J. Cole

Born: 1985
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Genre: Hip Hop
Years Active: 2007 -
Real Name: Jermaine Cole
Meaning of the Name: Real Name
Way of Working: Rapper and producer

Essential Releases

Forest Hills
Drive (2014)

Introspective and socially aware album.

4 Your Eyez
Only (2016)

Blends the life story of a friend killed in a street shooting with Cole's life as a rapper.

Standing tall as a commercial titan of modern hip hop, all six of J. Cole's albums have topped the American charts. Though hearing one's own voice in a din of admirers can be difficult, he stays true to himself dilligently, understanding that trying to be everything for everyone risks being truly special to no one.

To illustrate the point, while feuding with the Noname, J. Cole was simultaneously attacked for being "too preachy" and "not mindful enough of social issues" by disparate portions of his gigantic fanbase. Cole himself accused Noname of sermonising: "Instead of conveying you holier, come help get us up to speed." (from 'Snow On Tha Bluff').

Retaining such a large following after fourteen years shows Cole's ability to evolve as an artist. Over time, he refined early pop rap efforts into introspective, conscious hip hop. For example, 4 Your Eyez Only interweaves his story with that of his childhood friend James MacMillan Jr., also known as J, whose life was tragically cut short on the streets.

The album shows both men could have walked the other's path under different circumstances. It's a chilling reminder that the 'fortune' in 'fame and fortune' refers not only to piles of cash, but also to being 'fortunate'.

As well as pop rap and conscious hip hop, Cole performed in other styles including chipmunk soul and trap, as on KOD (2018). Throughout, his raw, consistent strength of personality truly set him apart as an everyman, "My IQ is average" he says on 'Snow On Tha Bluff', portraying himself as Mr. J Normal, albeit with impeccable mic skills.

Cole, making a common mistake, blames himself for admiring Kanye West on 'False Prophets': 'Maybe it's my fault for idolizing n****s based off the words they be rapping?' Other tracks explore similar faults, like 'Once An Addict, that delves into addiction, or 'She Knows,' that deals with relationship troubles.

Cole's storytelling, authenticity, and surprising vulnerability make him relatable to people rich and poor, young and old. Who doesn't make mistakes? His music is deeply human in a cartoon rap world. Nobody's perfect. Exploring his flaws, Cole gives us space to explore our own. Grateful for the experience, his satisfied audience continue to provide him with riches.

Skills

*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.

Emotional Impact

i Does it connect with the heart? What does it make you feel and how much of it?

90

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies etc.

90

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.

70

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.

60

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?

95

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.

70

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.

80

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.

65

Rapping

i Technical attributes.

85

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.

90

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?

55

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lowers value.

40

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value.

60

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?

70

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.

70

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint etc.

90

Commercial & Critical Success

Awards >>>

• 2x Grammy Award WINNER!: Best Rap Song; Best Rap Performance

Certifications >>>

• Cole World: Platinum in USA; Gold in UK
• Born Sinner: x3 Platinum in USA; Gold in Canada, UK
• Forest Hills Drive: x6 Platinum in USA; Platinum in Australia, UK; Gold in Canada
• 4 Your Eyez Only: x2 Platinum in USA; Gold in Australia, UK
• KOD: x2 Platinum in USA; Platinum in Australia; Gold in UK, Canada
• The Off Season: Platinum in USA; Gold in UK

Charts >>>

• Cole World: #1 in USA; #4 in Canada
• Born Sinner: #1 in USA; #2 in Canada
• Forest Hills Drive: #1 in USA; #3 in Canada
• 4 Your Eyez Only: #1 in USA; #1 in Canada
• KOD: #1 in USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand; #2 in UK, Belgium
• The Off Season: #1 in USA, Canada, New Zealand, Belgium; #2 in UK; #3 in Australia

Critics >>>

• Complex: Cole World - Best Albums of 2011: #10
• Complex: Forest Hills Drive - Best Albums of 2014: #4
• Complex: KOD - Best Albums of 2018: #3
• Complex: The Off Season - Best Albums of 2021: #2
• Associated Press: Born Sinner - Best Albums of 2013: #4
• Associated Press: Forest Hills Drive - Best Albums of 2014: #2
• Hip Hop DX: KOD - Best Albums of 2018: #1

CRITICISM

• Cole produces a lot of his beats himself. Some see it as evidence of authenticity. He also is known for not featuring other rappers on his albums. Some people think this "all Cole, all the time" approach makes his work boring


• Fans of Cole's earlier pop rap find the preachiness of his conscious hip hop boring.


• While Cole acts like he's just an ordinary, regular, normal guy doing normal things in a normal way, he contradicts himself by simultaneously claiming to be the "greatest of all time".

Similar Acts

• Kendrick Lamar
• Nas
• Joey Bada$$
• Cordae

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