Soundcheck Album Preview: Will J.Cole Take Over With 'Cole World'?
posted in: Reviews & Playlists • Urban
Jermaine Lamarr Cole, better known as J.Cole, has been hip hop’s best kept secret for years. Ever since Jay-Z signed him to RocNation, we’ve been waiting to hear what all the hype was about. After his debut album was pushed back¦and back last Spring, our interest in the newbie only intensified. After a jam-packed summer of touring and teasing, the wait is finally over.
Cole will release his debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story on September 27 on the heels of a massive build up. In the months leading up to his debut release, Cole treated fans to new music through his “Any Given Sunday” campaign, delivering singles each week since July 13. While he had initially planned on dropping a mixtape prior to his major release, he changed his mind, deciding to stream music on his Web site and Ustream instead.
He told media in July, The music I was gonna put on the mixtape I’mma just slowly drop it. I’ll just drop it out online and they’ll find it. You know, my fans will find it how they will. I’m confident. I don’t wanna run and drop a mixtape. I don’t want people to get confused with that. I don’t want them to love it, because they’ll love it. If I put out a mixtape they’re gonna love it cause I don’t know how to put out a bad mixtape. That’s the problem.
Cole wasn’t being cocky. His mixtapes are what gained the attention of Jay-Z back in 2007”The Come Up mixtape earned him a spot on The Blueprint 3 in 2009. After his secondmixtape, The Warm Up hit the streets that year, Jay signed him as the first artist at his RocNation imprint. Since then, Hov has kept his protégé on his toes, making him wait til the eleventh hour to lend a verse to Mr. Nice Watch.
Although the rapper was admittedly anxious at the prospect of Jay-Z blessing his record, he didn’t seem too sure about the decision just a month ago, and seemed to be mentally preparing for a let down. While he waited for the verse, he told Rolling Stone, “If he does it, it’s cool, and if he doesn’t, I’m not going to cry about it. I’ve never been the type to rely on anyone for something. It would be a big statement to have him as the only feature on Cole World, but do I need that feature to sell records or feel validated? No, I’m very confident in what I’ve created.”
Once the track was complete, Cole changed his tune. Everything worked out, I’m a true believer that everything happens for a reason.
The North Carolina native who prides himself on storytelling says he learned from the greats, and doesn’t hesitate to give credit where it’s due, a sign that he possesses the confidence and humility necessary to take over this game.
I’m telling you, you should never give a nigga like Kendrick Lamar home court advantage, ‘cus he came back with an incredible verse, he says of his first collaboration with the up-and-coming Compton rapper.
Aside from his obvious talent, Cole is a student of hip hop, and it seems he’s been taking notes from the right rappers. I’ve studied a lot in rap. I’ve studied the raw, vicious rappers, the Canibus’s and Eminem’s, and then I’ve studied the storytellers like the 2Pac’s and the Nas’s, he says. Cole plans to bring the art of story-telling back to rap.
On the album, I’ll give a lot of my real stories¦but there’s also my friends’ stories and your stories, and I feel like anything you’ve ever been through in the past¦I’m trying to find a way to tell that story¦I feel like if I do that, I’ll never run out [of material].
His debut album is a successful attempt to showcase his impressive lyricism while proving his mainstream appeal and he manages to strike the delicate balance perfectly. With features from Missy Elliott on Nobody’s Perfect and production by No. I.D. on Never Told, the dynamic debut is a strong showing. Here’s a run-down of the album’s early releases.
Can’t Get Enough featuring Trey Songz : The sexy single reminds me of something Kanye would have done during his Dropout days, a welcome mix of real rapping over at-times funny, sexy subject matter. Trey delivers his usual crooning behind Cole’s risqué verses.
Lights Please: This song is rumored to be the one that got Jay-Z’s attention back in 2007. His skills are apparent over a soulful beat, instantly proving his stand-out capability on the mic.
In The Morning: featuring Drake: Another seductive song that features Drake’s smooth stylings over an infectious beat. Solidifying his place as a hip hop sex symbol can’t be a bad thing. Everyone knows that once you’ve got the ladies on your side, the guys aren’t far behind.
Lost Ones: An emotional tale of premature parenthood; Cole strikes a nerve with heavy lyrics that so many young fans can relate to. It proves that popular hip hop can still tackle tough issues.
Workout: This party track hit airwaves this summer and features Cole’s fun-loving side. Not one of my favorites, but still a decent offering offering from the newbie.
Mr. Nice Watch featuring Jay-Z: The highly anticipated collaboration with Hova hit the Internet on Wednesday. In it, the legendary rapper passes the torch to his protégé, rapping, You go Cole, it’s your time.
If the seal of approval from hip hop’s most respected rapper is any indication, Cole World may be taking over our world very soon.
Cole World: The Sideline Story drops September 27 on RocNation.