K2 Cocky – WITHSTAND THA FIRE (An Anti-Hetero Anthem) (Single Review)

The multifaceted artist is back with a deluxe song off SOCIAL STUDIES.

Once again, K2 Cocky drops a new piece that complements his recent big project, SOCIAL STUDIES, and the deluxe version of the same album—though I’m still not sure what to call it.

In the past, the artist has been memorable for his emotional, out-of-control delivery, making it one of the most captivating aspects of his work. As a reminder, K2 Cocky is a New-York based LGBTQ artist known for his unique style and empowering lyrics.

Lately, the shock rapper has transitioned into a rocker while still self-producing his work. The new single is an additional unreleased demo, a B-side that wasn’t intended to see the light of day until fans expressed their liking for it. With an already provoking and eye-grabbing title—“WITHSTAND THA FIRE (An Anti-Hetero Anthem)”—K2 Cocky continues to add his societal and personal touch.

Without further ado, let’s dive in.

“WITHSTAND THA FIRE (Anti-Hetero Anthem)” immediately places itself in the mix of his previously explored style on SOCIAL STUDIES, diving into an infectious, mysterious, and thought-provoking delivery.

K2 Cocky actively gives you the feel of industrial music with a heavy, vocal-driven track that showcases his harsh and choppy vocal execution, adding layers to the aesthetic—though it slightly feels off.

However, what I do admire within the song’s soundscape is the dynamic, quite psychedelic, all-over-the-place beat, reminiscent of something from slowthai’s UGLY. The pulsating, echo-drenched instrumental generally does the job well in creating that bizarre atmosphere, though the looped orchestration during the chorus gives it a prolonged feel.

The song’s sound selection certainly showcases what the artist was aiming for with his emotional and punchy delivery, but the mixing and mastering of the vocals really take away from its potential. The blending of two different cadences—from vicious, snarling rap flow to emotional singing—doesn’t work as sharply as it should. Instead of illuminating the chorus with a dynamic switch-up, the singing part blends in with the dissonant production.

While the thematic context of the song is hypnotic and potent, the noticeable issues in vocal mixing and mastering rob the track of its intended ‘kick.’

I really admire K2 Cocky’s foray into a mechanical and synthetic sound that challenges the usual constructs of industrial hip-hop. However, the lack of clear separation between the vocals and the instrumental meshes all the sounds together, diminishing the charm of the technological flair that K2 Cocky offers.

Score/Mediocre: While I see the artistry in K2 Cocky’s sound and, particularly, his message, the song’s shortcomings in proper mixing detract from its full potential. The strong aspects of the instrumental—its haunting, hypnotic feel—do illuminate the track compared to many look-alike sounds today, but overall, it falls short.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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