NEWS
EVENTS
‘Love Yourz: Relationships According to J Cole’.
RnB/Hip Hop | Friday 3rd February 2017 |
J Cole’s third studio album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, is for all intents and purposes, his shining moment of soul and the blues. A far cry from pop based songs such as ‘Work Out’ or feature heavy tracks such as ‘Power Trip’ ft. Miguel.
Cole explores, with a certain raw inhibition not seen in the modern, internationally acclaimed rapper, the inner makings of a man. What freedom tastes like, he posits, is not found within the VIP lounges of LIV Miami, or in the arms of the next female companion. Instead, it lies quite simply in the continued safety, security and happiness of one’s home and by extension, one’s relationships.
The title of the album itself, points to this end; 2014 Forest Hills Drive is the actual address for the street where Cole and his older brother Zach grew up with their mother, in Fayetteville, South Carolina. It is the existence of these very structures, which instilled within him a sense of the private, the intimate, and the safe, as they stand as being, by his own admission, ‘the closest thing to home [he’s] ever known’.
Sitting on top of the roof of the building that made him thus, points to the central message in the album; the heart is in the home. The continued maintenance of your relationships with your family members and your friends then, are some of the most important investments you can ever make, second only to your relationship with yourself.
Internalising such a belief, becomes all the more essential in a world increasingly driven by external validation and praise. Indeed, when the opinions of near strangers seem to hold greater creed and weight than that of our peers or even that of ourselves, it is necessary to pause and redirect ourselves into more meaningful pursuits.
2014 Forest Hills Drive can be regarded as that of a cultural landmark, a space in time where the home with all the connotations that holds, is not only cherished, but reinforced as a valuable tool which we can utilise to operate, with fulfilment, in this world.
One could liken Forest Hills Drive and the message it strives to uncover to that of ‘Jesus Walks’ and Kanye West’s notable nod to religion in his 2004 hit. Up until that point, no other rapper for example, had so successfully brought a song with religious subject matter to the mainstream of contemporary hip hop. West in this way made not only a cool track, but one which reached near- legendary status. In this way Forest Hills Drive could be regarded as J Coles ‘Jesus Walks’ moment, more of a coming to self however, then a coming to God.
Of course Cole’s rejection of fame is nothing new; its seduction has been been a well documented phenomena, drawing commentary from John Lennon to Kurt Cobain alike. What makes this particular exploration unique in nature however, is the stunning resonance an album championing the cause for the introspective over the superficial, has had with listeners globally. Indeed, it is virtually unheard of for a hip hop album to go double platinum with no features, and yet Cole’s junior album, selling over 2 million copies, was able to do just that. It success ultimately stands as a testament to the fact that a message, if it is the right message, can reverberate with audiences of all intersectionalities; across colour and creed, culture and class lines. A mass consciousness of sorts can be said to exist which is not only consuming segments of truth, but actively searching for it within the mediums of popular culture; not only do we like that which resonates, we are looking for it as well.
In this way, an album of this kind can be consumed for its illuminating central message alone, if not also for Cole’s far reaching talent as an artist and rapper. Indeed, it serves as a timely reminder to start from the inside out, to secure and consolidate our base so that we may be able to better grapple with the challenges the external and unfamiliar brings.
‘Don’t Give Em Too Much You’ - January 28th
Here Cole is urging listeners to protect their peace, the entire world does not need to be privy to your most vulnerable, intimate thoughts.
‘I Don’t Know Freedom’ - Apparently
In no uncertain terms, Cole is speaking on his feeling of entrapment, being concerned and distracted by material things that, he's found, haven't brought him any real happiness.
’No Such Thing As A Life That’s Better Than Yours’ - Love Yourz
Celebrate your achievements, your downfalls, your place in the world. Much of this track is based on being content with your lot and not comparing other situations with your own. You are EXACTLY where you are meant to be.
‘Long As The People In That Motherfucker Love You Deeply’ - Love Yourz
Here Cole is reminding listeners to revisit their priorities. When it comes down to it, the only thing of any real consequence every time, is that the people you're surrounded with love and cherish you.
