Kota the Friend - The Local Art Dealer vol 1 album
photo credit: Sarah Visuals for NYC Newswire
Kota the Friend - The Local Art Dealer vol 1 album
(Press Release) Kota the Friend Releases Local Art Dealer Vol. 1 Exclusively on EVEN
Brooklyn-based independent artist Kota the Friend has released his new album, Local Art Dealer Vol. 1, available exclusively on the EVEN.biz platform. The 10-track project offers an honest look at life, growth, and looking ahead, with Kota calling it some of his best work to date.
Local Art Dealer Vol. 1 continues Kota’s tradition of thoughtful, reflective music while expanding his creative palette, most notably with Kota playing trumpet on several tracks. Fans can access the full album using a Pay What You Want model, reinforcing Kota’s commitment to direct artist-to-supporter engagement.
“This album is really about where I’m at in life and where I’m going,” Kota said. “It’s honest, it’s forward-looking, and it’s made to connect directly with the people who support the art.”
The release marks the beginning of the Local Art Dealer album series, following the spirit of Kota’s Lyrics to Go projects (Lyrics to Go 1–5), which helped define his independent journey. While Lyrics to Go centered on spontaneous creativity and momentum, Local Art Dealer is about ownership, community, and sustainability for artists building on their own terms.
To make this album a true artistic experience, Kota enlisted other artists and producers in every song, including Aaron Baker, Stoic, Max He, Darvid Thor, Jimmy Q, Hello OShay, Dreamlife, Will Grogs, Seramic, Aja Grant, Braedan Brisbano, and Bali & Reff McKeithan.
What “Local Art Dealer” Means
The title Local Art Dealer is a play on the idea of being a “dealer” in your neighborhood, except instead of anything illicit, Kota is talking about art. Music, fashion, painting, or any form of creative expression. The concept celebrates independent artists who create, distribute, and connect directly with their supporters, without gatekeepers.
Through Local Art Dealer, Kota is carving out space for artists to engage their audience directly, retain ownership, and build real community. The EVEN platform enables that vision by allowing fans to support the work in a way that feels accessible and personal.
In addition to the album release, Kota plans to launch Local Art Dealer pop-ups across New York City, with expansions planned for other cities and countries. These activations will further connect artists and fans through live experiences, merch, and community-driven events.
Fans can get access to Local Art Dealer Vol. 1 on EVEN here and choose their own price to support the project.
Local Art Dealer Vol. 1 is out now.
About Kota the Friend
Kota the Friend is a Brooklyn-based independent artist known for his introspective lyrics, warm production, and unwavering commitment to artistic independence. Blending hip-hop with jazz, soul, and live instrumentation, Kota’s music reflects everyday life, personal growth, and the pursuit of balance, delivered with honesty and intention.
Rising outside the traditional music industry, Kota has built a global fanbase through consistency, transparency, and a direct-to-supporter approach. His widely recognized Lyrics to Go series (Volumes 1–5) helped define his sound and philosophy: create freely, release independently, and let the work speak for itself.
Beyond music, Kota is a multi-disciplinary creator whose vision extends into fashion, live experiences, and community-building. His Local Art Dealer concept represents a broader mission to empower independent artists across all forms of expression—music, visual art, fashion, and more, by removing gatekeepers and fostering direct engagement between creators and supporters.
With a catalog rooted in authenticity and ownership, Kota the Friend continues to redefine what success looks like for independent artists, proving that longevity, impact, and creative freedom can coexist on one’s own terms.
