J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story (Track List + Track-by-Track Summary)
J. Cole has kept everything close to the chest with this album and after revealing the artwork last week, he tweeted the final track list for his Roc Nation debut Cole World: The Sideline Story tonight for #AnyGivenSunday.
1. Intro
2. Dollar and a Dream III
3. Can’t Get Enough ft. Trey Songz
4. Lights Please
5. Interlude
6. Sideline Story
7. Mr. Nice Watch ft. Jay-Z
8. Cole World
9. In The Morning ft. Drake
10. Lost Ones
11. Nobody’s Perfect ft. Missy Elliot
12. Never Told (Prod. by No I.D.)
13. Rise and Shine
14. God’s Gift
15. Breakdown
16. Cheer Up
Bonus Tracks:
17. Nothing Lasts Forever
18. Work Out
19. Daddy’s Little Girl
A few things about the album after hearing it a week and a half ago:
Except for three songs, J. Cole produced the whole thing (and co-produced one track). More info below, including a track-by-track rundown of the album plus my thoughts:
“Intro”: It wasn’t ready at that point, but he said it would be a true J. Cole intro with him talking on it.
“Dollar and a Dream III”: Same chorus as the first two, but this one was a dark track with a classic Cole flow/subject matter: turning nothing into something. It had a real gloomy feel to it though, like it was made inside a cemetary.
“Can’t Get Enough”: Cole World‘s next single and the video has already been shot. This could have easily been a random album cut, had they not thrown Trey Songz on it.
“Lights Please”: He told a great, unabridged version of the story behind this song and how it went from him to his manager Mark Pitts’ office to Jay-Z’s ears. He said he could have changed the beat but it would have been too cluttered and he prefered the simplicity of the beat, probably also the symbolism of the track.
“Interlude”: Brilliantly samples the “Apple Jacks” skit from Backstage. Nuff said.
“Sideline Story”: One of (two) title tracks on the album. Piano beat, Nas-ish flow, one of the better Cole choruses on the album. After one line about the come up and another about the Roc, I realized J. Cole was probably the best person Jay-Z could sign with all these lines and references (see: track 13).
“Mr. Nice Watch”: Initially not the track he wanted Jay to get on, but it does reference the line from “A Million and One Questions”. Cole said he thought about using the title after reading it as a headline in a “rich person’s magazine”. First off, it’s a Dubstep track. It surprised me but what shocked me even more was that J. Cole actually pulled off the Dubstep. Even better than Watch The Throne‘s ”Who Gon’ Stop Me” (Kanye’s chorus on that was horrendous to me… this one is pretty good actually). To me it sounded like the true crossover track for him (as a solely rap artist), moreso than “Work Out” or even the last track on the album, because a “top 40″ song can only take a rapper like him so far, this can open him up to a whole new demographic of people and sounds like something kids will listen to on HypeM. Speaking of Kanye, the beat starts sounding like an 808s throwaway towards the end. Ib, Cole’s manager, even told a group of us he had a hunch Jay would wanna get on this song.
“Cole World”: The album’s title track has a hard beat, also 808s if I remember correctly (these two tracks weren’t back-to-back at the listening but might have been switched later on due to their beats). Cole ends off the song by displaying the competitive climate of the rap game and where he stands with other rappers (none by name, obviously). Interesting either way.
“In The Morning”: Listen to it here.
“Lost Ones”: This track is too similar to “Lights Please” for me but you can make up your own mind because it leaked a while ago.
“Nobody’s Perfect” ft. Missy Elliot: J. Cole crafted a cool, almost Timbaland-style beat with a guitar sample and a nice intro which will undoubtedly be a favorite off the album. Missy appears on the hook (and kills it). J. Cole said he wrote the chorus (and a tentative bridge) for her and they sent it back and forth after she became familiar with him through his usage of her song “Best Friend” on his last mixtape. There’s also a reference to an Aaliyah track title on the song’s lyrics which I thought was a nice addition.
“Never Told” (Prod. by No I.D.): Unrelated to these songs, No I.D. might secretly be the best producer in rap these days. Plus J. Cole definitely gets off on other people’s beats (and on features) better than on his own, no doubt about that. (Same way he gave Kendrick one of his best beats ever.) However this beat starts unraveling after the first verse, and almost sounds like it samples “In The Morning” by the end of it.
“Rise & Shine”: Right off the bat, the beat features the signature J. Cole style of drums/production that he’s most notably known for and it’s a true J. Cole track in every way: referencing an old Roc-A-Fella song on the intro, raps about the grind/come-up, takes little shots at his rapping peers… but all-in-all it’s really just a motivational song (explains the title). There’s also a few lines about girls who shat on him, another staple of his music. It’s definitely layered with a few quotables (we were asked not to directly quote anything). First verse had no chorus following it, but afterwards the song features him singing on it. It was also a bit after that point that I realized J. Cole made an “all raps” album. He even dumbed his shit down for a second and borrowed a “Nicki Minaj” flow for a few bars on there. Later on in the song there’s a sample that comes on that’s pretty hard. This and the intro were the best songs I had heard up until that point in the listening session (the sequencing was different at the time).
“God’s Gift”: Originally the song J. Cole wanted Jay-Z to appear on. It had two verses and an empty slot at the end. I thought this was a good track for Jay to get on, even though J. Cole didn’t sound too optimistic at the moment (and rightfully so.) The background drums of this beat also sound like what I was referring to with “Rise & Shine”.
“Break Down”: From what I remember, this was (also) a “multi-layered” J. Cole beat with a nice build-up. Each verse revolves around one subject matter, the first one being about his father leaving him and the second one being either his (or someone else’s) mother’s substance abuse. Although he’s not considered rap’s savior, you can tell years of rap fuckery led to this album and all of these song concepts. This track definitely didn’t have a chorus when I heard it, but the beat carried the track well.
“Cheer Up”: This is my least favorite track on the album because it’s obvious it was made to get radio play. It was produced by Danjahandz, co-produced by Cole.
Bonus track:
“Nothing Lasts Forever”: Features a female vocalist that they came across online. Great chorus.
Note: there was also another skit with his first DJ Green Lantern interview (also featured on The Warm Up) that wasn’t mastered. Cole was explaining to Green how he found out Jay-Z wanted to do the deal and got pulled over/had to spend the night behind bars.
My experience with Cole projects have been like this: with The Warm Up, I heard two songs that I liked and didn’t need to listen to the rest. Later on I received a physical copy, played it all the way through and loved it. With Friday Night Lights, there was too much hype and twitter frenzy surrounding the release, so I barely listened to it when it dropped. When I revisited it three weeks later, I found what was 3-4 (album) quality tracks which he admitted were supposed to make Cole World. With the album, I liked every track on there, but I obviously have to sit with it longer than just one play considering the lyrically-inclined nature of the project.
The balance of strong messages on there mixed with the few pop attempts he makes are reminiscent of Tupac’s body of work, who J. Cole often refers to as his favorite artist, although he did mention during the session that he went back and based himself on other classic albums when thinking of what kind of songs he wanted to have on his first album: Kanye’s The College Dropout, The Blueprint and even Drake’s first album.
With that said, people who liked his mixtapes (The Warm Up & Friday Night Lights) will be pleased with this project. It’s pretty much like his mixtapes except with better production, strong song concepts and all the components that are usually missing on mixtapes (singles, outside production, big features, etc.).
There’s been a lot of pressure on J. Cole in the two and a half years that he’s been signed to Roc Nation, but he said after his first album he’s ready to drop the second one right away. Cole World comes out in just under a month but this is still just the beginning for Cole.
August 29th, 2011 at 7:06 am
step up your album cover game
August 29th, 2011 at 7:10 am
I hate J. Cole so much I can’t breathe
August 29th, 2011 at 7:47 am
Yo, I done TOLD people dubstep would become prevalent in Hip-Hop.. y’all didn’t believe me though.
That shit has mainstream appeal, club appeal, radio appeal, and rap fans are gonna like it too cause the shit knocks.
Dubstep >
August 29th, 2011 at 7:48 am
[...] a track-by-track breakdown via Nah Right here. Posted On The [...]
August 29th, 2011 at 7:59 am
Yo, I done TOLD people dubstep would become prevalent in Hip-Hop.. y’all didn’t believe me though.That shit has mainstream appeal, club appeal, radio appeal, and rap fans are gonna like it too cause the shit knocks.
Dubstep >
^
Fuck all that. What have YOU got to say about North London’s football demise yesterday?
RIP Gunners
RIP Spurs
August 29th, 2011 at 8:03 am
Wow it actually sounds like he put together a solid effort this will be the 4th mainstream release I plan to buy/bought this year besides lasers, watch the throne and the red album.
I’m glad to hear that he stayed true to himself for the most part which is more than I can say for a lot of the newer artist to drop in the last year Cole world!!!
http://WWW.Facebook.com/raforshort
August 29th, 2011 at 8:08 am
C. Dufflebags Says:
August 29th, 2011 at 7:10 am
I hate J. Cole so much I can’t breathe
———————
*steps over C Duffles corpse*
*waves Cole World pennant*
*declares we made it!
9.27.11 b!tches!!!
August 29th, 2011 at 8:09 am
^
Word chelsea is london’s only hope this season but they got to pull it together these coming weeks..
August 29th, 2011 at 8:13 am
A chick we will see come then :jayhah:
August 29th, 2011 at 8:38 am
This is the best article I have readon Nah in a long time, great write up Nate…
http://www.Addicted2Fresh.net | Can’t Stop The Fresh
August 29th, 2011 at 8:43 am
So beyonce’s with
childcalf?August 29th, 2011 at 8:46 am
def a unique sound.
August 29th, 2011 at 8:51 am
my bad that was in poor taste…
congrats! to both them.
August 29th, 2011 at 8:56 am
illest moment on the VMA’s was when Adele licked of shots in the air for Amy winehouse.
Jamaican culture >>>
August 29th, 2011 at 8:58 am
Adele can get it btw.
someone like you >>>
August 29th, 2011 at 9:03 am
Jamaican culture >>>
^
To di world
August 29th, 2011 at 9:05 am
Good morning fellow early risers….
Can anybody direct me to a site where I can watch the latest episode of “Entourage”?…
It would be greatly appreciated….
August 29th, 2011 at 9:05 am
Good review! If Cheer Up was your least favourite song than this is guaranteed to be the best album of the year. Cole World!
August 29th, 2011 at 9:07 am
Co-sign the homie cOLDs last two points… Special shout out to the Bricks
August 29th, 2011 at 9:08 am
Can anybody direct me to a site where I can watch the latest episode of “Entourage”?…
^ 2dopeboyz.com just type entourage in the search…. you’re welcomed.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:09 am
I just saw the Kreyshawn pics and yup! I would happily smash and then she would get me some Gucci Gucci
August 29th, 2011 at 9:12 am
*daps spitgame and the rest of youse*
yo whomever broke that chick Adeles heart, must’ve did her way dirty… The way she sings she leaking pain… Peep the bar.
“Gave you the space so you could breathe, I kept my distance so you would be free, And hope that you find the missing piece, To bring you back to me, Why don’t you remember? Don’t you remember? The reason you loved me before”
^ for anyone who delt with a breakup knows exactly what she talmbout.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:13 am
whats gucci my nigga?
that shit cray (c) Amp
August 29th, 2011 at 9:18 am
Your the man for that link cOLD…
Affion Crockett is a helluva guy though….
.youtube.com/watch?v=FUUo-l0rE_E&feature=player_embedded
“I’m so wealthy, I’m so healthy”…
This guy is dumb….ahhahhahahahhahaha….
August 29th, 2011 at 9:22 am
Americans don’t get Dubstep. I wish they would stop attempting to make Songs of this genre.. Dissapointed that Lights please and In the morning are on the album… Also that Cheer Up leaked a while back. Shits awful. I really thought he might have made a classic, but I will be surprised if this is a solid album at the most.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:23 am
speaking of heartbreak…I feel Ari’s pain, going thru the divorce with the wife.
his gift, the work ethic and sheer determination that afforded him total domination of Hollywood’s talent agency scene…was ultimately his curse.
gain the world and lose his queen…and more importantly, his kids, his little man…
life’s ill (c)
August 29th, 2011 at 9:27 am
Last night me and wifey was on the couch watching the VMA’s and adele came on… i aint never seen her before..
me: THATS Adele?
my girl: yeah thats her why?
me: yeah… she could get it…
my girl: *blank stare*
August 29th, 2011 at 9:27 am
>>>materialistic, westernized, americanized women
most out of pocket, self entitled women in the world. marriage is a business decision, and that combo ain’t good for business
August 29th, 2011 at 9:29 am
gain the world and lose his queen…and more importantly, his kids, his little man…
life’s ill (c)
^ gem.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:29 am
Danny Ocean Says:
August 29th, 2011 at 9:27 am
>>>materialistic, westernized, americanized women
most out of pocket, self entitled women in the world. marriage is a business decision, and that combo ain’t good for business
^
yeah lately i’ve been wondering if marriage is the way to go… i mean im a traditional type of dude and i want to eventually raise a family… but the way women look at it.. might not be such a good idea…
August 29th, 2011 at 9:31 am
thoughts on waynes performance last night?
August 29th, 2011 at 9:33 am
Danny I made the point a little while back, how you never can completely satisfy a women. Shower her with gifts a nice home, beautiful vacations. She’ll live it up but complain you’re working too much.
How you think we afford all this shit.
Or
spend mad time with the family take the kids to the park, grocery shopping, help around the house. Then its ” why we can’t never go nowhere nice, you know marcus just took his wife to Paris.
FOH…
August 29th, 2011 at 9:34 am
>>>materialistic, westernized, americanized women
————-
Misogynic Monday’s eh?
August 29th, 2011 at 9:35 am
yeah lately i’ve been wondering if marriage is the way to go… i mean im a traditional type of dude and i want to eventually raise a family… but the way women look at it.. might not be such a good idea…
^ It takes a certain type of broad to go the distance… it’s hard out here b.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:36 am
that broad you posted mex talmbout relationships, hit the nail on the head
cook a meal, suck and dick, and stfu… That’s how you keep a ninja.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:39 am
HW
We kno u in da Rafters like Sting my nigga
Come down
August 29th, 2011 at 9:40 am
its weird that an exec like Jay-z would let J-Cole Produce his whole debut album but its whatever.
I hope the homie gets his recognition he deserve now and set a standard for these young niggas to follow. As a beatmaker, I could probably learn something too.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:41 am
our society has changed so much…
relationships in the traditional sense just dont make since…
it seems to be an outdated thing now…
imma keep lookin though.. gotta have a ride or die type with me… these flighty women can keep it movin…
August 29th, 2011 at 9:43 am
cOLD Says:
August 29th, 2011 at 9:36 am
that broad you posted mex talmbout relationships, hit the nail on the head
cook a meal, suck and dick, and stfu… That’s how you keep a ninja.
^
LMAO did you see the backlash she got for that shit??!!!! women were PISSED… i think they missed the point…
she aint say get disrespected by a nigga..
she just said do shit he likes… simple.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:44 am
Remixznflow Says:
August 29th, 2011 at 9:41 am
our society has changed so much…
relationships in the traditional sense just dont make since…
it seems to be an outdated thing now…
imma keep lookin though.. gotta have a ride or die type with me… these flighty women can keep it movin…
—————-
hold up…
what happened to the claire huxtable lookin chick from your picture in the screenname?
that was your auntie after all?
August 29th, 2011 at 9:44 am
HW
We kno u in da Rafters like Sting my nigga
Come down
^ word.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:44 am
HW
We kno u in da Rafters like Sting my nigga
^
Lol
August 29th, 2011 at 9:45 am
>>>materialistic, westernized, americanized women
————-
Misogynic Monday’s eh?
^^
no shots, but i wouldn’t expect you to fully grasp this statement. grown man, roundtable talk…women and kids in the other room
August 29th, 2011 at 9:45 am
Great write up Nate. Keep it up, these are always fun to read.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:46 am
smh… nah we still together..
im just sayin…
August 29th, 2011 at 9:46 am
jcole album is gonna be hella slept on…
literally…
August 29th, 2011 at 9:46 am
Keep it up
^ whoa!
August 29th, 2011 at 9:47 am
smh… nah we still together..
^ FOCK.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:47 am
i thought waynes performance to close out the show was fucking HORRIBLE…
everyone else was pretty damn good though… until chris brown flew threw the air like jesus…
that was the height of stupidity… who thought that up?
August 29th, 2011 at 9:47 am
jcole album is gonna be hella slept on…
literally…
^ xanax rap.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:48 am
LOL..
amp done caught a body…
August 29th, 2011 at 9:49 am
until chris brown flew threw the air like jesus…
that was the height of stupidity…
^ I thought that was pretty ill… and how could you not like the song beautiful people.
thats that Euro NYC tight pants swag.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:50 am
cOLD Says:
August 29th, 2011 at 9:49 am
until chris brown flew threw the air like jesus…
that was the height of stupidity…
^ I thought that was pretty ill… and how could you not like the song beautiful people.
thats that Euro NYC tight pants swag.
^oh no… the song is DOPE… but when he spread his arms.. and then just flew up in the air… smh…
August 29th, 2011 at 9:50 am
Cowboys > Vikings
August 29th, 2011 at 9:50 am
LOL..
amp done caught a body…
^ it appears so, but Ghost have been known to haunt the comment section.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:51 am
cOLD Says:
August 29th, 2011 at 9:49 am
until chris brown flew threw the air like jesus…
that was the height of stupidity…
^ I thought that was pretty ill… and how could you not like the song beautiful people.
thats that Euro NYC tight pants swag.
——————————————–
Cosign all of this, even though I think you’re joking about the last part.
Chris Brown>>>
FAME had some joints.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:51 am
JCole is an awkward goofy looking duckling ..
son look lilke Bentley from The Jeffersons…
August 29th, 2011 at 9:52 am
cOLD Says:
August 29th, 2011 at 9:46 am
Keep it up
^ whoa!
————————————–
If it wouldn’t trouble you too much, Id like to engage in physical combat with you, sir.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:52 am
speaking of heartbreak…I feel Ari’s pain, going thru the divorce with the wife.
his gift, the work ethic and sheer determination that afforded him total domination of Hollywood’s talent agency scene…was ultimately his curse.
gain the world and lose his queen…and more importantly, his kids, his little man…
life’s ill (c)
^
keep going though(c)cOLD
August 29th, 2011 at 9:53 am
Jackson7 Says:
August 29th, 2011 at 9:51 am
JCole is an awkward goofy looking duckling ..
son look lilke Bentley from The Jeffersons…
^
rihanna seemed to like his awkward swag though… word to the (alleged) sextape.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:53 am
when remix listens to that song he gives in man purse to his girl and struts to the center of the dance floor.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:54 am
cOLD Says:
August 29th, 2011 at 9:53 am
when remix listens to that song he gives in man purse to his girl and struts to the center of the dance floor.
^
media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lppuhlVeIG1qe4pyf.gif
August 29th, 2011 at 9:54 am
i didnt watch this award show… but from the commentary i can gather that chris brown is up to his old olympic floor excercises on stage again…
that nigga BEEN won gold medals while singing and dancing..
doing all sports of backflips and somersaults and swan dives and half-gainers… that nigga be hydroplaning across the floor… not exactly the smoothest dancing nigga, but he tries hella hard…
August 29th, 2011 at 9:54 am
whenever i get sniped like that…
i dont know what to do…
*lays down in a puddle of blood*
August 29th, 2011 at 9:56 am
If it wouldn’t trouble you too much, Id like to engage in physical combat with you, sir.
^ roff…
August 29th, 2011 at 9:56 am
until i se this alleged sextape, i dont respect the gossip about Rihanna letting Brobee hit…
i just refuse to believe it… either they lying or she musta been hella doped up and/or performing some sort of Masonic blood ritual on this nigga like she did to Chris Brown and Matt Kemp (who is killing NL pitching this year)
August 29th, 2011 at 9:57 am
lol that gif.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:57 am
Matt Kemp (who is killing NL pitching this year)
^
nigga gets at least one top 10 play a week…
August 29th, 2011 at 9:59 am
Remixznflow Says:
August 29th, 2011 at 9:50 am
Cowboys > Vikings
—————-
nigga its preseason..
but they both looked damn good…
Dez Bryant is a bad dude…
Donovan and Peterson and them look ready…
CANT WAIT!! (c) bart scott
Vikings >>>>>>>>> Cowboys, tho
as usual
August 29th, 2011 at 10:00 am
If Wayne did Its Good in his performance, complete with the line about “kidnap ya bitch get that ‘how much you love yo baby’ money” it’d be a fail of epic proportions.
I mean, right after Bey showed everyone the baby-bump.
August 29th, 2011 at 10:00 am
tinyurl.com/3mflybq
^
SHIT!!!!
SHIIIIITTTTTT!!!!!!
August 29th, 2011 at 10:01 am
new post
August 29th, 2011 at 10:11 am
*daps Nation*
Great write-up man.
August 29th, 2011 at 10:15 am
that Lady Gaga dressed as a dude shit was fucking terrrible
August 29th, 2011 at 10:42 am
C. Dufflebags Says:
August 29th, 2011 at 7:10 am
I hate J. Cole so much I can’t breathe
^
Roff
August 29th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
When did y’all hatin ass mofos start disliking cole?
Smh
Ah I forgot that y’all hate each and every artist.
August 29th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
hope j. cole’s album is dope..i don’t think it will let ppl down..unless you expecting to sell like crazy
August 30th, 2011 at 12:24 am
@Nation, the reason lost ones sounds to similar to light’s please, is because lost ones IS the continuation to light’s please. The girl he is talking about in lights please is the pregnant chick in lost ones…both songs apart of the trilogy music video with young simba, J cole just ain’t put out the video yet
August 31st, 2011 at 3:06 pm
its weird that an exec like Jay-z would let J-Cole Produce his whole debut album but its whatever.
^ yeah, i remember how badly that went for that kanye guy. :-/
only thing i would say is, cole could have used some more beat placements before his record dropped to get up his props as a producer.
September 14th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Jay gotta have some sort of deal with hublot right