As the end of 2014 approached, J. Cole's rapidly growing fanbase was becoming increasingly impatient with the North Carolinian rapper. Born Sinner, his most recently released project at the time, hit the streets in the summer of 2013. Following the massive success of his second studio album release, Cole focused his time and energy outside of the booth and in the streets of America. He placed his celebrity status aside and sought to find solutions for the continuously fatal relationship between African-Americans and law enforcement. Musically, J. Cole fans received, "Be Free," a politically-charged standalone track which served as a response to the shooting of Michael Brown in August. Cole's evasion of his life as a mainstream hip-hop music artist during the production of his third album is a major reason why it is regarded as an instant classic. Further, 2014 Forest Hills Drive received RIAA's platinum certification just nine months after its release, most notably without any guest appearances.
1. "INTRO"
Cole starts off his third album with an abstract concept for a song. Backed by a mellow, slow-moving piano, "Intro" allows for the open expression of happiness and freedom. This introductory song shows the audience which themes will be appearing throughout the LP, with the subject matter clearly referencing modern African-American oppression.
2. "JANUARY 28TH"
Smooth sampling and laid back drums musically kick off 2014 Forest Hills Drive. Cole wastes no time addressing how he views the entertainment industry as controlling, especially towards African-Americans. His lyricism on "January 28th" shows that he understands how to balance his conscious frustrations with society without coming off as aggressive or destructive.
Smooth sampling and laid back drums musically kick off 2014 Forest Hills Drive. Cole wastes no time addressing how he views the entertainment industry as controlling, especially towards African-Americans. His lyricism on "January 28th" shows that he understands how to balance his conscious frustrations with society without coming off as aggressive or destructive.
3. "WET DREAMZ"
"Wet Dreamz" is a romantic-based track, serving as a reminiscence of Cole's love life back in high school. The track is familiarly supported by chopped vocal samples, and his vivid storytelling of losing his virginity served as a favorite among Cole fans.
"Wet Dreamz" is a romantic-based track, serving as a reminiscence of Cole's love life back in high school. The track is familiarly supported by chopped vocal samples, and his vivid storytelling of losing his virginity served as a favorite among Cole fans.
4. "03' ADOLESCENCE"
The fourth song uses a much more orchestral sound, which creates a largely immersive effect for listeners. The looped string melody supports Cole's sudden loss of love and struggles with growing into a man. Continuing the narrative from "Wet Dreamz," Cole's younger self has already experienced so much and is continuing to learn about life's struggles.
5. "A TALE OF 2 CITIEZ"
The grungy, twangy, metal-sounding, beat of track five catches all listeners off guard for the first time. Cole boasts his ability to flow over a modern beat, without losing sight of his politically-charged subject material.
6. "FIRE SQUAD"
This time, Cole rides a smooth, New York-sounding beat as he delivers one of the catchiest hooks of his career in "Fire Squad." As the song title suggests, Cole takes shots at multiple entities through name dropping and confident critiques of music and entertainment executives.
This time, Cole rides a smooth, New York-sounding beat as he delivers one of the catchiest hooks of his career in "Fire Squad." As the song title suggests, Cole takes shots at multiple entities through name dropping and confident critiques of music and entertainment executives.
7. "ST. TROPEZ"
As the second half of the album takes over, the mood shifts to a slow, more focused and conscious perspective. "St. Tropez" allows for Cole to express his lack of happiness with America as of late, which is complemented nicely by baroque horns and some smooth female supporting vocals.
As the second half of the album takes over, the mood shifts to a slow, more focused and conscious perspective. "St. Tropez" allows for Cole to express his lack of happiness with America as of late, which is complemented nicely by baroque horns and some smooth female supporting vocals.
8. "G.O.M.D."
Yet another impressive display of vocal sampling serves as the backbone for the song's beat. Cole uses "G.O.M.D." to exaggerate and highlight the country's most popular stereotypes of African-Americans.
Yet another impressive display of vocal sampling serves as the backbone for the song's beat. Cole uses "G.O.M.D." to exaggerate and highlight the country's most popular stereotypes of African-Americans.
9. "NO ROLE MODELZ"
Undoubtedly the most successful song of the eleven that 2014 Forest Hills Drive, "No Role Modelz" analyses and challenges the female gender roles in modern America. Despite being romantic in subject matter, the song makes out to be fairly universal for consumption.
10. "HELLO"
Track number ten recalls an old love of Cole's, which has put him in a self-reflective and depressive state. Although fairly upbeat, Cole's emotional state is what becomes especially prevalent throughout the entirety of "Hello".
Track number ten recalls an old love of Cole's, which has put him in a self-reflective and depressive state. Although fairly upbeat, Cole's emotional state is what becomes especially prevalent throughout the entirety of "Hello".
11. "APPARENTLY"
Another wildly popular loose track from Cole's fourth studio album, song eleven allows for Cole to continue to look at his beginnings and where his life has let him. He looks at his family's past in terms of a coming-of-age perspective.
Another wildly popular loose track from Cole's fourth studio album, song eleven allows for Cole to continue to look at his beginnings and where his life has let him. He looks at his family's past in terms of a coming-of-age perspective.
12. "LOVE YOURZ"
"Love Yourz" is one of J. Cole's most culturally impactful songs, whose hook chants, "No such thing as a life that's better than yours," with the purpose to inspire hope among an entire generation that he felt needed it more than ever. Piano runs throughout track twelve and seamlessly into the album's closing song.
"Love Yourz" is one of J. Cole's most culturally impactful songs, whose hook chants, "No such thing as a life that's better than yours," with the purpose to inspire hope among an entire generation that he felt needed it more than ever. Piano runs throughout track twelve and seamlessly into the album's closing song.
13. "NOTE TO SELF"
Lasting nearly fifteen minutes in length, J. Cole gets more than enough off of his chest in "Note to Self". He takes the time to extend his thanks to those who assisted in 2014 Forest Hills Drive's production and release, but more importantly discusses issues he holds dear to his heart.
Lasting nearly fifteen minutes in length, J. Cole gets more than enough off of his chest in "Note to Self". He takes the time to extend his thanks to those who assisted in 2014 Forest Hills Drive's production and release, but more importantly discusses issues he holds dear to his heart.