K-Kuma has released his new album, 480-UNLEASHED, and it warrants immediate attention. There is much to discuss.
“AWAKEN” starts with soulful samples, but when the beat drops, it transforms into a modern trap vibe that asserts itself over the initial nostalgia. As someone with a very complex and dynamic palate, this first track immediately locks me in for a “HIGH” quality listening session. I recognize the energy, get my rig ready, and start packing the first bowl. First observation: He’s not just delivering intricate flows; he’s also got melody, which is truly impressive. The album’s title track, “UNLEASHED,” follows, with a beat that instantly validates the project’s promise. This entire release is about to be wavy as hell, I can tell.
I appreciate the numerous video game references in his lyrics. He isn’t just fabricating a persona; K-Kuma is genuinely rapping about his real-life passions. His artist branding, which is heavily inspired by Kingdom Hearts, immediately resonates with me, as my name is Heartless Fendi. He earns significant creative points here for making the album art resemble a PlayStation 1 case—a brilliant and clever touch. If he dropped physicals, id be like “Shut up and take my money” thats genius.
“FANTASIA” slows the tempo, providing a welcome moment of emotional depth. This track, which is about fake love, explores one of the most relatable topics in the world. K-Kuma’s voice is imbued with palpable pain and passion on this one. The next standout track, “PALM WINE ANTICS,” is where K-Kuma truly flexes his talents. He starts out rapping with great precision, but the song then breaks down into a dance music segment where he showcases his remarkable vocal range. He is, without a doubt, an amazing vocalist. The power behind K-Kuma’s vocals makes perfect sense—it’s as if he ate a Devil Fruit! The track “DEVIL FRUIT!” is a fiery banger and a potent reference to the One Piece series. This dude is hitting home with these anime and video game references.
“LUCARIO” delivered a genuine curveball. While it’s a hard, melodic joint, it also game baring a gem. That gem being MTMWAN’s singing. Wow! I had no idea bro had pipes like that. His epic vocals have a real emo sensibility for the goth scene. This is a song I’m about to have on repeat. Holy f*ck, goddamn.
My personal favorite song on the album is “LOKI!” He lays down some amazing melodies I’ve never heard before. The hooks possess a distinctly cinematic quality. This is a truly original artist. There are plenty more gems on this record, but I’m leaving a few up to the imagination so you can check it out for yourself.
All in all, I am thoroughly impressed with this release. From the branding to the production, the entire project is executed flawlessly. It’s a full 18-track album, and I wasn’t bored for a single moment. I rarely listen to something all the way through without distraction, but I was completely locked in and even found some songs I’ll probably be listening to for the rest of my life. I give this album an unprecedented rating of 11/10, with extra credit for that clever video game themed branding.
Check out 480-UNLEASHED, the full-length album by K-Kuma, now available on all platforms.
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