Review: Kodak Black: Dying To Live
21 year old Kodak has been making waves throughout his career primarily for his social media antics. His sophomore album however, “Dying to live” has showed that amongst all the commercial attention that he receives; there is actual authentic & raw talent that Florida native possess. 16 tracks and 47 minutes long, this album is a personal project from the rapper that still caters to the commercial market. The album does not cease to forgo the same originality that has been so prevalent to not just Kodak’s music but his personal life as well.
From the onset of the album, the feel of a personal approach is evident with (one of the best songs on the album) the opening song, Testimony. The smooth instrumental with Kodak’s really intimately vivid lyrics really take the listener on a journey into the thinking mind of the man behind the trending topics online. This is the case with a good bulk of the project and is unsurprisingly where Kodak delivers his strongest performances throughout the album. Tracks like; Testimony, Malcolm X.X.X., Calling My Spirit, If I’m Lyin, I’m Flyin and others the project baby really dives into his struggles with the law, incarceration, the music industry, his critics, betrayals, loses a whole wide array of content that can even change your perspective on Kodak.
Kodak Black — Testimony
The strength in versatility that Kodak shows in this album was another enjoyable aspect of the project. It is common for artists in Kodak’s genre (should they have longer albums) that similar sounds and concepts would dominate the entire album. With Dying To Live however, there is always a little something different and original when Kodak is experimenting with a new sounds. This way, if 16 tracks of Kodak is frankly too much for you, they will always be something in the track to make it somewhat enjoyable. Whether it would be the great production, a strong feature or even Kodak’s witty/funny lines or flow switch, there is a little gem in majority of the tracks.
Some tracks do not carry the same momentum as others. A refreshing stellar rap performance can be interrupted be awful vocals. Kodak’s vocals on the project are hit or miss and the latter is the more common result. No one likes their favourite artist to be stagnant; a sense of evolution is often desired. With some of the different sounds Kodak has implemented to this project it’s clear that there is Young Thug and (to a minor extent) Lil Uzi Vert influence. As mentioned before this can work relatively well on this project, on tracks such as; the 2nd half of Testimony and In The Flesh. However it can also leave listeners worse of in tracks like; Needed Something, Close To The Grave and From The Cradle. The nasally over engineered vocals and the Lil Pump collaboration really serves as the projects shortcomings.
Kodak Black — Gnarly
Aside from Pump, Juice Wrld, Travis $cott and Offset are the only other features on the project, once again emphasizing the more personal stance that Kodak’s taken with this album. Despite ZEZE’s commercial success, the most impressive collaboration has to go toe MoshPit with Juice. It is clear that the track suits Juice way more and that Kodak is almost sounding like a feature, yet as the track goes on the chemistry is evident and Kodak’s subpar vocals are out shun by crazy verses and overall delivery. The Pump collaboration on the other hand, only seems to be a lacklustre attempt at commercial appeal which was not needed. Dyin To Live has serious bangers already (ZEZE, Identity Theft, Take One, If I’m Lyin, I’m Flyin), all of which deserved more promotion than Gnarly received.
In latest hit single, “Middle Child” J Cole raps “Had a long talk with the young n’’’’’ Kodak, reminded me of young n’’’’’ from Ville, straight out the projects, no fakin just honest, I wish that he had more guidance for real”. This co-sign from one of the industry’s leading artists is evidence enough that the young Florida rapper has a certain special connection with his audience and the world. Despite on the social media shenanigans such as; publically expressing interest in openly lesbian rapper Young M.A, run ins with the law, a funny Instagram story every now and then and even as well making inappropriate comments towards the late Nipsey Hussle’s girlfriend Lauren London, the raw talent and creativity is very present in Kodak’s sound. With this album it’s safe to say Kodak’s on the right track, at least musically he is.
Kodak Black “Let Me Drive The Boat”
Rating: 4/5
Favourite tracks: Malcolm X.X.X, This Forever, Identity Thief, In the Flesh, Callin On My Spirit, If I’m Lyin, I’m Flyin
