(ThyBlackMan.com) I’m not one to dive into what I call “Super Fandom”. I don’t love any celebrity to the point of worship, and if we differ on music that’s cool too. Music, like art and literature, is very subjective. What moves on of us won’t make another budge at all. I don’t agree with fans of any artist that would shame another person because their taste is different. With that in mind quality of production and lyrical content can be debated whether we like an artist personally or not. There are hip-hop fans out there that personally can’t stand J Cole, but that doesn’t mean they will not deal with him fairly regarding his production quality and lyrical ability.
This is the same that can be said about Kendrick Lamar. “Damn” is a classic to some, and confusion to others; this is quite okay as long as we are discussing personal preference. No need to assume… most of the current hip-hop doesn’t move me personally. Granted I’m not completely a purist, but I just want more from my music. I have no problem with party music, but I can’t do the mindless mumble take drugs and flaunt fleeting cash nonsense. Yet, I realize these kinds of songs appeal to some listeners.
After having listened to J Cole’s “KOD” five times I realize the album really did it for me. I needed to zone out, and while some felt the album was boring it allowed me to achieve that head space. Personally, I was feeling the production, and I admit “Kevin’s Heart” is one of my favorite tracks not merely for the message, but the music itself. It definitely gave me zone appeal. I have never had n issue with Cole lyrically. He tends to address the issues that have made a serious impact on his life, and this has made him quite relatable. He has a different relationship with drug abuse, and watch it ruin his mother in ways he can’t forgive. From that space he uses his platform to lyrically challenge a popular part of the climate in hip-hop that glorify drug abuse and the high it causes. They have gone much further that their predecessors that were avid weed smokers.
If you felt the lyrics were a bit repetitive…they were. In his sage like space he decided to challenge the current trends by mirroring such. Granted, in my personal opinion, his delivery of their style bested them completely. While giving a series of lessons on this album by which the listener is constantly reminded to “Choose Wisely” Cole still managed in “1985 (Into to the “Fall Off”)” to advise his haters not to come fore him. Granted I agree the “Lil” artists that seem to have issue would have to reach pretty high to best him lyrically.
One of the biggest rebukes of J Cole fans is they simply don’t understand you not liking J Cole. It’s as thought you are insulting their intelligence if you aren’t feeling his work. I would rather say if you deny his lyrical prowess then yes you are showing your bias against him. However, if you simply aren’t feeling “KOD” it’s cool as everything does not move everyone. As a J Cole fan, and that of hip-hop, I wasn’t disappointed at all. I totally get it, and I agree with Cole regarding the stances he presents on this album. I will continue to keep this one in rotation.
Staff Writer; Christian Starr
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