At random pick todays new rapper, cosigned by random headline artist and signed to any major deal about to make his debut album drop. Now take everything you normally assume about this new artist and throw it out the window, and allow me to introduce you to, no better yet, let him introduce himself as J. Cole.
MC/ Producer from NC, and I do mean Emcee in every sense of the word, who has been blowing up the under ground for a minute, given hip hop fans hope of what could possibly be in store. After 3 critically acclaimed and well received mix tapes ( The Come Up (2007) , The Warm Up (2009) ,Friday Night Lights (2010) ), each consistently better than the previous, two of which could have been albums, both being better than most albums out that year at least one that could have been/ is a classic. Now add in a few stellar feature slots and an ever growing new fan base and you start to see something special happen before our eyes, as people start to expect pressure for a classic album. And finally after much anticipation, delays, and a few EP’s (Any given Sundays) to wet our whistle finally Cole World : The Sideline Story has been delivered.
A number of questions come attached to Cole World though, will he change up his style, will it be reaching for commercial success , how many songs from the mix tapes will be on the album, which ones, can he match that same consistency and drop a classic, etc, etc, etc
Well J. Cole waste no time introducing himself after a quick skit, he jumps right into “Dollar and a Dream III” - a great intro track that quickly sets the stage for the album and sets and raises expectations and assures that aint nothing change for Cole. While not “Too Deep for the Intro” it still serves its purpose and fits perfectly.
From there Cole goes hard with “Can’t get enough” featuring Trey Songz. By no means is this your expected R&B hip hop collabo, its almost as if Trey is not on the track because his expected crooning is no where to be found, and its an upbeat head nod track that Cole absolutely murders, with hot a beat, hot lines and punch lines and the trademark flow that made me a fan. The song is well balanced and delivers the best flow and best song on the album.
But not to worry about the best song being so early in the album, he keeps the fire going with the stellar “Lights Please” the most balanced song on the album delivering perfect beat, rhyme, and flow. the first song off the mix tapes and its compliments perfect
About Midway through the album pretty much every question has been addressed , because the album is consistent from track to track and its typical Cole. However the album does reach a slow point and looses momentum with tracks like “In the morning” featuring Drake, another mix tape selection, “Mr Nice Watch” and “Nobody’s Perfect” feauturing / Missy Elliot. While its good to hear him on tracks with other artist, he’s best alone because the chemistry never really proves and works to optimum form. The collabo with Hov was expected but the song format doesn’t seem like it works for Cole. The song with Drake neither rapper goes very hard and you wonder of all the mixtape selections why that one. The Song with missy while its great to finally hear from Missy again it doesn’t quite deliver the promise we expect.
There isn’t a wack song on the album, its just with so much material to compare it to and with such high expectations, some songs just don’t meet the expected mark, some underperform at the levels we know Cole is capable of.
The best shot at Radio Play are probably “Workout” which may also be a warm up track for parties, and “ Mr Nice Watch”, the rest of the album is hot lyrics, stories, social consciousness and plenty of range especially on tracks like the introspective “ Break Down” , the soulful and heartfelt “ Lost Ones”.
In all Cole World is a breath of fresh air, because its everything that hip hop needs but isn’t currently getting, messages, skills, lyrics, social consciousness, creativity, independence and work ethic. Not sure its gone play heavy in the club or get much radio play,but you’ll listen in your car on the way to and after the club, or at least on your way to and from work. Falls slightly below expectations, could have thrown a few more of the heavy hit songs from the mix tapes on.
But its not overdone or overshadowed by features. Its not overproduced. Its extremely relatable, its not fiction or movie like, its real life, keeping it real at its best. Lyrically superior, sonically great. The production value is good, but if you’re a person that just loves beats, wont be your cup of tea in that department. Some people make types of songs, J. Cole has a sound and he knows its best, so there aren’t a lot of different types of beats on the album , because he handles most of the production, think of a East Coast Dj Quick, but opposite, more lyrical and less musical with all respect to both parties, his song making ability shines bright and is top notch, not simple at all. These aren’t formulated songs with simple singy hooks and dance beats, or stereotypical banter and subjects.
Cole World earns high points for originality, and subject range as he tackles seemingly every subject at some point. The low points however are the albums entertainment value, while not boring, its not going to make you hype, party or dance, unless you’re a true head and are entertained by the creativity, the skill, the flows, and concepts. Theres not a whole lot of versatility from the standpoint of him experimenting with things that aren’t typical Cole or doing what never been done, but its a first album and an introduction for most. While not the classic many were hoping for, it has good replay value, and some songs will grow on you, you’ll most certainly play it back more than once Im not sure if its an album 5+ years from now you’ll still be talking about. I don’t expect it to change the way albums are made, but Im glad someone is putting their heart into their music and look forward to the continued development of J.Cole as an artist. This is music for people with complex musical taste. Real Hip Hop
I give it a strong 4 out of 6 stars.
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