Review: Kool A.D. - Word O.K.
[Self-released; 2014]
Rating: 5/10
By Megan Fair, Copy Editor
Key Tracks: “Naughty By Nature,” “Word O.K.”
Intellectual, conversational, ironic, low-key. All these adjectives describe the latest release of Kool A.D., aka Victor Vazquez of Das Racist. Vazquez uses his English degree and lazy flow on Word O.K. to create a musical universe, meant for chilling and kicking back to some great beats and real rhymes.
Word O.K. doesn’t shy away from making tracks last upwards of five minutes. In fact, a couple of tracks clock in around seven minutes. The lengthy tracks certainly seem like a generous offer, seeing as the album is on Bandcamp for free. This generosity and kicked-back attitude of its distribution is so very Kool A.D. It’s unreal.
This album features many producers and collaborations, even featuring Toro Y Moi on several tracks. This adds an element of diversity, such that listeners may not notice if not carefully listening. The production is surprisingly nearly seamless, despite all the cooks in the kitchen. The number of features on this record are also quite high, but these collabs are a great way to break up Vazquez’s flow. The carefree rhythm sometimes becomes monotonous if the listener isn’t concerned with the lyrics.
For example, Santos Vieira’s feature on “Life & Time” is a refreshing breath of air in the midst of many male rappers. Her gentle flow provides a break from the constant lazy pulse of Vasquez’s rhythm throughout the album.
Vazquez is most successful when rapping over ambient and spacey beats, so some tracks miss the mark based on the backing alone. “Tight” feels very trite because of its stereotypical party beat and call to “release the kraken.” Not to mention the features on this track by Lakutis and Mr. Muthafuckin Exquire seem to be the most starkly offensive on Word O.K. “Special Forces” is weaker as well, seeing as the rhymes and lyrics are masked by a repetitive and generic beat that gets very old.
Vazquez shines best on tracks such as “Naughty By Nature” with its earthy, unrefined beat serving as the rice to Vazquez’s Sriracha. Some great lyrics featured include “Positivity is cute, but negativity is sassy” and a comment about rollin’ followed by “Degrassi.” Excellent Drake pun, Vazquez; color me impressed.
Another spectacular display of talent appears on the title track, in which Vazquez’s philosophies are eloquently displayed over smooth, orientally influenced beats, with emphasis on the trumpets. The track is short and sweet, and leaves the listener hanging for more.
Word O.K. certainly dips in energy at points, but the lyrical content and smooth delivery are worth the immersion. Kool A.D. may not be the best rapper in the world, as he proclaims, but he’s undeniably talented and Word O.K. is worth the recognition.
