J. COLE - COLE WORLD

J. COLE 

COLE WORLD (THE SIDELINE STORY)

2011


1. Intro

As far as "intro's" go, this is one. Nice...

2. Dolla and a Dream III

If I didn't know better, I'd stop listening to the album

with this being the first track. Not feeling this at all

two minutes in…but then…..it improves halfway,

 and Cole hooks you in, even more when 

the beat changes 3 quarters in….and that's where

the strength lies. After a couple more intense
listens i have to rate this higher 4.5/5 

3. Can’t Get Enough

At first I wasn't feeling the African samples nor

Cole sounding like Drake, but it quickly changes 

and Trey Songz makes it all legit. 

Timbo biting on the beat though, right? 4.5/5

4. Lights Please

Old track but deserves to be on the album. 5/5

5. Interlude

Just like the intro, this is worhty of a mention.

Love it when an ill track has it's own musical

intro so we can enjoy the vibe even more. 

6. Sideline Story

Like i said. Ill track. Sweet beat, cole is dope

and the whole song is reminiscent of way back

when all in the land of hip-hop wasn't pussy. 5/5

7. Mr. Nice Watch (Feat. Jay-Z)

Talk about the odd one out. Shouldn't be on this

album at all. Jay-Z is aweful and the beat shouldn't

even be on a mixtape. Only Cole saves it a lil. 
Edit* it's grown on me! 4/5

8. Cole World

As much as I don't like these type of joints, this one

must get props thanks to Cole's delivery. 4/5

9. In The Morning

This track has seriously grown on me and i fuckin
love it now, even Drake's presence! Howsbouthat! 5/5

10. Lost Ones

One of the best tracks of the year, plain and simple.

The beat is so good, and on top Cole's hook and melody

make me wanna cry. The second verse reminds me

of Eminem at it's prime. What a verse. 5/5 

11. Nobody’s Perfect (Feat. Missy Elliott)

Everyone is diggin this, but I'm not. I hate the whiny 

flow Cole uses that every other new school wannabe

hip hop artist got. It's a disgrace. Luckily there's

Missy Elliot reminding me of the good 'ol Aaliyah days.

Cole gets the L for me on this one, but the track itself is

a nice change. And I miss Aaliyah. 3.5/5

12. Never Told

Worst track of the album. God i hate this. 0/5

13. Rise and Shine

Initially this didn't move me. But after a minute when

the beat evolves into some more melodic and Cole 

comes with that cliche hook, i'm hooked. Sweet. 4.5/5

14. God’s Gift

I can hear Vinnie Paz…yeah daddy...and that would

have been a perfect feature. But Cole does his thing

regardless. Does wear down a tiny bit maybe. 4.5/5

15. Breakdown

Starts out ok, a typical story type joint. But man, these

tracks get a life of their own and you can just feel

the climax and rise of greatness as you listen fully

invested. What a nice track yo. 5/5

16. Work Out

Gotta love Roger Troutman. This might have seemed

outta place here, but au contraire. This track shows me

Cole got more up his sleeves and i love it. 5/5

17. Nothing Lasts Forever

Nice piano melody and matching beat and hook. A lil

cliche perhaps…with a more throwback RnB hook this 

would've been even better. But nonetheless, 

this track is hella nice. 4.5/5

18. Daddy's Little Girl

Again, the tracks takes it's time to hook you in. 

Just know it does. 4.5/5

19. Who Dat

Yes Cole, you got that flame. 4.5/5

Been a long time coming for Cole to drop his debut.

That's the only bad part about the alb. And also why I

hate mixtapes. Stop putting time into "promoting" yourself

and just drop bombs when need to. Simple. Anywhoo…

J. Cole delivered with this one. The sideline story has

got that crack that makes people smoke it for all the right

reasons: quality music and an emcee that hooks you in

with his raps. Knowing Cole handled most of the production

aswell is another notch on the belt. I love allrounders.

Except for that one stinker this album is top notch.

Overall score: 9.5/10