J. Cole - Cole World: The Sideline Story [PA]

Artist:

Cole, J. (Rap)

UPC:

886975792023

Description:

Recording information: Cole`s Crib, New York, NY; KMA Studios, New York, NY; Quad Studios, New York, NY; Roc The Mic Studios, New York, NY; Stadium Red, New York, NY; Tree Sound Studios, Atlanta, GA; Wava Glow Studios, Los Angeles, CA.
Photographer: Leann Mueller.
Anyone who encountered his numerous mixtapes can tell you that before his official debut landed, rapper/producer J. Cole had spent some time bringing the whole Drake, Wale, and Big Sean style to a more street level. It`s worth mentioning because Cole World: The Sideline Story has little of that debut desire to cross over, and while the multi-talented Cole is a skilled, interesting beat-maker in his own right, a superstar production would have certainly made this album more approachable. Instead, No I.D. -- the biggest behind-the-boards name here -- turns in a sluggy, druggy construction for "Never Told," Cole`s deep, rich study of father/son confidence. Cole handles most of the rest on his own, turning in B+ stabs at dubstep ("Mr. Nice Watch" with guest and label boss Jay-Z), indie-hop ("Cole World" or "flossin` with a laptop"), and his own humbler version of the Roc-A-Fella sound (the great single "Lights Please"). Add an "Intro" and then a part III -- the first two parts to be found on earlier mixtapes -- and you`re practically telling the aboveground crowd they`re stale from the start, but the tradeoff is a talent that has matured in the underground and is free of any forced outside influence. Cole`s fantastic style shoots off bold punch lines one minute ("I blow brains, Cobain-style") and then goes deep the next, with equal skill and all while stringing together eye-level, real-life stories that have that classic flow. The reservation count is high and the flaw count is zero, and in this case, that`s the proper formula for a rich hip-hop album. Take a couple listens, let it sink in, and then discover that Cole World is one hell of a debut. ~ David Jeffries

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Intro
2. Dollar and a Dream III
3. Can`t Get Enough - (featuring Trey Songz)
4. Lights Please
5. Interlude
6. Sideline Story
7. Mr. Nice Watch - (featuring Jay-Z)
8. Cole World
9. In the Morning - (featuring Drake)
10. Lost Ones
11. Nobody`s Perfect
12. Never Told
13. Rise and Shine
14. God`s Gift
15. Breakdown
16. Work Out

Album Information

Release Date:

09/26/2011

Type:

Performer

Genre:

R&B

Subgenre:

Rap

Label:

Columbia (USA)

Catalog Number:

88697579202

Original Release Year:

2011

# of Discs:

1

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

Runtime:

57 : 43

Guest Artist:

Trey Songz; Jay-Z; Drake; Missy Elliott

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