The word polarizing couldn’t fully capture the essence of Kodak Black. The Pompano Beach artist has managed to build his clout through his music and a series of unapologetic moments that have garnered the attention of fans, gang members, and even a former president. His latest debacle where he was shot in the leg during a scuffle on Super Bowl weekend almost felt planned for the promotion of his first full-length album of 2022, Back for Everything, led by single “Super Gremlin.”
From track one to 19, Kodak sprinkles his signature sound with experimental insertions as apparent on tracks “Grinding All Season,” “Love & War,” and “Hitting Houses,” for instance. In one particular song, “Love Isn’t Enough,” the style and sound contains a holistic conglomerate of influences that ranges from Drake — who would be a perfect feature on “Let Me Know” given that the song sounds like it was written by him — to Lil Durk.
Speaking of Lil Durk, he’s the only feature on the entire album, clearly a sign that Kodak can stand 10 toes on his own. Lil Durk appears on “Take You Back,” a love song of sorts that’s eerily similar to that of New York’s very own J.I the Prince of N.Y., from the sound to the subject matter — J.I is known for singing rapping on love-centered hip hop songs.
For all of his public tough guy persona, its apparent that love is the center of Kodak’s universe. Perhaps that’s why he often utilizes social media to shoot his shot to potential partners. Aside from the recurrent theme of love and sex, Kodak is still rapping like he’s in the struggle. On “Sink My Ship,” he includes the tender narration of his first child who proclaims that they’re “gangsters.”
Not threatening to mature out of the street politics that have so often swallowed up the most talented of the hip hop community, Kodak has no quells about teaching his own child the ropes, whether good or bad. It’s another example of how Kodak balances between being most loved and most hated. His adoration of his “jit” certainly appeals to the higher self, but that’s easily disrupted by his unapologetic backslide to ignorance. Simultaneously, Kodak is relatable throughout his music. In “Let Me Know,” he admits that he has to sing in his music to calm the pain that he so often feels.
“Kodak, why you always got pain in your music / I be feelin’ like I gotta sing to get through it.”
– Kodak Black, “Let Me Know”
In a matter of minutes, Kodak switches up with the Zaytoven-produced “Elite Division.” Riddled with an electric piano and slower percussion most associated with West Coast productions, “Elite Division” is a sure-fire, standout track that demonstrates Kodak’s appeal.
Another noteworthy song is “I Wish,” where Kodak samples Ray J’s “One Wish” from his 2005 album Raydiation. Kodak reflects on freedom and release from a street life on what sounds like a freestyle.
One thing that this album proves is that Kodak has a knack for catchy hooks and otherworldly production that combines for a very Caribbean-influenced, rhythmic hip hop vibe. Kodak dabbled with a variety of sounds from a multitude of producers that include DzyOnDaBeat who produced the slow-burning and solemn track “Omega,” Pompano Puff, KasimGotJuice, Jambo, ATL Jacob, Max Perry, SkipOnDaBeat & Snapz, and more. The result is an audacious palette of musical experimentation that illustrates Kodak’s sonic growth and versatility.
“I switched my flow on them lil’ n***** who tried to steal my sound / I’m taking losses back to back / I heard them say I lost / Numbers back up / F— everybody who counted me out.”
– Kodak Black, “Elite Division”
Songs currently on The MouthSoap Playlist from the album are “Let Me Know,” “Back for Everything,” “Grinding All Season,” “Elite Division,” “Omega,” and “Hitting Houses.”
