Everything by Kota the Friend
In this latest album, Everything, Kota the Friend delivers positive energy regardless of the current pandemic.
COVID-19 has affected just about every aspect of modern life. Of course people are tired of being in confined spaces, not seeing family, and working from home. The music industry, especially streaming feeling the effect of this. Most people are not commuting anywhere so the streaming number is down. As a music lover, it hard to find the right time to really want to sit down and listen to a release.
Instead of looking on the downside, Kota the Friend finds what motives him in Everything. In a DJ Booth interview Kota the Friend explains the album bringing listener s to past struggle to reconcile with them.
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“ Everything is that place. Everything is the summer house on a beach with all your friends, everybody can visit everybody, breakfast is always cooked in the morning, and the beers are always accessible” said Kota the Friend.
Everything has an underlying theme about asking, what means everything to you? With the help of friends like actors, Lupita Nyong’o and Lakeith Stanfield songs end with addressing the question. In the opening track, Kota raps “ I wear my heart on my wrist,” giving a sense of how open this album will be. Compared to Foto, the album is lighter and feels like summer. The instrumentals are upbeat and have some jazz influences.
In this album, Kota reflects on what’s important to him, drops knowledge of being independent, and loving his family, and staying true to himself. Kota's journey in this discovery starts at “Away Park.” In this song Kota found how important having time for your partner is. The song is a lyrical representation of a nice drive with your girl through the city. “Away Park” has a soulful feel to it and the artist, Kaiit singing elevates the song as it closes out. Easiest the hardest to listen to during the quarantine.
On “Morocco” Kota and Tobi Lou delivers verse about living smart instead of lavish. Kota raps lessons cautioned by his mom “Mama told me, ‘Don’t be stupid,’ I can tell her fate/She just wants you for the clout.” Tobi adds some fun bars with personality making the song light and warm.
On “Seven(Interlude)” Kota finds a moment to himself and reflects on what he wants in the long run. Kota thinks about his role in the rap game and his role in the family. On the outro Kota makes the choice family over music every time, “I’ll ignore everybody to spend time with my kid/Doesn’t matter who you are, like doesn’t matter how big the opportunity”
In the closer “Everything”, Kota now has the changing perspective of what everything means to him. The song is strengthened by the airy Sunday-like feeling. In the end Kota is getting past his bad habits and his old self. “ Look at struggle in her face, dancin’ puddles in the rain/
Still hustle with the game, still tussle with the pain.” Kota wants: retire soon for his family, a beautiful lasting relationship with his girl, be independent, and go for everything he deserves.
