Being out there maybe contributed to, ‘I’m bugging. In a recent interview with Complex Magazine, Cole stated, “It’s crazy that I chose to record it in Hollywood because it’s such a ‘fuck Hollywood’ album. While attempting to get back to the basics, Cole may have actually sparked more questions than provided answers with 2014 Forest Hill Drive than even he may realize.Ĭole was in these streets with protestors after the Eric Garner non-indictment announcement. Cole is a convoluted individual and his music reflects that. The same feelings are conveyed on “Fire Squad”, as Cole remarked, “Ain’t a way around it no more, I am the greatest/ A lotta niggas sat on the throne, I am the latest/ I am the bravest, go toe to toe with the giants/ I ain’t afraid of you niggas, I’ll end up fading you niggas”. This is uncharted territory for the emcee with humble beginnings from Fayetteville, NC. Cole not mincing words: “You niggas might be L or you might be Kane/ Or you might be Slick Rick, with 19 chains/ Or you might be Drizzy Drake or Kendrick Lamar/ But check your birth date nigga, you ain’t the God/ Nah you ain’t the God/ Nigga, Cole the God”. “January 28th”, one of the album’s flagship tracks, shows a boastful J. Finding a happy medium is still a necessity to avoid Tim Duncan comparisons.Ĭonversely, Cole uses FHD to firmly state his opinion on various debates within hip-hop, most notably, claiming what he believes is his rightful place as the genre’s forefront. It actually puts the objective listener in a tough spot of gauging a person’s work based them expressing what’s truly in their heart. Therefore, Cole’s is not taken for granted. Sidebar: Vulnerability is imperative for any successful artist. However, only “No Role Modelz” carries a noticeably above average melody, making it difficult for long-time Cole fans to enjoy the recycled subject matter. Songs like “’03 Adolescence”, “Wet Dreamz”, “No Role Modelz” and “Hello” show Cole’s willingness to bare his true feelings and emotions regarding love, sex and romance (or lack thereof). The gift and the curse (word to Jermaine’s mentor): Cole’s vulnerability is front and center on this LP. Trapped between the spectrum of small-town kid and stardom, Cole encapsulates the dichotomy of being atop his field, while reaching back to his adolescence and again attempting to mend his unresolved feelings with women he repeatedly addressed on his last project. “Do you wanna, do you wanna be…happy? Do you wanna, do you wanna be…free?” These lyrics, while effortless, summarize the emotion of this album.
2014 FOREST HILLS DRIVE MAP FULL
Cole singing - scratchy voice in full effect - over a piano melody. And if you click on the map, you can see the street view of the home with a dude walking across the front who may or may not be J. Sidebar: Fun fact: Googling “2014 Forrest Hill Drive” actually takes you to that address via Google Maps. While Cole World depicted a struggling artist yearning for his breakthrough and Born Sinner unveiled a man grappling with fame and his commitment to women, Forest Hill Drive illustrates Cole’s quest for freedom and fulfillment. All we knew was the title was the address for a home he purchased and the cover art showed an afro’ed Cole sitting atop (ostensibly) said home. Interestingly, the success of Cole World: The Sideline Story and Born Sinner set the stage for sky high expectations for FHD, yet the lack of build-up, or even as much as a single, left fans in the dark about what type of album to expect. The bold move paid immediate dividends for the 30-year-old, who not only set Spotify records, but also notched the third #1 album of his career (the second to debut at #1). Drive, with just two weeks notice with no promotion, lead singles or marketing- a bold move for an artist who was undoubtedly popular, but not necessarily of A-list stature (Cole even refers to himself as a “B-list celebrity” on the album). It’s time he be judged as such.Ĭole even dropped his latest project, 2014 Forest Hill Dr. Peer recognition, awards/accolades are others, and these days, just releasing three albums on a major means you’ve had quite the successful tenure as an emcee.īy just about any measure, J. Radio spins is one way record sales/app steams/iTunes purchases is another. In hip-hop, there’s many ways gauge the plateau a rapper has attained. Tale of the Tape: How do you know you’ve reached “the next level”? Notable Fire : January 28th, No Role Modelz, Intro Weight Class: Rap Superstar, Lyrical Heavyweight Cole, !llmind, Phonix Beats, Vinylz, Willie B, Pop Wansel, Ron Gilmore, Jproof, Nick Paradise, Dre Charles, Cardiak, CritaCal Trainer (Gym): Mark Pitts (Dreamville, Roc Nation, Columbia)Ĭut Men: J. Album/Mixtape Reviews Hip-Hop 5 Comments 31 views 0
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