Released: 2021
Kodak Black’s song “Senseless” explores themes of street life, success, and identity, with the rapper reflecting on his past experiences while navigating his current fame and fortune. The lyrics depict a vivid narrative of his life as a young hustler in the streets and juxtapose this with his status as a celebrated artist, all delivered in Kodak’s signature style that blends introspection with braggadocio.
The hook of the song repeatedly emphasizes the phrase “don’t make no sense,” highlighting a feeling of disbelief about the life Kodak Black is leading. He’s reflecting on the absurdity and contradictions of being successful in rap while maintaining ties to the lifestyle he led before fame. This hook sets the tone for the entire song, underscoring Kodak’s incredulity at his own success and survival amidst chaos.
In the first verse, Kodak paints a picture of his life in 2015, feeling like a young, rebellious version of himself, riding around in a Corvette, mixing drugs. The imagery is raw and vivid, showcasing the dangerous lifestyle he led. His reference to “catching a body on the scene” suggests violence, emphasizing how deeply entangled he was with street crime during those years. The mention of being “just a minor in designer” hints at his youthful engagement in criminal activities, motivated by the desire for luxury fashion.
Kodak reminisces about his past, stating “2012, I was only 14,” when he was involved in dealing drugs to “dope fiends” and selling “Nomi” – likely referring to narcotics. These lines illustrate the harsh realities of his adolescence, where crime was a part of survival and a way to make a living. He also introduces “Z’d up ’til the feet up,” a nod to his affiliation with the “Z” or “Zoe” Pound, a Haitian-American gang.
Throughout the song, Kodak Black repeatedly juxtaposes his “fly lifestyle” – wearing brands like Amiri, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, and Dolce Gabbana – with gritty references to criminal activities like robbery and drug dealing. This contrast between high fashion and crime serves to underline the complexity of his identity, where success doesn’t necessarily erase past experiences or connections.
Kodak’s mention of “hotbox in the Yota, smoking ZaZa, pulling up to McDonald’s” paints a vivid scene of him enjoying life’s simple pleasures amidst wealth, with “ZaZa” being slang for high-quality marijuana and “Yota” short for Toyota. This line demonstrates a casual mix of the everyday with his high-profile lifestyle, staying relatable to his roots while flaunting success.
In the subsequent lines, Kodak Black emphasizes the sense of loyalty and brotherhood within his circle, referring to “my niggas shottas,” a term for tough, no-nonsense people. Here, he’s issuing a warning not to mess with his crew, hinting at their capacity for violence to protect their interests.
Kodak Black reiterates the phrase “I feel like I’m Kodak Black in 2015,” bringing back the hook’s central theme and anchoring his identity in his past self. He mentions the continuity of his behavior over time, signaling that despite his financial success, he’s still connected to the reckless lifestyle of his younger years. This tension between his past and present persona runs throughout the track.
He delves further into the realm of luxury juxtaposed with danger by saying “Fly lifestyle, I’m rocking Balenci with Chanel” while highlighting his significant earnings. These references to high-end fashion signify Kodak’s arrival at a level of success, contrasting with his raw beginnings, yet, they are not enough to shift him completely away from his origins.
As the song nears its end, Kodak conveys a profound sense of loyalty to his friends and loved ones, remarking on how he would be devastated if separated from them. This reinforces a recurring theme in hip-hop of the importance of staying true to one’s roots and inner circle despite achieving personal success.
“Senseless” can be viewed as a complex reflection on the paradoxes of Kodak Black’s life and career. While it depicts his ascent to wealth and notoriety, it doesn’t shy away from addressing the inherent chaos and contradictions of such a journey. Historically, hip-hop has been a platform for storytelling from the streets, and Kodak Black utilizes this space to authentically convey his journey, layered with the realism of his lived experiences.
