THEURBANREALIST
  • UR LIFE & STYLE
    • UR FASHION
    • UR FIT
    • UR CULTURED
  • UR MUST-HAVES
  • UR HOME
  • UR BEAUTY
  • UR TRAVEL
  • UR AESTHETIC
  • UR PETS
  • UR ABOUT
  • UR DISCLOSURE
T H E U R B A N R E A L I S T

YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

THEURBANREALIST
  • UR LIFE & STYLE
    • UR FASHION
    • UR FIT
    • UR CULTURED
  • UR MUST-HAVES
  • UR HOME
  • UR BEAUTY
  • UR TRAVEL
  • UR AESTHETIC
  • UR PETS
  • UR ABOUT
  • UR DISCLOSURE
  • UR ENTERTAINED

The Real J.Cole- Born Sinner Review

  • July 2, 2013
  • 3 minute read
Pin it
Share
Tweet
Share
Share
Share
Share

jcole,born sinner, theurbanrealist

The Real J.Cole- Born Sinner Review

Written by Brittany Kinsey

J. Cole has more going for himself than being attached to the Rap god, Jay-Z. Jermaine Cole, native of North Carolina, shows himself as a true lyricist and producer. You can easily see how he earned Magna Cum Laude in his college years. If you are a fan of true hiphop, you want Cole to win. Merely, because he has something to say. Not to mention he strategically decided to drop Born Sinner the same day as mega star Kanye West’s Yeezus. That kind of confidence speaks volumes. This was a brilliant idea, considering J. Cole is the humble artist and Kanye West hasn’t acknowledged humility since his ‘College Dropout’ era. Although Cole knew he wouldn’t out sell Mr. West, it was the fact he showed up for battle that sets the stage for his sophomore album Born Sinner. He is one of the rare rap artists who can be successful at empowering his audience while dropping #1 hits, like his lead single, “Power Trip” (featuring Miguel).

His second studio effort embodies the struggle of commercial success and staying true to his heart. The battle of good vs. evil is Born Sinner’s overall tone. Cole also has producing credits on his whole album. Clap for him, the Roc Nation boy is smart. He came in a close second on the charts selling 297,922 units against Yeezus 328,800. Why should we care about numbers? Simply because when artists like J. Cole do well, it makes you feel like hiphop has more depth than what we hear on the radio. The opening track, “Villuminati” samples Biggie’s “Juicy”. On the track, he admits he “sometimes brags like Hov” and addresses the absurd ideals of the Illuminati. His emphasis on wealth and the misuse of money sets him apart from the regular rap crowd. In his open confession, he conveys he is no longer the broke college kid he was when he came on the scene, but he explains how fame comes with a price. You get the feeling J. Cole is not entirely comfortable with the money or fame he has gained on his way to stardom. There is an obvious conflict going on in Mr. Cole’s head. On one of my personal favorites “Rich N*****”, Cole shows why he is the people’s favorite. Cole keeps the connection to his fans as he explains this is “a song you can sing along with when you down, on some let you know you ain’t alone shit, when your momma ain’t at home cause she got a second job.” Somehow, he has remarkable confidence while second-guessing his place in the industry. He is conscious not to let himself get so far removed from the struggle that he can’t relate to his audience anymore. “Let Nas Down” is one his most honest records to date. Over a bluesy track he produced, Cole examines how his most successful single to date; ‘Work Out’ let his idol Nas down. He admits it may have been a subpar track but also fires back at the legend “You made ‘You Owe Me’ dog; I thought that you could relate.” Nas later responded with “You made Nas Proud” passing the torch to young Cole.

If you were expecting to get a clear picture of who Jermaine Cole is, he failed you. What you find is an honest depiction of what it must feel like to grow up in an industry that values money over content. It’s a battle of wanting success and fame and what to do when you get it. Better yet, what not to do.

Share
Pin it
Tweet
Share
Share
Share
Share
Danasiafantastic

Danasia Fantastic founded TheUrbanRealist in early spring 2013. She loves good cocktails, great conversation and doing what she wants.

JUST FOR YOU, BOO.
View Post
  • ATLANTA
  • MIAMI
  • UR ENTERTAINED

Are You Ready? The Weeknd Announces The Starboy: Legends of the Fall World Tour Dates

  • Danasiafantastic
  • October 31, 2016
View Post
  • ATLANTA
  • UR ENTERTAINED

#ICYMI- UR EDEN PARTY RECAP

  • Danasiafantastic
  • October 10, 2017
View Post
  • ATLANTA
  • UR ENTERTAINED

The 4 Best Bike Accessible Bars in Atlanta

  • Danasiafantastic
  • September 25, 2018
View Post
  • UR ENTERTAINED

UR ENTERTAINED: Banks Drops her Latest Track “Gemini Feed”- Listen Here

  • Danasiafantastic
  • August 10, 2016
View Post
  • ATLANTA
  • UR CULTURED
  • UR ENTERTAINED

Why the Art world needs ARTiculate

  • Kimmy Ducasse
  • July 5, 2018
View Post
  • ATLANTA
  • UR CITIES
  • UR CULTURED
  • UR ENTERTAINED

Atlanta croons with Ibeyi at Terminal West

  • Kimmy Ducasse
  • October 10, 2017
View Post
  • ATLANTA
  • UR CITIES
  • UR CULTURED
  • UR ENTERTAINED
  • UR LIFE & STYLE

“Queer Moxie” slays the Atlanta entertainment scene

  • Kimmy Ducasse
  • May 30, 2016
View Post
  • UR ENTERTAINED

Chance The Rapper Drops Mixtape “Coloring Book” And We’re Impressed

  • Demyah Jackson
  • May 16, 2016

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

TheUrbanRealist
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

You can adjust all of your cookie settings by navigating the tabs on the left hand side.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Cookie Policy

For More information about our privacy, affiliate, and cookie policy, please click here: