Kill Our Demons

On April 20, german artist and producer, J. Cole, surprised us with a brand new album named KOD. To say the rapper is productive is an understatement! Indeed, only 16 months after the release of his album 4 Your Eyez Only, J. Cole is back at it again. 

Even though the rapper has a singular style, KOD feels even more special. Ironically published on a day linked with cannabis culture, J. Cole describes different kinds of addictions (drugs, money...) and explains his own struggle throughout the whole album. For example, ATM warns the audience about the consequences of being obsessed with gaining money. Even the beat can have a meaning; in his article, Craig Jenkins, music critic, compared its ticks and whirs to a cash machine.

Although every song of the album, as different as they all are, fit together, the introduction of the album can be quite misleading. Clearly exploring the jazzy side of music, it could give certain auditors a similar vibe to Kendrick Lamar's older albums, but, except for the interludes, the album dwells mostly on hip hop. Of course, the album is still pleasant to the ear, the mix of rap and jazz can make unique melodies and deserves more attention.

Kill Our Demons, King Overdosed, Kids On Drugs... however you interpret its title, KOD is already a fan favourite. With some of its tunes already trending on Youtube, J. Cole's new work has the potential to have a big impact on the public. With its catchy beats, the album also raises awareness to different problems people deal with. As addiction can be quite a difficult subject to bring up, songs like these can also help the public. 

Since J. Cole wrote, produced and performed the songs himself, the lyrics makes us feel closer to the artist, almost like the german rapper is actually talking to its listeners. It also shows us that the message he is trying to pass is really important to him and, in a way, makes us care about it even more. In a society where music is reachable to almost everybody, it is always nice to see artists put so much of themselves in their work.