Courtesy TodaysHipHop.com
Brooklyn-born innovator, artist, songwriter and producer, Kota the Friend is once again breaking barriers in the music industry—this time with a game-changing rollout of his latest album, No Rap on Sunday. The album dropped exclusively on the direct-to-fan platform EVEN on Sunday March 30, 2025, and the album will remain off all major DSPs for four months, marking a pivotal moment for independent hip-hop and artist ownership. And if that’s not enough, the album comes loaded with heavy-hitting features from Big Sean, Fivio Foreign, and Vic Mensa, signaling that No Rap on Sunday is not just an indie statement—it’s a cultural milestone. Kota explains it on this YouTube Video.
A Hometown Message from Brooklyn
Kota, who shot a video to talk about the album in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, where he grew up, has always represented more than music. He’s a movement. A creative force who’s stayed ten toes down in his belief that artists can thrive without giving up their rights. With No Rap on Sunday, he’s extending that vision beyond lyrics and production—he’s reshaping the way music is delivered. Instead of rushing to streaming platforms, Kota is letting the album live on EVEN, a music tech platform built for independent artists to connect directly with their fans—email, text, and all.
Kota the Friend Album No Rap on Sunday – Track list
Why the Shift to EVEN?
Kota’s last 2 albums, Lyrics to Go Vol 5 (produced by Hit Boy) and Once in a Blue Moon (a collab with Statik Selektah) were both released with success on the DSPs, so the question everyone is asking is why he is putting this album exclusively on EVEN for so long before it hits the DSPs.
“Buy the Art from the Artists”
EVEN’s tagline, “Buy the Art from the Artists”, pretty much sums up the concept.
Building Ownership and Community
Kota stated, “On most platforms, artists get numbers—but not names. We don’t really know who our fans are. With EVEN, I know exactly who’s supporting me. It’s not just about dropping exclusive content—it’s about building ownership, real community, and something meaningful that lasts. This gives me a chance to truly connect and engage with those who truly support me and my music.”
While other artists have used EVEN for early access, no one’s done it like this. Kota is keeping No Rap on Sunday exclusive for four full months—the longest of any artist on the platform. That move alone signals a shift in how serious independent artists can approach their drops, their fans, and their business models.
Through EVEN, fans will get early access to the full album, and will have options to limited-edition signed vinyl, a custom travel bag designed by Kota himself, VIP tickets to his upcoming 20-city U.S. tour (kicking off September 2025), and direct conversations and engagement with Kota.
Star-Studded Features Add Weight
No Rap on Sunday doesn’t just come with a new business model. It comes with heat. Brooklyn drill heavyweight Fivio Foreign, Detroit legend Big Sean, and conscious firestarter Vic Mensa all bring their unique energy to the project. Each feature is intentional—adding texture to a body of work that explores values, growth, and the deeper meaning of independence.
Independence with Meaning
“No Rap on Sunday is about holding onto values that promote growth,” Kota says. “Choosing independence is like refusing to sell grandma’s house—it’s about preserving what matters.”
Kota has always been a step ahead. Before everyone was subtitling videos for social, he was the first to use yellow captions—a visual that quickly became a staple across indie and mainstream hip-hop content. Now, he’s innovating again—this time by showing artists that they can own their rollout, own their audience, and own their art, without waiting for gatekeepers or algorithms to decide their worth.
“This isn’t just about dropping an album,” Kota says. “It’s about creating a new business model. We don’t need permission. We don’t need middlemen. We need real fans and real control. Artists have to move to that model in some form or fashion if they want to survive in the music industry in the long run.”
EVEN CEO Mag Rodriguez stated, “Kota joined EVEN in our beta days. He’s always stood for what we stand for—ownership, direct fan connection, and artist empowerment.” The partnership feels natural, like a blueprint for what’s next in music—especially as more artists look for alternatives to the major label machine.
Key Dates
Album Release: March 30, 2025 (Only on EVEN)
Exclusive Window: March–July 2025
20 US City Tour: September 2025 – October 20265
Album Access: March 30, 2025 – No Rap on Sunday
Album Release on DSPs: July 2025
A Moment for Brooklyn, Indie Artists, and Hip-Hop
Kota the Friend has always been for the people. Now, he’s showing the industry what happens when the people come first. No Rap on Sunday is a moment for Brooklyn, for indie artists, and for hip-hop as a whole.
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