and no one's the wiser. Decent song, not too memorable though.

12. 1985 (Intro to "The Fall Off")

J. Cole ends his album (and subsequently starts his next one) by addressing a "Lil Whatever" on the final track of "KOD"

By far, the best track on "KOD", hopefully that "Fall Off" album is coming soon, like next year or even end of the year 2018 soon because if this the intro, J. Cole might finally make an album that I actually love like I love this "1985" track.

Over a simple, pulsating yet whimsical beat produced by the man himself, Cole addresses an unnamed rapper that has not had the kindest words towards the alter ego of kiLL edward. 

Cole basically get on the track "little bros" this rapper. He essentially, congratulates the rapper for making it this far in the rap game and being able to support himself financially. However, he warns the rapper of his career trajectory if he keeps moving the way he is moving (dissing J. Cole and the like) and that eventually, his career will slow down  and this same rapper will be forced into reality TV.

The confidence Cole exudes on this track is contagious, his "Why get mad?" attitude is practically oozing out of every syllables he lays on wax towards this unidentified new age rapper.  I love it really, although if I take it for what it is, it really is a basic "not naming names" diss song. Which isn't bad, but after some songs on here, I'll take whatever good I can squeeze out of "KOD".

In general though...

"KOD" is a grand statement of...pretty okayness. Oh! and lay off the drugs! Mediate y'all!

I'm still waiting for J. Cole to "Wow me" or blow me away with one of his albums. Still hasn't happened but I digress. 

I appreciate how Cole made a concerted effort to not just try to blatantly reach for the radio like his contemporary Kendrick (not to put down Kendrick OR "DAMN.") but rather used his platform to address the drug fiend culture in the hip hop community. 

I feel like these topics could be breached in a more creative way (i.e. more subtle like Ab-Soul's "These Days..." or crazily overt like "Danny Brown's "Atrocity Exhibition) not in a straightforward "I'm-clearly-making-fun-of-your-drug-infested-music-but-I'm-also-trying-eduation-you" type way. 

However, if I'm being honest, I'd rather people talk about Cole and the issues he brings up in his music than some new age soundcloud dude with face tattoos, colorful hair  and a gold choker chain. 

Closing Words:

The thing about "KOD" is that the message is there, it's potent and can be sound advice for the right person who would need to listen to those lyrics. But on a musical level? On a primal, visceral, entertainment level...this album ain't it. This album wasn't that great of a album. It just barely flies through on the strength of "passable" but overall it's really not the memorable of an album except for the first and last track.

I've always thought J. Cole was GREAT at just being PRETTY GOOD. Not once did I go, "damn, that/this J. Cole project was HEAT" not once.

Maybe he just isn't for me, maybe I need to go overdose so I can understand the meaning behind the "King Overdosed".

I wouldn't buy this, I'd stream on any streaming service and then decide if you want to purchase this album. Some live by it and say it's brilliant, some trash it every chance they get. Such is the game.

Anyway, pretty decent album front to back but it is forgettable in a lot of ways and that's why Cole needs features...but that's another debate I don't want to get into right now. I'll debate about that later haha.

Written by Joseph Sanker II in April 2018.

Favorite Track(s): KOD, BRACKETS, Once an Addict (Interlude), 1985 

Least Favorite Track:  motiv8

Score: 6/10

Listen to J. Cole's "KOD" here.

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Until next time! Peace out! One.

Written by Joseph Sanker II