J. Cole
2014 Forest Hills Drive
2014 forest hills drive starts out quite slow. Clearly doing hardest to sound like jazz rap and I would probably say it succeeds. Beats and samples are appropriate. Fit the mood. And so, does the flow. Influences of Christianity in lyrics are heard as early as on second track “January 28th". Also, the racism topic comes up in the track too, although briefly. It all comes with J. Cole praising himself, yet that confidence disappears on “Wet Dreamz” (third track), which is the only track with comedic elements in it.
(While tracks “January 28th" and “Wet Dreamz” may have been a little unnecessary, they provide characterization to J. Cole on this album. Although viewing album whole as a story of success and commentary on current state of rap, they aren’t needed that much.)
Album is an obvious critique of white privilege and story of success, with comedic elements in lyrics. The story of success-part starts at “03’ Adolescence” in which he raps about his problems with self-esteem and problems with women. From there continuing to “A Tale of 2 Citiez” which touches on divide between rich and poor and criminality in poorer cities and neighborhoods. With ambitious lyrics in between, such as: “Listen up I’m about go and get rich” and “One day we gon’ graduate and cop a brick”. In that track as well the jazziness of beats and samples pretty much ends. Continuing onwards tracks speak of white privilege which seeped its way in rap industry and J. Cole’s path to success and his rot in the Hollywood, such as “Fire squad”, which is mostly focused on the rap game and white people within it and G.O.M.D. starting to discuss the Hollywood life of J. Cole.
G.O.M.D. is also worth mention, since it suddenly changes the track (although is still is recognisable). “Hello” throws listener back into jazz-rap, reminiscent of albums first tracks. “Hello” is sort of J. Cole looking back at his life before the Hollywood and fame, while also seeing how his love-life is a bit empty. Which is why he calls up his past love interest, (who might be girl mentioned in “Wet dreamz”,) for why the tracks is title is “Hello”. Theme of him looking back on his past continues in next track, “Apparently”, while also keeping up Christians influences in chorus, in which he asks god to follow him. In second-last quite melancholic song, “Love Yourz” Cole comes full circle touching themes of love and freedom, which were in the “Intro”. Album ends high note, spoken word track “Note to Self”, which mostly is a big shout-out to Cole’s inspirations and people who’ve helped him throughout. The track can also be compared to movie credits, as it isn’t exactly needed in context of the whole album.
