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)
