Every Window A Waldo

Kool A.D. “La Piñata”

I don’t think I was alone in determining that Kool A.D. wasn’t quite as good as Heems, and though I still favor his charismatic partner in Das Racist, his new mixtape 51 is at least proof that I was underestimating his talent. While Heems is a bolder, more abrasive personality, Kool A.D. is subtle and deadpan, lacing his verses with rap nerd jokes and gags that reward close listeners. “La Piñata,” a cut produced by Amaze 88, expertly pairs his droll flow with a mellow groove and floaty sax samples. The song is over and out in just over two minutes, but if it stretched out a lot longer, I don’t think anything about it would overstay its welcome. I hear him laugh at the end of the track and wish he’d keep up the joke.

Download 51 for free from BandCamp.