WHAT YOU ARE LISTENING TO NOW: J. COLE
J. Cole is on top of the world right now. The young rapper has come a long way from his signing to Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s label, to his triumphant release date. The album is called Cole World: The Sideline Story, and, judging by the initial reception, J. is on the way to the new heights of his mentor, Jay-Z.
Both are alike in the delivery and truthful description of the stories that surround their life and the lives of others around them. While Jay-Z gets his punch lines and hidden metaphors from a myriad of different influences, Cole gives it straight. On top of that aim, Cole’s punch lines are crisp, poignant and memorable-- the songs have catchphrases lined up on a string like candy necklaces—and there are so many powerful statements and moments to remember.
Here’s what you heard if you bought J. Cole’s album, or if you want to know what you’re missing.
The album tackles different subjects, but the 16 tracks can be broken down into three main categories- transcendence and rising above adversity, the pursuit of women, and story-telling.
On the subject of rising above adversity, J. takes to the title track “Sideline Story.” Writing from a place he has sure to have transcended above now, J. says “I got a key to the game, they tried to lock me out.” Yet he sees the bigger picture, and promises his own glory. Moving forward from his position is the song “Cole World.” The North Carolina rapper calls out Sallie Mae, the mother of all loan companies, and professes that “Back when I was starving no one made a plate for me/Now I do it big and that's my day-to-day story.” “Rise and Shine,” quarter synth, College Dropout, drums, and gospel is another example, but the biggest promoter for the cause is the song “Dollar and a Dream.” “What do you do when you're on your last dollar?" he asks. "Do you flip that dollar to a dream?" His intent is to make a better way for his circle, and he tells them, "I know that ya’ll worry/ But I ain’t never failed and you can bet I never will.”
He’s invested his dollar, but what is waiting on the other side? The girl. In “Work Out,” “In the Morning” and “Can’t Get Enough,” J. Cole applauds his own single life, and speaks for single men worldwide. In “Work Out,” there are no promises to what the relationship could be, but there are possibilities as to what the relationship could be for the night. Flip that coin, “In The Morning,” featuring Drake, sports what could happen when the sun rises. Yet in the island riddims of “Can’t Get Enough,” J admits he isn’t ready to give up that ring. "And I ain't coming off of my last name/ cuz a n**** can't take no stressing" J talks up his status in these tracks.
It is the stories that touch us the most, and J. Cole does not skimp. “Light’s Please” is a pensive song about J. messing with a girl who was kind of ignorant, but he continued to mess with her for the sex. And he would forget about the fact that she was ignorant getting caught up in the heat of the moment. “She said I know you wanna change the world but for the night please/ Just reach over and hit the lights please.” Just wanting to feel good took the focus off of what was important, and that was the part that created the “hmm” factor. In “Lost Ones,” you can hear the Lauryn-esque production, but what really came to life was a sort of Eminem-esque interplay of words between a girl who was newly pregnant and her boyfriend searching for “options.” Abortion became the question, but was it the answer? “Breakdown” is an open tale about J. Cole’s absent father, teaching him how to become a man. “Letting my mistakes show me/I feel like you barely know me.” Then J speaks for others and their trials…like for a girl who doesn’t have a male suitor to love, Cole tells her to stay strong and not to break down.
Other notable tracks? “Nobody’s Perfect” featuring Missy Elliott, the dual “Mr. Nice Watch,” about flossing and living for the night, featuring Jay-Z. “Never Told,” about how men treat women and how J. is no different, and "God’s Gift,” an anthem about being a gift to the game, and women.
Solid debut from a rising star.
--GB (TR)
GB’S RELEASE DAY REVIEW…WHAT YOU ARE LISTENING TO NOW: TABI BONNEY
Here's to Tabi Bonney, representative of the DMV, for his fourth album, first on Dame Dash's BluRoc records. It is called The Summer Years, produced by Ski Beatz; and while the title is misleading, for we all realize fall is upon us, we can relish in the fact it isn’t cold just yet, and blast with the top down on this seasonal cusp.
This is a rundown of the highlights of what you are hearing if you have or are listening to Tabi Bonney’s album The Summer Years on this, another fine release day, 9/27/11.
The album starts off with a retro soul feel of "On Jupiter" brought on by a sample from Tabi's father Itadi, native of Togo, West Africa. Not long in the DC bred rapper expresses his extra-terrestial being. In "Parachute," Tabi expresses a requited love that he can’t go on with for many reasons, one being she’s too good for him. But alas, she can’t bear to be without him. “I hope you packed your parachute, you’re falling for me…”
A highlight of the album comes from the Bossa Nova production of “Frontin'.” Here Tabi shines juxtaposed with a hot beat, sans melody, and some M.I.A. bird rolling sound effects, talking about people frontin about their own status, and girls on their farce lust for Tabi. Lyric empty, but the point didn’t need verbosity.
Highlight number two was hearing Nicole Wray’s twice on the album (didn’t we miss “If I Was Your Girlfriend?”). The sounds of the two work well together. The raspy, high-frequency voice of Nicole on “Feelin More” was refreshing, and Tabi backs her up on feeling more good stuff, and Tabi being shitted on, then shitting on the game. Nicole’s second appearance from the album comes from “Winners Parade,” which advises that we can’t win every battle. Standing in front of a serious of claps and children’s chants, Tabi talks about haters and farce friends, and losers. “I’m making moves with Damon Dash and now yall wanna hang out/We’ll yeah right/You gonna wait forever for that invite.”
Last but not least the closer, in “Chasing,” akin to Albert Brumley’s “I’ll Fly Away” and Kanye West’s “Spaceship,” Tabi is chasing stars and dreams. “I’m chasing mine, see you when I get there,” Matt Beilies sweetly sings over simple piano progressions and bass. The ending looks up, just as in all great tales, especailly if Tabi has anything to say about it. "The fairy tales of us living well came true," he writes on his twitter bio, which could also stand to say, "The end is just the beginning."
--GB (TR)
FNO!
Five things I have learned, or will take from Fashions Night Out....
1. Eat salt. Wait for sugar- It really isn't necessary to be full. They'll feed you. And give you unlimited alcohol. Sweet. The mini-cupcakes from Teen Vogue and Lord & Taylor were schweet!
2. Get out the way!- At Billionaire Boys Club, there was a significant line to get in, but when Tyler the Creator came out, people went wild. They ran in the middle of the street onto his cab, started shouting "Wolfgang!" and shaking it back and forth, pounding on the poor car. Gosh, if you bang on metal, does it not bend? Simply fascinating to say the least.
3. Go to one place. Two the most.- These lines were so hella long, to think to get a free manicure I would have had to be at Teen Vogue at 4:30. That...not happening. Besides, each place wants you to stay there long. By the time you're done with the full experience of the first place...you would only catch the end of the next anyway. Excluding an afterparty.
4. When you get people tipsy, they may start to loosen up.- Lord and Taylor was playing some great music, in addition to their free Chardonnay, and the 7th floor was a heavenly, uh, party to say the least. DJ Tommy Diz kneaded the turntables with a significantly liquidy flow. When you have 20 to 60 year olds, Brown, Yellow, Puerto Rican and Haitian getting low to "Back That Thang Up," you know you've basically de-snobbified the Lord & Taylor name. Not bad.
5. Have a blast. And look good doing it.- Everyone looked so beautiful last night! Stay fresh.
That is all.
@Girlbluestl
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