Face it, Hip Hop and R&B are not the same as 20 years ago. From Biggie to Drake, it's not the same; different messages, different roots. Ever since high school, J. Cole has been one of my biggest musical influences. At first, I only listened because of his growing popularity at the time and I liked the way he sounded. But when I actually got the chance to listen to the words, I didn't hear the music anymore, I heard him speaking to me. They say that all love songs can relate to you somehow, and it's true, but it isn't all about relationships for J. Cole. He raps about his upbringing, hardships, good times and bad times. He's real. If you haven't already, definitely check some of his songs out because I can guarantee there is something that'll relate to you. Yeah, he has some crazy things to say, but he also has some of the most inspiring words in Hip Hop right now. He speaks truth, he has meaning, and he speaks with passion.
1. "Hello" (2014 Forest Hills Drive)
This is my all-time favorite J. Cole song even though it only made it's debut on his most recent album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive. He talks about the struggle of his past and wanting to move forward with his life but feels stuck, something we all face. It definitely doesn't have a sad sound to it, in fact, it kind of makes you want to dance. This song reminds me that we have to stop looking back on our mistakes and things we can't change because it only destroys us.
2. "Love Yourz" (2014 Forest Hills Drive) "life can't be no fairytale no once upon a time"
I wasn't really into this song but one day I was scrolling through my news feed and saw "J. Cole's 'Love Yourz' Saved The Life Of A Suicidal Man", so naturally I had to check it out. This song reminds every single person that they are worth it, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome. "There's beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success". "Life can't be no fairytale no once upon a time". Not what you're expecting in a song that talks getting through the struggle, huh? J. Cole reminds us that we are all going to experience the lowest of the low, sometimes giving us the feeling that we will not make it through. Thank you, J. Cole, for reminding us to love ourselves and to embrace our imperfections.
3. "Intro" (2014 Forest Hills Drive)
"Do you wanna be happy?" Those are the first five words he starts the song off with. I think this is a question we ask ourselves in hard times. J. Cole reminds us that if you want to be happy, you need to rid yourselves of the things that don't.
4. "Crooked Smile" (Born Sinner)
"Love yourself girl or nobody will." A good friend of mine introduced me to this song when I was going through a difficult time in my life. This was three years ago, and I still love listening to it. J. Cole did an amazing job at making this a feel-good song for everyone. From the instrumentals to the lyrics, there's no way you could dislike this song. J. Cole speaks about everyone having imperfections but the beauty in embracing them. The single sold well over 500,000 copies in the U.S. and ended up peaking at the No. 4 spot for Billboards U.S. Hot Rap Songs charts.
5. "Power Trip" (Born Sinner)
"Power Trip" talks about the struggle of wanting your crush to want you back. Sometimes the cards are in your favor, and sometimes you mess everything up and you lose the chance. , "Power Trip" earned J. Cole and Miguel a nomination at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
6. "Dollar and A Dream III" (Cole World- The Sideline Story)
Younger J. Cole reminds us that the uncertainty of being at the bottom will fade. If you have the heart and mind to persevere and fight for what you want, you will get all that you want in life.
7. "Lost One's" (Cole World- The Sideline Story)
This was voted J. Coles best song yet because of its powerful message. Focused on a young couple debating whether to get an abortion or keep their love child, the rapper takes on the topic from both a male and female’s perspective with vivid details and realistic thoughts from each. And while the track never truly got the shot it deserved, it still stands as a highlight in the rapper's growing list of elite recordings. J. Cole pours his heart and soul into this song, a song with meaning and truth.
8. "Apparently" (2014 Forest Hills Drive)
"This is my canvas, and I'm a paint it how it want." "Apparently" tells us to follow our hearts, not to let anyone influence our decisions on how you want to live your life because, in the end, you have to pay for every choice you make. No matter how bad your past was, you can always turn that around if your heart is into it.
