Kodak Black’s new album featured Lil Crix, VVSNCE, NFL Tuewop and Prince Swanny.
Our rating: 8.4/10
Kodak Black is now one of the brightest emerging rappers in the game, in my opinion. I genuinely believe that he has no trouble spitting out lyrics. Kodak gives a slick but worn-out performance in “Kutthroat Bill: Vol. 1.” Kodak has definitely improved his rapping, and his charisma should not be challenged by anybody who trusts in Lamar’s judgment, but Kodak doesn’t give us anything fresh here on this album: crime, women, narcotics, and cash.
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The issue with Kodak’s recent album is that he will not really say much of anything. Whether it’s hidden behind a very basic trap rhythm or a more rhythmic sound, Kodak typically falls to basic, and often dull, words that don’t add any value to our experience. This is demonstrated right away in ‘Slay Like Santa,’ as Kodak declares, “They respect me like Santa, they know imma slay (sleigh).”
It’s revealing of the cd as a whole that the songs “Game from Pluto” and “Demand My Respect” seem like parts 1 and 2 of a monotonous trap serial. The instrumentals, which are crucial to the genre Kodak is in and are frequently outmoded, lack melodic hooks. Kodak Black makes good use of his terrible singing voice in “I Can’t Sleep.” Typically, I don’t enjoy Kodak Black’s vocal contributions to songs. Because of it, I don’t mind his singing in “I Can’t Sleep.” It not only fits his subtle/effortless gangster lyrical matter, but it also works well with the song’s mellow tempo and his unfiltered raps. The only thing is, I wanted to hear Celine at least once. Despite the fact that I’m So Awesome is superior to 300 Blackout, Play ft. Lil Crix looks to be alright. Unfortunately, that is all this CD has going for it today; perhaps the next time.
The groove driving “Hop Out Shoot” reminds me of DMX’s “How’s It Goin’ Down.” Despite rapping about the conversations he has had with his girlfriend, Kodak finally veers off course and rants about blowing up his rivals, sweating, and wants to date Plies and Boosie. The significant cause I dig this song so much is the way Kodak’s gritty melodic raps flow into the laid-back music. The project’s constant hits & misses are relieved somewhat by the song “Hop Out Shoot,” but other songs, like “Starter Kit,” which may have VVSNCE’s most grating line of the year as its centerpiece, keep these tracks from seeming like they are developing into anything other than a passingly notable example.
It’s one of those songs that you shouldn’t dig, but you do, “I’m So Awesome.” Your first impression of “I’m So Awesome” will be that someone has passed away due to the beat’s overwhelming violin presence. Kodak Black uses a slow approach to cut the hit that will have you wondering what’s in his drink. In terms of lyrics, Kodak brags his ass out while calling out his rivals and Gucci Mane. This song sounds more like an extremely disjointed freestyle rather than anything else. Other than that, the piece “I’m So Awesome” is carried by the violinist, yet it is still a standout performance on the album. The song “300 Blackout” adds some extra depth to the album as Kodak recalls his criminal career and run-ins with the authorities in a persistent tempo that eliminates the chorus, which is a welcome departure.
The one in which Kodak Black confronted Future over a questionable phrase from “Low Life.” It’s odd that I’m hearing a lyric in which Kodak paid respect to Future. Aside from the dope phrases devoted to Future, “Game From Pluto” also has a hypnotic trap rhythm, lyrics that will appeal to all playas throughout the globe, and highly consistent rap glides.
Behind the traditional piano-trap beats, Kodak is at his finest. With its occasional bass beats and Kodak’s delivery, ‘Freezing My Pinky’ is a vibe, although if the song seems disturbingly similar to something Lil Baby would release. In “Freezing My Pinky,” Kodak Black switches between several distinct genres. He begins the song seeming lackadaisical, but as it progresses, he increases his rhyming and vocal intensity. Lyrically, he alternates from seeming like a person who appreciates and despises being a confirmed street dude with feelings. Overall, I really like how this music flows.
Kodak saves the most for last, though, as the record’s final two tracks are its finest. Kodak’s vocals on “Bad Man” are unexpectedly decent, but Tobagonian reggae musician Prince Swanny follows with the album’s standout contribution. On “Silencer,” Kodak flows over a nice trap beat, and the chords in the bridging to the chorus somehow manage to make Kodak rapping about how he wants to “transform into a Perc’ head” sound motivational after you get beyond the dragged-out verse and the genuinely terrible chorus.
Only emerging musicians Lil Crix, VVSNCE, NFL Tuewop, and Prince Swanny are included on this intriguing CD. I believed that each performer did an excellent job of creating their brands on the tracks they were on. Sadly, they couldn’t cut any slack for me on this album.
As I said at the start of this review, I believe Kodak Black finds rapping to be simple, and “Kutthroat Bill: Vol. 1” demonstrates this. He rarely comes across as desperate on the lp, and yet he gives us lines that are packed with witty catchphrases and smooth glides. However, we have already heard him in his earlier records, beginning with Bill Israel.
It has a rather amateurish sound. Although this project has a draft-like air to it that I sorta appreciate, I can understand how a listener would not pay attention to it since it sort of feels incomplete. Black’s ‘Super Gremlin,’ the lead single from Back For Everything, went four times platinum today, but other LPs have benefited from a big lead single, but Kodak’s effort at this with ‘Walk’ hasn’t amassed the kind of streams one would anticipate from a Kodak Black success. The majority of the tracks on this album seem derivative, and even the finest ones stick close to the mainstream western trap sound.
Kodak sounds unprocessed and unrefined in “Kutthroat Bill: Vol. 1.” He seems to be rapping carelessly, which to me seems a bit slick and uninspired the most.
