Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. to amuse or entertain one’s audience.

1909

J. Ware Passing Eng. of the Victorian Era.

2. to perform well or with energy, usu. of music.

1937		in AS XLVI: Go, kick it, v. To improvise rhythmically and expertly on a given medley.
1962		P. Crump Burn, Killer, Burn! 92: Dig my man Roach kicking them weird sounds, momma.
1992		Eble Campus Sl. Apr. 6: kick – be strong or powerful, full of energy. ‘That song kicks.’.
2000		G. Pelecanos Shame the Devil 229: The rhythm section kicked, and the guitars made it rock.

3. to feel the effects of a drug.

1952

Hal Ellson Golden Spike 138: He hit himself and, as he began to kick, he said, ‘Look at him, he wants to stay off it.’.

4. to delight, to please.

1956		A. Childress Like One of the Family 12: What kicks some people just bugs me and vice is versa!
1962		P. Crump Burn, Killer, Burn! 49: If it kicks you off to go around warring with other people, it’s all right with Treetop.
1967		in S. Harris Hellhole 145: ‘You like the shit?’ I said, ‘Oh man, it kicks all right.’.
1999		D. Lehane Prayers for Rain 192: ‘Hey, Josephina. Nice streaks.’ [...] ‘The orange? You like it?’ ‘It kicks’.

5. see kick it v.² (2)

6. see boot v.⁵ (1)