The Thief Next to Jesus

The most low-key, poetic hermit of the rap game is back, and of course, he’s done it in the most subtle way possible. KA’s new album dives into familiar themes like faith, survival, and introspection—the deep, philosophical stuff that’s been his bread and butter throughout his career. As always, he takes us on these quiet, introspective journeys, pulling us into that stripped-down, minimalist world that only he can create. His bars are still sharp, packed with layers of meaning and obscure references that keep you coming back to catch more every time. Lyrically, KA hasn’t lost a step—he’s still the king of esoteric rap.

But if I’m being real, the production felt a bit repetitive in places. It’s not quite as dynamic or cinematic as what we got on his earlier projects. Where he used to craft these dark, atmospheric soundscapes that made you feel the weight of every line, this one feels more muted and straight to the point. It’s a vibe, but it doesn’t hit as hard. There’s definitely quality here, no question about that, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the more dramatic, refined beats he’s known for.

Overall, it’s a solid project—KA still knows how to draw you into his world like no one else. I’ll probably revisit when it hits the someone like Fantano, but I’m not expecting my opinion to shift too much. If anything, it’s more of a slow-burner that’ll grow on me over time, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of his past work. At the end of the day, KA’s still KA—nobody else is doing it like him, even when he’s coasting.

KA - THE THIEF NEXT TO JESUS

RATING - 8.3/10

FAVORITE TRACK - All

GENRE - Hip-Hop, Rap, Poetry, Spoken Word