Kota The Friend Archives - FUXWITHIT

KOTA The Friend Brings The Light On ‘Outside’

Colin — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 02:39:32 +0000

KOTA The Friend has been almost single-handedly getting me through the pandemic. When the world was filled with uncertainty and we were a few months into lockdown, KOTA came through with EVERYTHING, an album that was filled with optimism and provided a much-needed reminder of getting back basics. The project helped me to appreciate the little things that life still allowed and offered a hopeful soundtrack from bike rides, to drives and cooking with the back door open. Since then KOTA’s output has been relentless with him blessing us with Lyrics To Go Vol. 2 at the top of the year, an incredible collab with Caleborate, and the impeccable To Kill A Sunrise with Statik Selektah. Keeping his foot firmly on the gas comes his new single ‘Outside.’

Perfectly timed with the imminent warming weather, you can practically feel the sun rays on your face as you press play. From the vibrant steel drums to KOTA’s feel-good outlook, this is the inspiring bop you need right now. Whether things are looking good where you are or you’re struggling through yet another lockdown, ‘OUTSIDE’ is a reminder that the sun will eventually shine again.

With opening bars like, “Woke up feeling all refreshed/ Hit the big button like reset/ Good things all that I reflect/ Mirror man, hmm, have we met?” this is the anthem for fresh starts and self-care. Rap along to, “More life, less rules/ Even more space on the Jet Blue/ Wake up in the morning to the best news/ Always said that we was gon’ get through” and remind yourself everything will be okay.

KOTA doesn’t need to be giving us this many gems but I couldn’t be more grateful for it. Stream ‘Outside’ below.

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KOTA The Friend & Statik Selektah Are The Perfect Pair On ‘To Kill A Sunrise’

Colin — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 03:06:33 +0000

2021 is KOTA The Friend’s year. We’re only 3 months deep and he’s already blessed us with Lyrics To GO, Vol. 2, ‘Contact’ alongside Caleborate, and now a joint project with Statik Selektah. To Kill A Sunrise is a ten-track offering that proves the duo are a perfect match. Statik crafts the perfect canvas for KOTA’s incredible lyrical performance. From boom bap drums to choice cuts, the production packs a golden-era hip-hop vibe which makes KOTA sound more New York than ever.

KOTA comes out the gate with his chest puffed out over a militant leaning beat on ‘WOLVES.’ The “I can’t lose” mentality drives this forward as he moves between flexing and remaining grounded. The barrage of bars doesn’t let up on ‘HATE’ with the Brooklyn emcee fully in his pocket with a verse that kicks off with, “The rap Banksy, I don’t care how you paint me/ It took a lot of negative energy to create me/ Still, I flip it to a positive quick/ They be calling me the snare how I’m following kicks.” From there he stunts on haters with ease, cruising with an effortless swagger.

Living up to its name, ‘THE COLD’ sees icy strings and dusty drums loops combine for a foundation that’s colder than NY winters. The bars are sharp as ever with gems like “Income comin’ aggressive, ironically it’s passive,” sure to induce smirks on listeners’ faces.

Flipping the vibe ‘THE LOVE’ takes things deeper with KOTA moving from generational trauma, pride and development, to his love for the grind and rap, and the power of love that listeners can embody. It’s not your typical love song, and KOTA The Friend isn’t your typical rapper. This is something special.

‘WHAT YA SAYIN’ embodies the idea of killing haters with kindness, rising above the bullshit with postiivity and focus. Lyrics like, “I hope you getting your money/ I hope your setting is sunny/ Only intentional shade/ Veggies and fruit in your tummy/ Happy with who you became/ Little ones calling your name/ Beautiful woman at home/ Nobody dousing your flame/ You hope I’m hurting and I hope you great/ I live my purpose I ain’t perfect but I’m flying straight,” provide us with a fresh perspective and a reminder that negativity will only act an anchor. Bump this as you’re going through interpersonal issues and rise above.

‘SUNRISE’ and ‘SUNSET’ provide the perfect conclusion to the impeccable album. ‘SUNRISE’ is a refreshing and jazzy anthem geared to get you motivated and ready to take on whatever unfolds ahead of you. ‘SUNSET’ is a trip into Brooklyn at the peak of summer. KOTA gets nostalgic as he takes into a day in the life from the days on the block sipping his first forty to, “now we on jets for the wordplay, packin’ out houses on a Thursday.”

Relatable, uplifting, and expertly produced, To Kill A Sunrise is a timeless rap album that commands repeat listens. Each unlocking a deeper layer of KOTA’s genius and Statik Selektah’s masterful production. The bar for rap album of the year is here.

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Caleborate & Kota The Friend Keep It Real On ‘Contact’

Colin — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 04:56:27 +0000

When you think about quality rap, Caleborate & KOTA The Friend are two artists that instantly come to mind. The past year has made frivolous, overly materialistic party rap feel disconnected from reality. Clubs have been closed and social interaction has been minimal. Thankfully great art is shining through, acting as a companion to ease us all through the weird days that continue to drift by. ‘Contact’ fills this void exceptionally. From its laidback soundscape to the down-to-earth raps, it’s a head-nodder assured to have you bumping on repeat.

Giving the instrumental introduction some room to breathe sets the tone perfectly. Caleborate’s opening bars are a vivid trip into his mind with, “I could feel the sin in my lungs/The magic in my skin/The weight on my heart/The flame on my pen/ The chip on my shoulder that’s stacking on ten/The blunt in my hand help me run from my friends.” The verse showcases the openness and honesty that makes Real Person so exceptional. From sleeping on floors to overcoming lows, it’s a portrait of an artist who’s truly lived struggle but knows better days are ahead.

The hook is assured to have you singing along, half positive affirmation, half stoner anthem with Caleborate rapping, “And shoutout to the ones that accept me for me/ And shoutout to the homie for selling me good weed/ You might catch a contact if you fuck around with me.”

Fresh off of Lyrics To GO Vol. 2 KOTA the Friend keeps the vibe alive with his guest verse. The Brooklyn emcee has quickly become one of my rappers for his sharp bars, smooth cadence, and grounded approach. All are on display through ‘Contact’ as KOTA explores love, family, and making it out of the basement. The additions of regal strings and backing vocals create a truly uplifting energy as he spits, “I could move a mountain if I want to, I could make somebody dreams come true/ I torch the struggle like it’s nothin new/ I lit up the tunnel I take Kota in the rain and we be dancin in the puddles and he love me like a fool.”

Whether you’re struggling through your own lows or just looking to vibe out to some real rap, catch a ‘Contact’ with Caleborate & KOTA The Friend.

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KOTA The Friend Warms Up With ‘Lyrics To GO, Vol. 2’

Colin — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 04:55:18 +0000

Time is an interesting concept. Minutes can feel like hours, stretching and dragging. And then a day can fly by and weeks turn to months. 15 minutes isn’t a long time but it truly depends on what you do with it. In just that time KOTA The Friend packs 10 tracks into his latest release Lyrics To GO, Vol.2. It doesn’t feel rushed or compacted but it’s certainly fleeting. The immersive sound palette, deep lyrics, and conversational flow will have you effortlessly immersed upon pressing play. We’ve come to associate short tracks with fast food quality raps but if you know KOTA The Friend, you know everything is slow-cooked; carefully spiced, and simmered.

The short tape gives us everything we love about one of Brooklyn’s finest. There’s diversity but it’s cohesive. It’s laidback, inspiring and hopeful, but it isn’t all smiles. Whether he’s getting deep and reflective on ‘Emotionally Dumb,’ nostalgic on ‘Luke Cage,’ or taking us on a journey from Lake Tahoe with Henny bottles and avocadoes to hidin’ out in ‘Santa Barbara,’ KOTA’s smooth bars provide the comforting and relatable appeal that’s made him one of rap’s greatest low key stars.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or just looking for some quality hip-hop to make your winter months more enjoyable Lyrics To GO, Vol.2 is assured to be on repeat.

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Kota The Friend’s ‘EVERYTHING’ Is The Feel Good Rap Album We Need Right Now

Colin — Sat, 23 May 2020 19:08:59 +0000

“I want to make music that I needed to hear when I was down. I want to make music that people need to hear when they’re down so they can get up.” Kota The Friend recently told okayplayer. With the release of his third album EVERYTHING he’s doing just that, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. The world is living under a shadow of fear, isolation, uncertain and anxiety. We could all use a little uplifting. EVERYTHING pairs sun-drenched sounds palettes with optimistic, honest and inspiring raps. Kota’s style is approachable and laid-back; his words provide the guidance and comfort of an old friend even if it’s your first time listening. From love-fueled bops, to summer anthems and thought-provoking lyricism, it’s hard not to love.

EVERYTHING feels like a new crush, spending time with your best friends by the beach, beginning to realize your dreams and waking up to a brighter future. On the surface it’s a feel good summer soundtrack but as you delve deeper it’s clear that this is a project with a timelessness that’ll have you coming back years from now. Kota the Friend’s latest is here to bring some sunshine into your life. Open your windows, pour your favourite drink and drift away.

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