Victor Vasquez, who raps as Kool A.D., is something of a polymath. Following the dissolution of Das Racist, Vasquez resettled in the East Bay and self-released a spate of solo titles—including 2014’s outstanding Word O.K.—that humor labyrinthine whimsy and pointed satire alike. He’s also penned lucid, sober editorials, such as a look at structural racism published last year by Wondering Sound. Meanwhile, peddles paintings through Instagram and offers astrological insights for Paper Mag. November advice for Capricorns includes, “Listen to Kool A.D.”
Okay. On Thanksgiving, Vasquez released the 100-track O.K. mixtape, along with a video to its title-track. As Vasquez explained to Fader, each track corresponds to one chapter of his forthcoming book of the same title. The book, delayed after he decided to rewrite the entire thing, is due next year via Sorry House, which earlier published a chapbook of his called Joke Book. Alongside production by Kool A.D. regular Amaze 88, it credits Toro y Moi, Trackademicks, DJ Mustard, and Chief Keef, among others. “#BLACKBRUNCH” is titled after actions associated with the #BlackLivesMatter movement, while Jackson Pollock and prominent Bay Area hip-hop figure Chuy Gomez figure in the names of other tracks.
Overall, it’s a welcome addition to the catalog of a rapper still dismantling what he once called, “THE FALSE DICHOTOMY OF JOKES VS. SERIOUS SHIT.”
