Similar to critique aimed at his contemporary competitor Drake, J. Cole has been subject to accusations of coasting and falling short of high quality in an age of lowered standards and expectations. The butt of running jokes surrounding a supposed inability to captivate, he finds himself at odds attempting to please not only a crowd clamoring for the passion found on his former mixtapes but an industry model only considerate of polished hit makers. As this persistent inner conflict pulls him in multiple directions at once, Born Sinner has J. Cole entertaining under the pressure of an identity complex which clashes with his best intentions.
Working to prevent the fabled sophomore curse from coming to pass, Born Sinner is a decidedly edgier follow up to J. Cole’s 2011 debut Cole World: The Sideline Story. The project succeeds in tying its theme of spiritual crisis amidst stardom to an analogy for the struggle to satisfy purists, but the overall results for this concept are fairly lackluster. Glaring missteps arise from “Forbidden Fruit” and “Land Of The Snakes,” which rehash the melodies of A Tribe Called Quest’s “Electric Relaxation” and OutKast’s “Da Art of Storytellin’ (Part 1)” respectively, as Cole banks on nostalgia to carry his load. Also likely to make a bad impression, he sounds fairly static at times, the otherwise ambitious “Rich Niggaz” standing out in this regard.
J. Cole is determined to earn the continued approval of his hometown Fayetteville, NC and the Rap legends to come before him. On the opening track “Villuminati” he repeats the phrase, “Sometimes I brag like Hov” before launching into verbal onslaught, perhaps setting out to convince listeners that he should one day be held in comparison to his iconic boss. Arguably the most honest moment of introspection on Born Sinner arrives with “Let Nas Down,” a brave yet awkward tale of how the QB veteran shunned Cole’s prior measures taken in the pursuit of success. He looks back with regret, pleading, “I couldn’t help but that think that maybe I had made a mistake / I mean you made ‘You Owe Me’ dog, I thought that you could relate,” reflecting his greatest strength and weakness in a vulnerability that risks backfiring.
With this release striving to walk followers through the depths of J. Cole’s soul, completely buying in to the experiment requires one to suspend disbelief as it rings inauthentic at points. “Trouble” deals with the pitfalls of groupies and spotlight and “She Knows” covers the temptations of infidelity, both overcompensating for his usually boyish charm with excessive usage of the terms “bitch” and “hoe.”
“Runaway” borrows a familiar, Cole sonic formula (one used on this very album, even). He switches pace here addressing what are presumably his own struggles with fame, infidelity and America’s complicated relationship with slavery (“Wise words from an indecent man / Made me reflect on the times when we was three fifths of them / In chains and powerless / Brave souls reduced to cowardice…”). The taboo subject of America’s history of institutionalized racism and how that history informs Hip Hop’s current socio-economic state is further fleshed out on the soulful “Chaining Day.”
Thoughtfully conveying the insecurities that accompany the public perception of flossing, he explains, “The same shit a broke black nigga gets gassed at / The same shit a rich white motherfucker laughs at…” The song’s apologetic hook chants, “I need you to love me,” possibly begging forgiveness for superficial living and his generally cold demeanor throughout Born Sinner.
Receiving a pass for effort and strong conviction rather than actual execution, Born Sinner does little to rectify concerns that J. Cole has trouble exciting segments of his audience. Despite the layered production and varied rhyme cadences employed at times, it’s not a particularly dynamic listen. Cole’s repertoire now includes commentary about how race, power and wealth are all connected—particularly for those in his chosen field. It’s an improvement from earlier efforts (see his reference to the Three-Fifths Compromise of 1787 on “Runaway”), which adds up to an improved, but not quite superior album.
The lead singles “Power Trip” and “Crooked Smile” are misfits to the prevalent darker tone with little purpose past commercial appeal, and the repeated dramatic choir effect (examples include the more memorable “Two Words” by Kanye West and Lil Wayne’s “Mr. Carter” amongst others) has become stale within Hip Hop by now. Though commendable as it is largely self-produced without a solitary emcee cameo, Cole’s semi-autobiographical one man show settles for being average where a more vibrant character would bring life to his music.
Come on dx it was better than yeezus
Great album 5 stars!!!!
man can rap
You dead wrong for this, should have been a 5 if your going to give that recycle bin classic named yeezus a 4.5
Solid album, could of been something special had he switched out a few tracks
“Coles semi-autobiographical one man show settles for being average where a more vibrant character would bring life to his music.”
…It’s way darker this time. Not every album has to be vibrantly delivered. Cole’s lyrics, content and flow are top quality on this album, which compliment the more subtle beats. Cole is back.
He has all of those things, he loses that final X because he lacks charisma.
awesome album bout 2 head 2 bestbuy and cop it..fuck yeeezus and his hor wife ray-j hit first and chris cant make a hoe a housewife foooo
After that Yeezus fuckery yesterday, who gives a shit what DX thinks about anything…
Improved from the awfully mediocre Sideline Story, but still average at best.
semi classic imo, lucky there is no utterly wack track like Work Out on it
Cole delivered. I’m satisfied. Will be copping today.
Best album that came out today. Not a classic but it’s almost there
3.5 STARS
First let me say that this album is NICE, much improved from his last and far more artistic than Sheezus. But, its funny how Sinner and Sheezus are automatically compared as the top albums out, when neither is even close to the best album released in 2013 so far. 2013 has impressed as far as releases go and it has little or nothing to do with either of these albums
Well said bro. Neither are the best release of this year. People are just too lazy to find good music. It’s out there. You just gotta look a little harder than in the past.
What are you rating these albums on?!?! Cole slaughter Kanye on content and though his production could have been better over all Cole Hulk Hogan-ed this dude album for album.
Ye bodies Cole (and any artist, regardless of genre) on evoking emotion with Yeezus. Unless you’re some wannabe thug hardass that has no feelings, of course. If Black Skinhead doesn’t make you want to walk into Costco and hit some flatskins with a baseball bat, you aren’t hip-hop.
New slaves and Black Skinhead was very thought provoking and with the lead out of those two songs I expected him to come with the depth of that thrust the whole album. The other 8 out of the 10 were not even on that level. Cole body Ye pound for pound content wise. All of Cole’s interludes alone body’s Ye’s whole album.
yeezy is the ultimate artist ? lol the arrogance starts going to his fans
This is a bullshit review, The worst song on Born Sinner is better than the best song on Yeezus, This an injustice to Cole who deserves a better rating than Kanye, Hiphopdx disappointed hip hop with these two reviews… Born sinner>Yeezus
3.5
Its ok we understand its all business you guys dont actually have an opinion your puppets writing what ever the record label tells you to write. yall know damn Well yeezus is pond scum and a mockery to rap music but you shovel us that crap of a review and want us to believe that its better than born Sinner smh
Its a joke that people are comparing Cole and Kanye’s albums. Kanye has never been a lyricist and always has focused more on innovative production while Cole’s lyrics always outshine the song itself. Both are good albums if you appreciate them for what they are.
good
Album of the day [
Never took hiphopdx reviews serious anyway but after giving that yeezus bullshit 4 and a half anything you say from now on is completely irrelevant. Cole dope as fuck
Dope album front to back and the 2nd disc is dope too
4/5?! And Yeezus 4.5/5?! This one was waaaay better than Yeezus.
5/5 for J. Cole. This is real good.
Nothing special, kinda boring actually.. These are 2 totally different albums but if u want something entertaining and interesting with very high replay value get that Yeezus album, it’s an absolute masterpiece that really pushes the envelope of hip-hop…
Co-Sign
Best album ive bought this year.
hiphopdx losing credibility with every review… editors must have been born after ’98.. NEXT SITE
Agree 100% who the fuck writes these reviews??
album is 6/5
I thought this would be a 4.5/5 review. This is better than KRIT’s Live From the Underground album and that got a 4.5………….
what double standards… Cole is examined under a microscope and held up to unbelievably high standards, while Kanye gets a major pass for performing well below his standard, closer to the lackluster performance exhibited on 808s and Heartbreak. Resorting to autotune on several songs and throwing in some screams here and there on minimalistic production is what qualifies as daring today ? Not to mention it was produced through an army of producers including Daft Punk, RZA, Rick Rubin, Hudson Mohawke and much more. Considering all that, Yeezus is a major letdown.
Still it gets 4.5/5.
And Born Sinner gets 4/5… and gets shat on by the reviewer. But you know damn well its a great album, otherwise you would have gave it lower considering all the shit you just said.
4/5 yet you just trash the album? Dumb. Album of the day/year so far.
WALE ‘THE GIFTED’ Leaked out today, i got my copy from www. hiphopgood .com yall should check it out, Wale did his thang on it, maybe the best cd this year so far. Check it out at
www. hiphopgood .com they got all the music
3/5 NOT AS GOOD AS SIDELINE STORY OR FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS JMO
“NOT AS GOOD AS SIDELINE STORY ”
LMAO, you are joking right?
Come on hiphopdx!!! you guys know better than this!!! Yall disappointing us all and I agree yall are losing credibility with these reviews!!! Anyway Born sinner is an awesome album and enjoyable to listen to, not perfect but solid 4 is a great score but Born sinner was waaay better then yeezus, yeezus hardly deserved a 3!!
boring Album 0/5 and i am big j.cole fan
You obviously arent a big fan. Im not hating but this shit is reflecting back to his old style. If this CD and Friday Night Lights switched release dates, Friday Night Lights would be critisized hard and this CD would be a classic. You expect too much of these guys. It is a good CD. I wait till I listen through a CD twice before reviewing it. Rich Niggas and Trouble are my favorite. It isnt perfect but I do give a 3.75/5
One Word ~ Beautiful ~
Every single track on this, including the 5 bonus tracks on the deluxe version are fire. I like every one of them, never touched the skip button. Better than I thought it would be. Not really comparable to Kanye’s album but I like it much better, and I have been a huge Kanye fan since College Dropout, the Yeezus album is ok, it is growing on me, but you can’t tell me it’s better than any of his earlier albums, it’s just not. Just makes me want to throw on Late Registration or something.
I’m starting to feel like fans and reviewers pre judge and have pre conceived biases before they even throw the ablbum on. They explect Kanye’s album to be groudbreaking so they call it groundbreaking, they expect Cole’s to be underwhelming so they call it underwhelming. This album is honestly one of the best to come out in the mainstream in the last few years. Definitely buying and Yeezus will be the only Kanye album other than 808s that I won’t bother to buy.
at least you are giving yeezus a shot or two, most of these niggas are just dismising it because it aint classic kanye or the shit dont have any fucking two chains in it…the album is decent, its like 808’s…needs to set it. its a good album tho yeezus and this new cole is pretty damn solid as well…15 days til magna carta niggas.
Well Written. Yeezus took me several listens to get into it and while I like it, I can’t help but feel its his worst album. Replay value is going to be low. Cole just put out a solid hip hop album that I’ll actually go back to. Everyone can call Yeezus a classic but we’ll see how many people are actually still listening to it 2 months from now.
BETTER THAN YEEZUS. TEN TIMES BETTER.
YEEZUS is Good, but nowhere this.
Says you…who is an irrelevant poster DX
One Word Beautiful
J.cole is for Drake fans. He has bars, but he’s soft as hell. He needs a hug
if everyone was hardcore then hip hop would be boring. Ying and Yang. the soft dudes create balance. sometimes i am in the mood for soft hip hop and other times i wanna hear some hard sh*t
Look at that satanic album cover…
Well her said he was going to join the illuminati….what do expect a Christian album cover
Your right..sorry my bad :/
LOOK AT THE USER RATINGS!!!!!!!!!! the editor ratings are dreadful tut tut tut smh, easy 4/5
Born Sinner is a Good quality album. It has great lyrical content and a feel good story too it. BUT! Hes not pushing anything, everything from the production to the lyrics are repeated.
There are more than five other rappers that have coveted the same sound and lyrical content as J Cole. He is playing alot of his ideas safe, and nothing on the album really gets me out of my chair.
On the good though, J Cole is a great rapper, and im a fan of his. I think everybody is going to like this album, but again he isnt going to win anything. No Awards that means. 3.5/5
The Yeezy album, you gotta get the sound, and it takes a while. its like going from one extreme to another. your mindset have to change in order to “get” the album. In about 2 months most peoples opinion will change. 4/5
Same old BACKPACK rap. SCHOOLBUS rap.
Yeezus is better than Born Sinner.
Review is on point : a better album than the previous one but still nothing amazing.
GOAT
LOOOOOOOOOL
Dope.
Dope
dope doe
This album is fire
5/5 for sure
I know this album is better than what he says but even in his review, he gave 4 stars when his review points more to a 3/5.
From what I’ve heard I’f give it a 4/5. That’s 4 higher than Yeezus.
album is dope villuminati is a dope song i think cole is gonna do to kanye what kanye did to 50
What planet do you live on lol….
J.Cole may of let nas down, but this review let J.Cole down. Worst review ever, it just so.. ahhhhhrrrrrrrrgggghhhhh, WTF, YEEZUS SOMEHOW GETS A BETTER RATING!!!!!!!
Fire album from Cole more replay value than CW:TSS.
Gonna go buy the album and support Cole for coming right
this is 5/5, not 4< and just to let you guys know that Mac Miller got XL? what is wrong with hip-hop nowadays?!
hiphopdx needs to get off Kanyes nuts, how on earth do you give that a 4.5 and this a 4.0..
at least the people spoke, compare our votes, the people who count, the people listening and voting by masses
Born Sinner > Yeezus
even though yeezus will sell more, its based off of name
So the people commenting on a mediocre website count more then people all over the world? Ok that logic is spot on I guess. GTFOH with that bias sh%t
He was a little too harsh, but otherwise spot on in his analysis, and he gave the album the correct score.
very solid album, however the truly yours mixtapes were better imo
Agreed
Great album
Cool album. Nothing really mind blowing.
“This is for the nigga that said that hip-hop was dead
I went to Hell to resurrect it, how could you fail to respect it?” – J.Cole, obviously HipHopDX cant respect it ffs, smh in shame
yeah and still hiphop is dead.
Hiphop is alive if a rappers drop a new illmatic, ready to die, enter the wu tang 36 chambers etc.
In this age of hiphop everything is considered a classic or dope. Bullshit mc’s nowadays getting record deals.
But i will give this album 3 stars!
brilliant album!
Boogie Down Productions feel as if this review is BULLSH*T!!!!!! #Coleworld
I gotta say I am happy with the “fan” reviews on here because it is a good album. Its typical Cole style. If your a fan of his youll like this CD. Hes one of my favorite, and as an anticipating fan, I dig the album. I like his approach and I like that its not blotted out with features. Production is sick as fuck on this though. Beats and Vocals are so on point. Gonna blow some computer speakers out when I get home negros.
this album is mad fire
SMH, this review sucks. He gave it a 4/5 so I expected him to have more good things to say…he totally was just giving j. cole shit the whole time. “Receiving a pass for effort”? WHAT? like he’s just giving j. cole a pat on the back like a little kid who “tried hard”? HEEEELLL NO! This album is great, a HUGE step up from sideline story, and it definitely solidifies Cole’s spot as one of the most skilled MC’s doing it right now, up there with Kendrick.
NO LIE THIS ALBUM IS 5/5!!!!!!!!!!!!
One hell of an album, was very impressed
Really DX? A 4/5 and nothing but negative comments?
Loved the beats but his content was overplayed in my mind.
WALE ‘THE GIFTED’ Leaked out today, i got my copy from www. hiphopgood .com yall should check it out, Wale did his thang on it, maybe the best cd this year so far. Check it out at
www. hiphopgood .com they got all the music
Thought it might be 4 star album when I firrst heard it …. two weeks later I haven’t wanted to play it again …. once,
Very mediocore album
Its a really really good album. I knew J.Cole had it in him. 5 stars
Here’s Highbrow Hip Hop’s review of J. Cole’ Born Sinner: http://highbrowhiphop.com/j-coles-born-sinner-review/
Born sinner day 5/5
loved this album
Wale The Gifted > J Cole Born sinner, IMO
Yall be the judge, i got mine at that www. hiphopgood. com site, dude wasnt lying, they have everything
How is the choir effect played out now but when Macklemore does it there’s no problem?? You guys on this site are fucking up. You cater to an all white back pack and hipster crowd and its fucking stupid
yeezus is NOT a masterpiece but a (very) good album.
born sinner… just the same shit we have been hearing…
cole remains a good mc, but he adds nothing new sadly…
I’m not a huge J cole fan but I gave the album a listen. I thought it was good but the reason why I think I don’t like him is because of his lack of charisma.Even though the album has some good content half of it is boring and some of his production is a hit or miss. His production to me is not unique, sounds like timberland b grade beats. I honestly thought Mac Miller Album was more interesting than Coles in terms of energy and beats imo and I’m not even a Mac fan. I haven’t listen to Kanye new album but I’m still sure Tyler and Ghostface albums are still the best two albums of the year.
I’ll give COle album a 3.5/5
lack of charisma. I was just gonna speak on that.
go get that ALbert EINSTEIN BY PRODIGY (MOBBDEEP) AND ALCHEMIST
I like it
Album is nice….Flow, beats and production are solid……He could’ve kept those extra songs on the deluxe album though.
Nap King Cole returns…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
motafucka
love it
Very Solid Album.
Could’ve called it nyQuil tbh.
an awesome dark album. all by Cole. he truly shows that he is a beast here.
J Cole dropped a great album from beginning to end got the album this morning great job J Cole you make North Carolina proud keep the heat coming stay producing your own music it makes you original instead of following the trends
Great album – dope beats/samples, lyrics are fire. No overuse of of features. It’s better than Yeezus
I was waiting for someone to say something stupid like that!! Yeezus is over your head bro thats why you think a mediocore album this one, that sounds exactly like his old one is better than Yeezus….Kanye West is a better creativly,lyrically,and has waaaay more to offer hip hop than J.cole, Kanye is innovative what has J.cole done for hip hop that no one else has?????? no sure?? exactly nothing..
From reading the review it sounds like Cole got off easy. The writer really didn’t say anything good about the album, but it still gets a 4. After listening to the album I’d give it a 3.5. A 4 if i’m feeling really generous.
Cole can rap good, but he still lacks qualities to be on that next level. There really is nothing that stands out about him. His personality is bland, his voice is not unique, no unique rhyme style, still plagued by poor hook writing and the guy is SEVERELY lacking in charisma!! His production has improved a bit but his beats still are not dynamic enough. Content on the album…way too many songs geared towards having or dealing with a bad bitch. Villuminati, Chaining Day, Let Down Nas and the Born Sinner track are the highlights for me. He showed some good range on those joints. But overall I’m no hurry to play this album again.
After listening to Born Sinner and Yeezus there is no way either of those will finish as album of the year.
You nailed it on the head man,I totally agree!
Yeezus is good just cause it doesn’t sound like everything else in hip hop doesn’t mean its not good alot of older hip hop fans and listeners above the age of 22 have had nothing but good things to say about Yeezus because it doesn’ sound like little wayne or any of the other crap thats out there means it won’t finish as a top album I bet you eat your words when the sales come in.
Everything you said is irrelevant. If J Cole was that egoistic, loud mofos like a lot of MC’s out there, it would devalue his work. See J Cole isn’t like the lame fucks you listen to, he’s truly an artist of very high caliber. He isn’t here to stunt on everybody, he’s trying to tell stories and spit some real shit. Something like that goes right past your ears because your just another brainwashed mainstream hip hop fan.
Your calling me Brain washed?? Define Mainstream then??? do you even know what that means?? J.cole is Mainstream dummy!! maybe do your research and figure out what mainstream means in hip hop, J.cole is not under ground he’s trying to sell records he’s a deep rapper but not underground, so that being said whos the Brainwashed fan now,,, one other thing J.cole would be more mainstream on this situation too Kanye didn’t give radio’s any singles this time or release full videos on youtube/vevo J.cole did tho’ so again nice try!!!
deejay, you’re right. I listened to the likes of the Roots, Nas, WU, Common, Lupe, Blu, Pharoah Monche, Redman, Phonte…etc. Yeah, I must be brainwashed. Just because someone is not feeling Cole’s music, it doesn’t mean they listen to the likes of Wayne, Ross, 2Chainz and those kinds of clowns.
The writer constantly describes the album as average and unable to garner excitement, but gives it a 4/5? Cole is just another face in the crowd I would give it a 3/5.
I think people will catch on and realize that Cole is not what he’s hyped up to be. A mediocre debut album and just a solid sophomore album. He has a long way to go if he wants to sit next to the greats. At 28 he should be in his prime right now.
Cole delivered here, no doubt about it.
Great job from Cole, much improved from sideline story.
Very good album. Favorite tracks: “Rich Niggaz” & “Let Nas Down”. The majority of the album isn’t wowing, but then again, nearly every track is atleast decent with only 1 or 2 bad ones. I’d give it a 7-7.5/10.
something is wrong with your ears. this album is both sonically and lyrically in sound. This and hovs album are going to be album of the year
^^HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
One for the books
It seems like HIPHOPDX chose the biggest J. Cole Hater on the planet to write this review. I agree that there were a FEW missteps on the album, but this cat lead,and ended, with straight insults on this dudes production and lyrics. I agree that Cole didn’t take as many chances as Yeezy, but his execution was damn-near perfect, especially when compared to Yeezus. I understand rewarding an artist for taking chances, but the execution has to in line. This album deserves a 4.5, it’s simples as that.
LOL, how is getting a 4 hating? If you’re not sucking Cole’s dick, you’re considered a hater around here. Hating would be if the writer gave the album 2.5/5.
It’s not the score, its the review itself that’s bad. I do believe there is some bullshit, Kanye dickriding going on with this site. Straight.. Yeezus is not betteer than Born Sinner Period…
i dont understand why the sideline story was such a disapointment to so many people and why cole was also saying that it wasnt as good as it should have been. i think that the sideline story was a great album and cole tried too hard to please the people who didnt like the sideline story on born sinner. in my opinion the sideline story is much better than born sinner. born sinner lacks meaningful songs like lost ones, daddys little girl, unabomber, or hold it down. none of these songs bring out too many emotions. i think that cole played this album way to safe but it is still a very solid album. 7.6/10
SHIT IS FIRE! NOTHING LESS THAN A 5!
better than yeezus
Not even close but nice try tho
Born Sinner is better than Yeezus
FIRE
Someone tell Kanye this is how you make an album.
Kanye West knows how to make albums when J.cole has Kanye’s credentials then you can ask that question, and Kanye could make an album like J.coles in like 1 day tops nothing creative about that record Hiphopdx is right with there review too many times ppl wan to hand out perfect ratings and thats not how it works.
Perfect album example:Fugees “The Score” So your telling me that “Born sinner” is as good as that don’t make me laugh you must be a new listener
Stupid comment of the day! How you going to say something stupid like that?! Kanye already a legend in the game! Sure he act like a bitch sometimes but you can’t knock the quality of his music!
lol i dont even like yeezus but kanye made the album of the century 3 years ago. stfu
The Truth, you must be a new fan to this. Yeezus might be garbage, but College Dropout and Late Registration knocks Born Sinner out of the park. Same with MBTDF. Even Graduation is better.
solid album. the bonus tracks should of made the album instead of some of the original tracks. either way, worth the $12 I spent.
I agree, the tracks on Truly Yours were all great, some of these born sinner tracks are skips.
straight hip hop. no corny experimentation. marvin gaye was the greatest music maker ever but he still kept his still traditional, same with stevie, same with michael, kanye drops a garbage album worse than common’s universal mind control and it gets 5 star in the books of idiot reviewers. Most of the people who rated Yeezus a 5 didnt even like the album. this is a true fact.
Jesus Cole
i haven’t heard most of this yet.
Best album releasing on June 18
whats with this crazy obsession people have with new and loud s–t. Hip hop did not need to be reinvented of redefined, it had a formula that worked, that separated the “pretenders from the kendrick lamars”. Cole used that formula and the result is a f–ken amazing album. Yeezus is confusing everybody. it may sell more but we all know that Born Sinner is the better HIP HOP album!
f–k outa here
This is his best work yet
His best work yet
but, j.cole isn’t a great producer, just pretty good. i feel if he outsourced more it might bring him to a higher level.
BORN SINNER > YEEZUS
that’s not really saying much. there will be 20 albums by the end of the year better than Yeezus.
Best album of the year. 100x better than yeezus.
How did this get a 4? This album is a 3 to 3.5 at best. Mediocre, all of J Cole mixtapes and albums sound exactly the same. I’m not impressed. Yeezus in stores.
suck ur mommas cock. swag.
Get your ears checked or stop skimming through music if your going post your opinion.
In both his mixtapes and Albums he pours his soul and it just seems like your not a fan and that’s ok. Just stop generalizing you sound like FOX news.
sick album
YEEZUS>BORN SINNER
@trollhunter apples and oranges no point to try to fairly compare. They are both going for something different.
This is gonna be one of the best albums of 2013 eaaaasily
Dope Album, J. Cole is progressing nicely.
5*****
Album was amazing
I gave Kanye “Yeezus” a chance and its nowhere near J. Cole’s BORN SINNER and J. Cole’s deserves a higher rate and Kanyes should be reviewed again and given a lower rate.
Nope!! your ear dums must be timid
Only white hippies in their twenties think yeenoise was a better album.
love it. awesome album! fuck yeezus. BORN SINNER
this is a good album from an average MC, but from Cole… this is a disappointment
best album of the day
this reviews sucks. get off ye’s dick and give credit where it is due.
My kind of album!!
i don’t think he Let Nas Down with this one.
Classic inmy opinion. Real talk, only one track I wasn’t reallly feeling (Chainign Day) – 5 stars
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This CD of dope….def I’ve of the best lyricist out today
lol you need spell check
6/5 Born Sinner
Reading the article you would think he got 2 stars smh. Album is 5 stars to me. Sonically and vocally great, and plenty tracks to keep my ears happy for months. This review is misleading IMO
Dope. Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaar better than other release on June 18
This album is very dope. 4.5 stars
So you give this cd a 4/5…yet you bash and bash it non stop in the review???? meanwhile..yall give Yeezys 4.5 stars? LOL ok Hiphopdx….yall clearly dont know what yall doing.
I totally agree with the rating, but the review is shit!! step yall game up
Jesse Fairfax should lose his job after that disgrace of a review. I don’t know if the man is older or just out of touch with today’s hip hop but i don’t think Ive ever wanted to punch someone more then i did while reading this trash.
First of all you give the album 4 stars then proceed to shit on it for the next page and a half.
Second, J.cole’s first album left him with little control over the finished product, for you to claim that this album is a minor upgrade from his first effort is insane.
Third, The production is heightened the lyrics are more personal and the songs flow from end to end. You praise Yeezus for being different but hate on J.Cole for using Kaynes production style and really doing justice to it. Yeezus is good but when true Kanye fans pick out their favorite tracks of his career not one of the top 10 will be of Yeezus.
You should not be allowed to write about hip hop for at least a couple months until you get your head of your ass.
In the meantime me and thousands of others will be enjoying Born Sinner for the work of art it actually is.
j cole is more of a timberland kind of producer with his drums. jesse fairfax is more of an asshole.
Completely disagree. Yeezus is the most unpretentious work of art I’ve heard in a long time. This and Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange. Get ya’ll facts str8
jesse fairfax concentrate on your health and nursing career. writing rap album reviews is not for you. FACT!!!
Fuck u
I hear u a nurse. hahahaha. FUCK U TOO.
its my opinion fuck yall
Its my opinion that last article should put you out of a job #StickToCounty
Like I said Example of a perfect album: Fugees “The Score” Perfect album…5/5 so are you saying “Born Sinner” is as good as that?? I don’t think so 4/5 is good people you can’t hand out classic ratings on everything chill out!!!!
and that kanye bullshit is 4,5??? it deserves a 1.0
why didn’t u give it a 2.5 like ur review read. scared ass health aide. focus on ur nursing assistant job in LA.
First of all Kanye’s Album is better than this album, secondly its not bullshit, couple years from now Kanye’s album will be remembered over this one easily, there seems to be a lot of J.cole fanboys who are actually convinced that J.cole is better he’s not better anywhere he’s albums have not changed anything in hip hop today… you really want to compare debut and sophomore albums fine lets do that then :College drop out > Cole world,
Late Registration>Born Sinner, You see its one or two things thats going on here.
Its either a lot of you are new listeners or a lot of you have short term memory.
J.cole’s two albums sound the same!!! the second slightly upgraded.. Kanye’s first two sound and are completely different from each other. Kanye and J.cole are not in the same league at all!!! Haters have been bashing Kanye for years ever ytime he comes out with an album you guys hate and call it trash then years later when you catch up you praise it!!!
This one will be no different Great Review and rating HipHopdx, HipHopdx has been around for years well before most of you even listened to hiphop or though it was cool they’ve reviewed albums ,most of haven’t even heard or seen before and sat down and interviewed legends in this game for years and well respected in the hip hop community so I’ll take they’re opinion over all of yours any day of the week so show some respect its there a opinion and they’ve earned it.
Such a bad review…
The fact that there isn’t too many features alone shows that J.Cole can stand on his own two feet in this industry and doesn’t need to make pop-hop that the masses seems to flock to.
My opinion is that this guy is growing. Awesome album.
Best Album of 2013 and a great piece of music for Rap.
Im glad I read the first few minus yours Jesse…..After listening to Hip/Hop and Rap for over 25yrs, It is very obvious that this album is going to be one of the best J Cole albums every produced. Jesse honestly was confused by how you formed this under minding shitty ass review. Have a good day.
I hope this dude gets fired. He must be a Diggy Simmons fan
Why you gettin all sensitive Jessie? You cant write about hiphop and then get a sensitive when ppl speak their minds. They all speak the truth. Born Sinner is probably one of the best albums to come out this year, besides Extended Play that just came out. I am probably one of Kanye’s biggest fans but Yeezus is not even hiphop. I wont say it’s garbage but it aint better than Born Sinner… thats for sure. I dont think you truely understand how to critic music. But hey… even the worst artist have atleast 1 fan right? Maybe you should critic them.
@ StudioDiva, I feel you! I heard Kanye’s Yeezus first (10 tracks) and then right away listen to J Cole, I’m from Chicago. J Cole in my opinion simply has deeper compelling heart felt lyrics and hooks that make you think about it when the music is not playing. Comparing content between Yeezus and Born sinner, I had an easier time listening to Born Sinner, I don’t know what Kanye is on but dude is going crazy lol, his music has completely transformed from Jesus Walks to Black skinhead I think he is talented and has a point to prove on so many levels.
This is literally the only response to Cole’s album that isn’t a overwhelmingly positive reaction. All wrong man, all wrong. This album was the best thing to happen this year thus far.
lol – j. cole
This is dope.
True
lol this review sucks. power trip doesnt fit the album?? are you retarded??
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
o
The People have spoken… Jesse Fairfax is as good at critiquing hip hop, as French Montana and Wacka Flacka are at writing lyrics = just awful
WORD
LMFAO HAHHAHA, Jesse gonna work on his ears no doubt!
THE ALBUM IS THE SHIT, REALLY ENJOYED TRULY YOURS 3
Ummmmm…..the review doesn’t match the rating. He keeps implying its average, yet it got an above ave. score. Suspect. Solid album. Not very dynamic indeed, but well conceived and executed. Spark one and let it ride.
Whoever did this review is definately not a true hip hop fan this album is a classic by far especially the fact that his last album was so sub par I am tired of reading reviews by people who are not in touch with the culture a choir on a hip hop song could never be stale its the call of our ancestors I am so tired of journalist who don’t understand our music and culture doing one sided reviews based on personal taste how can this album get 4 stars and the review read like a 2 star effort so misleading this is a great album by a great artist a triumph for hip hop j Cole is continueing to prove you can be lyrical and still make good music whoever wrote this review I challenge you to review jay z New project and I guarantee I can do a better review than you because I understand the culture so does j Coles born sinner
The album is solid. It’s not a classic already. It just hit the shelves today for f#ck sakes. For it to be a classic already it would have to be a ground breaking, game changing album and this is nowhere near that. Good effort from Cole.
Straight up!
Album is dope.
Why would you give it a 4/5 then shit on it for 8 paragraphs? You’re a horrible reviewer, Jesse and need to find a different profession.
I got another profession already. Home Health Aide at a hospital in LA and fuck u!!!
why didn’t u give it a 2 like your rating read, focus on ur nursing assistant health aide position. writing reviews is not for u.
Great album. Gonna buy the CD today and I don’t buy nobody’s music but Scarface.
Not bad.
Yea j.cole really stepped it up this album and he deserves 5 stars and a future PLATINUM record out of BORN SINNER for all his hard work, determination, dedication, afford, and awesome talent y’all that disagree can say what u want but I’ve listened to j.Cole’s music since day one and he continues to evolve into a true lyrical genius in hip hop now ill attempt that his debut album was a bit of a let down but after hearing born sinner j.cole fixed all his flaws from before so if y’all are down with j.COLE get out there today and through the weeks to come and buy copies of j.Cole’s born sinner shit buy all the copies of the album in the store if u want support j.cole he’s the man y’all
Jesse Fairfax should eat my d***.
NY times!
Boring man come on im sorry but nothing stands out at all on the cd besides let nas down no one will be looking for this cd in 6 months
Thank you 100% co-sign @Seriously?? Come On: wrote this:
First of all Kanye’s Album is better than this album, secondly its not bullshit, couple years from now Kanye’s album will be remembered over this one easily, there seems to be a lot of J.cole fanboys who are actually convinced that J.cole is better he’s not better anywhere he’s albums have not changed anything in hip hop today… you really want to compare debut and sophomore albums fine lets do that then :College drop out > Cole world,
Late Registration>Born Sinner, You see its one or two things thats going on here.
Its either a lot of you are new listeners or a lot of you have short term memory.
J.cole’s two albums sound the same!!! the second slightly upgraded.. Kanye’s first two sound and are completely different from each other. Kanye and J.cole are not in the same league at all!!! Haters have been bashing Kanye for years ever ytime he comes out with an album you guys hate and call it trash then years later when you catch up you praise it!!!
This one will be no different Great Review and rating HipHopdx, HipHopdx has been around for years well before most of you even listened to hiphop or though it was cool they’ve reviewed albums ,most of haven’t even heard or seen before and sat down and interviewed legends in this game for years and well respected in the hip hop community so I’ll take they’re opinion over all of yours any day of the week so show some respect its there a opinion and they’ve earned it.
Postedjust now
no one is going to remember yeezus in 3 months time either so save ur crap. the only reason people are playing it is to get why these gay reviiewers gave it a 5
I can tell you right now that in terms of hip hop or even good music for that matter (no pun intended) that Yeezus is not better than this album. I am a huge Kanye fan. But Yeezus is not better than Born Sinner. This is not a good review and neither was the one for Yeezus. I dont think the argument here is about whether or not J-Cole and Kanye are in the same league. The argument is that this review is garbage. Furthermore you are comparing this album to Kanye’s older work… you are right… no question Kanye wins hands down… but to d*ck ride Yeezus simply because it’s Kanye is silly. I have no doubt Kanye will be around for a long time…
And last but not least, I think most of the comments talk about how the review sucks… not HipHopDX.
Either you yourself are posting as Jessie d*ckFax… oops my bad… Fairfax… or you are jungle surfing from his sack!
What makes you stop what your doing and right that bullshit. I like them both and comparing them like if they are the Spurs and the Heat are pointless. Both are good album some might like one over the other but why are you wasting energy in something that’s impossible to prove.
so lemme get this straight?? Hiphopdx game Yeezus (4.5/5) a better rating than Born Sinner (4/5)?!? Lol joke…
Thats cause it is better, Yeezus is clearly ahead of you give it time you’ll catch up. when forget about this album in like 3 to 6 months from now
Born Sinner > Yeezus.. also this review is horrible lol.. dude shits on the album for a page and gives it 4 stars?
DOPE!
you mean “when You” right?? just checking but I agree Kanye’s is better, this album is one level one tone all the way through sounds the same as cole world just hardly better
i check out that wale, www. HipHopGood .com has a clean version of it up right now, the diry one has yet to come out, but you can still get the effect of the cd, i recommend everyone go check it out, better than born sinner imo,
born sinner 3.5/5 the gifted 4.5/5
Whoever this dude is that wrote this is trying way too hard to find thing wrong instead of appreciating a great album.
Born sinner in stores RIGHT NOW go out and buy that twice!!! AOTY for sure
I bought both yeezus and born sinner because i’m not a faggot fanboy like most of the queers on this site.
Cole album is alright…first album was better. 3.5 maybe stretched 4. Yeezus is a 4 maybe 4.5 fourth originality…
first album was better and the first album was wack!
yeah cole world shits on born sinner IMO
Lmao Born Sinner shits on Cole World. FOH
cole…. yawn…
different day, same old shi
How can you rate the album a 4 but call it average? Something is wrong with you… Are you nit picking or lacking the balls to give it a 3? That would have been an “average” rating.
the rating of this review does not match the review. all you did was shit on the album, but then gave it a 4? wow, this guy needs a punch in the face
I was thinking the same thing! How the fuck he talking shit then gave it a 4, no damn sense at all..
yeeznoise? seriously? what are you fucking 5?
nothing fresh to it, the beats are boring, guests are boring, lyrics are good though with some ergh lines, but hey, everybody has those
What’s boring is an opinion so do stated as a fact!
So unbelievably good
Dx suck dick and choke to the nut. this album is a strong 5… y’all rated kanye’s bum ass album 4.5. y’all gave born a sinner 4.really????? wtf are you smoking?????
man fuck you and this week ass review. cole world
how the fuck did this author get this album review? forreal
Best album hands down nobody fuckin with this album I don’t care who u are
that’s just your opinion
Your a faggit, j cole shits on your fav rappers
this why rapradar always outshine you guys. they’re not bias and does not suck dicks like y’all
4.23/5 nah no way. more like 6/10
Not hating. As a cole fan I just don’t get excited by this album. Don’t get me wrong I like tracks like Villuminati, Rich Niggaz Chaining Day, Crooked Smile, Let Nas Down, Born Sinner, Niggaz Know. Thats 7 tracks, power trip ok not great
the rest seems hard to listened to, very boring same flow
as said not hating just trying to be honest
We all have our opinions, personally I think this is shit. Now watch some Cole groupie talk shit to both of us in defense of his hero.
I don’t know what artist you like but I rather listen to this which seems real and genuine compared of that other fabricated pop rap you probably like. To me this album has value as art and I don’t get that from French Montana. Lost to many boys to bullets and prison to be supporting that shit.
I guess the rating would be a lot more higher if j cole talked about spending how much ever g’s at a strip club and with some really catchy tunes but this album is to connect with everyday black American citizens and to tell the truth about society today its also a time period when cole had to go through struggle during a specific period of time but got to admit he killed it with some amazing lyrics as well as that he told the truth, no disrespect to kanye but his album was really good but he went a little OTT in trying different things but credit to him and in my opinion cole edges it if you compare both albums! So well done to j cole. Cole world!!!!
Just wait for YelaWolf – Love Story – that’s going to push the envelope for what can be done with Hip Hop music. J.Cole is great, no doubt, but it’s always the same formula.
born sinner is a must buy!!!
Yes, dentaldamboy was with me last night. I stuck my 8 inch meatpole into his shit crater and paralyzed his turd cutter. He’s now in the hospital.
Good looking out for that his trolling gets on my nerves. I here that him and So Icy get paid for trolling for certain artists. Its the new age in advertising!
good album
gr8 album
for someone that hasn’t really been into j cole’s music, is this a good album to check out?
As good as any since some complain that he has the same flow and similar sounding beats. His mixtape Friday Night Lights is considered by many fans his best work but in my opinion this is just as good or better.
yeah man this album is a great listen, he has a lot of different flows. really introspective and talks about growing up and some struggles.
oK. Thx. I’m gon check it out.
I did like the ‘Let Nas Down’ song.
But i was thinking he may be lettin me down with his full album.
Amazing album, straight 5 fkng stars from me.
shoulda been a 5
im mad you rate this lower than yeezus…go kill yourself editor, this is no longer a hiphop website, its a support commercial bullshit website…coles album is a classic, and yeezus is bullshit
Amen
You’re whole argument is invalid because Yeezus is the least commercial rap album ever. What song could they possibly play off the radio off Yeezus? The whole thing sounds like aliens fucking. If you think J. Cole’s album is better that’s fine, but it’s 95,000x more “commercial” than Yeezus.
^^^^ That’s by design if they wanted they would have multiple tracks playing on the radio right now. Learn how the music marketing game works before you say some ignorant shit!
by design or not doesn’t change the fact he’s right
fire!!!
I support both this and the Kaye album there is no need to debate which is better because both are the top 2 albums out this year. Fuck that fake pop shit that plays on the radio which will never give you nothing of value.
A Very good album..
Amazing!J has put in some much work.
This album is boss. Some absolute great songs on this.
one of the best album this year hands down
lol only a 4? EASY ONE OF THE BEST!
J. Cole looks like a gay pirate slash teddy bear
why are you trying to figure out if another man is gay and how do you know how a gay pirate teddy bear looks like?? Damn you sick!!
Classic
Born Sinner > Yeezus.
HHDX done fucked up
Jesse (Mr Editor), You can’t be serious. J Cole went in on this one. And so what he used a couple of classic hiphop beats from some vets. At least he pays homage to the legends. You started out hating from the opening paragraph. Please have several seats.
At least he produces his own shit!!
Cole is so real!! He doesn’t have to talk about how much money he has or how many bottles he pops!!!!
3-4 stars is about right… if yeezus was 2 stars.
I have nothing against Cole, he’s just too boring to me. No, I don’t wish that he was talking about bitches and bottles. As a matter of fact, I wish more dudes rap with topics such as his and KRIT. Dude just lacks any personality.
But they give that crap kanye put out 4.5 while the people gave it 3. Take DX rating with a grain of salt. Kanye will sell more but Cole made the superior album.
How can u give a masterpiece recorded in paris less than a 5? Is u crazy?
Hi.
1) We appreciate all of the passion you guys show on here, reactions are great whether positive or negative
2) the person using my name earlier in the comment section was trolling you guys and that’s a bit creepy of them, that wasnt me
3) the beauty of Hip Hop is different opinions. Im sure some of you think Ether > Takeover as many people do. I certainly dont
4) DX strives to be honest and fair at the end of the day. If my editors took issue either way (too positive or too negative), Im sure they would have requested I change some things up
I hope you all continue to support us, but I cant guarantee you’ll be happy with any of my future writing if today’s piece affected you so much.
Appreciate your honesty but your neglecting your core audience with some of the reviews on this site but at least you got rid of that Slava dude. He was really bad!!
Jcole>Yeezy. They want even leak Kanye’s album because it is garbage. too funny
won’t. oops
Better than Yeezus, no faith in DX’s rating system
This is Cole’s best work yet (save for perhaps “The Warm Up”). While this album methodically follows Cole through his darkest moment in the industry, I would compare it artistically to Mr. West’s “My Dark Twisted Fantasy”. While some songs fail to live up to his most prolific work, J. Cole must be respected for spitting every verse on this album and not relying on any “commercial” tracks to carry the album into the “classic” category. Besides Kendrick Lamar’s recent work, and of course, Mr. West’s, this is indeed one of the most artistically unique and lyrically successful “commercial hip hop” albums of the last 5 years. Dare I say it’s better than “Yezus”? Damn right.
JCode is amazing
5/5
J. Cole and Kanye Fans:
Download J.Cole and Kanye Songs for Free @
bigblogtalk.com/songoftheday
Also download hottest songs of the week and submit your songs in the “Talent” section!
Just trying to get my website out there! Thanks for the support!
Dis album isnt a “classic” but it is atleast better than his rookie debut which I cnt say the same for artists like Drake. I personally think if he took some of his best mixtape tracks, like Miss America, Kenny Lofton etc. and added them to his album taking out some other average tracks, this would be better. Cole has everything it takes to make a classic album but since he puts out dope mixtapes,it takes away from the quality of his albums. It’s still a good album. 4/5
I can confirm that nobody out here in the streets of Inglewood or Compton is listening to this album.
I confirm that they are. My boys are bumping that shit right now on the porch and for sure the Black Hippies are rocking this album 2 but they are touring and not in Cali at the moment.
reviewers need to get off kanye’s dick, its obvious how much better this album is then yeezus, cole deserve a 4.5/5 and kanye deserves a 3.5/5
album of the year so far, yeezus is trash compared to this
album of the year niqqaaa
it’s a cole world now, yeezy should retire man
J.Cole Definnetly grew as a producer and rapper better than The Sideline Story I Could Also Feel The Biggie Flow Great Beats Too Great Album 4.5
Eh, its decent, but I probably won’t be bumping any of these tracks a month from now. Cole’s got the potential, but he needs to step something in his game up…can’t exactly put my finger on it, but its something that would elevate him from “good mixtape rapper” to “great hip-hop artist”
HIS COMPLETE LACK OF CHARISMA AND CORNY PUNCHLINES MAYBE?
This album deserves album of the year it’s amazing he’s grown as a producer and a rapper he’s getting better with time his words actually mean something
We’re only in June buddy. Calm down. We have 6 more months of albums to hear…SMH.
forbidden fruit and land of the snakes are “glaring missteps” and crooked smile has no purpose besides commercial appeal? Get the fuck out of here, worst review I’ve read on this album.
these reviews are getting pretty rediculous. You praise a mess, and chastise a cohesive record! Whatever, I know what I like, and I know Cole’s album was Very solid. They got the rating right, but they basically trashed him in the review. Seems like Pop star cosigning to me
wow this album was so good!! not a boring moment. mo money was my shit!
the next radio single won’t even be crooked smile but she knows
official chart projections: ye 745, 000 first week. j cole 92,000. hahahhaa. u cole stans aren’t even buying that weed plate. yeezus#
Are you stupid? Kanye 500000, Cole 200000
I cant believe you gave that yeezus crap a higher rating than Born Sinner…..really dx?
Greatness.
This album sucked pretty bad. First off J. Cole raps about bitches in 90% of his songs even a few verses on songs not meant to be about women.
Secondly the production is boring and it sounds like stuff we’ve heard a MILLION times already. It’s so boring.
Lastly, the dude is only “good” which means he’s boring as shit. He doesn’t make you rewind his tracks to hear a verse over he’s just good. After every song I thought “Oh that was good…on to the next one”
Take the classic Yeezus album for example. Here Kanye broke new grounds with non-traditional beats, he let everything out on the album with more quoteable than any book or hit TV show. Kanye had clever lyrics, something more to say than just women and the industry it was a magnificent tale of a contradictory man who hates consumerism but buys into it nonetheless.
On Born Sinner there is a barley thought out concept that left me wondering “Is that it?” Is this all we’re getting from Cole? 3/5
I agree what you said about Cole’s album. Majority of the songs are about Cole dealing with a bad bitch of some sort. The lyrics are plain as day. Not really sure where people are getting deep content from. I’ve never once had the urge to rewind a Cole verse either. Like you said, he’s just good. I disagree on Ye’s album though.
Is that way your so mad?? Because you think he sucks and he has all this fans? You feel insecure that you don’t get we we dig him so much? I don’t get why a lot people like Chief Keef and Gucci. That’s the world different people have different tastes but that doesn’t excuse you of being a mad hater!!
This review reads like it was written by the same person who did that Yeezus review.
A review is just 1 mans point of view. But are you for real. Blatant Kanye fan. I mean if DX represents Hip hop why would you rate Yeezus over Born sinner. So to be a successful emcee you should do a 10 song album sounding like that Kanye shit?? Or should a hip hop site reward A great 21 song album, which can be packaged with 3 free mixtapes. Truly yours 1,2,3 combined are better than Yeezus. I dont fuck with DX no more. In your comments please name better hip hop sites than this BS.
Possibly the worst review ever to hit DX…. Yeezus has a better rating!?!? Really!?!? You are kids are fucking clowns shoes. Lamar and Cole will rebuild Hip Hop. Not Kanye and Jay -Z….
This album stands with only 1 of Kanye’s and that is “The College DropOut” A CLASSIC. Along with Kendrick’s GKMC, Lupe’s F&L, Nas’ Illmatic, Jay’s Reasonable Doubt, Dre’s Chronic, Em’s Slim Shady LP, Biggie’s Ready To Die…. You fucking idiots have no idea what a classic is
late registration>college dropout
rhymes and beats were better
I bet half of the people that commented and rated didn’t listen to the album.
I don’t even know which side you stand for, but I agree. I can ALSO agree his Debut ALbum was GARBAGE. But what makes a classic is a solid identity, being true to yourself and developing a way to project that in your rhymes. Fresh Ideals over sick beats. Something that makes you think. And for this reviewer to not only bash the album, but to bash “Let Nas DOwn” you have to be on commercial payroll…
J.Cole went in on this album, impeccable lyrics, a masterpiece.
Classic….When it comes to good rap artist it’s a marathon not always a sprint to stardom just ask Jay Z.
I haven’t heard this album all the way thru so I am not going to comment on the music but this review reads like it should of received a 3.5 or 3, just based on how the reader describes the album because he spends most of the time finding it’s flaws than anything. Why did y’all give a 4 then?
I’m only a few tracks in, but I’m already liking this over his last outing.
BITCH WHY U GIVIN IT 4 STARS IF IT’S NOT DYNAMIC U DUMB FAGGIT LOL. SHOULDA GAVE IT 3 STOP CONFUSIN NIGGAS
idk why people hating but this is album of the year so far
born sinner> yeezus easy
Instant Classic. That is all.
the editors must have been on crack AND constipated for giving this a 4 and Ye a 4.5 ..shit Born Sinner deserves a 5/5 heck these n****s don even deserve to be rating it
i didnt even read their review or whatever they scripted
classic albums sound different each time you listen so be prepared to be emotionally induced to extremely varying proportions on this album ..21 tracks and they are all awesome even the interludes
really good i like
Dear Jessie Fairfax you’re a dumbass that deserves to have his ears cutoff & tongue cutout!!!!
yo usually i dont fuck with this fool but this album is better than i expected, its like i went to mickey d’s only to find out that they were making sirloin steak cooked to a T by the dude from hell’s kitchen
I generally like Hip Hop Dx reviews, but I think they confused Born Sinner with Yeezus this time around. Truly a grave error. A friend of mine and I just started a rap blog, and my first review was Born Sinner. Would love to get your feedback.
http://hiphoppulse.blogspot.com/
Killer album. Under rated.
Horrible review! The reviewer obviously is out of the loop!
Jay z’s reasonable doubt was dismissed by critics as a mediocre album with no origionality. It took his future sucess to force critics to look back and realize That the album was in fact an instant classic. And possibly ahead of its time? I think real hip hop fans will appreciate this record alot more than a biased critic who obviosly doesnt recognize good hip hop when he hears it.
Great Point
You made a good point, but this album is nowhere near Reasonable Doubt and never will be. Jay had that unique stacato flow back then, ill lyrics, mad quoteables, had loads of charisma (Cole has none) and a much much better ear for beats than Cole. Arguably the best ear ever. You can still rewind verses on Reasonable Doubt and be wow’d. I’ve never felt compelled to rewind a Cole verse. We all appreciate Cole for being real and honest, but beyond that there’s nothing special about him.
Your a musical genious and my favorite rappers you did great Jermaine ! Your real. Lyrics. Stories. poems. You are music to me thank you for releasing .
HORRIBLE.
He has put in a shift
truth= j.cole,black hippy,big krit,underarchiervers,danny brown,dizzy wright,action bronston.OKAY rapper/groups MMG,Ymcmb. people who should stop rapping FUTURE, LIL B, Cheif keef fuck SOSA, souja boy,french montano
well done J.cole gave it a 5
the fact that you rated this worse than kanye’s album makes me want to throw up violently
Because Kanye’s album is better J.cole’s is boring and nothing new Kanye does new and different things all the time you need to get high and liasten to Kanye’s album again and catch up.
gut.
5 for the haters
You J.Cole Fanboys are ridiculas first of all this album does not deserve a 5 for classic rating this is NOT STILLMATIC OR RESONABLE DOUBT, OR READY TO DIE!!!! its not a classic record he did nothing innovative he took some old raps and r&b songs and re-did them, I remember over 15 years ago when diddy did the same thing and ppl cut him up and now its cool to do it and get a classic rating for doing it? Please!!! Kanye’s album is something I’ve never heard before, some next level shit, IF YOU HAVE LISTENDED TO HIPHOP FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS?? then you DAMN well know J.cole shit is nothing you haven’t heard before. But judging by the responses on hear you guys are all a bunch of new listners or trend hoppers who no nothing about hip hop or artistry in the game…HipHopDX has reviewed hundread and hundreads of albums they are not easily impressed they heard shit like this before…you New listeners are a joke
You need to relax – Just because Yeezus is something you’ve never heard before doesn’t mean its groundbreaking, its a good album but lets be honest , its gonna take 10 listens to like the album when you can listen to coles album and like it on the first try. If any other artist had released Yeezus other then Kanye it would have been an utter failure. The argument here is int about Born Sinner being a classic – its about how the reviewer Jesse gives it 4 stars and the proceeds to dump all over it during his review. Stop acting like your some hip hop god cause your prolly lost in the 90’s and cant relate to today’s music. Take a chill pill pump the breaks and keep your opinion to yourself cause your dead wrong
Nice try Tom considering hip hop was better in the 90’s where J.cole got most of his references from to make this album and you just tried to cut me up for being dated I think you just made your point useless I didn’t say I was a hip hop good but I’ve been listening to it since from young till now and I can have an opinion jsdut like youv’e had yours..and I’m pefectly in tune with todays music considering I work for a hip hop radio sation called flow 93.5
Please is right. The standards are soooooooo low these days its just baffling. I remember years ago depending on who you asked, some people argued that Stillmatic and Blueprint were not classics. Well, even if those albums are not classics, they still smash Born Sinner on every level and I see some people on here calling it a masterpiece…SMH. We used to get spoiled with classics and now we live in a classic desperate era.
Best hiphop album of the year. I don’t understand how people are missing the glory?
What glory? it’s pretty much the same album as his last one just slightly modified Kanye’s album crushes this snooze fest anybody who’s listened to hip hop over the age of 24 would agree with me on this.
it’s more timbo inspired that yeezy, you’re tone deaf
I bought both albums yesterday and I can say this album is not better than Kanye’s, after awhile the songs started to blend in and I got bored by the time I hit song 17 and still have 4 songs I haven’t listen too yet, you guys are waaaay to hyped on J.cole’s album its not ground braking at all thats what ganers a 5/5 classic rating not this!!4/5 is good enough and that still maybe too much.
not a classic but worth 4stars, classic is 5 stars remember? Some people like me rate it 5 to balance the haters around here, I give Yeezy also 4 because the beats and vision are dope, lyrics are meh on this album
He’s still hungry
Not commenting on what I thought, but the tone of the review sounds like 3/5 and yet, given 4/5 ….
This burns Yeezus. I can’t believe he’s not getting more props for this. on replay.
I DISAGREE. Born Sinner is wack
Troll hunter I agree with J.cole is boring I felt like falling a sleep yesterday when I was listening to it good thing it only cost 12 dollars, Kanye’s was much better i like that purchase much more!!! KANYE’s KILLS BORN SINNER PERIOD!!!!!
fuck yall born sinner>yeezus
one of the best sophomore albums ever released, I only count Late Registration, Life After Death and MMLP better as a sophomore release for a mainstream artist
Drake – Take Care was solid
ummmmmm, It Was Written, Life & Times of S. Carter Vol 1, Dare Iz A Darkside, The Cool, The Minstrel Show, The Infamous, Unfinished Business, Supreme Clientelle, Enigma,Flesh of My Flesh, Death Certificate, Resurrection…I could go on for a while. These were all released on majors. You need to look a little harder.
u trippin
Foh the j cole album shittin on kanye album hiphopdx need new editors cuz these niggas clearly not listen to these albums
wack **** for white nerds and rap bloggers
sosa >>> gay cole and i aint even trolling
F*CK THIS SAD RAP SH*T we dont care
LOL That’s like saying “Butt fucked a dude, I ain’t even gay.”
Coles album is hot, gotta a little to much R&B but overall a good album for the second time out. Comparing it to the West album is a good one and I think Cole has him on this one. On West’s album right now and the first 6 tracks are well garbage…this is not a good album for the hardcore old school lyrical cats….auto tunes on track 7…West you could have keep these 7…8 is cool..last two no go’s….and west is on same next level shit they say…the level on this album is right above bogus….Cole’s overall is really good…
Its cause your deaf or listen to it on a shitty speaker system Kanyes whole album is innovated and amzing there’s maybe one song thats sucks its far from Garbage, the J.cole album your hyping is nothing new to hip hop its tired and boring after the 12 song I took it out of my player Kanye kills his album and your clearly over your head listening to not like Kanye’s album your proll one of the haters that said Graduation was wack and MBDTF too when the first came out later eat your words..
Albumo Greato
i gotta commend hiphopdx for its reviews. Always seem well thought out. I basically agree…album should’ve been way better. I kept listening expecting to be blown away by a new concept or incredible lyrical display, but it was just decent to me…could’ve used some harder tracks, maybe some features?
Thank you finally!!!! this album is over hyped by J.cole fans I bought it with yeezus yesterday and was not that Impressed I thought “same old same old” I was not wowed at all Yeezus is alot better and more memorable.. HipHopdx is right with their review Ratings for both albums.
I don’t think the album needs features. Everyone is doing that. But there is nothing mind blowing or groundbreaking about the album. All stuff we’ve heard before, but done better by others. It’s good. Nothing beyond that.
Born sinner is on FIIIIIIIREEEE, I really do not understand how people cannot see it? like what’s wrong with ya’ll. Definitely waaaay above yeezus…i don’t understand how you missing it.
i like dis CD/ more den kanys
Stop trying to recreate the college dropout, cole. You’re becoming hella predictable (i.e. boring).
no he graduated from college magna cum laude.
Sideline Story, Friday Night Lights, Warm Up were all better projects in my opinion but the album is still pretty good. He just doesn’t go as hard as he went on sideline story and the songs seem less personal. He killed the production tho except for Crooked Smile which sounded like it did not belong on this album. Good album I just expect better from Cole.
Sideline Story wasn’t better hell no. The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights most likely yeah. Born Sinner is more personal as well. Almost every song is introspective.
Album of the year…!!!!!
Solid 5….from me.F
…and one more thing that bothered me was the fact he name dropped about 2-3 rappers on almost every track, I ignored it at 1st but once he named dropped like 10 artists halfway thru the cd it became distracting
best album i ever herd
Typical cole, 5 stars
Jf
review was a fail!!!!!
This album was fantastic
YEAH SHT
1. My Dream (feat. Jay-Z and Elle Varner) (produced by J.Cole)
2. Mach 10 (produced by J.Cole)
3. FYI (produced by J.Cole)
4. Heaven (produced by J.Cole)
5. Coca-Cola Curves (produced by J.Cole)
6. Blitz (produced by J.Cole)
7. Natalie Portman (feat. Kendrick Lamar and Bas) (produced by J.Cole; co-produced by Travis Scott)
8. CrashLanded (produced by J.Cole)
9. Pop Hit (feat. Alexis Jordan) (produced by J.Cole)
10. Toy Story (feat. Frank Ocean) (produced by J.Cole)
11. You Must Know (produced by J.Cole)
12. Base Line (feat. Hit-Boy) (produced by J.Cole)
13. So Close (produced by J.Cole)
14. Through the Audio (feat. Raekwon) (produced by J.Cole)
15. Happiness (produced by J.Cole)
16. Up in the Sky (produced by J.Cole)
17. Never Change (feat. Jhene Aiko) (produced by J.Cole; co-produced by Hit-Boy)
18. Champion (produced by J.Cole)
Deluxe Edition
19. Words (produced by J.Cole)
20. Tears of Joy (produced by J.Cole)
21. Morning Papers (feat. Asher Roth and Schoolboy Q) (produced by J.Cole)
22. Spit Your Rhymes (feat. Wale, Ab-Soul and Bas) (produced by J.Cole)
23. Lord Willing (produced by Just Blaze)
What is this? Lol.
Whatever this is! It seems like just another Masterpiece from J. Cole. #NCinthisBitch
I donkey punched your Mom.
best album ever yeezus is weird overdone too much kanye
WORTH THE MONEY
Hip hop dx review of this album is way wrong . It should be a solid 5 all day long
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I like the production on this, it is definitely a step up from his debut album, yet lyrics are good as well. Whats good about this album is that there is a balance in between all categories of an album, therefore I really like this album, although Cole could have made a more lyrical album, and some songs could’ve fit rappers as features. Overall its a good album, better than first, although I don’t believe its better than his mixtapes.
Literally the worst review I’ve ever read on this site. Dam good thing noone agrees. I fear what this dude would rate it if he just spit that same nonsense everyone else spits nowadays-prolly be hailed a classic. Sad! Shame on yu Mr. Fairfax.
Good review
Rappers today are wack straight up! Had this shit been released in the 90s, no one would even pay attention to this mediocrity.
Finally, a non-brainwashed commenter!
best album of the year cole world
best rapping on an album since Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool
Dude really, please never compare Cole to Lupe. Cole will never be as good as LU, first he has to get charisma then learn how to rap with different flows. The most important thing he has to learn is how not to be BORING!
stop buggin’. There’s albums that were released just last year that have better rapping than this and the year before. Cole raps good. His hook game is still really weak.
@ Rain
You misread the comment. Best SINCE The Cool. Trust me, in my eyes, there is no comparison. Lupe is in another galaxy. Nobody is touching him.
@ Anonymous
Lights Please alone proves you have no idea what you’re talking about.
pure gold. cole world.
This record is pretty good… jacking Tribe beats? not cool.
Fucked up review! why make it sound like its the worst album ever and give it a 4 star? Absolutely loved the album. Liked Kanye’s as well (a hard 808s), but they cant be compared. Completely different – a classic vs new shit, but both albums are great.
This is a classic. No if ands or buts about it.
After shitting on Blu and Exile’s latest, and now the same “boring” label on this album, I will stop checking for DX’s reviews. Dudes must be in their early 20’s with no sense of what the fuck the real is. This is the album of the year so far and will be remembered as a classic by the real hip hop heads out there. Glad to see most on this board DO realize how dope this is. Fuck outta here DX. This is what hip hop is missing.
Cole, if you’re reading this, keep doing what you’re doing. You’re gonna go down as a legend.
Only genre changing albums are instant classics and this album is not that. The album just got released yesterday. There’s nothing on the album that’s gonna turn the game upside down. Why are people in such a hurry to call albums classics these days?? To be honest there are lots of albums that came out in the 90’s and early 2000’s that aren’t considered classic that are better than this album.
2013 = impatient fans and low standards.
I bought Illmatic the day it came out. On tape. I copped Reasonable Doubt from New York within a week of it’s release. No 13/14 year old kids had that shit here. I know what the feeling is, when you hear an album that just grabs your soul and you know it won’t let go. Those two albums did that to me when I was a kid. Doggystyle did that. On tape. Lupe’s Food and Liquer did that to me. Blu Exile’s – Give me my Flowers.. did that. Born Sinner did that to me when I threw it in my car CD deck.
This shit is a classic. Agree with me later.
Don’t Like This Review At All It’s Way To Biased Especially Compared To Yeezus..I’m Still Listening To The Album On My 5th Playthrough And I Have To Say I’m Impressed..Seems Like A Sequel To The Warm Up..Even Has Lil Cole In It..Pretty Solid And Its Definitely Worth The 4 Stars They Gave It So 5/5
Did not hear whole album but it does seem hyper critical reminds me of how they always reviewed NAS Lp’s.. shit all over them just because his songs make you jizz ya pants and float ya brain to another dimension lol.
But I gotta say I agree with your take on the track “let Nas down… its awkward to me as well, plus its dry snitching on wax which I also don’t rock with. No I.D let him in on sumtin then he spill the beans on a commercial release? ! Idk but this just feeds the Nas hatin sukkas which aint necessary. .. 2
*his songs Don’t*…
Didn’t hear the entire album but I did hear the talk about tracks. I really don’t get the hype. There’s no verse I can recall reciting of j cole. I did hear that j Cole’s funkmaster flex freestyle which was aight
great!
Ha! He pretty much shit on Cole but still gave it a 4 out of 5.
4 out of 5 is the lowest one could rate this album. Anything below is out of touch with hip hop.
I agree with you. It definitely didn’t read like a 4 star review
I concur with the review. As a Cole fan since The Come Up, I was expecting more from this album. He was trying to please too many audiences and failed to solidify his identity.
Also, almost half the songs on the album were about women (or “bitches”). What is it with mainstream rappers today?
NICE
C.L.A.S.S.I.C.
Listened throught the album twice. Definitely a step back as far as lyrics go, and lackluster production. An all around boring album, will be forgotten in a couple months. I give Cole 3 stars for the effort though.
YUP
Love j cole he’s come far and I can’t actually listen to his lyric
“Am I about dollars or about change?
Am I about knowledge or about brains?”
Nigga cole!
FNL was a classic..i been checkin for cole ever since but ive never heard a project as complete from him. This album was pretty good though, definitely better than his debut.
THIS REVIEW WAS TRASH TOO
My thoughts exactly. Both of Cole’s studio albums have been good…but I’m waiting for him to really drop that classic game-changer that I know he’s capable of.
5 star
His album is better than Kanye’s Ill say that, but I heard a lot of biting, borrowing, and remixing. Real heads know the Outcast beat and Tribe Called Quest beat and the Biggy and Jigga lines. I wanna like you Cole, be original and come out your own way.
no idea is original. Every idea derives from somewhere else. So “biting” is irrelevant. Either you like the way he made the album or you dont. But he made it… not these other people. The biggy and pac lines were paying respect. Figure it out meat.
Giving respect due is one thing, making an album of it is another meat!!!!! And yes I just bit you, j.cole
1 of the realest rappers
J Cole is the truth one of the few rappers that makes music u can relate to n make sense
how you gonna shit on my mans n give him a 4.. suck mac miller dick n give him the same rating?? you must be white Mr fairfax
Awesome, but i know hes capable of a game changer!
no compettiom=
#COLE WORLD!
Not bad but could have been better. Definetely not the best tape that came out this summer as that award goes to ChanceThaRapper – Acid Rap
4 out of 5 is the lowest score that I can respect. Anything less than that then the reviewer isn’t fond of hip hop or they’re a hip hop fan who is nitpicking and hating for whatever reason.
XXL Magazine gave Born Sinner a rating of “L”, which translates to a 6 out of 10! HAHAHAHA WHAT A JOKE!
DX review is solid with an 8. DJ Booth gave it a 4.5/5. Now Magazine 8/10, Exclaim Magazine 9/10, Rolling Stone Magazine 7/10, USA Today 3.5/4… Idk, the reviews aren’t too shabby…
This album deserves at least 4.5 stars
allhiphop.com 8/10, All Music Guide 8/10, LA Times 2.5/4, Slant Magazine 4/5, Rapreviews.com 8/10
If Cole put Miss American on the track list and reached out for a Just Blaze beat then it’d be a 9 out of 10 or damn near classic
…
10 times better then Yeezus
there are people who actually believer this?
After 5 full album listens. This is a classic. Its a listen through. Great album. Ive never called an album classic upon release. But this whole CD is out of this league. Congrats Cole.
Born Sinner is my shii! This is my album of the year. It is real, and ill as hell. How can you not appreciate real hiphop? Unfortunately, we ain’t got fans no more, only critics. Just shut up and enjoy the music! I would like to see some of these critics make music let’s see.
Damn, XXL gave Mac and Ye an XL, Cole only managed an L…LMAO. Like Cole, the album is good, not great. I been sayin’ this. No mind blowing concepts, nothing too creative, risk free, decent production. Some of y’all are wildin’ calling it classic already.
the best album of the year!!!!! Way better than yeezus!
imo way better than kanye’s yeezus, which to me was complete shit.
I’ve listen to the album and thought it was way better than his 1st, even though there were a few times I’ve heard similar verses from pass songs. There is a tight song with Fiddy on it and don’t mind samples from the groups A Tribe called Quest and Outkast because he did his thang. Good guest artists features, well produced overall from me a very strong 4/5.
Fav Traks; Let Nas Down, New York Times, Trouble, Forbidden Fruit, Land of Snakes, and Rich Niggas.
This album is great!
Great production, Great Lyrics, Great album.
fkin dope
Fkin sick! Everyone support the movement and buy a CD! Post pics of instagram of it
Album was fire. The writer can’t be serious. The album was way better than Kanye’s trash. He needs to leave the techno music alone and get back to putting soul in his beats…take it back to the first Blueprint.
Maybe it has to grow on me but I thought a lot of the album was kind of boring tbh.
Great story told during the whole album. Great lyricist Cole. This album was dope. Honestly believe that this is better than Kanye’s album.
This destroys Cole World on so many levels. Cole has taken the next step in this industry, and he did it while staying true to HIS craft.
Power trip, Run Away, Rich Niggas, Chaining Day, Crooked Smile, Let Nas Down, and Born Sinner are all great songs. They’re versatile as well.
Land of the Snakes, Mo Money and Trouble are really good as well.
Villuminati and Forbidden Fruit are okay. They get lost in the greatness, though.
4.5/5
This thread needs to be bumped up.
Who’s with me out there, that this album is straight HIP HOP at it’s purest. Respect to the legends, paving his own lane, honest as fuck, and beats that fit the moods of the songs perfectly.
Home > Reviews > Album Reviews > J. Cole – Born Sinner
J. Cole
Born Sinner
by Jesse Fairfax
posted June 18, 2013 at 11:06AM EST | 479 comments
J. Cole – Born Sinner
HipHopDX Editor’s Rating:
1
2
3
4
5
Average User Rating:
4.38
229 people have voted.
5 is the most popular ranking.
166 people gave it a perfect five.
Cast your vote
Improved production, cadences and subject matter add up to an improved J. Cole. But his semi-autobiographical one man show still isn’t particularly dynamic.
Similar to critique aimed at his contemporary competitor Drake, J. Cole has been subject to accusations of coasting and falling short of high quality in an age of lowered standards and expectations. The butt of running jokes surrounding a supposed inability to captivate, he finds himself at odds attempting to please not only a crowd clamoring for the passion found on his former mixtapes but an industry model only considerate of polished hit makers. As this persistent inner conflict pulls him in multiple directions at once, Born Sinner has J. Cole entertaining under the pressure of an identity complex which clashes with his best intentions.
Working to prevent the fabled sophomore curse from coming to pass, Born Sinner is a decidedly edgier follow up to J. Coles 2011 debut Cole World: The Sideline Story. The project succeeds in tying its theme of spiritual crisis amidst stardom to an analogy for the struggle to satisfy purists, but the overall results for this concept are fairly lackluster. Glaring missteps arise from Forbidden Fruit and Land Of The Snakes, which rehash the melodies of A Tribe Called Quests Electric Relaxation and OutKasts Da Art of Storytellin (Part 1) respectively, as Cole banks on nostalgia to carry his load. Also likely to make a bad impression, he sounds fairly static at times, the otherwise ambitious Rich Niggaz standing out in this regard.
J. Cole is determined to earn the continued approval of his hometown Fayetteville, NC and the Rap legends to come before him. On the opening track Villuminati” he repeats the phrase, Sometimes I brag like Hov before launching into verbal onslaught, perhaps setting out to convince listeners that he should one day be held in comparison to his iconic boss. Arguably the most honest moment of introspection on Born Sinner arrives with Let Nas Down, a brave yet awkward tale of how the QB veteran shunned Coles prior measures taken in the pursuit of success. He looks back with regret, pleading, I couldnt help but that think that maybe I had made a mistake / I mean you made You Owe Me dog, I thought that you could relate, reflecting his greatest strength and weakness in a vulnerability that risks backfiring.
With this release striving to walk followers through the depths of J. Coles soul, completely buying in to the experiment requires one to suspend disbelief as it rings inauthentic at points. Trouble deals with the pitfalls of groupies and spotlight and She Knows covers the temptations of infidelity, both overcompensating for his usually boyish charm with excessive usage of the terms bitch and hoe.
Runaway borrows a familiar, Cole sonic formula (one used on this very album, even). He switches pace here addressing what are presumably his own struggles with fame, infidelity and Americas complicated relationship with slavery (Wise words from an indecent man / Made me reflect on the times when we was three fifths of them / In chains and powerless / Brave souls reduced to cowardice). The taboo subject of Americas history of institutionalized racism and how that history informs Hip Hops current socio-economic state is further fleshed out on the soulful Chaining Day.
Thoughtfully conveying the insecurities that accompany the public perception of flossing, he explains, The same shit a broke black nigga gets gassed at / The same shit a rich white motherfucker laughs at… The songs apologetic hook chants, I need you to love me, possibly begging forgiveness for superficial living and his generally cold demeanor throughout Born Sinner.
Receiving a pass for effort and strong conviction rather than actual execution, Born Sinner does little to rectify concerns that J. Cole has trouble exciting segments of his audience. Despite the layered production and varied rhyme cadences employed at times, its not a particularly dynamic listen. Coles repertoire now includes commentary about how race, power and wealth are all connectedparticularly for those in his chosen field. Its an improvement from earlier efforts (see his reference to the Three-Fifths Compromise of 1787 on Runaway), which adds up to an improved, but not quite superior album.
The lead singles Power Trip and Crooked Smile are misfits to the prevalent darker tone with little purpose past commercial appeal, and the repeated dramatic choir effect (examples include the more memorable Two Words by Kanye West and Lil Waynes Mr. Carter amongst others) has become stale within Hip Hop by now. Though commendable as it is largely self-produced without a solitary emcee cameo, Coles semi-autobiographical one man show settles for being average where a more vibrant character would bring life to his music.
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Comments 479 posts
theblackone:
how you gonna shit on my mans n give him a 4.. suck mac miller dick n give him the same rating?? you must be white Mr fairfax
Posted21 hours ago | Reply
JB:
J Cole is the truth one of the few rappers that makes music u can relate to n make sense
Posted22 hours ago | Reply
JB:
1 of the realest rappers
Posted22 hours ago | Reply
Mr. Tibbs:
His album is better than Kanye’s Ill say that, but I heard a lot of biting, borrowing, and remixing. Real heads know the Outcast beat and Tribe Called Quest beat and the Biggy and Jigga lines. I wanna like you Cole, be original and come out your own way.
Posted22 hours ago | Reply
SIG:
no idea is original. Every idea derives from somewhere else. So “biting” is irrelevant. Either you like the way he made the album or you dont. But he made it… not these other people. The biggy and pac lines were paying respect. Figure it out meat.
Posted13 hours ago
neal:
5 star
Posted23 hours ago | Reply
joe:
FNL was a classic..i been checkin for cole ever since but ive never heard a project as complete from him. This album was pretty good though, definitely better than his debut.
THIS REVIEW WAS TRASH TOO
Posted23 hours ago | Reply
Ryan:
My thoughts exactly. Both of Cole’s studio albums have been good…but I’m waiting for him to really drop that classic game-changer that I know he’s capable of.
Posted23 hours ago
me:
“Am I about dollars or about change?
Am I about knowledge or about brains?”
Nigga cole!
Postedyesterday | Reply
Kymel00:
Love j cole he’s come far and I can’t actually listen to his lyric
Postedyesterday | Reply
Ran_D_:
YUP
Postedyesterday | Reply
Dat Nigga Sheldon:
Listened throught the album twice. Definitely a step back as far as lyrics go, and lackluster production. An all around boring album, will be forgotten in a couple months. I give Cole 3 stars for the effort though.
Postedyesterday | Reply
JC:
C.L.A.S.S.I.C.
Postedyesterday | Reply
adriankingz25:
NICE
Postedyesterday | Reply
New_Skool7:
I concur with the review. As a Cole fan since The Come Up, I was expecting more from this album. He was trying to please too many audiences and failed to solidify his identity.
Also, almost half the songs on the album were about women (or “bitches”). What is it with mainstream rappers today?
Postedyesterday | Reply
Anonymous:
Ha! He pretty much shit on Cole but still gave it a 4 out of 5.
4 out of 5 is the lowest one could rate this album. Anything below is out of touch with hip hop.
Postedyesterday | Reply
the rock:
I agree with you. It definitely didn’t read like a 4 star review
Posted19 hours ago
allah:
great!
Postedyesterday | Reply
Jeff:
Didn’t hear the entire album but I did hear the talk about tracks. I really don’t get the hype. There’s no verse I can recall reciting of j cole. I did hear that j Cole’s funkmaster flex freestyle which was aight
Postedyesterday | Reply
900K:
*his songs Don’t*…
Postedyesterday | Reply
900K:
Did not hear whole album but it does seem hyper critical reminds me of how they always reviewed NAS Lp’s.. shit all over them just because his songs make you jizz ya pants and float ya brain to another dimension lol.
But I gotta say I agree with your take on the track “let Nas down… its awkward to me as well, plus its dry snitching on wax which I also don’t rock with. No I.D let him in on sumtin then he spill the beans on a commercial release? ! Idk but this just feeds the Nas hatin sukkas which aint necessary. .. 2
Postedyesterday | Reply
Esquire:
Don’t Like This Review At All It’s Way To Biased Especially Compared To Yeezus..I’m Still Listening To The Album On My 5th Playthrough And I Have To Say I’m Impressed..Seems Like A Sequel To The Warm Up..Even Has Lil Cole In It..Pretty Solid And Its Definitely Worth The 4 Stars They Gave It So 5/5
Postedyesterday | Reply
itdontmatter:
This is a classic. No if ands or buts about it.
After shitting on Blu and Exile’s latest, and now the same “boring” label on this album, I will stop checking for DX’s reviews. Dudes must be in their early 20’s with no sense of what the fuck the real is. This is the album of the year so far and will be remembered as a classic by the real hip hop heads out there. Glad to see most on this board DO realize how dope this is. Fuck outta here DX. This is what hip hop is missing.
Cole, if you’re reading this, keep doing what you’re doing. You’re gonna go down as a legend.
Postedyesterday | Reply
Anonymous:
Only genre changing albums are instant classics and this album is not that. The album just got released yesterday. There’s nothing on the album that’s gonna turn the game upside down. Why are people in such a hurry to call albums classics these days?? To be honest there are lots of albums that came out in the 90’s and early 2000’s that aren’t considered classic that are better than this album.
2013 = impatient fans and low standards.
Postedyesterday
itdontmatter:
I bought Illmatic the day it came out. On tape. I copped Reasonable Doubt from New York within a week of it’s release. No 13/14 year old kids had that shit here. I know what the feeling is, when you hear an album that just grabs your soul and you know it won’t let go. Those two albums did that to me when I was a kid. Doggystyle did that. On tape. Lupe’s Food and Liquer did that to me. Blu Exile’s – Give me my Flowers.. did that. Born Sinner did that to me when I threw it in my car CD deck.
This shit is a classic. Agree with me later.
Sorry DX that was an accident.
such a dope album
Yo yalls reviews be on point. This dude has straight lyrical ability. he is also too young to biographical…
The album is on point. Different from what’s out now commercially. We’re tired of the skinny raps, filled with repetetive lines and hooks # Rick Ross. Cole is a storyteller, a lyricist. The fact that he woke up before it’s too late is a very big and good step. This is a good album.
HIP HOP CLASSIC!!!!!
This album derserves to have more sales than Kayn’es shit. The production is amazing as he samples ATCQ, outkast etc. The lyrics are on point although some of them recycled (I heard a line or two that was from his feature on “pray” with Game.)
Subject matter is a lot better than before and now it seems that his lyrics are up to par with his production.
Real Talk! In a watered down rap game. Cole is solid Gold. This album is a Hip Hop Classic. You cant find a track that doesnt embody effort and hard work. No lay ups on this! 21 tracks of liquid poetry.
#5 track “Mo Money” whaaaaat? Cole just gave the masses financial eductaion in 1:18 minutes.
I know we need to chanllege the sophmore class of 2013 Hip Hop students but compared to what are ya’ll basing this album too. Kanye’s album is dark and eclectic. Come on fam Cole has the best album of 2013 so far. … and thats Real Talk!
Ay, DX, did you fire the dude that wrote this yet? Cuz the tallies are in and a total of ZERO fucking people have anything to say about his critique that isn’t a pointed ‘fuck you’
Damn, DX users 5 everything.
This is like a 3.5 I think
This album sucked monkey balls. He basically ripped off two classics and didn’t make them better where is his hiphop ethics. Then he writes a corny letter in song format to Nas that was waccck. The best song was his radio single..SMH
You obviously don’t know hip hop, if Let Nas Down is wack you got no ears.
and if you think that power trip is the best song on the album
One of the best albums offered this year
J Cole has to be one of the best artist out there today.
Album of the year for now
GOOD album.
fuck you Jesse! Born Sinner has album of the year quality!
you don’t understand what J cole talks about because it’s real shit! something you don’t know about!
mac is the best
THIs IS THE SHIt
Amazing.
This ALBUM was unbelievable and deserves way better of a review than it got. opinion is opinion but it should be valid when the reviewer smoked a bag a meth then listened to the album as quick as he could.
relax there. it got a 4/5 which is the highest this album should EVER be rated. if you think this album is a 5/5…then you dont know hip hop. there are many albums that beat this one. this is a great album but its definetly not a 5/5 album. its no Illmatic or anynthing
Always slept on Cole, been cranking yeezus, but this album is a breath of fresh air, real good vibes on this album, some nice production and good flow , Cole just earned himself a fan, can’t compare this with yeezus though, both unique albums!
you really liked Yeezus? iv been a fan of kanye sense College Dropout and i cant fucking stand the whole album. worst production iv ever heard from someone as good as kanye…plus literally no subject matter
So much better than Yeezus
I Agree
Cole is great
Cole’s 2nd project gives us so much more than the rest of this bullshit out here. It aint the best hip hop Album ever to be released, but at least it is hip hop, which the other shit clearly isnt. Cole’s music makes u nod your head, dance & think about the solutions to the issues he describes in his lyrics, but a lot of these other artist music just got you nodding your head & dancing without thinking about shit. Born Sinner aint perfect, but its pretty close, showing cole’s skills are progressing in creative directions that will lead to better music 4 the entire culture.
I agree and disagree. I think the album is darker, but I think the commercial attempts blend in well in the album. I love Cole’s production, he’s superb. It’s true what he said once, that only you know your sound. No one can produce you better than yourself. That being said the subject matter fits the album, he executed his premise ” Born Sinner ” we struggle with are shortcomings. He showcased it and I applaud him for that.
There are probably hundreds of producers who could have done wonders with Cole’s music. Just cause you can do something doesn’t mean you should.
Golden lyrics, it is honestly a work of art.
The reviewer gave it 4/5 stars so he thought it was good. Calm down. I think its appropriate
This Is My Favorite Album Better Than Yeezus But Kayne Had Plenty Of Good Albums But J.Cole Came And Went In On This Album I Think This Should The Best Album Of The Yea
-Louie
Best album in 2013 so far. kanye shit is a frisbee. Cole really spits.
Cole makes all the other hip hop artists irrelevant
Cole is good, but I hate when people say dumb stuff like this.
Love! Love!!
All the Legends speak great of Cole..Jay, Nas, TLC.. Tupac & Bggie would vibe to this
At least the editor’s rating and the user’s rating are somewhat close, unlike Yeezus.
Sick all of the way around. Rhymes are intricate and concepts are tight. Its’ true greatness won’t be appreciated for a few years.
I don’t understand how people say the production is good. its alright you guys must have a bad ear for it.The production all sounds the same problem in his first album.He spits but its the same things like it aint unique to me or hes not saying anything amazing. I give it a 3. its all the new hiphop heads the get gassed up for this. he needs better production to start .
I think most rappers rap about the same thing. People notice Cole more because its not about Guns, Drugs, and Killing.
C’mon Man! Timbaland? The rest of the Production is great too! Who would you say has had good production Lately?
N/a
Dope music
Honestly, one of the best albums I ever heard. Game changer when Nas responded to “Let Nas Down” that will go down in history with the greats.
Just when you thought these youngins got it all wrong a few stand out! J Cole has proved that! He’s another that payed attention. Love the production too! Can’t go wrong with Timbo and Missy!
Shame on whoever wrote this piece of garbage. Feels good for once to have a good rap album and now Mr. Fairfax two cents tells us it is nit dynamic. I do not intend to discredit any other artists buy J.Cole deserves a lot more credit than you are willing to give him. Stop dick riding Kanye for a second, listen at least TWICE (not just one listen) and then come back with a more in touch-with-reality review. Cole World.
This is a good album. There are only a few new rappers that I will listen to and this is one he has true lyrics and good production. This should have out sold Yeezus by at least 5 million of copies. Good job J.Cole
I have listened to this album all the way through everyday since it dropped. You can really vibe to it.
this album is pure genius. cole is getting better and to be honest the rap game is garbage besides j cole and a few other people. if you want to listen to a rapper telling you to pop a molly then listen to wayne but if you want to hear an artist talk about real down to eart subjects then listen to j cole.
Come on hhdx u gave wale & cole the same rating…
ColeWorld! ColeSummer! Pleased with the album, sick as hell. Glad Cole stayed on production. One of the realist albums out. 5/5
Sucks I aint get to see him yesterday in chicago at the house of blues, waited for like 6 hours.. Oh well Lol Next time. PeaCe!
ColeWorld.
This album to me is classic!! J. Cole hit home & related on so many subjects to people with his music. The production is phenomenal!!! The LYRICS is what a lot of people sleep on & no can doubt the bars that Cole has!! Just to think, this is only his 2nd album!!
Most rappers best albums are their first or second. So we’ll see if Cole goes more commercial next album or stay true to his sound.
classic #2
Getting better here comes lucky #3.
best album of the year
Production is very nice this time truley yours 3 should have been part of the track list. Chaining day should ve never been heard by anyone. Expected a lot more from Cole but didn’t get it . I had to listen to it 3 times before I started to dig it though.
If nas was on let nas down. If andre3000 was anywhere on this.If Kendrick spit a verse on forbidden fruit. And chaining day was replaced with niggaz know it be a classic. I’ll give a 4 but feel 3.5 is more true to the album
This album grew on me. At first I thought it was okay but after each play through I catch stuff I may have missed before. Great album defiantly worth the 4/5
I thought Cole World was just a good debut, too bad Born Sinner couldn’t be his first major release.
mehhhhhh
sick
Better than Yeezus, Mac’s corny ass album and I shit on Wale’s album, this is a strong contender for Album Of The Year, Cole’s one of the best rappers of this generation.
AMAZING ALBUM 10/10
http://buzzcritic.blogspot.com/2013/06/album-review-kanye-west-yeezus.html
Loved it!
better than yezzus
Bought it now trying to return it
lol
Wonderful message. Killer beats. And creative rhymes. All of these put together create a huge improvement from any past tapes and especially Cole World: Sideline Story.
get the deluxe version… ALL tracks are classic.
Album was straight fire! Dope lyrics, production, vibe. Definitely will be bumpin’ this for years to come, just like I still bump the sideline story.
am i the only one who liked The Sideline Story more than i do this?
No.. I liked it a lot more born sinner almost as good production very good just would be better for another rapper but 4/5 cool ll give it that
GIVE ME A CHANCE
Youtube is all about finding new artist, & though I been rapping for a while im still consider a new artist. I just want my music heard thats all, im not looking for no record deal, getting famous ‘r anything like that.! so please just spare a few sec. to check me out, & if you like what you heard please SUBSCRIBE so ill know you actually listen & support
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzBh55tD_eg
This album hard
an album without his usual energy but is good
This Album is really really good, he’s gonna win many awards, he lived up to expectation.
reviews elsewhere for the album….
allhiphop 8/10
XXL Mag: Large
hiphopsite.com: 3.5/5
the Source: 3.5/5
Rolling Stone: 3.5/5
LA Times: 2.5/4
Entertainment Weekly: B-
After listening to the album multiple times the rating here and elsewhere seems to be right. It’s a solid album. Without any bias, a 4/5 is the absolute max this album should get.
xxl mag should have been xl though since mac miller and kanye got low ratings but hey it was written is a classic and was rated 2/5 rolling stone
real nigga
Dis album is great way freakin better than yeezus that garbage can’t even be considered hip hop. I feel I’m about to have a seizure listening to that crap. keep going hard J Cole.
……DOPE……A HUGE STEP UP FROM “SIDELINE STORY” TO ME……N GLAD TO SEE ALL THE FANS THIS NIGGA HAS AND THAT HE SHOWS UP N A CITY AND THERE MAD LOVE FOR HIM……..
http://www.youtube.com/user/jcolemusic
ALSO I HAVE TO POINT OUT HIS SUCCESS IS PURELY BASED ON TOTAL MUSICALLY ABILITY….AS OPPOSED TO THE HIP HOP “MACHINE” OF ARTIST
HE DOESN’T GET NEARLY……NEARLY!!!!! THE PROMOTIONAL PUSH THAT THESE OTHER RAPPERS GET (MMG,YMCMB FOR EXAMPLE)…..AND THIS IS A TRUE ARTIST WHO MAKES HIS OWN MUSIC (THE WHOLE TRACK…N NOT JUST LYRICS)…….I FEEL HE SHOULD BE BIGGER THAN WHAT HE IS NOW….WE’LL SEE THO…….
a
I thought it was pretty dope, my only gripe with Cole is that his mixtapes have so far been more impressive than his albums. Friday Night Lights was the best HipHop release in the past few years to me and the Truly Yours EPs were great as well, but the Sideline Story and Born Sinner are “just” good.
Listened to it once and deleted it. Either I’ve evolved too rapidly as a hip-hop enthusiast and person or J Cole’s saying the same shit on every track—not to mention the Come up and Warm up blew this out of the water. I loved those 2 releases, and I’m disappointed with this album’s lack of ability to move my soul or intellect a single inch. (last album’s “breakdown” and “lost ones” beautifully encompassed that love and shit you can feel and even throw on for your Moms.)
Honestly, I give it a generous 2 star rating.
I guess I’m just not a big J Cole fan anymore, but it seems like everyone’s feeling this, so I can’t hate… I respect anyone releasing their work, and ultimately, they’re the one’s that live with the quality of music and fans they embody.
I know most fans on this site listen to the cookie-cutter shit and defend it as the hottest shit yall’ve heard (not referring specifically to this J Cole album). I’m guessing I need a new site! These bitches didn’t even review Dessa’s album that dropped last week? But I’m not trying to spread negativity…
Peace, love and hip-hop forever.
Album overrated, I rather go back to my KRS, Rakim, GRAP and NWA. I listened to it three times and I’m done, replay value low, album kind of boring for my taste. I’m bumping Big L Big Picture – thats a real album done in 1999!
Respecting your affinity to the classics. These artists on major labels today just aren’t able to match that level anymore (not that they could, but they don’t even try)…
It’s almost saddening, until you realize the abundance of underground shit that blows this kind of album outta the water. Fuck Roc Nation
Co-sign both statements
The more I listen to this album the better it gets. A treasure to be treasured! A 1000000 times better than that crappy ass Yeezus. LongLiveCole
Album is not good. It is impossible to listen to without falling asleep. Im a big fan an this was a huge dissapoitment.
SMH much better than Sideline Story and is more in the lane of his mixtapes and some y’all still hating and nitpiciking. Some stingy fans
Best album of 2013 thus far
Hahahahaha. Not even close! Wrekonize’s album is better than this, just his flow alone kills everything J. Cole has ever done.
This album just sounds.. Too boring.
‘Twelwe Reasons To Die’ is so far the album of the year.
best hiphop album in the past few years
So this is better then Nas Life is good and Saigon Greatest story never told wow!
Forgive the short-term memory of the modern hip hop fan.
Album of the year.
nb
J. Cole his best album yet!
yeah thats not hard with a debut album like cole world: the sideline story….which was pretty bad
@yea, u should consider suicide.
yea is right. sideline story was pretty weak. not difficult to top at all.
album fits the title with a darker feel to it and was consistently good through the whole thing.
hip hop was dead, Cole went to hell to resurrect it.
love it!! cole world…
Nice album!!
Best Album out
DX rated “Yeezus” over “Born Sinner”. The fudge?! “Yeezus” is fecal.
J. Cole educated rapper.. Another lyrical beast..
loved the track dedicated to Nas… Present & future of Hip Hop.
4 to 4.5 mics
good vibe
1 star
BEST ALBUM OUT RIGHT NOW
BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR HANDS DOWN
flow water, cant drown
New Jay Z Magna Carta Holy Grail go get it www. hiphopgood .com
best album dropped on the bigger mainstream scale that goes hard as an actual rap album ..above Magna Carter, Yeezus, The Gifted and Watching Movies
5 mics
5 mics
A true hiphop album. Lyrical, great production, improvement. A job well done.
Brilliant album. One of the best of the year. 5 Stars.
4.4Mics classic
Classic.
THE ONLY THING I CAN RESPECT ABOUT COLE IS THAT HIS LABEL SEEMS TO LET HIM DO HIS THING, I MEAN HE PRODUCES THE WHOLE ALBUM IF THAT’S NOT CREATIVE FREEDOM THEN I DON’T KNOW… BUT THE THING IS HIS MUSIC IS BORING… YEAH WE CAN CONNECT TO A COUPLE SONGS BUT MOST OF IT IS JUST SOME CONFUSED MUTT SHIT!!!
How the fuck is J.Cole boring when his production is on point and his lyricism is on another level??? He’s the definition of beautiful hip-hop right now.
You can listen to Little Wayne, French, and Ross if you want to hear mindless, shitty music with no substance…lol…
great album must hear for hip-hop fans
more like boring shitter this shit was boring as fuck jay cole fans are the type to take naps with a blankee
this album you have to sit down and listen to to appreciate it properly. 5 stars
Classic – this is better than Kanyne’s…probably not on Hov level, but who is..
Not bad not amazing either…
This album is not that amazing…i fell asleep 12 tracks in. The reason people like it is coz they hate kanye lol
forgot to rate lol
3.5
JAY KILLED HIM
best album of the year in my opinionhes bringing real rap back
You can see Cole trying to get back to his Friday night lights roots, yet still showing progress, like he states at the beginning of the album is much darker this time, however is also more honest and more of what his fans are accustomed to…great album in my opinion, and the production is just insane….
Real Progression ! Good Album
This nigga wack as fuck.
Near classic. Still AOTY so far. Maybe Oxymoron will be better
J.Cole’s style is really mellow and smooth..so if you like that, then this album is awesome. if you’re in the mood for rap that’s going to pump you up..then you shouldnt listen to J. Cole and then conclude that his album is boring and puts you to sleep…thats like listening to Yeezus and saying it wasn’t that great because it was too intense and you couldnt relax.
In order to appreciate Born Sinner, you have to understand the value of smooth, repeated beats and monotonous rapping .if you get that style then you probably realize that Born Sinner altogether has a sweet sound. Also, I disagree that “Rich N*****” is too “static” ..the static sound is why the song sounds so cool
JCole’s new record is amazing…AND he’s doing both the production and vocals…this guy is the truth!!!!
Best album from j.cole. hip-hop is back to life
never have i listened to a album and thought about my actions. this album is a testament to people living in their twenties working going to school and chasing women. j. cole has proven to be one of the most exciting new rapper/producers.
dunno why yeezus is so highly rated tho.
Instant classic.
I love J cole
Super! Keep going! Stay humble
its a quality album j cole is just boring at times honestly
This kid outdid kanye no doubt
Dope album
I only listened to this shit once, its impossible to listen to it again with the great music out now..
You’re an idiot -what music out is better than “Born Sinner,” besides “Good Kid, Maad City”?
I have had 5 good listens to this album & I think it’s a fantastic step up from Cole World, he’s a great story teller, humble, but not afraid to take a slice of the pie with the big guns. The fact he is producing his own shit this early into his career is awesome. When did Jay-Z or Nas produce on either of their 1st two albums? In my opinion I can’t compare it with Kanye as Yeezus takes a whole new direction for Mr West both musically & lyrically. But this album is no doubt better than Magna Carta… Holy Grail. He has outdone his mentor on this one & I believe he’ll surpass Jay-Z one day as a rapper. He’s doing a great job so far and nobody can deny that!
“Forbidden fruit” and “Land of the snakes” are missteps…? Come on HipHopDX, this album is unbelievably good especially for a sophomore album. If anyone was to ever do a “Electric relaxation” sample justice, its Cole and Kendrick, it really has that Tribe vibe to it. This is a 5 star album, give it a chance…
This Album was good, better than his first, but Cole just dont knock it out the park for me.
FART!!
Good album, yet I still prefer Cole World, I only like the inspiring songs, I hate when he brags and shit… That just ain’t Cole
Crooked Smile and Born Sinner are inspiring songs. This album explores the two sides of Cole and for that alone Born Sinner>Cole World
Man this shit boring. Keep it 100
Coles mix tapes are classic but he doesn’t have that “it” factor. People only bought this album in spite of kanye. It’s amazing how much people hate kanye lol but yeezus is better than this shit.
“…he doesn’t have that ‘It’ factor” -That’s straight bullshit… You obviously don’t understand the album’s concept and organization…
hell naw..this shit way better than yeezus.fuck wrong wit you
this is a good album, not as good as the first album. deff not as good as his mixtapes. Friday night lights is still one of my favorite mixtapes ever. big j cole fan waaaaay better album than jay z
http://www.hulkshare.com/Banannaz
Production Credits: Red Cafe, Chinx Drugz, Kid Ink & More……
http://www.hulkshare.com/Banannaz
Production Credits: Red Cafe, Chinx Drugz, Kid Ink & More……
…
must listen to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrgtepffWL4
great album. couldn’t skip any song
ONLY GREAT SONG IS
VILLUMINATI
You definitely need to listen to the album again… No matter how many times you have already
BEST RAP INTRO THAT I’VE BEEN HEARD IN A MINUTE
FUCKIN DOPE
THAT GFK ALBUM IS REALLY GREAT
Great Album!!!
Great ALbum!!
Born Sinner> Yeezus
Still My Album of the Year
Class
Jcole is the best rapper out right now his a mix of jayz nas and kanye
There’s NO WAY “Yeezus” is better than “Born Sinner”
Once you understand the concept of the album that should be clear
5 star album
Great album! Love every song!
the coldest nigga even when wearing sweaters beater then who ever? i knew he would come back with a bang? still say his better then kendrick or let me say K dot. cause his jst dot
5 STARS INTRO
NEW DRAKE IS GONNA BE A CLASSIC
J Cole is the coldest and realest rapper right now. Born Sinner is his best. Crooked Smile, Forbidden Fruit, and Power Trip are my favorite. I honestly think Cole is evolving and continues to get better. Definetly better than Yeezus and a 5 star
And the most boring flow -award goes to… J. Cole.
This album is genius. Production was mostly Cole. He had 3 cameo appearances (50, Tlc, kendrick — and they only dropped a chorus .. no major bars) .. so he pretty much did every track without anyone else’s verse .. then u got the album title BORN SINNER .. with an album that follows suit by referencing EACH of the 7 deadly sins by the time the album listen is complete. Ya’ll thinking on the surface. Wake up !!
Just as Good as GKMC – Fucking Amazing
Hmmm, good album, talented kid, still think J. Cole should seriously consider working with other producers, so he can focus on what he does best coz his production skills are a hit & miss, anyways solid album regardless.
cool
Cole has mad potential. But I think he definitely needs to work with other producers. Premier, RZA, Pete Rock, Statik Selectah, Hi-Tek, etc. I think that will bring us different sides to J Cole that we haven’t seen before.
How the fuck wasn’t this album nominated for a grammy
Because of his boring flow and sub-par production. Good production could’ve helped him.
Best Rap Album 2013 period.
Born Sinner was a masterpiece. Definitely shoud’ve been nominated for a grammy. Yeezus, on the other hand, was flat out AWFUL. I want to punch a wall everytime someone says it’s better than Born Sinner. Nevertheless, Born Sinner was, in my opinion, J. Cole’s best work up to date (even better than Friday Night Lights).
Born Sinner was album of the year. Biggest grammy snub.
Just as good as Good Kid M.a.a.d City
Noooo stop it..good album but gkmc was a masterpiece
It was just as good as GKMC, Born Sinner is also a masterpiece.
BEST FOR COLE TO DATE- HIS FIRST CLASSIC ALBUM ALL THE WAY THROUGH…MORE TO COME HIS NEXT WILL BE SUPER OFFICIAL HES FINALLY FOUND HIMSELF….
Best album
Solid album not great
After listening to this several times, I think it’s as good as GKMC too.
J cole is extremely underrated he may just be the best rapper of our time
SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE WATER[S]
…
Mo Money is a great example of cypher rhyming
excellent album. Cole’s second best work.
awesome album