Born Winner: J. Cole Born Sinner Album Review

"I'm a born sinner, but I'll die better than that, swear..." It's way darker this time..."

                                                                                        ~"Villumanti" | J. Cole

These few lines alone describe J. Cole's sophomore release of Born Sinner. The Fayetteville, North Carolina bred artist takes you home on this release. Home to the roots and origin of what Hip-Hop is and what it was designed to be. Life lessons explained the way he learned them, awkward situations, and the trials of tribulations of what a lot of us have went through with a single parent trying to make a way. 

Born Sinner hit home for me with the open honesty from the talks of his crooked smile, meeting old one night stands giving him the ultimate lip service, and the humbled times of having your mom working two jobs and you just praying that she's OK on the way home, because "you know how niggas do". This album isn't for the people who were only witnesses of "the struggle" but were apart of it. The way to figure this out is simple; if your not bobbing your head repeatedly and saying "damn", "hell naw", or "ooohhh" then clearly you can not relate.

Witty, lyrical, hard, direct, heartfelt release from a artist I expect to be around for a long time to come. Simply a modern day classic release that doesn't even come close to letting Nas down. 

UnBLeeVable ★ ★ ★ ★ ★.

Favorite Tracks

Rich Niggaz

LOVE this song simply because "I hate rich niggaz, got dammit" One of the most heart to heart tracks on the album. J. Cole goes even goes into the fears of him becoming his father and step-father. His struggle to take the mainstream lane and to remain true in the rap game without selling your soul.

Born Sinner

As of now has become my official theme song of 2013. Trials, tribulations, and triumphs of being a man who learns from his mistakes and experiences. This tracks sums of the whole album and "if you not F'n with that, I don't care"

Let Nas Down

Masterpiece. Ultimate homage. This track symbolizes the passing of the torch from Nas to J. Cole and him taking the task on whole heatedly. Long live the idols, may they never be your rivals.

Trouble

The wordplay and the reference to my city Chicago, was enough to make me fall in love with this whip banger.

Land of the Snakes/Power Trip/Forbidden Fruit

Dude. Like really I could not choose just one, so today's 3 for 1 special includes a sample for the ages of classic Outkast, the early summer anthem that had me up all night, and thee most hilarious skit this year at the end of the song, oh and the track cool too.

June 18, 2013 Release Date

June 14th is Flag Day, that bright brassy brag that day, when every American whose heartbeat is true yells "cheers" to the colors, the red, white, and blue. But June 18th will be a day of reckoning in Hip-Hop. With four highly anticipated albums due to release:

J. Cole | Born Sinner
Kanye West | Yeezus
Mac Miller | Watching Movies With the Sound Off
Kelly Rowland | Talk A Good Game

All participants excluding the beautiful Ms. Kelly Rowland has played down the simultaneous release date, but we all know neither would not mind being victor in this heavyweight bout. J. Cole has proclaimed this summer would be a "Cole Summer" and accepts the battle with arguably one the most talented controversial artist of this generation, Kanye West.

Myself being an ad man at heart, I have to pay homage when its due to Mr. West with the brilliant guerrilla marketing campaign of projecting his track "New Slaves" all over buildings and neighborhoods in major U.S. cities. If the album title (Yeezus) and the allegedly controversial album art work were not enough. Kanye has added even more anticipation to his sixth solo release, that by the way cannot be pre-ordered. Kanye has all the weight going in, being 1-0 in his previous epic battle with 50 Cent with the release of Graduation in 2007. If I was a betting man, odds seem favorable going with Ye, but let us not stop there.

Mr. Cole Summer, took the Justin Timberlake approach of streaming his album free online before release, and who can blame him! Let us not forget JT's 20/20 Experience went damn near platinum the first week reminiscent of his N'Sync days. The only difference is JT's return was highly anticipated after his long hiatus from the industry, while J. Cole has to find a cure for the contagious sophomore slump. From listening to the stream, let me just say look forward to my review.

As for Kelly Rowland and Mac Miller, they are in the safe zone, where no matter what the outcome is as long as there top 5, its a win. Kelly Rowland has been EVERYWHERE, and I honestly believe its her time to shine. After hearing  "Dirty Laundry" I nodded in agreement with myself, like she has arrived. I would not be surprised at all if Miss Rowland reigns over all. Mac Miller buzz has only been getting louder with some proclaiming his album to be a sleeper on Tuesday, June 18th.

Only time will tell, but either way, fans and lovers of music please enjoy. It isn't every day that we get an array such as this one, please listen responsibly.

Kendrick Lamar: good kid, m.A.A.d city Album Review

I was wondering when my next favorite album would not be of the R&B realm, and I guess someone was listening. Not only was I blessed to hear one album, but I heard two albums that are changing the game of hip-hop for the better, and arguably two of the best albums released this year. Without further a due, my favorite right now; Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d City…

I told y’all! I told y’all! Last year people looked at me crazy after my review of Section .80 by Lamar until they actually listened to it! Welp, he has done it again! It’s a fresh new view from the ever so musically relevant west coast. good kid, m.A.A.d city (which is an acronym for “my angel on angel dust”) is a mini movie with one of thee best soundtracks of all time. Imagine telling stories from your childhood and making a song to each memorable event!? Lamar pulls this off flawlessly, with his hilarious parents, and him taking the van out one day and having a hell of a day. I won’t ruin the film, but bring your popcorn, probably the best film without an actual film released this year!

I cannot put Lamar into a category. His delivery may not attract all (my girlfriend in this case) but if you listen to his wordplay and style, you cannot help but notice his special ability. He has to be one of the best storytellers of his class. I feel like a witness to every song on the album. It is not necessary to view Section .80 before good kid, m.A.A.d City, but it will only add to the experience. Sophomore slump? Not here, with a classic in my eyes by Kendrick Lamar, UnBLeeVable ★ ★ ★ ★ ★. Must hear film! Spread the word of Hip-Hop next big thing. 

Favorite Tracks

B*tch, Don’t Kill My Vibe

The title says it all, you cant help but vibe to this one, unless you the b*tch who kills vibes -_-

The Art of Peer Pressure

This is taken directly from my childhood, Lamar beautifully demonstrates how being with the homies affects your thinking patterns, somebody next science fair project trill talk.

Money Trees

"It go Halle Berry or hallelujah", the anthem of the album ya bish

m.A.A.d City

I thought I told y’all the day the album title track weak, that artist just needs to stop… Straight fire on this track, Dylan, Dylan…

Sing About Me

The most lyrical, powerful, creative, beautifully done track I have heard this year.

Have to Mentions *****

Poetic Justice

Not my favorite track on the album, but the production is genius; Drake returns the favor, track ready for radio play

Collect Calls

LOVE this track. Nothing else to say, just press play

The Fiasco that is Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor II Coming Soon...

Truly the Great American Rap Album.

Perfectly Imperfect hosted by the talented Ms. Elle Varner

The first time I heard of Elle Varner was on 106 & Park of all places. Her song “Only Wanna Give it to You” made the countdown, it was something new. So upon seeing the girl around the corner swag Varner and hearing the song which caught my ear upon hearing, especially with J. Cole’s verse I paused for a quick second, and then I turned the channel once his verse was finished. Lord forgive me because I did not know what I had done! Luckily my second opportunity to accept the open invitation from Elle Varner came about a few weeks ago upon hearing the song “Refill” on the app Songza, where I was paused yet again like “wow” ok, who is this!? Wouldn’t you know it, Elle’s invitation got lost in the mail, and this was a party that even though I was already super late too, I most definitely could not miss.

Perfectly Imperfect by Elle Varner, finally I have arrived. Just from entering the party I was already expecting something different, but what I got was more, so much more. Within less than an hour, I saw the world through a regular shy girl who has been overlooked again and again, but if given the chance she could change a lucky person’s life. The décor, the love, the vibe could only be hand woven by Ms. Elle Varner. The DJ played heartfelt anthems such as “Not Tonight” to releasing built up frustrations melodies such as “Sound Proof Room”.  Perfectly Imperfect is anything but imperfect. Best party I have been blessed to be a part of since the likes of Melanie Fiona’s sophomore effort The MF Life. For a freshman I have HUGE expectations for Elle Varner, simply a goddess of music on this effort and turns imperfections into a masterpiece.

In retrospect, I have replayed the memories over and over, hoping I never play them out. The raspy voice songstress has been in my head ever since. It’s rare when a party has no down moments, or events you would like to skip thus giving Perfectly Imperfect the first ★ ★ ★ ★ ★UnBleeVable, hopefully not the last from girl next door Elle Varner. Better late than never...

Favorite Tracks

Refill -The track that lured me into a perfectly perfect album, just from the beat, something different, I think that's the fiddle! Yes! A fiddle on the beat.

Stop the Clock- "They say insanity is doing all the same things And thinking that you're gonna get a different ending" favorite line! Tick, tock, tick,tock. You control your own life.

So Fly- The woman anthem for a self-esteem boost! Beautifully written and performed. 

I Don't Care- One of my favorite tracks of the year, best line; "If I could speak in code, I wouldn't be so bold" Can she please get her Grammy!?

Not Tonight- Sigh. Fell In Love with this track from the first word she said, which was "I'm". Man or woman can relate to this song. That one person that got away because you were too chicken to approach them. Sing it Elle! "Maybe in another life..., but not tonighhhhtttttt." 

Perfectly Imperfect