Kodak Black tries to get his priorities straight in “Pistolz and Pearlz.”

TOP 5

Honorable Mention. Follow Me

Jesus, I just wish Kodak Black’s verses in this song hit a little harder…

TnTXD does his thing in “Follow Me.” He gifts Kodak Black one of those emotional trap beats with a pop sample that Florida dudes love these days. Though I really f**k with the introspective bars that Kodak hits us with in the song, I just feel like he sounds a little too lethargic and drowsy throughout. Overall, I just wish he sounded a little more inspired. Oh well. 

5. No Love For A Thug

Kodak Black asks some very important questions in this track.

“No Love For A Thug” is a whopping five minutes long (Artists aren’t making tracks that are five minutes long these days). Kodak Black uses every single second to pour his heart out. Not only does he talk about needing a hug, but he also confirms that he hates fame, getting his heart broken, and who he’s become. While I wouldn’t say that Kodak puts up a breathtaking vocal performance, I think it’s impossible to ignore the raw emotions he gives us.

4. Balance

Wait a second, did Kodak Black just say he had a chance with Saweetie?

In “Balance,” Kodak Black balances talking about some street s**t and some relationship s**t. To be more specific, for every line he dedicates to his gun, he hits us with a line that is dedicated to a woman he was once feeling. While I wouldn’t call the vocal performance he puts up in the song J. Holiday-Esque, I do think his melodies are intoxicating and go very well with the gentle trap beat that backs him up.

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3. Die Today

In this song, Kodak Black says he’s so fly that he can die today… Um, OK?

Despite that confusing bar, I think “Die Today” is a very solid listen. In the song, Kodak Black puts up a Drake-like hook that is infectious as hell and hits us with real-ass verses in which he talks about holding his homies down and enjoying his toxic life. There’s something about the song that is addictive (No pun intended) and fascinating.

2. That For Real

“That’s For Real” is probably the closest thing to “Super Gremlin” on this album.

Let’s be real: We are all waiting for Kodak Black to make something as good as “Super Gremlin” again. Personally, I believe that song was Lightning in a Bottle. With that being said, I do think “That For Real” is a Wal-Mart version of “Super Gremlin.” In the song, Kodak talks about his friends that backstabbed him and his relationship issues. While the beat he does his work over is the best thing about this emotional banger, I also f**k with how raw and genuine he sounds throughout (Thankfully, he does no singing in this track).

Did Kodak Black just admit to dating a white girl (Wow, I didn’t see that coming)?

1. Gunsmoke Town

A f**ked-up GPS will have you ending up on “Gunsmoke Town” (That s**t used to always happen after I left Love in DC).

I really like how focused Kodak Black sounds in “Gunsmoke Town” (That’s saying a lot because he doesn’t sound focused in a lot of songs on this album). In the song, which is powered by this emotional, booming trap beat, Kodak practically blacks out. Not only does he get more animated as it plays on, but he also admits to shooting someone at 14, being addicted to the streets, and wanting fame so he can f**k with several different chicks. I think Kodak’s day-one fans will really mess with this joint.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. Pistolz & Pearls (3/5)

2. Roses (Ft. VVSNCE) (4/5)

3. Get Away (Ft. Loe Shimmy) (3.5/5)

4. Flirting With Death (Ft. GorditoFlo) (2.5/5)

5. Dirt McGerk (Ft. EST Gee & Lil Crix) (3.5/5)

6. Dope Boy Magic (4/5)

7. Tryna Figure Why (3.5/5)

8. Follow Me (4/5)

9. Murder Mystery (3.5/5)

10. Church On Saturday (Ft. WizDaWizard, Wam SpinThaBin & Syko Bob) (3.5/5)

11. Beretta Love (2.5/5)

12. X&O’s (3/5)

13. Die Today (3.5/5)

14. Gunsmoke Town (4/5)

15. That For Real (3.5/5)

16. A Beautiful Rainbow (3/5)

17. Snipers & Robbers (3/5)

18. Balance (3.5/5)

19. No Love For A Thug (3.5/5)

20. Stay (3/5)

21. Down With You (3/5)

RGM RATING

(D+)

Do you know what Kodak Black reminds me of? A 7’0 NBA player that rather shoot threes than dominate the post. When Kodak raps raps, I think he’s one of the best (If not the best) young rappers in the game today. For some odd reason, he likes to sing his ass off instead. In Pistolz & Pearls, you practically get to hear what Kodak sounds like at a karaoke bar with disgusting beer mats. Here’s the kicker, though: I kind of applaud his fearlessness as an artist. Yea, his voice may not be the best (Which is a huge understatement), but when he uses it to speak on his relationship issues, the demons he’s battling inside, and how much he’s trying to change his violent ways, it definitely strikes a chord with me. The problem with this album definitely isn’t Kodak’s vocals; I think it’s the audio quality and messy structures of the songs. I want to reiterate, though: When he decides to rap rap (Like he does in “Gunsmoke Town” and “Follow Me”), he definitely kills s**t.

I don’t want the grade I gave this album to dissuade you from listening to it. Though I don’t think it features great music, hearing Kodak fearlessly pour his heart out for an hour and some change is worth the listen.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.