A lot of fantastic music came out of Hip-Hop this year. We had "If You're Reading This It's Too Late,"Drake's mixtape/album banger. We were blessed with Bryson Tiller's "Trapsoul. At Long Last A$AP" was gifted to us by A$AP Rocky. But I want to talk about last year and about a certain album created by a master craftsman.
Some of you know him as Jermaine Cole, but to most he is known as J Cole and last year he released "2014 Forest Hills Drive." So if this album was released last year why are we talking about it now? Well, I'm getting there.
J Cole has perfected his style of personal rap over his last few albums, culminating into perfection on his latest. songs like "Love Yourz" and "Hello" showcase Cole's sensitive and relatable side with their lyrics that express self worth and longing for a lost love. While songs like "A Tale of 2 Citiez" are bangers which can be appreciated when played loud and with the bass turned up.
"2014 Forest Hills Drive" has no feature artists and still sold over 1 million copies in just America. If that isn't a testament to Cole's talent then I don't know what is.
Cole has been a little quiet in 2015. He has released a couple of freestyles here and there but nothing major. Recently he did a freestyle over Hip-Hop superstar Kendrick Lamar's beat "Alright" while the ladder performed over Cole's "A Tale of 2 Citiez". After Cole's verse, he hinted at a February release of some project.
Being silent for the whole year and then hinting at an unexpected project with Kendrick Lamar is pure genius. Cole is definitely an artist everyone should keep an ear out for.