Kale That Raps Drops New Album ‘It’s Personal’ Ahead of Porchfest Set

This time, It’s Personal: Kale That Raps is back with an impressive new album, the follow-up to 2022’s Dreams of Self Aware and last year’s Summer Feels Like… EP. Locals can catch the Daytona Beach-born, Jacksonville-based artist performing his new material live at this weekend’s Porchfest.

“They counted me out and I’m litty again / I’m back up and ready to win,” Kale raps on the upbeat “READY TO WIN,” a fitting couplet to sum up the album as a whole—It’s Personal has the feel of a hard-fought victory, like a dedicated runner racing to a new personal best. Kale’s distinctly Southern sound lands somewhere between Kendrick Lamar (“Only good kid in my city,” he nods on “THE SAME”) and Big K.R.I.T., boasting an artful vocal elasticity and gospel touches that give the project a regal glow.

Though Kale brings the intensity on tracks like unflinching callout “I’M UPSET” and J. Cole-evoking opener “BREAK BREAD,” as well as the aforementioned “READY TO WIN,” he also displays a soft touch on b-side standouts like “MOON & STARS” and “LOVE OR NOT.” The latter finds him questioning an uncertain relationship—hung up on “how I keep missin’ what the blind can see”—over a pearled Mecca Tha Marvelous beat, crooning through the choruses backed by an autotuned Skrooge.

“This was a long journey yall fr,” Kale said of It’s Personal’s release on Instagram. “I’m just happy yall get to finally listen to it. It’s already platinum in my house.”

Fresh off his first headlining show at Blue Jay Listening Room last week, Kale That Raps will perform at Springfield’s Porchfest on Saturday, Nov. 9 (3:45 p.m. at 1247 Boulevard).

It’s Personal is out now.