Elite Insiders Diduric Jean Claude

Typically I hate the standard approach of Album reviews. I don’t think its fair for one person to control the minds of its readers and listeners with their opinion. Just because one person likes or dislikes a certain record and writes about it, that’s suppose to set the tone on whether you will like or dislike the record as well. Then you go into the entire process with a preconceived thought of the project. It’s unfair for the listener and the artist. For my first Album Review ever, I wanted to switch things up. Rather than expressing what I thought about the album, I tried to tap into what I thought the album was about, the message Jermaine was trying to get across. Track by Track.

Intro

On August 15^th, Cole released a song called “Be Free.” It was a cry for true freedom or fairness for African American’s following the murder of 17 Year Old Michael Brown. Cole in morose tone over subtle keys and no percussion cries, “all we want to do is break the chains off, all we want to do is be free.” Whether or not any work had already begun for 2014 Forest Hills Drive, at the moment that song released, for listeners, that was the beginning of the Album. In this intro track, Cole remains in the same melancholy state over a similar subtle arrangement of keys and again, no percussion. This time his cries come with curiosity asking, “Do you want to be happy,” the main focus of the album.

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January 28^th

Happy Birthday Jermaine Cole! This was Cole’s letter to himself. But nonetheless, so much could be taken from this record and applied personally. While in reminiscent thought of some late friends, Cole begins to appreciate his success, his blessings and acknowledging that he’s “The greatest.” “Flow Bananas, here peel this back” he says two bars in. He still has to remind himself to set high goals, keep a purpose, keep a piece of himself to himself and stay true to who really is.

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Wet Dreams

“Let me Take Y’all Back Man.” This entire album brings back reflective thoughts of J. Cole’s second mixtape, The Warm Up. “Wet Dreams” definitely brings that feeling back. Cole tells a story about being a virgin and wanting to engage in sexual relations with a young lady in his math class. The thought of having sex with this young lady consumed Coles thoughts day in and day out. He walks us through his thoughts just as he did on “Dreams” featuring Brandon Hinds. Cole lies about not being a virgin and being a “pro” when it came to sexual activity to the young lady, thinking she’s done this before; and just before they do the do, She says, “I ain’t ever did this before, no.” Honesty is Key.

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03’ Adolescence

When the dark synths and bells opened up “03’ Adolescence,” the first thought was, Is Cole making a trap song? It all made sense once he got deeper into the verse. This is one of the deeper stories on the Album teaching the importance of self-comfort and appreciation of what you have. Cole’s focus was the flashy things he never had to impress the people he never knew. After seeing his friend selling drugs and making money, he figured that was avenue for him walk to get the things he wanted. With no hesitation at all, Cole’s friend lets him know that he has everything he needs and selling drugs isn’t a life that he wants to live. The record ends with a question Cole should have asked himself long ago, “Who am I.”

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A Tale of 2 Citez

Whether in Fayetteville, NC or Queens, NY the fight for survival is present. The quest for money and riches is definitely the motivator. Cole tells two tales in which the first his peers are the prey and in the second himself and his peers are the predators. That is the reality of the communities in which Cole grew up. Either way he can’t escape it. Eat or be eaten.

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FIRE SQUAD

1. Cole attempts to teach unity within the black community especially in rap music in “Fire Squad”. The concern these days is about who is number one and who is the king of this rap culture amongst the black community of musicians. It has caused a “Crabs in a barrel” effect. Read Below…

Listen
History repeats itself and that’s just how it goes/
Same way that these rappers always bite each others flows/
Same thing that my [brother] Elvis did with Rock n Roll/
Justin Timberlake, Eminem, and then Macklemore/
While silly [Brothers] argue over who gone snatch the crown/
Look around my [brother] white people have snatched the sound/
This year I’ll prolly go to the awards dappered down/
Watch Iggy win a Grammy as I try to crack a smile/
I’m just playin’/

but all good jokes contain true [censored]/

*This tea has some flavor to it…*

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St. Tropez

St. Tropez is about dealing with the stress & despair of success and fame. The first verse Cole tackles his self-doubt; hence the bars, “she asked me, if I’m scared to fly/ to tell the truth I’m terrified.” The second verse Cole is realizing he isn’t content and it might all just be an illusion. “I wanted more but the was before.” St. Tropez isn’t what it seems to be.

What is “It” Anyway?

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G.O.M.D.

Decipher the Title.

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No Role Modelz

“First things first rest in peace uncle Phil/ For real, you’re the only father that I ever knew.” Following this statement, Cole dominoes into the lack of character in this generation. “No Role Models to speak of, searching through my memory I couldn’t find one.” Cole even points the finger at himself saying he was a better person before he was a “B List Celebrity.” There are no longer any modern love relationships to look up to. The only women that seem admirable were the ones he dreamed about when he was a little boy. Look around and be someone that the youth can admire is the message here.

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Hello

This is just a letter to an old girlfriend. “[Things] seem so sad when you look back.”

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Apparently

This begins the end of the album, where J. Cole begins to summarize his point. In Apparently, Cole realizes the mistakes he’s made throughout the course of his life. He reflects on the decisions he’s made the ruined some of his most valuable relationships. This is Cole’s song of guilt and promise to his love ones to do better.

The extension of apparently is in “Love Yourz,” the track that follows.

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Love Yourz

Cole extends his time of reflection with a message focused solely to his fans and listeners. It’s for those who grew up in a tough environment just as he did and aspire of money and riches just as he did. “Think being broke was better” Jermaine says. He spreads the words of happiness and love amongst yourself and the ones who love you. “What’s money without happiness or hard times without the people you love.”

NO SUCH THING AS A LIFE THAT’S BETTER THAN YOURS

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Note To Self

Remember when Kanye West talked for almost 10 minutes on “Last Call” off the College Dropout Album? Remember when J. Cole did the same thing on the same beat on The Warm Up. Note To Self is something like that. The credits of a movie or the page where you cite all of your sources; and that’s the album. 2014 Forest Hills Drive!