Before releasing his highly-anticipated fifth album KOD, J. Cole reveals the cover art and tracklisting.
The title has three meanings, “Kids On Drugs,” “King Overdosed,” and “Killing Our Demons,” and Cole’s artwork seems to reflect that with themes around royalty, children, substance abuse, and death.
An illustrated J. Cole sports a crown on the vibrant cover. It also features several skulls and children doing drugs inside his robe. “This album is no way intended to glorify addiction,” reads the fine print above Cole’s head. The back cover also includes drawings children and drugs.
The 12 tracks only feature one artist named kiLL edward on two songs (“The Cut Off” and “Friends”). Some speculate kiLL edward could simply be J. Cole’s alter-ego. A song by kiLL edward was uploaded to Spotify this year, and it features a voice that is strikingly similar to Cole’s.
The effort also includes an interlude (“Once an Addict”), an outro (“Window Pain”), and “1985,” which is dubbed the “Intro to The Fall Off.”
Earlier this week, he held private listening sessions for the album in New York and London, and fans are already raving about the material. KOD will be J. Cole’s first album since 2016’s 4 Your Eyez Only.
The project is due Friday, April 20.
