KOD, a Unique Music Album

Jermaine Lamarr Cole, also known as his stage name J. Cole, is a 33 year old rapper from North Carolina. He debuts his 2018 with a new album called KOD. It was released on April 20, 2018 through Dreamville Records, Roc Nation and Interscope Records. This 12 track album contains a wide variety of wavy beats, and will show you a new angle of Rap music.The album was mainly handled by Cole and its full of strong lyrics and exceptional beats.

Cole has consistently dropped great albums since 2011 and his numbers tell the same. Throughout all of his albums, Cole’s raps have often been serious and polemical, with their success depending on the argument he is trying to show. He named his album K.O.D after 3 meanings, “Kids on Drugs, Kill Our Demons, and King Overdosed”. The main theme on his album is to suggest that people should abstain from addictions such as smoking, drinking, doing drugs, and dating websites.

In his lyrics Cole is capable of making a strong case for his beliefs. In the song, FRIENDS, he confesses his dependence on marijuana , he calls out a friend who abuses drugs, and ask him to stop.

Another standout, Kevin’s Heart, Cole uses the famous actor and comedian Kevin Hart`s  public infidelities,“My phone be blowing up, temptations on my line, I stare at the screen a while before I press decline.” In his life he has faced many times that he could be infidel to his loved one, he states that it isn’t worth it.

In Photograph, he shows how technology can affect love. “Love today`s gone digital, and it’s messing with my health… Fell in love through a photograph, I don’t even know her name,”

Cole also  shows the life of someone whose parents drink, on  Once an Addict, “Thinking problems are gone, but now it’s 1am and my mama calling my phone. I know she intoxicated…” In this song he talks about his mother Kay ,that was an alcoholic. Cole is a unique rapper since he keeps things personal rather than using the choices of others.

Cole knows that rap is no longer strictly about an individual’s lyrical ability, there is a need for melodies and beats in order to create a winning tune. Since his previous albums had gained fame due to his amazing beats and instrumental use, fans created high expectations for this album. Cole is friends with Kendrick Lamar, in KOD you can see how Kendricks album DAMN inspired Cole with similar beats, drums sounds and creating an overall a similar flow.

Cole has a message. As he raps about drug abuse, addiction, depression, greed, African-American culture, drinking problems, dating websites and more. It is clear that he wants to be seen as  more than just a rapper, but also a human being. This album outlines the important role he feels he needs to take in the community, in a way that is both enjoyable and that it could raise awareness.

As someone who enjoys rap music, I highly recommend to listen to all of J.Cole´s tracks in his latest album . KOD can be considered his best album since he creates wavy beats, meaningful lyrics, and catchy songs. In the way he critiques modern day issues that nobody talks about you are able to see that he is a truly lyrical genius.