Gage Miskimen @GageMisky [Co Executive Newspaper Editor]

North Carolina rapper, J.Cole (Jermaine Cole), released his newest album exactly a week ago on December 9th. The album, titled, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, is an exploration into Cole’s childhood. He’s come a long way since his beginnings, rapping about his “come-up” in the hip-hop game. He’s expanded his talents in rap by opening a new arsenal of lyrics which describe his own life and upbringing.

The melodious introduction eases the listener into the 13-track, featureless album as it gives a general feel of what to expect from the rest of the album. Then Cole takes you for a ride through his memories with the songs, “January 28th” and “Wet Dreamz”, reminiscing about growing up and having crushes on girls.

The album takes a switch about halfway through as Cole tries to establish himself as a top rapper. He gets more confident and fires shots at white rappers like Iggy Azelea, and Eminem, but Cole commented, saying it wasn’t a diss track. Before he makes any statements on the tracks, he brings up historic references of white people stealing ‘black’ music. He uses these arguments with clever lyrics and catchy instrumentals to express him and identify himself as a predominant rapper in hip-hop today.

The album then ends with more childhood stories, but the highlight of the album is the first-single from the album, “Apparently”. It’s a song Cole wrote towards his mom about believing in him even when she shouldn’t have. It’s a heartwarming song with Cole’s signature raspy singing voice which is surprisingly enjoyable.

Overall the album is very solid and uses great rhyme schemes in the lyrics and keeps the iconic instrumentals Cole is known for. The album’s middle involving ‘disses’ is obviously it’s flaw so the album gets a solid 8/10.