Kodak Black – Painting Pictures
Released: 31 March 2017
“Irresponsible Hip-Hop fans typically group Kodak Black with Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, and Lil Yachty because of their 2016 XXL Freestyle together…this couldn’t be further from the truth”
Kodak scored with this album. I’m really fucking with 9 out of 18 songs: U Aint Never, Tunnel Vision, Corrlinks & Jpay, Off The Land, Up In Here, Patty Cake, Feeling (ft Jeezy), Why They Call You Kodak, There He Go.
On Painting Pictures, there’s versatility in content and production, which might surprise some folks because varied content and multiple sounds isn’t exactly what Kodak is known for.
Painting Pictures serves up a few poppy, bouncy, hood drill-esque songs like “Twenty 8” and “Patty Cake“. I think I even heard a dance-y, Soulection type future sound beat in here on “Off The Land“. This album is humorous in nature and accurately captures Kodak’s sense of humor and wit (by way of word association). I literally LOL’d in real life multiple times on this album (see below).
Humor on this album
Kodak sneaks his signature humor in through a few frank metaphors and similies:
“My pockets look like a pregnant lady like she ready to pop” – “U Ain’t Never“
“I clapped a n- like patty cake” – “Patty Cake“
“I love my babygirl, pussy bald call it Caillou” – “Patty Cake“
“Why they call you kodak? CUZ ILL SHOOT A NI- “Why They Call You Kodak“
“Like a newborn baby how I’m suckin’ on her breast” – “Off the Land“
“When I was jumping in them houses like I’m fuckin santa” – “Off the Land“
“Baby girl, that pussy sound like ramen noodle soup/
“That pussy soundin’ like we’re stirrin’ up some gumbo/” – “Up In Here“
I was on the floor when he rhymed “armadillo” on “U Ain’t Never“
Introspection
Despite the album’s playful, humorous nature, Kodak simultaenously touches on several hard topics regarding death and loss. Kodak speaks to his lost homies on “Corrlinks & JPay” (ed.note: JPay is a ATM transaction company that has a history of ripping off inmates and former inmates by charging exorbitant transaction fees on their cards, virtually unregulated. Thanks private prisons!) My friend pointed out that, vocally, Kodak sounds sad and distracted on this album. This adds another facet to my perspective on this album – Kodak creating this album consciously knowing prison is impending.
Irresponsible Hip-Hop fans typically (and erroneously) group Kodak Black with Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, and Lil Yachty because of their 2016 XXL Freestyle together. These comparisons couldn’t be further from the truth. Kodak isn’t a mumble rapper (although he does mumble at times, rapping with a grill in his mouth), he’s more Carter 1 Wayne than he is Young Thug, Lil Uzi, or any of his other contemporaries. Kodak’s most accurate new-age comparison is NBA YoungBoy, who also bears heavy pre-Trap Southern Hip-Hop influences.
I don’t know how you can be a fan of pre-Trap Southern Hip-Hop and not mess with Kodak’s music. He’s a direct influence of Cash Money, No Limit, Boosie & Webbie, etc.
Verdict
Painting Pictures is an enhanced accumulation of the best aspects of Kodak’s past projects including his humor, accented flow, beat selection, word associaton, and rapping ability. It’s refreshing hearing Kodak over non-typical, trap production. His wit and humor allows him to carry this 18-track album on his shoulders. Even with a nasally delivery, Kodak manages to hold his own for 18 tracks without becoming dry and boring. You may not be a Kodak fan but it’s time to give him his props for Painting Pictures.
Favorite Songs: “Up In Here”, “U Ain’t Never”, “Patty Cake”, “Tunnel Vision”, “Corrlinks and JPay”, “Off The Land”, “Feeling Like (ft Jeezy), “Why They Call You Kodak”, “There He Go”
side note: I’ve noticed recently a sizeable amount of rappers are using the same beats and samples. Kodak’s “Feeling Like (ft Jeezy)” uses the same beat Don Q raps over on the intro to his Corner Stories project. Both songs are nice but I prefer Don Q’s. The hook on Kodak’s version is done in his signature slightly off-kilter flow. He’s about a half bar off beat but loops the rhythm so fluidly that you can tell it’s an intentional off-flow flow. I know of other rappers who implement offbeat flows and craft them into an art (MF DOOM…) so I can respect the attempt.