![]() 1),” while he swipes Jay-Z’s flow from “Imaginary Player” on the interlude “Mo Money.” He even opens the door for the legendary R&B girl group TLC to join him on “Crooked Smile.” It reminds listeners to love themselves despite their faults, saying, “No need to fix what God already put his paintbrush on.” It’s basically TLC’s “Unpretty” for a new generation of listeners. “Land of the Snakes,” a cautionary tale of how indiscretions will catch up with you, borrows from OutKast’s “Da Art of Storytellin’ (Pt. I love Cole for respecting the path his forefathers paved for him. “The preachers say we’re made in the image of Lord, to which I replied, are you sure?/Even the murder? Even the whore?” he asks on “Runaway.” If we’re God’s children, why do we run from our blessings? “Even in your lowest days when you’re no longer Superman/at least you know you got Lois Lane but … you runaway.” It’s a fascinating look at how temptation constantly claws at good intentions. This isn’t the lighthearted Cole of “Work Out” and “Can’t Get Enough.” This time around, he’s less frat boy and more conflicted altar boy. The album opens with “Villumniati,” where he says “it’s way darker this time.” He’s not lying. ![]() Cole’s at a crossroads and he brings us along as he looks for direction. That’s the theme of Cole’s sophomore project, Born Sinner, which is a looking glass into the soul of a young man grappling with right and wrong. It was frustrating to see such promise go to waste.Ĭole’s not perfect but, honestly, that’s what elevates him from the current caricatures masquerading as rappers. The album was filled with lackadaisical singles and questionable punchlines (“Cole heatin’ up like that leftover lasagna…”). J COLE BORN SINNER ALBUM BEST BUY FREEI lamented the fact that Cole’s mixtapes, all of which are free for the taking online, were leagues better than the product for which he was charging $11.99. Combine that lyricism that’s light-years ahead of his peers and they’re no reason he shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as rap’s elite.Ĭole’s solo debut, Cole World: The Sideline Story, was solid but nowhere near as good as it should have been. Sure, he revels in life’s joys but he also grapples with its pains. While many of his colleagues are content with dropping one-dimensional club tracks, Cole’s music paints more accurate pictures of life’s struggles. I love Cole because, since dropping his first mixtape in 2009, he’s ushered in an era of lyrical artistry for younger fans. Born Sinner (to be released June 18, 2013)
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