KOTA The Friend and Blu Link Up for “Island Man”

KOTA The Friend grabs Blu for "Island Man," the third single off the newcomers untitled project. The former XXL Freshman and  KOTA glide with witty bars over a calm, smooth beat. "Niggas always coming at you soul/Praying that one day that you're going to fold, dog," raps KOTA on the hook.

KOTA describes the self-produced track as "the heart of who he is as an artist" saying:

"I'm excited I have been able to work with an amazing artist like BLU, he has always been someone I looked up to and I felt it was important to have him on Island Man," he told XXL. "In music, where people listen more to the co-sign than the music, check for the awards you're nominated for, rather than how good your music is and try to make a hit song rather than connect with their fans, you lose the artistry. Island Man is really an open letter for everyone who spends their time being happy riding their own wave instead of trying to please everyone else. Just be a beast in whatever you do and people have to see you. They can't ignore the glow up."

Since the release of his debut single "Customs," KOTA has been receiving glowing reviews from music critics and gaining fans day-by-day. In a recent interview, the New York native talked about his future.

"I’m going to be the next song stuck in your head that has been written and produced by me," he said. "That is my goal, make more fans, get more people to know about me and my music and work with some of my favorite artists."

See 40 Hip-Hop Albums Turning 20 in 2016