Kota the Friend – “Once in a Blue Moon” review

Brooklyn, New York emcee/producer Kota the Friend back for his 12th studio LP. Breaking out in 2016 off his debut EP Palm Tree Liquor, he would go on to follow it up with 2 more EPs before dropping his debut album FOTO in 2019. Kota has since dropped 10 more under his belt, with my personal favorites being To Kill a Sunrise & To See a Sunset both fully produced by Statik Selektah. 2 & a half years later, they’re linking back up on Once in a Blue Moon.

“Bacon Egg & Cheese” is this soulful boom bap intro advising not to fix what isn’t broke whereas “Blah” featuring Logic goes full-blown jazz rap talking about their shooters having the greens comin’ at your head if you be spewin’ bullshit out your mouth. “How It Is” maintains the jazzy boom bap vibes pullin’ up on their opps’ new crib like “fuck yo couch” as if he’s the late Rick James, but then the tranquil “Let It Go” talks about a place where you’re free head to toe.

Meanwhile on “Free My Dogs”, we have Kota over a mellow boom bap instrumental calling for all his homies to be let out from the pen just before “Northside” joyously talks about buying land up north. “What You Need” featuring PhearNone goes lo-fi asking their romantic interests that very question prior to the jazzy “Mr. Mellow” talking about having it cold. “Get It Done” soulfully wears his heart on his sleeve like it’s jewelry & “Count Your Days” ends by showing his fearlessness.

If you’re like me & you consider both albums that Kota the Friend has previously done with Statik Selektah to be the finest material of his entire career, Once in a Blue Moon drops outta nowhere recapturing the magic of it’s predecessors for an individual both of work satisfactory to fan of both. Statik’s production is jazzy yet lo-fi throughout a good bulk of it & the performances from Kota himself are the most focused he’s sounded in a while.

Score: 4.5/5

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Kota the Friend – “To See a Sunset” review

This is the 9th full-length album from Brooklyn emcee Kota the Friend. Breaking out in 2016 off his debut EP Palm Tree Liquor, he would go on to follow it up with 2 more EPs before dropping his debut album FOTO in 2019. Kota has since dropped 7 more under his belt, with my favorite To Kill a Sunrise fully produced by Statik Selektah celebrating it’s 2 year anniversary just last weekend. So with that in mind, he & the established Boston producer are reuniting To See a Sunset.

“High Noon” is a warm, soulful boom bap opener to the album looking back on the people praying on his decimation & Kota’s current view being tropical whereas “Real Ones” works in some bluesy guitars, strings, kicks & snares talking about life being good. “Elevator” takes a jazzier approach as he makes it clear that he ain’t got time for no dumb motherfucker prior to “Go Brooklyn” is an atmospheric boom bap cut representing his hometown.

Moving on to “Maybe So”, we have Statik bringing back the jazz as Kota talks about staying ahead of things just before “1 Life” laces some pianos so he can encourage everyone to do it right with the short time we have here. “Valleys” has a more lavish approach telling listeners everything’s gonna be ok & you’re gonna make it leading into the wavy pop rap ballad “Eye See U” addressing fakes. The penultimate track “Free Not Woke” brings back the blues guitars as Kota speaks on doing as you please & “Thank You” is an appropriate victory lap from the peppy beat to the gracious lyrics.

Truthfully, the last 3 albums that Kota’s dropped since I’ve last covered his music were all average at best respectively & To See a Sunset reveals itself to be a more than worthy sequel to what I consider to be the crown jewel of his discography. Statik’s production is as rich as it was on the predecessor except it has a more jazzy boom bap flare to it as the theme turning your dream into a reality & being present with the realization that you’re living your best life is inspiring.

Score: 4.5/5

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Kota the Friend – “To Kill a Sunrise” review

Kota the Friend is a 28 year old MC from New York City that broke out in 2016 off his debut EP Palm Tree Liquor. This was followed up with 2 more EPs before dropping his debut album FOTO in 2019. Kota has gone on to release 4 albums since then but just 2 months after his previous one Lyrics to Go 2, he’s staying busy by enlisting Statik Selektah for his 5th full-length outing.

The album kicks off with “Wolves”, where Kota talks about how he can’t lose over a weepy boom bap beat. The next song “Hate” addresses those who throw shade on his name over some dusty drums & a piano loop while “The Cold” talks about how people wonder where he goes when he’s in his bag over a violin-tinged beat. “The Love” gets in his romance bag over a luxurious instrumental while the song “Go Now” talks about wanting to build with his partner over a dream-like beat.

The track “What Ya Sayin’?” calls out those who tried to bring him down with them over some rich boom bap production while the song “Live & Direct” talks about sharing your mind with your set over some more gorgeous keyboard harmonies. The track “Day Glow” talks about opening up the windows over a tranquil instrumental & letting it all in while the song “Sunrise” thanks the listener for having his back over a jazzy beat. The album then finishes with “Sunset”, where Kota talks about being true then over some heavy horns.

This is a super solid album in my book & it’s just been really awesome to see how much Kota has grown in the last 5 years. His lyricism is a lot more wittier in comparison to Lyrics to Go 2 & Statik whips up some of his most luxuriant beats ever.

Score: 4/5