Saturday, October 1, 2011
Album Review: J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story
Rating: 8/10
In this changeable Hip-Hop industry, we’ve witnessed the true story of rappers on the sideline for a while now, and after four years, J. Cole shares his version on his highly anticipated debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story. After three critically acclaimed mixtapes, the rapper’s first official offering is cementing his place within the fickle yet constantly growing rap industry.
The album contains 16 songs, and only three of them feature production from someone other than St. John’s alum Cole himself. Not only did the North Carolina native give us some amazing songs built from witty, intelligent lyricism and engaging stories, he also set the musical landscape of almost 80% of the album with his rich production skills.
Cole World’s introduction sets the perfect setting and tone, with its somber piano keys and Cole’s lyrics: “And when my story's told / Let it be know I'd never fold / I took my time, I gave my soul / I watched you shine, but me I glow / So, I’m coming for what I’m owed.” “Dollar and a Dream III” follows the introduction. Over strings and some switches, which were his own personal additions to the beat, Cole raps about his dreams of success as he talks to both his family and fans.
“Can’t Get Enough,” one of the album’s standout “mainstream” records, offers listeners a catchy ode to women, thanks to a hypnotizing hook provided by Trey Songz and a tight beat by Brian Kidd. “Lights Please,” a fan favorite and ultimately the record that secured Cole his record deal with Roc Nation, is followed by an Interlude that tells the story of his getting arrested the same day he found out that Jay-Z was interested in signing him.
“Sideline Story” a metaphor for someone who has had to ride the bench is next. The song compliments Cole’s own story about waiting in the wings, knowing that he’d be ready to shine as soon as the right time came. He raps, “I came up in here to take advantage of that sh*t ya’ll take for granted / Opportunity that I would kill for / Looking at rappers like ‘what the f*ck you got a deal for?”
The highly anticipated Jay-Z feature, “Mr. Nice Watch” brings listeners to the halfway mark of the album. Cole produced this futuristic sounding, club-ready song himself, and that alone is a feat to be proud of: “No more Mr. Nice Guy, hello Mr. Nice Watch” is preceded by the adrenaline charged lines: “Let’s ball while we here / Let’s ball while we here / Like ain’t no tomorrow, like ain’t no next year / Drink away all our problems, make it rain with no care / Like I make that back, f*ck it I make that back.”
The album’s next four songs include the feel good and braggadocios “Cole World,” two previously heard records, “Lost Ones” and the sexy, Drake-assisted “In the Morning,” and a surprising, yet perfect feature from Missy Elliott on “Nobody’s Perfect.” Three of the album’s most lyrical songs help bring the album to a close. First is the No I.D. produced story about men’s impulses, cheating, and heartbreak, “Never Told,” followed by “Rise and Shine,” which features a short, uplifting Jay-Z sample from the filmBackstage. Over an aggressive and hard hitting beat, Cole comes in firing with: “Like we always do at this time / Hey dummy, this no accident, all of this was designed / Took my time, crept from behind / and I opened up your blinds, rise and shine.”
“God’s Gift,” which was reportedly the record Cole intended to get a Jay-Z verse on, deals with his career and the attention be receives now that he has “made it.” “Breakdown” is the album’s last official song and a true example of Cole’s enigmatic storytelling: “Quicksand is what this life feel like / That sh*t these rappers kick is nothing like real life / You made a milli off serving hard white, yeah right / My mama tell you what addicted to that pipe feel like.”
Cole World’s first single, “Work Out,” finds itself attached as a bonus track, possibly due to the backlash Cole encountered for the song’s seeming lack of his typical lyricism and rawness. Ultimately, it served its purpose as J. Cole’s radio-friendly and mainstream introduction to the general music public.
The album really doesn’t feature any “filler,” and while there are some small and subtle missteps, J. Cole has overall provided fans and consumers with a solid Hip-Hop album. More importantly, music has witnessed a mostly strong debut from an artist that we are certain to be seeing and hearing a lot more from in years to come.
Must Hear Tracks: “Dollar and a Dream III,” “Sideline Story,” “Lost Ones,” and “Breakdown.”
Source:AllHipHop.com
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