KOD cover art

  Studio Album · No. 5

KOD Songwriting Credits by J. Cole

2018 Dreamville / Roc Nation / Interscope 12 tracks 42 min

Produced by J. Cole, BLVK, T-Minus, Mark Pelli, Ron Gilmore  ·  Engineered by Juro "Mez" Davis, Todd Hurt

Dreamville / Roc Nation / Interscope Conscious hip hopTrapJazz rap
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether J. Cole carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
12 trackswritten by J. Cole 0 tracksoutside writers
J. Cole's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer92%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
5
Lyricists
5
Producers
2018
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

BET Hip Hop Award for Album of the Year (2018, Nominated)
Data Insight

KOD is a concept record about addiction, with a title that Cole has said stands for Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed, and Kill Our Demons. The only credited guest is kiLL edward, Cole's own pitched-down alter ego, so in practice he again carries the whole album alone. He wrote it and produced most of it, and on release placed six songs in the Hot 100 top 20 at once, tying The Beatles.

KOD is the fifth studio album by J. Cole, released on April 20, 2018 through Dreamville Records, Roc Nation, and Interscope Records. Blending conscious hip hop with jazz rap and trap, it was produced mainly by Cole with T-Minus, Mark Pelli, BLVK, and Ron Gilmore, and features only his alter ego kiLL edward. The title stands for "Kids on Drugs," "King Overdosed," and "Kill Our Demons," framing an album about addiction and trauma, with the singles "KOD" and "ATM" both reaching the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 397,000 first-week album-equivalent units, Cole's fifth consecutive chart-topper. It was certified platinum by the RIAA and named the best hip hop album of 2018 by several publications.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Intro
J. Cole Jermaine Lamarr ColeRichard ClayCarl ClayWayne Garfield J. Cole J. Cole (Rap)
2
KOD #10
J. Cole Jermaine Lamarr Cole J. Cole J. Cole (Rap)
3
Photograph
J. Cole Jermaine Lamarr ColeRaymond Branton EvansJacob Harold LivingstonFrancis Hime J. Cole J. Cole (Rap)
4
The Cut Off
J. Cole Jermaine Lamarr ColeBill WithersTakehiro Honda J. ColeBLVK J. Cole (Rap)
5
ATM #6
J. Cole Jermaine Lamarr ColeNicholas BrodszkySamuel Cohen J. Cole J. Cole (Rap)
6
Motiv8
J. Cole Jermaine Lamarr ColeRoy Edward AyersJames BedfordLamont PorterSylvia StriplinChristopher George Latore Wallace J. Cole J. Cole (Rap)
7
Kevin's Heart #8
J. ColeTyler WilliamsMark Pellizzer Jermaine Lamarr ColeTyler WilliamsMark Pellizzer T-MinusMark Pelli J. Cole (Rap)
8
Brackets
J. Cole Jermaine Lamarr ColeRichard Franklin Lennox Thomas PryorMarilyn BergmanAlan BergmanQuincy Delight Jones Jr. J. Cole J. Cole (Rap)
9
Once an Addict (Interlude)
J. ColeRonald Gilmore Jermaine Lamarr ColeRonald GilmoreMichał Urbaniak J. ColeRon Gilmore J. Cole (Rap)
10
Friends
J. Cole Jermaine Lamarr ColeJohn Philip William Dankworth J. Cole J. Cole (Rap)
11
Window Pain (Outro)
J. ColeJorge Barreiro Jermaine Lamarr ColeJorge Barreiro J. Cole J. Cole (Rap)
12
1985 (Intro to The Fall Off)
J. Cole Jermaine Lamarr Cole J. Cole J. Cole (Rap)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 31 contributors

More from J. Cole

Frequently Asked Questions KOD

Does KOD by J. Cole have any features?
The only credited guest is kiLL edward, which is J. Cole's own pitched-down alter ego. In practice the album has no outside features, continuing his no-guests approach.
What does KOD by J. Cole stand for?
Cole has said KOD has three meanings: Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed, and Kill Our Demons. The album is a concept record centered on addiction and how people cope with pain.
Who wrote ATM by J. Cole?
"ATM" was written by J. Cole and satirizes the chase for money. It was the album's biggest hit, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Did J. Cole produce KOD himself?
Mostly, yes. J. Cole produced the majority of KOD and wrote all of it, with additional production from T-Minus, BLVK, Mark Pelli, and Ron Gilmore.
Who is kiLL edward on KOD by J. Cole?
kiLL edward is an alter ego of J. Cole himself, featuring a pitched-down vocal. He appears on "The Cut Off" and "Friends," so the album's only guest is really Cole in disguise.
When was KOD by J. Cole released?
KOD was released on April 20, 2018, through Dreamville, Roc Nation, and Interscope. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified 2x Platinum.

Sources