Kodak Black – Just Getting Started (Album Review)

If there’s one thing “Just Getting Started” proves, it’s that Kodak Black’s story is far from over

STREAM

TOP 5 SONGS

5. No Flaggin

Anyone who can rhyme some s**t with JG Wentworth is special.

“No Flaggin” rides on a bass-heavy, almost heavenly trap beat that feels both grimy and glorious. Kodak Black taps back into the flow that made his “No Flockin” era legendary — the same cadence Cardi B flipped into a career-launching hit. Lyrically, he’s flexing about last year’s money moves, his battle with pills, and his readiness to get his hands dirty. The real highlight here is that vintage Kodak flow — slick, confident, and wavy — with the booming production serving as the perfect co-star.

4. I’mma Shoot

“I’mma Shoot” gives me “Super Gremlin” vibes.

The production on “I’mma Shoot” is undoubtedly the track’s centerpiece. Dark, dramatic, and heavy on bass, it has the kind of authentic trap energy that could rattle car speakers while still carrying a cinematic edge. The chorus—delivered with infectious confidence—serves as the hook that keeps listeners locked in from start to finish.

Lyrically, Kodak leans into his familiar subject matter: life in the trenches, violence, and survival. The first verse starts with a shaky flow, almost as if he’s warming up, but by the middle, he finds his pocket and rides the beat with more assurance. Once he settles in, Kodak balances grit with charisma, throwing in ad-libs that elevate the energy of the chorus and keep the track lively.

I think this track is outstanding, bro.

3. Endless Nights (Ft. Gunna)

I love that these street ninjas are realizing you shouldn’t be trying to beat Gunna, you should be trying to join him.

“Endless Nights” features a bass-heavy yet smooth beat that sounds gassy as hell (it must’ve had that new Chimichurri sauce from Chipotle). Over it, Kodak Black hits us with two distinct rap styles: one where he’s going in, flexing about attending Suns games and chilling in Aspen, and another where he delivers a surprisingly solid singing performance. As for Gunna, he slides in with his signature slick, melodic flow, bragging about his unreal lifestyle (lucky ass). The singing from both artists is smooth and addictive—honestly, it’s just great to listen to.

2. Who You Seeing Tonight (Ft. Don Toliver)

Oh, Don Toliver is on this s**t? I’m playing it.

The combination of the trunk-rattling, cinematic production and Don Toliver’s cold, highly hypnotic vocals is outstanding. Kodak Black, on the other hand, sounds like he’s trying to negotiate with his girl while they’re both driving down the highway doing 95 mph. In other words, I don’t love Kodak’s vocals, but his lyrics feel real. At the end of the day, the song is definitely memorable.

1. Still Get Chanel (Ft. Chance The Rapper)

Why TF does this collaboration work so well?

“Still Get Chanel” glides over a light, almost glimmery trap beat that has a clean tempo and bounce. Kodak kicks things off with his signature raw delivery, spitting about spoiling his woman regardless of how she acts while slipping in reminders that he’s about gunplay and drug use.

Chance The Rapper slides in with a smoother, catchier verse that contrasts perfectly with Kodak’s rugged energy. His flow is sly, confident, and a little cheeky, leaning into the song’s themes of love, luxury, and lust. There’s a certain playfulness to his delivery that rounds out the track’s vibe — you can tell he’s having fun with the s**t.

SONG BY SONG RATING

1. Project Blue (4/5)

Become an RGM+ Member!

Check out the individual track ratings we gave—these are what we used to calculate the overall score!

RGM RATING

(79.5%)

When Kodak Black locks in, he’s a force of nature — and on Just Getting Started, he’s mostly laser-focused, delivering one of his most cohesive and self-assured projects in recent years. This isn’t Kodak at his most chaotic or reckless; it’s Kodak showing us flashes of brilliance, introspection, and raw energy that remind everyone why he’s such a captivating figure in hip-hop.

From a production standpoint, Just Getting Started gives you everything you expect from Kodak: booming bass, dark trap atmospheres, and plenty of beats that could knock your subwoofers loose. But there’s variety here, too. You get something soft and vulnerable on “YMCA,” a hint of introspective grit on “Prodigy,” and a chill, reflective energy on “Leave ‘Em Behind.” It’s the perfect playground for a rapper who thrives on switching between braggadocious flexing and heartfelt storytelling.

Lyrically, Kodak finds a balance between confidence and vulnerability. At his best, he sounds like an A-list rapper — delivering sharp punchlines, unpredictable flows, and infectious melodies. There are moments, though, when his vocals teeter between soulful and unhinged (looking at you, “YMCA”). Still, the personality Kodak brings to every bar keeps things raw and real. Few rappers blend introspection, street realism, and humor the way he does. He reflects on love, loyalty, and loss just as easily as he flexes about fame, money, and women — all without breaking character.

Loading poll ...