Kickin'
Rick James · 2014
49 min · 10 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of funk and soul, featuring infectious grooves paired with Rick James' signature flamboyant style.
Top tracks — play these first
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Kickin’ Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's energetic spirit, featuring an upbeat rhythm that showcases James' trademark funk style and vocal prowess.
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Day and Night — This track blends smooth melodies with reflective lyrics, demonstrating James' ability to merge personal storytelling with danceable beats.
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Runaway Love — A standout ballad that highlights James' emotional depth, this song contrasts the album's more upbeat tracks while showcasing his soulful vocal delivery.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- upbeat grooves for social gatherings
- playful energy for dance floors
- catchy hooks for sing-alongs
- feel-good vibes for road trips
- steady pacing for party settings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking introspective listening experiences
- prefer shorter track lengths
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Kickin' showcases Rick James' enduring appeal after a long hiatus.
- Career context
- Released in 2014, Kickin' was Rick James' final studio album, coming nearly a decade after his previous work. The album emerged during a time when James was attempting to revitalize his career after years of personal struggles and a changing musical landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Prince· George Clinton· Sly and the Family Stone
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Runaway Love
The narrative shifts from longing to hope as the protagonist expresses a desire for reconnection amidst heartache.
This moment reveals a vulnerability not often present in James' work, adding emotional complexity to the song's theme of love and loss.
Tracklist
- 1 Kickin’ Start here 5:59
- 2 Day and Night 4:44
- 3 Teach Me 5:38
- 4 Black and White 5:00
- 5 Runaway Love 4:33
- 6 School Me 4:30
- 7 Anything and Everything 4:30
- 8 You Got It Real Bad 4:39
- 9 Get wit It 4:54
- 10 Rock and Roll Eyes 5:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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