For the past year, this dude has had more buzz than any other emcee on the blogs. Everything posted seemed to somehow end up relating to the talent of Jermaine. All this pressure really built up to the built up to the point of expectations of him releasing the next "Illmatic." Unfortunately J. Cole sticks with the trend of this year and puts out an album WAY below expectations. On first listen, this album is dull and uninspiring. BUT DON'T SLEEP ON IT. Give it a few more listens. It really grows on you! This is yet another album that you have to listen to as an album. Everything comes together as full idea if you listen to the whole thing. Yes, there are a few misses (Cole World, Work Out & Mr. Nice Watch). But overall, J. Cole's really done the best he could do and really impressed me with this album. This is the best debut album we've heard in years and we should cherish this project.
Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Dollar and a Dream III - This beat really reminds me of a vintage J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League beat at the beginning. It switches up like three times in the song which was really refreshing (nice job The University). Cole continues the Dollar & a Dream series as he spits on how he's had to be cautious about selling out. It's a very unique and true idea that he's come up with here. Favorite Song!!!
3. Can’t Get Enough (feat. Trey Songz) - This was the first radio single from the album. It didn't do as well as expected on the charts, but it's a great song nonetheless. Trey gives a nice hook about all his bitches! The beats got a very Latin feel to it. Cole brags about his swag and about his many stories of sex. It's a great mainstream crossover.
4. Lights Please - This is a real timeless gem that Cole cooked up here. Even though it's two years old, it's still refreshing to hear. The beat is very simple, but it fits with the simple hook and complex lyrics. At first listen it sounds like a simple sex song. But in reality it shows how Cole uses sex to clear his mind from all the realities he's having to face about life. It's the most real song on the album, because it's so typically human to use sex as an excuse to stay away from the unjust parts in life.
5. Interlude
6. Sideline Story
7. Mr. Nice Watch (feat. Jay-Z) - This song was a cool concept but it wasn't executed well. Jigga murks his verse. Cole is a little underwhelming as he focuses on his riches a little too much.. which doesn't make sense because he's an upcoming rapper who hasn't dropped a full album till now.. so technically he shouldn't have any riches? Idk maybe that's just me, but it feels like dishonest after Dollar & a Dream III. Oh and it's got the most experimental beat on the album. It's like hip-hop + dubstep. And I must say, it was a well done instrumental. Too bad J. Cole didn't do a little more with the lyrics. This one I grew tired of.
8. Cole World
9. In The Morning (feat. Drake) - Believe it or not, this is the oldest song on the album. It originally dropped on his mixtape "The Warm Up." Then it was partially redone with a new Drake verse for "Friday Night Lights." It's a sex song, but J. Cole really flexes nice lyrics here. He's got a very smooth flow here especially on that "get all defensive, apprehensive all because of my career" line. Drake also does his thing, but it sounds like he gargled ten pounds of sound before he went in the booth. For real, did this dude have a soar throat or something? Clear your damn throat before you rap man.
10. Lost Ones - This is another really deep song. It's got a very deep meaning as he tells the story of the thoughts that rush through a young couple as they deal with a unexpected pregnancy. J. Cole really goes deep when he pretends to be the woman: "you got some nerve, comin up to me talking about abortion, this my body so don't think you finna force shit!" or "I let you hit it raw motherfucka, now I'm pregnant, you don't wanna get in involved muthafucka?" The song leaked a few months ago, but J. Cole added a few more instrumentals to make the beat more interesting. But don't worry, he left the lyrics alone (thank god!). This one's a must have.
11. Nobody’s Perfect (feat. Missy Elliott) - Cool little guitar driven jammer here. J. Cole's flow is a little slow and boring on that first verse but he makes up for it on the second verse. The real highlight is Missy Elliot's hook. DAMN that girl can sing! She reminds me of a vintage soul singer over that soulful beat. Nice little love song about how imperfect people can get lucky and find someone worth it (I can feel that ahaha)
12. Never Told - Soulful No I.D. beat on this track. J. Cole speaks on all the things he would never tell his momma! He mostly raps about how his busy life in the spotlight has been breaking up his relationship life. Another very true song from Cole. He's gotta be the most honest rapper in the game.
13. Rise and Shine - Kinda got that "Good Morning. Cole cooks up a really warlike beat for this track. He speaks on how he will take any of his haters or competitors on. His voice lott better than it usually is on this one. Which is nice because he can get a little boring at times.
14. God’s Gift - It's got a really dope high pitched vocal sample, as Cole speaks on he came up, found himself a spot on "Blueprint 3" and got signed. He talks about how he wants to live the fast life even if he isn't the richest (which is interesting cuz most rappers want JUST the money). "Every verse spittin like it's my last one".. story of J. Cole's rap life.
15. Breakdown- Very original beat with what sounds like an orchestra and a bass guitar. Cole does some classic storytellin' as he tells a few stories of people in their daily life. One story is the last verse where he speaks on a young women who tries to enjoy herself at the clubs to distract herself from her abusive relationship.
16. Work Out (Bonus)
17. Who Dat (Bonus)- This was one of the first Cole songs I ever downloaded. It's a classic posse cut. You won't be able to stop yourself from hollerin' "Who Dat? Who Dat?" when you hear this song. It's a great introduction to J. Cole the emcee. Another timeless song that actually belongs on the album.
18. Daddy's Little Girl (Bonus)
Cole World is a really an impressive feat. It's not perfect, but it's a great effort. Some will complain it's full of old songs. But "Lights Please", "In The Morning", and "Who Dat" are all songs that sound good even after two years. The album is full of refreshingly honest songs. In a world of rap that's full of distrust and lying (yea I'm talking about Officer Ricky), Cole really speaks about his ACTUAL life and it's appreciated. He's like a calm Tyler, the Creator because he's a real conscious guy who speaks about what's on his mind. Overall, Cole really impressed me with this one. I wasn't the hugest fan of him (I like Lights Please, Who Dat, and few of the songs off of "Friday Night Lights" and "Warm Up" but that's about it). But now, he's moved up into my favorites. Imma keep my eye for this young dude because he's on the verge of joining the greats. All though he's not there yet, this album is a great foundation for a classic emcee to be. Again, DON'T SLEEP on this album because it's gonna be looked back as a great debut album. With each listen, I appreciate this album a little more. Please support because you're in for a great surprise with this project.
