A 24-year-old North Carolina-based artist Kuda is gifting us an EP entitled 52 Blue: a 5-track EP consisting of sick beats and raw, straightforward lyrics. Based on his Spotify profile, Kuda combines autotune and southern trap flows with unusual synth-based production to create an atmospheric and defiant sound. His lyrical content tends to be concerned with overcoming past trauma and being successful in the face of internal and external doubt. He describes his sound as Hurt Hustler Music.
Released last August 31, 2024, 52 Blue, according to Kuda, is the nickname of the whale that famously communicated at a frequency that no other whale could understand. As a person who struggled with mental illnesses and has floated throughout every type of social group through life, Kuda felt alone at times. He coped by making a lot of money and partying. The songs on this EP according to him represent the duality of his life: his lonely and pained inner world vs. the external energy he radiates.
Kuda’s 52 Blue EP opens with a fiery track entitled Lift Off. As a starter, it sure does set the mood for the rest of the EP. It also does its job well as a welcoming track for the listeners. Lift Off talks about how not to give in to the pressure around you and just to do whatever you want in your own phase.
Get Hiya, the EP’s second track is a collaboration with another artist, Marc. Compared to the first track, this song’s beat is more on the laidback side of rap music. Although far more laidback than the track beforehand, I can say that this takes on a more creative route in terms of its musicality.
The third track, It Ain’t No Gift, incorporated lo-fi elements for its intro. The song speaks for those who were being praised at their highest, yet weren’t given a glance when they were struggling. The song’s central theme is how the persona, might be Kuda, or another, persevered to be where they are now, hence, it isn’t a gift, but a result of hard work.
The fourth track, Roll Da Dice, takes on a more playful approach for its beats and tunes, however, just like the others, its lyrics have the opposite vibe of the beat and tune. This track speaks on behalf of those who patiently wait for their turn to breathe and succeed in terms of their career ― a huge gamble for a person, and let the dice decide of their fate. Nothin2Lose is the EP’s last track, and fitting to its position, it talks about risking anything for that dream, for that goal. Because the persona already has nothing to lose, why not choose to risk everything and hope for the best? It also speaks about the unwanted criticisms from others about our lives.
I personally like the contrast in the themes and beat in every song that this EP offers. It offered new perspectives, and told stories, all while letting us enjoy its content in the form of music, of rap. Listening to this EP is a whole new experience.
You can also experience 52 Blue by watching out for its official release this August 31st. Listen on your favorite music streaming sites! Do not forget to follow Kuda’s social media accounts as well for updates.
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About the Author
Angel Mariah Rodiel – Mari to the people she’s fond of – is a BA Literature student currently studying in Central Luzon State University. Writing, arts, and music are some of the things she’s been most passionate about ever since she was a kid. Mari’s little dream is to build a band that will open for Paramore’s concert someday. Pop-punk and alternative rock are her comfort music genres, K-pop and J-rock comes close as third and fourth.
