J. Cole decided to moved his original release date up a week early to the same day as Kanye West and Mac Miller which had some people disheveled, and others ecstatic. Cole wanted to make sure the world knew that he was ready to compete with the greats in the game. In a recent interview with the God Hip-Hop journalist Elliott Wilson, Cole said the game has to make room for the “new legends” in rap. Did he prove his point with Born Sinner? Or did this album waste these kids’ time? The verdict is in.
Album Overview:
16 Tracks (skits included)
Features: Miguel x Amber Coffman x Kendrick Lamar x TLC x James Fauntleroy
Highlights: Runaway x Forbidden Fruit x Let Nas Down x Power Trip
Deluxe Album Includes Truly Yours III and 5 Bonus Tracks
Cole’s opening track “Villuminati” starts with him whispering, “It’s way darker this time.” Those five words set the tone for the rest of the album. With a Biggie sample ringing in the background, Cole dives in on a lyrical onslaught touching topics from homosexuality, his early hate for Jay-Z, the Illuminati, and to even Trinidad James. Throughout Cole’s career, he’s always taken the calm, humble, even-keeled approach. Not this time. Jermaine continues with lines like, “Sometimes I brag like Hov” and “I’m the Prince of the city, I studied Makaveli. You n*ggas couldn’t blow with C4 strapped to your belly.” What?! On the production side, Cole took the majority of those responsibilities this time around. To me, this opening track not only started the album off on the right foot, but it also showed his growth as a rapper and producer. “Villuminati” did not waste my time.
Following the opening track, we get into our first skit, “Kerney Sermon” which is a recording of a pastor desperately trying to “sell miracles” to the congregation. Although it holds true to the Born Sinner theme, I wasn’t a big fan of the skits on the album. A little foreshadowing for ya. Overall, this skit wasted my time.
Transitioning from the first skit on the album, Cole offers us “Land Of The Snakes”which is a ballot of Cole venting about past struggles, recent success, and his new stripper friend. The most quotable line from LOTS to me is “She said 'you’re about to miss church' while she riding me. I like my Sundays with a cherry on top.” Haha touché Mr. Cole. Touché. But outside of that and a decent breakdown at the end of the song, this was a wasted one for me. Especially with it being the third track on the tape. Historically that that third song is the early climax for an album. Jermaine, you sir, wasted my time with this one.
Track number four on the album is “Power Trip” featuring the leg drop King himself, Miguel. Need I say more?
The “Mo Money” interlude comes after “Power Trip” and is probably the most direct track on Born Sinner. No similis. No metaphors. Just rapping. Cole talks about how now he has more money than he could have imaged. He starts the track off with a list of things that he needs/uses his newfound money for. He also raps on how even though he is now rich; it’s still nothing in the grand scheme of things. “Billionaires with petroleum and coal money. Probably would kill themselves if they had Cole money” he raps. The biggest message in the song though is his idea that “The Man” controls everything. Regardless of what we do, or how much money we make. Cole ends the interlude with “money controls n*ggas. White man controls money. ‘Laughing like yeah yeah yeah, get yo money.’” A lot of people (including me) wanted this to be a full song. Nice concept and standard Cole delivery. I was indifferent about this track initially. I think I still am. This kinda wasted my time haha
“Trouble” begins with Cole providing the vocals for the chorus. A struggle falsetto is what I like to call it. He finally switches up his flow for this track (which I thought was necessary). The gist of the song is Cole rapping about a situation with a woman that could have gotten him in trouble. Haha he also jokes about going back to school just for the women and “a few of the classes.” One of his better efforts from a production standpoint and the vibe was on point. Plus there was a “Chi-Town” reference so that’s automatically a plus. My time was not wasted here.
Here is where the album turns into classic Cole. Starting with a hilarious Mike Epps skit, “Runaway”is an ode to his girl (or any girl in the same position) that is in tough relationships because of his fame, dying alone, and the evils he has seen growing up. He starts the track off with “Love my girl. But I told her straight up, don’t wait up.” This epitomizes concept of the entire record. Although Cole loves his girl, the reality is that his fame won’t allow the time for a relationship. He then transitions into questioning typical religion and the concept of everyone being made in the image of God. “Are you sure? Even the murder? Even the whore? Even the n*gga running through b*tches on tour” Cole says. This is easily one of his deepest tracks on Born Sinner, and my personal favorite. It is SLIGHTLY reminiscent of Kanye’s “Runaway” track from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Every thing from the production to the hook is perfect. Time well spent.
“She Knows”featuring Amber Coffman is the next tune Cole provides us with. Very very catchy hook. This may also be his best song in regards to production. But when it comes to the subject matter and context, it’s very redundant at this point. Cole speaks about how he can’t be the man that he needs to be for his girl due to various reasons. He also speaks on sleeping around with other women but justifying it by saying his girl might be doing the same thing. This is Cole pretty much admitting that he is not ready to settle down. At the end of the day, I could do without this one.
My second favorite track on Born Sinner is “Rich Niggaz.” Cole reflects on his hate for the wealthy because of the struggle that he was raised in. Although it’s ironic because he is now rich, this song offers my favorite flow from him. He also touches on some of the lowest points in his life and how his stepfather mistreated his mother throughout his childhood. “I ain’t mad at that n*gga.” He raps. “But if a plane crashed and it only killed his lame ass. I’d be glad it’s that n*gga.” Vintage Cole. He then goes in on rappers who solely pertains to mainstream and isn’t using their talent to give the people any music with substance. “N*ggas can’t front on the flows you got. But every fucking verse how much dough you got.” Anyone that has followed Cole knows this is what he prides himself on. He also provides the vocals for the hook and does a decent job on the production side. He ends the song with “Money can’t save your soul” which seems to be one of the main messages he wants to portray throughout the album. All in all, this is one of personal favorites and I think will be considered a classic.
The “Where’s Jermaine” skit is next. Once again it’s plays it’s part for the Born Sinner theme. But, yawnnnn. *Turns on Black Skinhead*
Probably the most popular track on the entire album is “Forbidden Fruit” featuring Kendrick Lamar. The song includes hella samples and has Kendrick providing the hook. I was actually hoping for a 16 from K. Dot but no dice. He starts the song off with a few interesting lines including “Do you believe Eve kept Adam in check?” Cole also speaks directly to magazines that fronted on him i.e. XXL and Fader with lines like “Fuck ya magazine hater. When I say I’m the greatest I ain’t talking about later.” He also addresses dropping Born Sinner the same day as Kanye for the first time. “I’mma drop the album the same day as Kanye,” Cole raps. “Just to show boys to men now like Wanyá.” It seems like Cole and Kendrick are using this as a platform to say that they are the new legends and it’s time for people to respect that. The uniqueness and unorthodox-ness (if that’s a word) that Kendrick provides makes this song in my opinion. Thumbs up for FF.
“Chaining Day”is next. Dope concept. At first I didn’t care for it but after a few listens it’s become a favorite of mine. The entire song is based on symbolic representation. He uses his chain as the focus of the entire record. He talks about how people judge you based on the material items you have rather than the person you are. He also speaks about how he’s fallen victim to this now that he has the riches to buy these things. “My last piece I swear. They even iced out Jesus’s hair.” He vents. Cole uses the song as a confession and plea at the same time. He feels guilty because he buys material things with the intentions to gain approval when he could be using the money for important things. It’s interesting Cole has rapped against these same actions his whole career. “My guilt as heavy as the piece I wear.” Love this joint. Love the concept and his ability to express his guilt and insecurities in his music.
“Ain’t That Some Shit” interlude is the most upbeat portion of the album. Can’t lie. I wish Cole had been a little more diverse with his flows for Born Sinner. Outside of two or three songs, he really stays true to one flow. This was a good change of pace but it came a little too late being that it was the 13th track on the album. I was super indifferent about this one, but since it was Cole stepping out of the box, I’ll give it a pass.
The most mainstream portion of Born Sinner happens here on the “Crooked Smile”song featuring the iconic group TLC. I understand the point of the song. I respect that Cole is brave enough to talk about a personal flaw and is trying to empower those with mountains of insecurities, but I personally just don’t like it. Every time it comes on I press skip. This song will be the favorite for many out there and will kill the radio waves, but I can definitely do without. Again, I applaud the effort and the target audience for this track. Plus whenever you can hear TLC is a win for everyone. Just not for me. My time was wasted like Captain Planet.
One of Lea’s favorites, “Let Nas Down” is the next record on the album. DOPE. The title of the song is everything. Cole talks us through how he let Nas (and myself) down with his single “Work Out” last year. He explained the pressure he felt from Jay-Z, himself, and his fans to put out a song that ultimately he thought was one of his greatest tracks. Later he found out that his idol was disappointed. Again Cole finds a way to turn his disappointments into a classic song. The track begins with him rapping along side a classic Nas verse then raps “Long live the idols. May they never become your rivals.” He also reflects on how he disagreed with Nas because “Work Out” was a number 1 track on the charts. We haven’t heard a track like this in sometime. Yesterday Nas debuted his response to Cole on a track called “Made Nas Proud.” Listen here. Overall this isn’t a favorite of mine but it will go down as a classic moment in Hip-Hop history. This is rare time where a great passes the torch down to the next great thing.
The album concludes with the album titled song “Born Sinner” featuring the great James Fauntleroy. Cole ends the tape on his terms. Mr. Fauntleroy provides a soulful chorus and the bars are on point. Very reminiscent of Friday Night Lights, “Born Sinner” is a song where he summarizes the meaning of what a born sinner is. He talks about how he doesn’t make it to church often but still begs for forgiveness. He alludes to how even though he falls for life’s evils, he still understands that he was put on this earth for a reason and is grateful for God’s blessings. I loved every second of this one. The beat was perfect for the context of the song. Everything flowed together and it capped off Cole’s second album perfectly. “Born Sinner” didn’t waste one second of my time.
The majority of Born Sinner was based around the concept of him fighting the complications of compromising his artistic integrity to create mainstream music. I wasn’t a fan of his first album whatsoever because I felt that he gave in to the pressures of catering to mainstream rather than his core fans and what pushed him into stardom. He didn’t make the same mistake here. He took over the production responsibilities a made an album that he wanted to make. Cole didn’t take many chances on the album, but I don’t think he needed to. He stayed away from rap features and hit on topics that matter. This album showed the growth in Jermaine’s career and both lyrically and as a producer. Overall I think this is best body of work, which is saying a lot. The idea to move his album up a week to compete with Kanye I think will pay off in the long run. Did I agree with it? No. But I’m glad the younger generation of rappers are confident enough in their product (which they should be) to compete with the legends.
The Verdict. For me, Born Sinner did not waste my time.
No comments:
Post a Comment