Who is J. Cole? For being signed to a major label like Roc Nation and headed by rap veteran Jay-Z, the buzz for the not-so-new artist is one that has been years in the making, but catching on much slower than expected.
Have no fear, though. Since being signed to Jay-Z’s label in 2009, he has been steadily working in the world of the Internet, releasing multiple mix-tapes that have reached their own successes and etched their permanent place in many rap enthusiasts’ favorite playlists.
The wait was worth it, because the two years that fans were forced to wait patiently served as much-needed time for Cole to explore his talent. The end result of what he found is his skillfully in-depth and personal debut album, The Sideline Story. It chronicles his story and rise to mainstream acceptance.
The album focuses on J. Cole’s awareness of his sideline role, after being signed by rap’s main player, Jay-Z, and struggle to finally secure a release date. However, the promotional trail for the album was sidetracked by a string of under-performing singles, which halted the development of the album. While many rappers have been discouraged and had their albums shelved, J. Cole did not falter, but instead captures his brave attempts to make it, crafting an admirable effort.
This honest and reflective depiction is what works to transform his esteemed flashy persona, baby-mama issues, childhood neglect and contemplative ramblings into an album that is packed with boisterous repetitive hooks as well as relatable and insightful rhymes.
In the opening tracks “Intro” and “Dollar and a Dream III,” where his usual superstar persona is shrunk to the ego of a real-life, average person, his reflective style excites his hard to resist hooks. The inability to control a head-bobbing response to this music ensures one thing—a rap superstar is born.
J. Cole’s style is almost too intelligent for mainstream, but too trendy for underground rap. His style is executed well in “Lost Ones,” which deals with the dilemma of abortion faced by a young father, and on “Never Told,” a melodic recount of his intuition as he tries to save an ex-girlfriend from being hurt.
Other memorable songs include “Nobody’s Perfect” featuring Missy Elliott, which blasts as a radio-friendly tune to celebrate his accomplishments. He brags, “Look mama, I made it.” The Jay-Z mentored “Mr. Nice Watch” blends dubstep and electronic production to create another possible radio single.
Even the inclusion of current chart regulars like Trey Songz, Drake and Jay-Z, J. Cole is still able to hold his own and remain in the main focus sure to be hit in the hit singles. Drake accompanied in “In The Morning,” a lovers-recap of the very intimate act they engage in that becomes a repetitive start to great mornings.
After his influential narration of his “Sideline Story,” J. Cole proves why he deserves to be the main player he strived to be years go.
In this song, he realizes that he has created a stature for starving, young rap artists to look up to.
Now as the main player, The Sideline Story is nothing short of an exceptional capture of a journey and a cementing of an authentic image that is currently being embedded into the music industry. The underdog finally got off the sidelines.
Tevin Christopher can be reached at tevin.christopher@spartans.ut.edu.