In [HEAVY] Rotation

Remember how you felt when you first heard Yeezy on College Dropout?

I do. Every track made me shiver. I couldn't wait to quote every line on my facebook myspace page.

It's funny to me that Cole fashion's himself after Jay-Z. Not to say, I disagree, but his talent, his hunger, and his ambition reminds me more of a young Kanye, before the celebrity and the white women.

When I first listened to the leak of Cole World: A Sideline Story (yea, yea, yea, I know, I should have waited), I got the same feeling as I did as 10th grader listening to Kanye for the first time. Dopeness.

The fear I had for Cole was the same as the fear that was fulfilled by Drake. Will his album live up to his mixtapes? Where Drake failed, J. Cole has succeeded.

"This is for all the fans that waited. Bitch niggas that hated. Old hoes we dated. Look mama, we made it." - "Nobody's Perfect"

J Cole is the competition. His story telling is phenomenal and Cole World put it on exhibit.

As a producer he is extremely talented, not the best, but he's coming for the greats. Yea, he's drum kits are kinda similar on a few tracks, but he has regal sound to his beats that I haven't heard from many producers today.

From the intro track, Cole leads you through his "signing day" story in a very Kanye-esq fashion, which contributes to the overall message of the joint. From the sideline to the spotlight.

The only major problems I have with Cole's album (and this is probably my own fault for listening to the leak) are the missing tracks.

When I purchased my hard copy on Cole World, I was shocked to see that my favorite song from the leak "Daddy's Little Girls" was left off the album. I personally wish, Cole would have saved some of his mixtapes for the actual album (i.e. Who Dat, Bring Em In).

You of little faith should not be distracted by the familiarity of some of the songs on the track list for Cole World. Yes, "Lights Please", "In the Morning" and "Lost Ones" have found their way from the mixtapes to the official release. And you die hard Cole fans will be may not be happy to see Jermaine's more commercial track "Work Out" was included as bonus track. Nevertheless, the CD is solid.

J. Cole wasn't too thirsty for features on his solo project, like other artist seem to be on their freshmen joint. His lyricism stands alone. You can distinctly identify a Cole track, unlike Drake who let everybody and their mama lead adlibs on Thank Me Later.

But back to the topic at hand. The award for best feature is goes to Missy Elliot on "Nobody's Perfect". This joint is very reminiscent of my favorite track from Friday Night Light, "Best Friends". Missy came for vengeance on the hook. The shit is disgusting.

I have to say Hov left Jermaine hanging on this album. His feature on "Mr. Nice Watch" isn't quite single worthy. His best contribution to the album was not his verse, but his appearance on the "Rise & Shine" interlude. But Young Simba doesn't seem to be bother by it.

"I made it to the roc, even though they tried to box me out
I got the key to the game, they tried to lock me out
But what they don't understand is this is all plan
It's a bigger picture and you can't photoshop me out
Some nigga ask me why jay never shout me out
Like I'm supposed to give a fuck " - Sideline Story

Overall, Cole World: A Sideline Story is probably the best freshmen project I've heard in a long time. J. Cole is beating out Big Sean, Drake & Wale as far as freshmen LPs are concerned. I'm ready to sit back and watch this pawn become a king. Cole World.

My favorite tracks

Nobody's Perfect
Cole World
Rise & Shine
Can't Get Enough (second single)
Daddy's Little Girl (itunes bonus)