Dying to Live
Kodak Black · 2018
47 min · 16 tracks · hip-hop
A raw blend of introspective lyrics and hard-hitting beats that encapsulate Kodak Black's struggles and aspirations.
Top tracks — play these first
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ZEZE — Featuring Travis Scott and Offset, this track showcases a melodic hook underpinned by a dancehall-inflected beat, highlighting Kodak's ability to merge genres.
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Calling My Spirit — This track stands out for its deep introspection, as Kodak reflects on his life choices and spiritual journey, providing a poignant contrast to the album's more braggadocious moments.
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Testimony Start here — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with raw vulnerability as Kodak shares his experiences and emotions, establishing a strong thematic foundation for the project.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends introspective lyrics with hard-hitting beats, showcasing Kodak's evolving style but lacks strong cohesion.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, with Kodak Black alternating between rapping and melodic singing.
- The production employs heavy bass lines and trap beats, creating a gritty sound that complements the lyrical content.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow with introspective themes
- hypnotic beats for deep reflection
- short tracks for quick bursts
- thought-provoking lyrics on struggles
- consistent pacing for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, sprawling compositions
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked a major milestone, debuting at number one and enhancing his recognition.
- Themes
- Florida prison struggles· spiritual awakening· street survival stories
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2018, 'Dying to Live' is Kodak Black's second studio album, following his debut 'Painting Pictures' from 2017. At this point in his career, he was emerging as a significant voice in the SoundCloud rap scene, building on the momentum gained from previous chart successes and his controversial legal troubles.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lil Uzi Vert· 21 Savage· Juice WRLD
Tracklist
- 1 Testimony Start here 4:00
- 2 This Forever 2:41
- 3 Identity Theft 2:07
- 4 Gnarly 3:06
- 5 ZEZE 3:48
- 6 Take One 2:45
- 7 MoshPit 2:44
- 8 Transgression 2:15
- 9 Malcolm X.X.X. 3:15
- 10 Calling My Spirit 2:32
- 11 In the Flesh 3:08
- 12 Close to the Grave 3:41
- 13 From the Cradle 3:11
- 14 If I’m Lyin, I’m Flyin 2:10
- 15 Needing Something 3:12
- 16 Could of Been Different 3:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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