J. Cole has created quite a bit of buzz this weekend by announcing his newest album 2014 Forest Hills Drive will be released in just a few weeks, so I thought it was worth taking a look back at an example of why I'm still excited for this release despite finding his two previous albums incredibly disappointing.
Cole made his name coming up as a Mixtape rapper and generated quite a bit of hype off those alone, but it was his appearance on Wale's debut album that really caught my attention.
Over a triumphant, rousing instrumental, helped by a great hook from songstress Melanie Fiona, Wale kicks things off with a pretty nice verse that includes some memorable lines. I can't help feel that he makes a rod for his own back by comparing himself to Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart though, because while Jim was a solid wrestler Bret was on another level and in the second verse Cole comes through and Bret Harts the shit out of him.
__________
But I'm giving it foundation when I write lyric
That anvil Neidhart minus bright knickers
Maybe not quite the star but my heart's in it
__________ Wale
Cole's verse lasts about a minute and a half and it's filled with the kind of energy and passion that's been sorely missing from the majority of his first two albums. He was clearly looking to make a real impression on this feature and he succeeds, but he should be aiming for, if not hitting these heights every time he steps in the booth. Some of his standout lines provide a bit of advice that he would be wise to heed.
_________
At dinner with Hov
Hoping that he pass the baton, he just pass the Patron
Ain't nothing given dog, it's earned, if you just living dog, you learn
________ J. Cole
After shouting out his Mom with a couple of inspirational lines featuring some son/sun wordplay, he namechecks 2Pac and Nas to show that he believes or at least hopes he'll belong in that bracket some day. If he can get back to this level consistently then he would stand more of a chance of being in those discussions. Let's hope he's in this kind of inspired form on his new album.
Despite Cole stealing the show on this track it would be unfair not to acknowledge that Wale had two very strong verses of his own and closes out with probably the best bar on the whole song with some really exquisite wordplay
_________
Peep me how I'm raising up the capital from Nathan
Capital I'm raising like I'm through punctuating
Or shift keys or I placement cause
Shifting keys get your capital raised up
_________ Wale
Personally I think this is the best song that either artist has been involved in, enjoy it below!
_________
At dinner with Hov
Hoping that he pass the baton, he just pass the Patron
Ain't nothing given dog, it's earned, if you just living dog, you learn
________ J. Cole
After shouting out his Mom with a couple of inspirational lines featuring some son/sun wordplay, he namechecks 2Pac and Nas to show that he believes or at least hopes he'll belong in that bracket some day. If he can get back to this level consistently then he would stand more of a chance of being in those discussions. Let's hope he's in this kind of inspired form on his new album.
Despite Cole stealing the show on this track it would be unfair not to acknowledge that Wale had two very strong verses of his own and closes out with probably the best bar on the whole song with some really exquisite wordplay
_________
Peep me how I'm raising up the capital from Nathan
Capital I'm raising like I'm through punctuating
Or shift keys or I placement cause
Shifting keys get your capital raised up
_________ Wale
Personally I think this is the best song that either artist has been involved in, enjoy it below!
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