Kids On Drugs. King Overdosed. Kill Our Demons. KoD. Album Review

KOD has many meanings and different topics that get covered throughout the whole album. From facing addiction, thoughts of revenge, struggles of remaining monogamous to addressing the younger generation of Hip-Hop artists with respect but airing out a warning to anyone dishing out true ill will towards J.Cole.

(Note Once again, it has no features unless you count kiLL Edward, who is technically a alter ego of J.Cole.

The intro (KOD) has a line saying, “There are many ways to deal with this pain. Choose wisely” simply wrapping one of the many underlying themes that J.Cole is trying to articulate in this album. The theme of people using drugs, money, sex, accomplishments, etc., etc., as ways of numbing a particular pain that many chose to ignore due to their own choice.

Early on in the album J.Cole gives his opinion on why he doesn’t feel the need to do features on his albums, stating, “How come you won’t get a few features? I think you should? How ‘bout I don’t? How ‘bout you just get the fuck off my dick? How ‘bout you listen and never forget? Only gon’ say this one time, then I’ll dip Niggas ain’t worthy to be on my shit”.

This outburst by J.Cole sets the tone off very well by getting the listener excited for all the bars he throws later on in the song. Jumping from the topic of addressing all the questions attached to him daily, while the second verse covers J.Cole’s experience growing around drugs.

With the songs “Photographs” and “The Cut Off”, there’s a sense of connections between the tracks with one’s emotions creating actions that brings them to a realization that affects their overall way of thinking.

Like in “Photographs”, we hear a 21st century detailing of how people can now become so infatuated with an individual they never met physically but solely on their looks on a phone screen and the social media clout they possess. With “The Cut Off”, you hear a story that J.Cole describes having to cut people off because they proved untrustworthy.

Coming to understanding that sometimes being a person who gives so much and not getting it reciprocated by those who said they were down for him is a two streets with one side disconnecting itself from the other. “I pray that on that day you slip and say something I never fantasize ‘bout murder ’cause I’m still sane But I can’t seem to fight this urge to make you feel pain I know that vengeance is the Lord’s and it’s not for me.”

True to his style J.Cole wears his emotion on his sleeve about thinking of getting some revenge but knowing that it’s not his place to take that own action into his own hands.

J.Cole hasn’t done the whole drop the single to build buzz for the album marketing strategy in a while, but if he did “ATM” (aka “Addicted To Money.”) would most defiantly be that single. From its energetic chorus to the dramatic pause J.Cole takes during the track, the whole record gives off a sound that sticks itself out throughout the entire album.

There’s a literal money counter sound effect playing throughout the song that matches the energy of the chorus lyrics of “Count it up, count it up, count it up, count it.”

“Motiv8” follows the “ATM” message with the same money controlling one’s decisions but contains a more playful vibe. The production on the beat is quite different from what we usually hear in the current state of Hip-Hop with a mix Junior Mafia sample of “Get Money” and “Knuck If You Buck” by Crime Mob.

Now, this leads me to the 2nd half of the album; if you love the storytelling element of rapping, you’ll feel every word that Cole uses to describe what he’s drawing in the mind of his listeners.

“Kevin’s Heart” is a song that I feel every young black man 16–26 needs to hear. I think that topics like infidelity and the temptations/thoughts of cheating on your significant other are not talked about enough in Hip-Hop and let alone in the black community. Then the reference to Kevin Hart’s actual infidelity in the song and video was just a brilliant and timely move by Mr. Cole.

“BRACKETS” describes the journey Cole took up into going into a higher tax bracket and seeing that it seems to be the government (Uncle Sam) taking his hard-earned money for the use of their pleasure rather than bettering the actual lives of the American people.

“FRIENDS”, you get insight into Cole’s interactions dealing with his mother’s alcoholism problem, reminiscing on his actions that didn’t do anything to help his mother out. J.Cole reflects on how the issues she was having with alcohol affected him as a child and caused him to turn a blind eye on her when she needed his support.

“Windows Pain” I feel like the title of this song reflects the messaging that cold put into this son. From taking on pain of a child losing her cousin to senseless violence and the emptiness that he gives her.

While also taking some self-reflection on his life and the pain of the people around him; getting to s understanding that in some way, the pain that the people around him experience influenced who he is today.

Lastly, 1985 (Intro to “The Fall Off”) is the best song on the album and honestly one of my favorite J.Cole songs in general. I feel like this song solidifies J.Cole as one of Hip-Hops current living legends because he’s been on top of the game so long that he’s now giving the next generation game while also waring them don’t throw dirt on his and expect him to let it fly.

Overall, KOD is a classic J.Cole album made with an actual purpose and storytelling element used in mainstream Hip-Hop, let alone done as brilliantly as J.Cole conveys it. #ReadyForTheFallOffEra