J.Cole debut his third album ‘Forest Hills Drive’ this week [Dec.9] with almost little to no promotion, and it’s already gaining rave reviews and said to peak the first week sales chart. Last year, J.Cole topped Kanye West ‘Yeezus’ in first week album sales with his sophomore ‘Born Sinner’ so it was almost a ‘no brainer’ that the rap emcee would take advantage of the free press and promotional help with his highly anticipated new album.
As J. Cole expressed on twitter earlier today:
” I don’t believe in their projections. And I don’t believe in their reviews. Good or bad. I believe in God, in myself, in the music and in you.”
Let’s Face It, J. Cole is one of the best lyricists in the rap game to date. I took a listen prior to my purchase download of the album and once again I was impressed. I was also shocked to see Cole ‘pushing the envelope’ on subjects of happiness, and freedom, the upside of fame on the new album with tracks like ‘Two Tales Of Cities’, ‘Note To Self’, No Role Modelz, ‘Hello’, and ‘Be Free’, which can heard on the intro of the album, ‘Do You Want To Be Happy’, ‘I Just Want To Take The Chains Off’ , ‘I Want To Be Free’ – recites J.Cole
This past summer J. Cole spoke publicly on his feelings following the death of Michael Brown. Cole took a visit to Ferguson [not for interviews ] but to take part in the protest demonstrations in a stand against POLICE brutality. Cole told Complex Mag:
” There was a time in my life when I gave fuck, Every chance I got I was screaming about it. I was younger. It’s so easy to try to save the world when you’re in college. You got nothing but time and no responsibility. But soon life hits you. No more dorms, no more meal plan, no more refund check….. N—- need a job. N—- got rent. Got car note, Cable bill. Girlfriend moves in becomes wife . Baby on the way. Career advances. Instagram is poppin. Lebron leaves Miami. LIFE HITS . We become distracted.
We Become Numb. I Became Numb. But Not Anymore!
” That could’ve been me, easily. It could have been my best friend. I’m tired of being desensitized to the murder of black men. I don’t give a fuck if it’s by police or peers. This shit is not normal. I made a song. This is how we feel. “
J.Cole’s new album ‘Forest Hills’ is out in stores now on itunes, and it’s purchase worthy. One Love Plum’s!