The Alter-Egos of J.Cole’s K.O.D and The Fall Off

Before I begin, this article wouldn’t be possible without the contributions from Reddit / r/Jcole. More specifically, DYoungBlood10’s thread that can be found here. This is not a review of the 11 track J. Cole album but rather an analysis and overview of the alter-egos involved in K.O.D. The definition of K.O.D can be interpreted in a multitude of ways, but the main consensus agrees on the following definitions, Kidz on Drugz, Kill Our Demons or King Overdose. The title set the tone for this album that spends the first half referencing the popular drug rap genre that the majority of mainstream hip-hop has become enchanted within the last decade. J. Cole gradually finds his way out by the second half of the album and reaches actualized bliss and a better state of mind by the last track, 1985 (Intro to The Fall Off). I will be discussing the connotations surrounding the album that may help contribute towards its full intended story as well as using the music video “ATM” to highlight each of Cole’s alter-egos.

Release Date and Prior Context

On the righteous date of 4/20, J Cole released his studio album K.O.D. The album intends on turning the popular drug rap genre on its head as Cole releases the album on the celebratory date for smoking marijuana. The irony of an anti-drug album being released on 4/20 was not lost on fans who were aware of J.Cole’s tendency to raise social issues surrounding drugs and addiction. Cole lyrically wrestles with the temptations of power and fame as he departs wiser words and advice for his younger fans. Within the first 24 hours, J. Cole’s K.O.D nearly doubled the previous record for the most streams in 24 hours on Apple Music with 64.5 million streams just in the US.

His lyrics foreboding temptation and self-control have placed J. Cole as a dually hated and loved rapper in the hip-hop world due to some listeners considering his lyrics as lecturing, patronizing and fake deep. He is primarily negatively received by the new age Soundcloud rap movement that’s characterized as “drug rap” because of their seemingly advocate stance on self-medication and glorifying addiction. Rappers such as Lil Pump, Lil Xan, and others have been direct targets of Cole’s scathing lyricism in past tracks and some have responded. K.O.D is a dedicated album towards reverting the influences of drug rap within the mainstream culture as J.Cole intends to motivate audiences towards a more conscious and proactive way of living outside of the temptations of fame and excess.

The Album Cover

The album cover was created by Detroit artist Kamau Haroon who’s previously worked with the likes of Childish Gambino. The cover resembles Disney’s Fantasia by the fantastical color palette that resembles a Disney villain. J.Cole presents his alter-ego, King Overdose who shares a resemblance to Chernabog, the Disney embodiment of pure evil. Chernabog raises souls from the dead to do his bidding as he resides on the tallest mountain, I doubt this similarity was merely a coincidence. J. Cole’s position as King Overdose can be interpreted as Cole is amongst the current rulers of hip-hop. These leaders of the hip-hop genre gain great influence by the masses and thrive on the culture of self-medication and drug usage amongst the youth through their rap lyrics and lifestyles, similarly to Chernabog who uses the souls of the dead as a means of empowerment and survival. The kids on the album cover gradually lose their souls as they fall deeper into King Overdoses’ sedation, turning the children into ghastly souls.

Who Are the Characters?

The music video for “ATM” features all three of J. Cole’s alter-egos, each representing a different perspective of the players within the drug culture. Side note: It was confirmed on Twitter that “ATM “is an acronym for “Addicted to Money”

1. King Overdose

As seen on the album cover, King Overdose is the fictitious embodiment of the temptation of vices and pleasure. In the music video, King Overdose keeps the children enchanted by prescription drugs and sedation. King Overdose bares many similarities to classical children folklore myths such as the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman or as mentioned earlier, the Slavic myth of Chernabog. King Overdose can be seen in the music video “ATM” flying through the skies in a floating throne, drugged out in a hazy daze. King Overdose’s disassociated state resembles drug rappers that remain in a state of drug-induced euphoria, which hooks their audiences into blindly following them. This is seen in the music video as King Overdose tempts the children with a dollar bill on a hook.

2. kiLL edward

Just five days before K.O.D was released, an account on Soundcloud opened up called kiLL edward and uploaded a song titled “tidal waves”. The voice shares a resemblance to J. Cole’s but used heavy filters to create a slow druggy effect. kiLL edward makes his first appearance as a feature in the fourth track, “The Cut Off”. This is evident in the familiar voice that can be heard on the Soundcloud and his lyrical content. The calculated decision for Cole to mask himself as kiLL edward and release music on Soundcloud posits kiLL edward as just another Soundcloud rapper that is often the focal point of J. Cole’s criticism of the state of rap music.

In the music video, kiLL edward is confirmed to be another one of Cole’s alter-ego as he splurges further into the world of temptation and excess. Additionally, kiLL edward is the embodiment of contemporary rappers or individuals that have fallen into obsession with accumulating material possessions and wealth. kiLL edward gives away his arm and leg in exchange for a car but eventually runs out of fuel due to his fast-paced obsession with overindulgence and greed. Edward dies in “ATM” when he attempts to reach King Overdose but falls too short and dies chasing the high.

J Cole has also tagged the user @killhisways in one of his tweets, revealing kiLL edward’s mysterious Twitter account.

3. J.Cole

After connecting King Overdose and kiLL edward that leaves J.Cole as the last character, who is seen in” ATM” stuck in a straight jacket in a room lined with paper bills. By his facial expressions, he doesn’t look captive against his will but rather he has voluntarily submitted his freedom in exchange for wealth.

4. Edward, the Stepfather

An alternative theory was confirmed by Cole’s brother Zach in the video above at the 3: 14-minute mark, which suggests kiLL edward may be referencing Cole’s former stepdad. His hatred for the man who was abusive and cruel towards his mother has been well documented on tracks as “Window Pain (Outro)” where the lyrics say: “ All I wanna do is kill the man that made my comma cry”. Additionally, on the track “Once an Addict (Interlude) the lyrics quote: “I tell her, “Mama, go to sleep” She tell me “Boy, hush. You better pray to God you never get your heart crushed” In the video, Zach makes this connection and reveals Edward was also the name of the abusive stepfather that lived with Zach, Cole and his mother.

What Does the Fall Off Mean?

The dark ominous undertones of King Overdose’s lyrics and kiLL edward’s druggy influence is exempt from this song which ironically revolves around the Soundcloud culture that made the drug sound so popular. By the last track, kiLL edward has died along with King Overdosed and J. Cole reverts back to his classical heavy lyricism without the aid of repetitive hooks or other crutches associated with drug rap. This intentional departure implies Cole’s lyricism and rap skills regardless of genre or style. The last title is the intro to the fall off, J Cole delivers crisp articulate lines that border spoken poetry and thoughtful lecturing towards Soundcloud drug rappers. The falloff is either his next album or the unknown repercussions of K.O.D upon the Soundcloud drug rap genre. Cole intends to revert the socio-cultural harm the drug rap movement has inflicted on the youth and self-proclaims the beginning of its end. As the last track on this album, it’s insinuated once the album is finished, the fall off begins for these rappers. Drug rap has been the antithesis of J Cole’s body of work, and tensions have only grown between Cole and the Soundcloud rap community. Can the fall off be speculated as the next album, as Cole plans to usher the re-emergence of conscious rap?

Update: J.Cole has confirmed on his Twitter “The Fall Off” will be his next project and is currently going underway.