Released in early December of 2014, J. Cole’s newest album demonstrates the young rapper’s ability to lyrically stand toe-to-toe with today’s hip-hop giants. The album artwork, of Cole’s childhood home, is both minimal and brilliant, capturing the overall atmosphere of the album itself. The production is tight, showing J. Cole’s growth as a producer over the years finally coming to fruition. Memorable tracks include “St. Tropez,” and “No Role Modelz.” Essentially describing a coming of age tale, the album’s progression follows a variety of intrinsic reflections on Cole’s childhood, accompanied by crisp storytelling laid down over smooth and simplistic beats.
