J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story

    A cosign from Jay-Z doesn’t mean what it used to. There have definitely been protégés worse off than J. Cole, but in Roc-A-Fella’s heyday, artists like Beanie Sigel and Freeway were dropping Gold and Platinum-certified albums straight out the gate (based on their own talent and the reputation of their team). Despite a trio of solid mixtapes, a few magazine covers, and showstealing guest appearances alongside the likes of Black Star and Jay, Cole has still spent much of the last few years since his Roc Nation signing on the sidelines, relative to other rap newcomers. With his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story, the North Carolina upstart and high school basketball player laces his J’s to share his come-up and show why he deserves a starting position.

    J. Cole finds his rhythm on Cole World when he gets personal or paints realistic scenarios. “Sideline Story” and “Dollar And A Dream III” wax poetic about his struggle for musical success, and he uses the stellar “Breakdown” to seamlessly lash out at his father, beg for his presence in his life, and recount his mother’s drug addiction all at once. “Never Told” reflects on the causes and effects of infidelity, and “Lost Ones” finds a young man and a mother-to-be arguing over the prospect of an abortion. Even bar-heavy sessions like “God’s Gift” and “Rise and Shine” maintain the emotiveness of his personal tales. With a triple threat of stirring imagery, a passionate delivery and a fearlessness of exposing himself, J. Cole provides a breath of fresh air when many newcomers focus more on assimilating with rap’s hit formula than telling their own story.

    That doesn’t mean Cole World doesn’t have its accessible songs. Aside from the contrived, Kanye and Paula Abdul-sampled “Work Out,” J. Cole assembles a solid collection of radio-ready jams. “Can’t Get Enough” utilizes a staccato flow and a Trey Songz chorus for Cole to address his addiction to women, while “In The Morning” see him and Drake cooing women for early action. “Cole World” features an energetic (though formulaic) soundbed for his braggadocio, and a Missy Elliott hook fuels “Nobody’s Perfect.” Though these songs aren’t as rousing as his soul-bearing offerings, they still add necessary balance to the album.

    The main fault of Cole World is its beat selection. J. Cole solely produced 15 of the disc’s 18 tracks, and played or co-produced another. He proves himself a capable beatmaker with songs like “Breakdown,” and handling so many duties admirably gives the album an extra sense of authenticity. Still, Cole would have benefitted by cashing in his Roc Nation clout for contributions from some heavyweights. With the notable dubstep influence of the Jay-Z-assisted “Mr. Nice Watch” as an exception, many of Cole’s beats sound too similar to each other and don’t match the conviction of his rhymes. And despite the songs still being good, some fans may also dislike the inclusion of songs from Cole’s last mixtapes as anything but bonus tracks at the end.

    J. Cole’s debut album has flaws just as others’ rookie seasons did, but Cole World: Sideline Story definitely proves that he deserves a prominent spot on the team. With the skill to match his heart, he’ll be dominating games in no time.

    1,232 thoughts on “J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story

    1. Dudes gotta be kidding me …. look at the topics he touched, and how he did it .Fuck …. best debut since College Dropout.

    2. nah, not feeling the review. i thought the beats were pretty good. the sideline story,dollar and a dream 3, rise and shine, lost ones, and breakdown, those songs alone should give the album at least 4 stars. best album i heard in a while.

    3. to be honest i am not a hater…i downloaded the cd and was gonna buy it…after a few like 2 to 3 days of litening to it i stopped and if i were to buy it there wouldnt be a point i wont listen to it…but i will still buy and throw it in my cd collection.this will not sell more then 300 000 in the fisrt week and not more then 500 000 in total because of roc nation. 2.5/5

    4. This review must have been done by someone that don’t like Cole. That album is a 4 or 4.5 easily. The beats and concepts are insane.

    5. for me to download it, listen to it all weekend,and still wanna go buy 2 copies, he had to do something right, and i dont pay for shit no more. 5 stars

    6. hiphopdx is trippin. i understand the shit about the singles not being on par with the rest of the album and the inclusion of lights please and in the morning was pretty wack but besides that this album is a beautiful thing. way better than an average debut album

    7. Good album. Not super great but good. I don’t like how old some of the songs are and the production, but it’s solid.

    8. its a good album..but i think its too monotonous coz of the beats..he should have had some kanye production to spice it up a bit…ifucks wit it 4 stars

    9. dx is trippin this album is lyrical, fresh and its just what hiphop needs, dont kill the one good thing happening right now in hiphop, please.

    10. niggaz be complainin about hiphop dieing…nigga ratings like this is why hiphop is dieing, yall raisin the bar 2 much, hot album tho

    11. The writer must not know about music. Cole world is gonna be classic. The variety of music is on point. He created something great. He might not sell like wayne but we all know Cole is better , lyrically and flows better. 4.5 or more , nothing less

    12. So Eminem’s Recovery gets a 4 out of 5 and J. Cole gets a 3.5 out of 5. Get the fuck out of here!!! Holy shit!

      this deserves a 4 or 4.5 out of 5.

      Cole World

    13. Good album. J.Cole proves he is one of the best and is truly giving hip-hop back what it needs…real talent, lyrically and on the production tip. Every album has flaws but not bad…not bad at all.

    14. sik album, album of the year for me, i still dont think its a ‘classic’ but its a nice lp.

      take off mr. nice watch, cole world and work out, and add in before im gone, relaxation and grown simba and you got yourself a classic.

      with no mr. nice watch jay-z could of spit his verse on never told or gods gift

      4/5 for this album, cole is only guna get better, both lyrically and on the producing side…

    15. Better than Drake, not as good as Big Sean. A wack testament to the new era of Rap no matter how you dice it.

      Where’s Kendrick Lamar?

    16. j cole is bridging the gap between mainstream and true real rap, its about time, the editors rating is stupidly wrong though, should be 4 or 4.5 at least.

    17. for a mainstream album id give this 4.5 at least, c4 or sideline story?…sideline story any day of the week mate

    18. i think people who review at hiphopdx should be told to bump a cd for longer than a few days, this editor clearly doesnt understand the climate of hiphop currently

      1. LOL! Truth! I posted before checking other comments first. Glad to see others feelin like I do; I hate to be the only guy makin a scene about imaginary numbers. Still, your comment puts my frustration in to perspective perfectly.

    19. This album sucks dick. Hes like the next memphis bleek who peeps thought was gonna be good but didn’t become shit. Soulja boy made more money then what j hoe is gonna make. He will flop, selling less than 100k. He should leave the singing to r&b hoes and the producing to real producers. hip hop is dead r.i.p big pun big l pac n biggie

    20. editor needs a slap. easily 4.5!…if you give albums with real meaning and messages a low rating where the fuck you think hiphop is gonna be at in 5 or 10 years?

    21. This is a 4.5-5 album, this review is bullshit. This is honestly the best/complete album i have heard in years. I have seen DX give some much shittier albums better reviews

    22. editors on something, if you look at his reviews theres a weird correlation…the rating he gives albums and the user ratings are way off…this is a 5 based on the wackass albums we gettin recently

    23. this album is wack. All hype, a couple standouts but nothing classic about this. All ya’ll J Cole nuthuggerz, ya’ll will see this in time, just like ya’ll did with Drake. So hop off the dick before ya’ll look foolish when that time comes.

      1. only clowns talk like u cuz ya dig flatout great album could be classic only time will tell on that. But to speak bout real shit u most aint never been thru shit in ya life real niggz no wat it is Bodymore Already

      2. You are the chip and candy type. Vegetables are less tasty to the underdeveloped palate but they are the purest form of food – “the real shit.” Only the weak and unwise praise synthetics as the truth. Good food is not a good taste, good food is good health. While drake may be a sweet snack, J cole is a wholesome meal. I pray that you realize this before you pass. Cole world – the sun gone’ shine but the rain won’t stop.

      3. @ anonymous Son learn to put cohesive sentences together, too much of that wack shit got you dumbed down homie, and don’t think I’m some pansy college clown nigga tryna be down, nigga I lived some shit and yea I’m dissing your boy J Cole, What the fuck you sayin?? Nothing, Sit your illiterate ass down chump.

      4. I’m fucking with Blu, Maffew, Fashawn, elzhi, not J cole, drake waka or any of these so called nu school wack industry niggas. I eat meat nigga, beef chicken, veggies and take vitamins, if you fucking with these niggas nowadays, you eating that synthetic shit… holla at me.

    24. why ya’ll mad? they gave him a good review, and this album isn’t as good as ya’ll think…
      Fuck this industry bullshit, can’t get into it, it got a couple good jawns on there, but he just a jigga rip off with underground connects. Sounds forced though.

    25. Album is decent. 3 stars. “Nobody’s Perfect” is one of the best songs I’ve heard in a minute, and there’s a bunch of great jams on here, but overall I doubt it has much replay value beyond a couple months.

    26. -for a premiere album 4 out of 5 is good.
      -at first thought he did too much singing of his own hooks, but that’s todays sound and suits the intimacy of his songs as well.
      -not a bad debut, made mainly for estrogen. is the complete opposite of a Jay Rock, which is made mainly for testosterone.

    27. Review is bullshit. how you praising him and only give him 3.5 ? wtf???? and the production is top notch. COLE WORLD deserves nothing less than a 4. I give it a 4.5 easy

    28. 3.5 ?? are you fucking kidding me ?? Do you have different standards for every single artist ? Its like you’re rating each to his own potential, if thats the case then make it clear and by all means, do it !

      But PLEASE, dont try to act like and convince others that this album is not better than the Drake’s, Game’s, Wayne’s, Wiz Khalifa’s and other ready-made albums from top notch producers !

      What is your criticism ? What made you give him 3.5 ? Just cuz the beats sound the same ? Thats called an ALBUM, its supposed to be cohesive, motherfucker !

      1. coultnt of said it better myself fire. I would give it a 4.5 only because of the mixtape songsonhere but overallmusic wise its a 5 because they are good songs. Next time he may just want to cut down on some of his mixtapes so that real fire can be on the album without any complaints because it would be a new listen

      2. Agreed, having mixtape tracks on the album was only to increase sales (In the Morning) and to introduce new fans to one of his greatest songs, Lights Please.
        Otherwise this album is great music.

    29. Yall tripping this album is surely a 4/5, I ENJOYED it slightly better than watch the throne. The album is mixed masterfully. The only bad song is “Cole World”. Cole’s beats are excellent and while not the biggest cole fan I liked his lyrics, the man can tell a story. He will only improve and get better. I think the missteps here are the A&R’S fault more than his. The song with missy should have been a single. as a matter of fact all the collaborators come on point. This album is sick 4/5 all day it’s on par with WTT, Greatest Story Never Told, RED, and W.A.R. (pharoah Monche). How does J.COLE & Lil WAYNE’S ALBUM GET RATED THE SAME, SOMEONE AT DX EXPLAIN PLEASE. Next month I bet not see Drake get 4 stars

    30. i give it a 4/5 its not all that. i wanted a album without candy shit and i hate his hooks daddys little girl would have been my fav. song if it wasnt fucked up with that hook. i think the warm up is still the best album/mixtape he released cant blame him for the album love like 3/4 of it. cant wait for the cole and kendrick lamar collab album!!

    31. i agree with the reviewer, the main fault of this album is the production . The beats for the most part were all to similar and lacking imo. He can spit, but i also feel he has a hard time making overall quality songs, alot of them seem to be a bit boring at times or lacking.

    32. Royce DA 5’9’s album & Big Sean’s album were rated high than j.cole SMDH Random AXE, Roc Marciano, and Tyler the Creator even got higher album ratings, is this a joke, a few of these rapper don’t even have the skill set to make a better album than Cole. This is a joke, has to be. checking my calender for april 1st lol

    33. Yall call yourself a Hip Hop site then give out bullshit ass reviews? you guys need to change to hip-popdx.com if you guys praise bull shit artist and then not recognize real MCs for their great work.

    34. What a Shitty review! instead of critisizing j’s beats how about acknowledging his lyrical skill and substance in his music…so refreshing not to hear him talkin about poppin bottles or tryin to be on some drake and lil wayne bull shit…Best Album out since i can remember…And the Beats are great.

    35. Ya fucked up big time with this review. Im not even a J. Cole fan, but give credit where credit is due the kid dropped one of the best debut albums we have had in a long time especially in the mainstream! The beats sucked? They aren’t Kanye/ Dr. Dre beats but if you didn’t bop your head to DaaD3, God’s Gift or Rise & Shine then you must have something wrong.

    36. J. Cole is my dude but this is just a good album not a classic. His 2nd mixtape The Warm up, was better than this. I am not mad at him just expected more! i give it a 3.5. Rise & shine, God’s Gift and breakdown i like alot!

    37. Unfortunately the fission between true art and popular art has grown into a gaping hole that a majority of critics can’t bridge. Mass media and advanced tech has been able to access a more accurate “public opinion” but the truth is is that the public is stupid. Only a small majority, whose opinion is most worthy yet under represented is able to understand the true value of art. I don’t care if j cole becomes the richest rapper or even the most popular, but at least understand his genius – if you can’t, understand your ignorance and keep your mouth shut. J cole will go down as one of the greatest of all time, no question. If this hurts your feeling then learn how to confront the truth or you will spend the rest of your life in misery. Cole world, no blanket.

      1. Yes the public is stupid and only a small groups opinion truly matters but yours don’t! Your quick to say Cole will go down as one of the greats but how will he accomplish that in this new trendy era?? The same way Lupe and Game have right, because they both were hot at one point and got all the cosigns in the world. Trust me, once the new trendy rapper comes out you’ll just hop on the bandwagon the same way the stans like you have done in the past and with Cole!

      2. To L Boogie:

        thats why you build yourself up as an artist through a well balanced album like the Sideline Story, which means you incorporate both singles, catchy hooks and bangers, and at the same time creative and deep content like Breakdown, Lost Ones, etc…

    38. Finally HIPHOPDX got one right.

      This album was slightly above average. And stop comparing Cole’s debut to other artists, because compared to the Warm Up and FNL… this album is trash.

      Only two songs to salvage from this wreck– God’s Gift & Nobody’s Perfect, ironically the only two tracks that sounded cohesive and were actually well written songs.

      Cole also needs to get a co-producer. What happened to Elite? Most of these beats sounded flat out empty or too electronic.

      How can you bare your soul on an electronic beat or a dubstep track?

      Where’s the bass, Cole? Where’s the varying subject matter? Where’s your head at?

      1. Rise and Shine ? Dollar and a Dream 3 ? Sideline Story? FUCKING Lost Ones ????
        Never Told ??

        Are you a retard ? Or do you simply like to bend facts to your own advantage ? How can you ignore all of these tracks for what they truly are ?

        There’s no denying that AT LEAST half of J. Cole’s album is classic material, the only thing that held it back was the A&R bullshit that led to In The Morning and Workout being on the album, and Cheer Up being delayed to the 2nd album.

        Give credit where its fuckin due, or relegate all other hip hop albums to 1/5 and 2/5 if your standards are sky-high all of a sudden, because no one is touchin Cole at the moment other than Kendrick Lamar.

    39. William E. Ketchum the third….figures. doosh bag with a degree in journalism that dont know shit but how to put paraghraphs together to make his article sound catchy…DO YOU FOOLS REALLY LISTEN TO MUSIC OR DO YOU JUST SKIM THROUGH IT???

    40. Cold World The Sideline Story Is Real Geniune Hip-Hop with real life topics I guess wacka fucka in dem other lames get better reviews 4 trash listen niggz need to open their mind cuz they lost caught up in this BS game cole took his shit to reality shit dat I can relate to music is suppose to be about real shit no dat fake commerical same o song that everybody keep doing cuz niggz dont have minds of their own keep doing u cole great album he brought something that hip-hop was missing in I thank u young cole… in fuck da haters
      u rise they hate real reckonize real Wat Up!!!

      1. Learn to spell. And nobody’s hating on call. It’s call an opinion. Don’t be so sensitive. It’s like Cole stans are catching feelings like he’s a god or something.

        Does he pay your bills?

        Thought so…

      2. Honest & Real is a misnomer. Pick on someone your own size. Funny you should mention false prophets Mr. Lies & Fake because if I’m not mistaken you are accusing someone of being sensitive when you’re responding out of a place of sensitivity. If not, what else is motivating you? Hate? Fear? Ignorant pride? If you don’t have anything smart to say, don’t say anything at all. Judge the greats when you yourself are great.

        Can you touch Cole?

        Thought so…

      1. you deserve a tissue for crying over a grown man with a above average review. the man said he has potential to run the game. what more do you want… a Source five mics?

        only benzino and made men get that.

    41. For a debut album I say this is a 4, no more than that. 3.5 I can rock with too, I’m not mad at it. 5’s are getting thrown around by commenters recklessly on here for almost every album review. There’s some really dope songs on the album and then others I find pretty boring. Not really big on any of his singles. But still, for the effort put into his first album, I say 4 stars max sounds right.

    42. William E Ketchum is a fagget, fuck outta here with your bullshit listen to the music, digest it, thats too bad u dnt knw how to really get Cole and his double meanin lyrics!

      1. you sound like your 12 years old. this is actually one of the better hhdx reviews.

        and you want to cry foul. get a grip or get you diaper changed. it’s either one or the other, unless… it ain’t that time of the month now; is it?

    43. Cole World Gets Chilly Reception?!:

      I guess you must get a different feel to something after immersing yourself in it, and that’s how I feel about this album. I don’t think this reviewer took the time to really listen to the complete package.

      My major problem is sayin the beats are lacking, and he shoulda got some heavy hitters on there. ARE YOU CRAZY! Doin all the production (or 95%, close enough) was a brilliant move. Only song I’m not really feelin after umpteen repeats is Never Told.

      It seems that not even this reviewer heard that Cole was goin for that “on his own shit” type of experience, same reason there are no rap features on his album cept Jay. HE DIDN’T WANT HELP! Stop talkin features!

      As a debut album goes, it is , to me, a classic (definition being – timeless sound; will be listening to ten years from now…),
      but regardless of what one considers Classic, no way in hell does this performance warrant 3 & 1/2 Stars. This reviewer no doubt would have us believe The Weeknd had the best album all year. Oh well. To each their own.

      I still think K.Dot has made my favorite material all year, but J. Cole comes real close. Overall, I enjoy more of the tracks on Cole World, but I enjoy fewer of the tracks on Section .80 much more.

      Battle of the Favorites:
      Keisha’s Song, Hiii-Power, Fuck Your Ethnicity, ADHD and Ronald Reagan Era > Rise & Shine, God’s Gift, Cheer Up, Breakdown & Nothing Lasts Forever.

      My review score: 4.75 out of 5.

    44. this album was sequenced beautifully, cole stayed true to himself hate it or love it this album is going to be remembered!

    45. Anybody that thinks this album is this low has not heard the CD Quality version of this album.

      I’ve been trying to put Waka/Wayne/Gucci fans on Cole since 08 and this album FINALLY made believers.

      This is the most complete major album since Common- ‘Be’

      J. Cole will win a grammy so I’m sure he’ll get over a HHDX article

      1. the most complete album since Be! are you insane!? What about above the heavens, boy meets world, MDBTF, hell even R.E.D. The album screams average/mediocre. At least 3 songs have the same fuckin beat. He should just let Kanye produce the whole thing, then maybe it would have been a bit more like Be, u cant even compare the two

      2. what 3 songs have the same beat? name me them? I actually enjoyed the album more then watch the throne & MBDTF,real talk……….travesty that this didn’t get a 4

    46. I dont who the hell rating his album, but as of now fans opinion matters most I can give to sh*ts about this BS review because when it all said dand done numbers dont lie. If Cole World gets a 3.5 then ever hip hop album afterwards should get 2’s for goodness sake. If you cant apperciate the creativity of J.Cole and his flow that very few have and are good with you are DEAF TO MUSIC!. And no im not just a J.Cole fan i respect great artists when I hear them N*gga. If anyone or they momma want to comment hit my twitter @flyrdendaavg or post a comment to this. Hater! Weak as* album reviewer.

      1. Yea You Should Cont. Becuase Hands Down If You Dont F*ck With This Album Or Give It At Least A 4 You Clearly DEAF TO MUSIC. As Of 2011 Who Spits Better Than Cole. And Dont Comment If Yo A*s Only Listened To 11 Tracks. The Come Up The Warm Up FNL, Any Given Sunday’s Ft Songs. B*tch Is You Crazy!

      2. ^^this guy and the guy above should fuck eachother two fuckin fags. . none the albums u mentioned are better. plus krits is a tape. and elzhi is underground, theres diff exceptions and limits

    47. “The main fault of Cole World is its beat selection.” I think this is one of his greatest feats. The fact that the dude can make 15 heartfelt head bangers and rip flawlessly over each of them is genius – he’s simply a rawer Kanye. If you want bubbly shit and lame cameos for more shock appeal, go drink champagne with Wiz.

      1. As a Cole fan, did you download his album illegally?

        Now be honest and real.

        By the way, his beats were elementary.

      2. As a cole fan, do you realize you just contradicted yourself. How can a lover be a hater? And how do you know if the beats are elementary if you didn’t download it illegally yourself. Elementary minds can only understand in elementary terms, hence you’re elementary critique. Educate yourself before you try to educate others. Sharpen your sword before you hastily enter battle. Think before you speak. Understand what greatness is before you pass judgements on the value of greatness. You are a lame, you’re mother should have swallowed you.

    48. Soooo accoring to this site, Cole World: The Sideline Story is only slightly better, or .5 points better than Rolling Papers album by Wiz Khalifa??? HAHAHAHAA that’s a hoot!

      Tracks 10,11,12,13,14,15 = Illmatic level. Not to mention Dollar and a Dream 3, Lights Please, and Sideline Story. This album is a 4.25-4.5 easily.

      this review is wack.

      1. I’m not saying as a whole it’s as good as Illmatic. I’m saying there are cuts on this album that are that are as good though. Theres no In The Morning or Mr. Nice Watch on Illmatic. My point is this review is way off. This albums a solid B+ or A- and not a average 3.5

      2. Bar for bar…yes. And just remember Nas was only 18 years old when he did that song. Cole is 26. Good songs, but nothing special.

      3. Lost Ones is better dude. The game was different back then too. You need radio songs on albums or the label will drop you. I am confident to say that if Cole only made a 9 song album, it would almost be on par with Illmatic.

    49. I wonder what the haters were saying the day reasonable doubt and illmatic dropped? For the ignorant, only time can be their teacher.

      1. At the same time, we should probably give an album more than a week before we start making absurd comparisons. Not saying the album sucks or he sucks, just that a week(because of the leak) is nowhere near long enough to place it in the pantheon.

      2. Good Shit! Cause I Know Alot Of Ignorant Bastards Tht Would Tell Me “Tha C4 Better Than Illimatic” Ha! Silly Goose!

      3. I love Jay and I love Nas. They are two of the greatest in my mind. They are the reason I am who I am today. Their poetry raised me, but now it is J Coles time. And maybe it is too soon to make such a bold statement but I believe it in my heart that he is the one. His sound is new but his character is flawless. I will say it once more, J Cole will go down as one of the greats and while it may be too soon to say it, time will tell. Remember that, whether you agree or not, remember it.

    50. BS Review .. Big sean got rated higher, so this is only half a star better than wiz’s rolling papers. B***sh*t !! this album is years ahead of them goons

    51. A album should never be determined by a beat slection wtf. Is everybody gone crazy in the damn world its lyrics and concept behind the lyrics. Section 80 yea classic to but dont play j.cole like he some weak ass rapper. and if anybody comment both dick riding you a lame for even having the word dick on your mind!

      1. And you have just said dick two times with less than 10 words separating them.

        But look, cole world sucked compared to his mixtapes.

        And beats matter a lot. Nobody’s listening to Common’s Be is the production is wack. Ask Nas about beat selection.

        But you seem like you care about just spittin. In that case Blu, Kendrick, Joe Budden, Elzhi, Phonte, and others all trump Cole.

        He could have done better with some Maybach Music beats.

      2. Beats mean shit. if you dont wanna listen to nas or common cause beats you the dumb fuck that rather by the c4 or k.dot shit. beats never meant shit true rap oulast through anything. when who dat came out beat weak as fuck but if your attention is that one tracked you dont even need to listen to music. his lyrics are fucking cold. N*ggas hollering bout beats damn!

      3. you cuss because you’re mad.

        your comment is contradictory to your previous statement.

        and beats always mattered in rap. if not canabis should have been the best rapper to ever live.

        you have to make songs, not freestyles.

      4. music delievers a message right? j.cole gives a story a msg of some sort in every damn song his shit has meaning. if beats matter gucci the best rapper out him and waka. its the lyrics j.cole gives people that feeling jayz, nas, biggie and pac gave us listening to their stories. relating to audience. if you cant relate to a artist why play that nigga. cuz his beats hot huh?

      5. why do you limit me to liking wiz and gucci?

        you sound scorned by framing your responses that way.

        great artists make great songs. music is about a message, yes. but j. cole’s music delivers a scattered message with no cohesive groundbreaking or ear friendly sound.

        it’s like cole is a chef that just made a juicy steak but served it on a dirty trash can. great content but bad delivery.

      6. Cole has a lot of the same story telling skills as Pac did. I never listened to pac because of his beats, I listen for the lyrics and the meaning being them. Same goes for J Cole. Same goes for Em, Same goes for Nas. List goes on.

        If you want “dope” beats, go pick up the carter and gtfo

      7. Its a balance. None of the greats have wack beats filling up their catalog. Wu, BIG, Pac etc. all had some amazing beats. Yes their lyrics outdid the beats often but your fooling yourself to say that beats don’t matter at all. Otherwise every album would be acapella.

    52. This shits a classic n people are afraid to call it that, no way this is worse than Big Seans album, which got a 4/5, give credit where credit is due!!!

    53. Some of y’all really need to chill with word classic. The album ain’t even officially out til tomorrow, yet still wanna claim it’s a classic. Stop it. It’s a solid debut. Well done Cole.

    54. Real hip hop, real subject matter, n str8 from the hearts lyrics, at a time wen hip hops tryna be revived an album like this gets a 3.5/5 while Big Seans album got a 4/5…. no wonder hip hop died n the first fuckin place, this albums a classic

    55. This reviews trash, this is in the top 3 albums of 2011 and is one of the best debuts from a hip hop artist in the last 10 years, it deserves a 4.5/5 at least if Big Seans garbage album got a 4/5, stop bein afraid n give this dude credit

    56. this should be a 2.5 this guy will fade away in no time. well i guess first you have to be big. so let me rephrase. this guy will never get big, and this album is very subpar

    57. Almost 200 posts and the people have voiced their opinion—this review fucking sucks!!!!!

      change it to at least a 4. I give it like a 4.35/5 but that’s just me.

    58. As someone who fell in love with J.Cole after hearing Friday Night Lights I was extremely disappointed with his debut effort. I wholeheartedly agree that that the simplistic tracks did nothing to compliment his lyrical ability (which I also felt was not up to his usual flow).

    59. I think people are exaggerating the “badness” of the beats.

      There’s a balance game involved, and J. Cole’s production creates emphasis on his lyricism. Yes, some of the beats are simple (you won’t be finding any J Dilla-like tracks here), but they’re NOT bad by any means.

      I own plenty of albums where the beats (while phenomenal) distract & detract from the lyrical content. In this case, some props is due to J. Cole for being an “artist” in every sense of the word. With all the pressure in the world, he delivers a freshman album where that relies on his OWN abilities instead of the spoon feeding of others (i.e. The Game).

    60. its gonna be hard for cole world to top section 80 but idk ill see tomorrow. from what ive heard from the album idk if its a classic but the songs were great. havent heard the whole album yet but im sure its atleast a 4. lost ones is one of the best rap songs to come out this year.

    61. I liked the album, definitely a strong showing for a debut album. There’s a lot of “Album Of The Year” comments floating around and I wholeheartedly disagree with that. I think Saigon’s “TGSNT” stands out as possibly the best of this year. Cole is just getting started and he’ll eventually learn the balance between doing what the masses want vs. doing what NEEDS to be done.

      1. Word! Saigon’s Greatest Story is better than Cole World. People are sleeping on that album. Just Blaze’s production on that album trumps Cole’s and Saigon’s content on it is really mature. Shaolin vs Wu is also better. I still haven’t heard Section 80 yet. Gonna peep that sometime this week.

    62. 3.5? hell no. you gave slim thug’s album a 3.5
      Let me repeat this.

      YOU GAVE SLIM THUG’S ALBUM A 3.5

      this is classic shit.

      1. Nigga you act like slim thug ain’t got dope shit!!!! NIgga just because you a fan of j.cole doesn’t mean they gotta give slim thug a lower score smh. Get over it j cole put out a decent album and it wasn’t as good as you thought it would be.

    63. Cole’s album is great, his lyrics, flow, and subject matter is all on point. I do think it should at least be bumped up to a four, cause that’s what I’d give the album. I do agree about the beat selection though, I appreciate Cole for putting that much work in on it, but he needs to let some other veteran producers do more tracks next album. I wanna hear Cole rap over some Just Blaze, Kanye, JUSTICE LEAGUE, The Inkredibles, etc

    64. LOL BIG SEAN DIDNT EVEN GO PLATIUM LOL IF U GUYS REALLY THINK BIG SEAN BETTER TELL DIS NIGGA TO PUT OUT AN ALBUM DA SAME DAY AS COLE EVEN PUT A MIXTAPE OUT WIT THIS NIGGA COLE WOULD EAT BIG SEAN ASS UP MY NIGGA……COLE WORLD NIGGAS

      1. But based on that logic what if Drake put an album out the same day as Cole? Then who would sale more? I do agree that Cole is much better then Big Sean but sales aren’t the truth serum Bro

    65. It’s a well balanced album, not too commercial, not too emotional, and it’s theme is simple…his life, nothing outstanding about it. Obviously people look down on this album because they had high expectations of Cole (understandable, I did too), but there was also doubt this was going to be a terrible mainstream album, don’t have to worry anymore it’s getting my $10

      Jay could’ve been a little less selfish and put in some more effort to get Cole on a better track, but hey I may be wrong

    66. Illmatic>Pizza>Cole World: The Sideline Story>Section .80>WTT>>>>>>>>Getting Aids>>This review

      This review is dog shit.

    67. The integrity of the reviewer is intact on the written portion of the review but a solid 4 rating would have suited this better.

    68. this site needs to get their rating system together. So Cole’s album is on par with DJ Dhalid’s LP? Get out of here with that, maybe you guys should rate out of 10. This is not a perfect album but is by far way better then this rating.

    69. Entertainent Weekly gave a more accurate rating than these fuck heads. they gave it a B+ which is pretty much on point. 3.5/5 is like a C+..smh the fuck outta here with that shit.

    70. Love J. Cole’s style. He is like a newer version of Nas. There is no one out there like him though no denying that. He bringing real hiph op back. I’m tired of hearing about your money, jewels, clothes and the girls you been with.

    71. You guys need to calm down and come to relazation that this album isn’t as good as you thought it would be its a lil above average that’s it section.80 hands down album of the year and that got a 4.0 so if you really think this album deserves to be a 4.0 or above and think its better than section.80 then your delusional this album isn’t even up to par wit FNL on another note he should consider getting producers for his next album most of Cole’s beats are mediocre its cool to be artistic but you should really master your craft at making beats before you actually go up and screw yourself over on your own debut Cole’s a lyrical rapper but he didn’t showcase it as much he could of done better he shouldn’t of added recycled material to his debut album and I don’t think there are any tracks lyrically better then return of simba all in all fair review

    72. the only thing i didnt like about the album was that he added mixtape tracks that weve all heard before other than that i feel like its a great debut album cant wait for his next one hopefully he wont put mixtape tracks on that one.. 9/27 support him buy the album

    73. LMAOOOO EVEN BIG SEAM GOT A HIGHER RATED ALBUM THAN J.COLE LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL.

      EVEN DJ KHALED GOT 3.5 LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

    74. Good debut, but not album of the year. Phonte’s new album, Greatest Story Never Told, Shaolin vs Wu, are just a few that are better than Cole World. Cop that new Phonte, 9th Wonder, Evidence and Cole on 9/27. Support the real!

    75. FIRE BEATZ FOR THE SUPER LOW
      TAKE A QUICK LISTEN
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      IM DEAD SERIOUS
      http://www.twitter.com/Zom_Beatz
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      Any artist who leases a beat and records a fire track not only gets 1 FREE lease..i’ll also upload the track to my soundclick page(FREE PROMO) also..send mp3’s to zombeatzz@gmail.com…#ImDeadSerious

      EVERY 1ST OF THE MONTH CAN BE YOUR TURN TO WIN AN EXCLUSIVE BEAT OF YOUR CHOICE

      1. workout sold 118k and Cole practically gave away that song through a hulkshare link on twitter.
        Cole World will do at least 150k

    76. 3 1/2 really? wow! what an idiot. for a rookie album it’s great. easily a 4. could be a 4 1/2 without recycled songs. then it would be a 5 without Mr Nice Watch

    77. Big Sean album is and was horrible taking nothing away from him Cole world is hard. Please change his album rating if you plan on leaving Cole this low I’m not a j Cole fan boy it’s truly a great album the review should focus on the content its a 89 out of 100 . Hip hop DC please review your review

    78. J cole is better than this but you have to understand that the labels will ruin cds. Unless you go independent you will be forced to add commercial lyrics and dumb it down as Cole obviously did. Doesnt anyone else find it wrong that these artists mixtapes are better than their albums?

    79. not all albums are judges by the same standards. youre not going to review a snoop album the same way you’ll review an em album. if this was a nas album it would probably get a 3 or a 2.5. just cause wiz album got a higher rating doesnt mean its better than coles. and vice verser. yall just stay comparing artists that are completely different that’s your problem.

      1. its cool to review them differently, but a better album should obviously get a better score.. still, every reviewer is entitled to their own personal opinion

    80. if you dont like the review write your own fucking review. let the man have his opinion! not everybody worships j.cole like you bloggers. get over it!

    81. Classic Album fuck any haters. I’ve been bumpin this album non stop since it leaked and still gonna buy it and will STILL continue bumpin this.”Do you dudes listen to music or do you just skim through it?”

      1. the people beg to differ and they have spoken. A rating of 4.3-4.4 sounds fair for Cole’s debut album in this era of hip hop.

    82. Wow! Hip Hop DX acts like there only able to give 3.5 ratings, the album is definately ABOVE, above average lol. u guys should rate albums on a scale of 10 because all your reviews are the same! I knew it u would rate this 3.5 before i clicked the link HHDX u are a joke lmfao!

    83. Not as good as I expected but still album of the year. The Warm Up was better but this album is still dope. I just wish the 1st half of the album was as real as the 2nd. “Sideline Story” is a classic. Dollar and a Dream 3 is dope as hell but Dollar and a Dream 2 was better. Track 10 on is when shyt gets more real. I dont have a problem with him putting old tracks like “Lights Please” and “In the morning” on it. Shyt I wish he had more old tracks on it..shoulda put “Dreams”, “Higher” and “Before Im Gone” on it along with that.

      Most of his beats on it are dope but some? Seems like he forced them to have a little more of a slow tempo southern style rather then what he usually does..to relate to whats “hot” currently, if you know what i mean. DX said that he should have had other producers? No way. The wakest beats on the album are the ones he didnt make. “Mr. Nice Watch” has a beat that I swear I heard before and even though the hook is cool, the concept of the song is kinda dumb.

      I liked “Section80” and “Together/Apart” but I gotta go with “Cole World”… 4/5 but to somone who hasnt heard Cole before and hasnt heard songs like “In The Morning” and “Lights Please” and what not, they gotta give em a 5/5 lol. I guess I just expected more. I Still love the shyt. He’s hear to stay. He had the potential to make a much better album so with that arguement, I guess you can give it a low rating…but when you stop, think and compare it to the rest…arguably album of the year. The Warm Up was still better…and Friday Night Lights had a couple songs that are better than most of the songs on Cole World. Still….. 4/5

      That rating will either go down or up depending on if im still bumping it months from now. -I stopped bumping “Watch The Throne” after the first 2 spins :-/

      1. funny thing is i only got into watch the throne after bout 3 or 4 spins man,it grows on you if you delete the beyonce and frank ocean song(not the intro)! peace

      2. yeah but who can relate to that shyt? That album’s for rich ppl. money this money that..i get it, ye and jay got money, lol. with all that attention you wud think they wud talk about something that matters… “Murder for Excellence” was a dope though!!!

    84. Hip-HopDX hits it right on the head again, Seriously I like J. Cole, but if you listen to the whole album the production is lacking, and the subject matter and melody he uses seems to be repetitive, hes got a long way before he’s a great MC, but this is a good start. I would’ve given it a 3/5 because it just seems like. the reason why hes not ready is because his come up was too quick, Hip-Hop has become a factory and the creation of these MC’s is done so quick the quality is down, Beanie Sigel sat on the “The Sideline” for 6 years from 94-2000, before he got his chance to put out his debut album. Understand you cant just hop off the streets and become a great.. DMX sat on the sideline for 8 years then he went platinum twice in the same year. and Jay-Z 7 years, so when Old School MC’s say they dont make’em like they used to, its true. These new MC’s get put up to the mic too quick and usually dont have the experience to know whats right from wrong.

      1. how is come up was too quick? you acting like he been on the sideline for 8months. fuck outta here! nigga been rapping since he was 15. hes 26 now. hes got his first deal with SONY in 2007 and Jay scooped him in 09. so you’re whole argument is pointless

      2. Yea, but rapping on the streets and rapping in a quality sound booth with pressure to make a platinum plaque are two different arenas, theres niggas that can play street ball and theres niggas that can play in the NBA. With that said he got signed in 07 and now releasing in 2011 thats 4 years tops, and the dude still spitting the same thing from the come up, Im not saying he aint good, but maybe you should hop off the dudes tip and see this from a un-biased perspective. Dont gas the kid up calling him the best, you need to give the cat some constructive criticism so on his next album he can come even harder and Shock the world with it. Cause this didnt even come close to a classic album. Honesty the best policy

    85. You gotta give J. Cole some time to gain some real MC skills. I believe in the dude, but right now he’s got a lot of work to make it to that level of Jay-Z, DMX, Method Man, Eminem, NaS, Kweli&Def

    86. Ok, wtf. I like big sean, but how the FUCK r u gonna give his album a 4 an this a 3.5??????? I say this is a 4.5 at least compared to that. Hiphopdx is more inconsistent with its ratings than rolling stones, biased ass niggas.

    87. I don’t get HipHopDX sometimes… In some reviews they say certains beats mess with the message of the album or don’t fit and act as fillers now when Cole puts together a consistent message with 3 radio friendly joints he needs to switch up every beat on the album?? Don’t get this review at all. This album is a sold 4/5 hands down.

    88. HHDX just lost a lot of credibility as far as i’m concerned… I bet the writer of this has listened to the album about 1 time all the way through, made a rushed judgement, and wrote this review. Fuck this writer and fuck this website. The albums dope, deserves at least a 4, I’d give it 4.5

    89. Yeah man it really is a classic.. He delivered something special and outstanding. Best album I herd in years! I placed the album on my rack next to Illmatic, Reasonable doubt,All eyes on me,Ready to die and many others!!

      -smh fuck outta here

    90. i feel like dx rates albums based on the artist instead of the actual album. like rick ross or somebody would get 4 stars even though they couldn’t come close to cole as an artist. like “it’s good, but j cole coulda done better, so 3.5 stars”. idk if i’m getting my point across properly but whatever

    91. This review is BAD. So you give it 3.5 because of production. Really. Wow.Reviews like this have destroyed HipHop.What did you want techno-hop. This album had two bad songs on it and coleworld and Mr nice watch (those are the techno-hop songs). Some of the GOATS 2pac Nas gave us thug poetry about real life situation ; shit we could relate too. J.cole is closest thing MAINSTREAM hiphop has to thug poetry and you give his album a 3.5.I would give this album a 4.5 because out of 19 track album (if you get the deluxe version) there is only 2 woeful songs. Now when another album does that sort of ratio I would like to see your review.

    92. Hip Hop DX has the most retarded reviews of the world. This album is the fucking best album since i don’t know how long. THis album is so good produced and wit such great lyrics. 4.5/5

    93. wow i expected way better …… everyone was hyping this album and it wasn’t even that great don’t get me wrong its good but very far from classic.

    94. YALL DX IS SOME STRAITE HATING FAGS GIVE THIS A 3.5 AND GIVE BIG SEAN A 4 .THIS PROVES THAT LABELS PAY THIS SITE TO GIVE GOOD REVIEWS .FUCK THE REVIEW 10000 TIMES AND FUCK YOUR MOMMA 10000 TIMES FUCKING FAGGOT.I WAS GONNA GIVE IT A 4 BUT NOW IM A GIVE IT A 5 JUST FOR THAT AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO DO THE SAME .

      1. lol wwe is so fucking angry right now. why is it okay for you to give a 5 to “balance out the hater” but you complain when someone gives its a 1 to “balance out the dickriding”?

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    96. the only thing this album is lacking is a super produceing but it wasnt even that noticeable its better than alot of what came out recently i like it almost as i like watch the throne and i’m one of the biggest kanye fans you will ever meet j. cole almost made a classic i say 4.5/5

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    98. FUCK HIP HOP DX 2times:

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      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
      YALL NIGGAS IS A BUNCH OF SKINNY JEANS WEARING FAGS
      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
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      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
      YALL NIGGAS IS LIL WAYNE/DRAKE/BIG SEAN/GAYZ/KANYE WEST DICK RYDING FAGS
      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
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      YALL NIGGAS IS HOMOS TO THE CORE AND FUCK SLAVA COOPERSTEIN FUCKING JEW
      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
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      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
      YALL NIGGAS GONA GET HACKED BY MAESTRO574xxxMurderer
      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
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      HEY GUYS ITS ME

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    99. FUCK HIP HOP DX 2times:

      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
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      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
      YALL NIGGAS IS A BUNCH OF SKINNY JEANS WEARING FAGS
      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
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      YALL NIGGAS IS LIL WAYNE/DRAKE/BIG SEAN/GAYZ/KANYE WEST DICK RYDING FAGS
      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
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      YALL NIGGAS IS HOMOS TO THE CORE AND FUCK SLAVA COOPERSTEIN FUCKING JEW
      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
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      YALL NIGGAS GONA GET HACKED BY MAESTRO574xxxMurderer
      FUCK HIP HOP DX FUCK HIP HOP DX
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      FAGGOTS

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    100. shit album…i was expecting a spectacular roc nation big budget classic,and i get a cd that caused a blister on my finger from hittin the skip button…shocking stuff!!!!the ladies might like it…his story is fukin boring……bring on the new evidence and 9th wonder albums next week! peace im off to put my j cole cd in the toaster!!not hating i liked his mixtapes 2 stars

    101. HIPHOPDX eat a D*CK! how you gon give this 3.5 stars and red 4 stars. game’s good and all but cole killed his ass with this. f*ck you dx!!!

    102. I disagree with this review… Other than the watch the throne album, this has to be the most creative album of the year… A lot of hard work was put in the every track…4.9/5

    103. One of the strongest debuts in years. Right up there with Food & Liquor and College Dropout.

      Album of the year contender right here, Cole World.

    104. these guys give the game, a horrible rapper that can only drop names in his raps, a 4 out of 5 and one of the best albums of the year a 3.5? yeah garbage site if u ask me….

    105. I could have sworn that Hip Hop DX put an article out about getting back to judging rap albums by the flow and lyrics, ya know the stuff you should base a rap album off of. But then they give J. Cole a 3.5 because the beats were too similar. Not because the beats were bad, but because they were to similar. Makes no sense to me.

    106. People use the word classic way too easy and way too much. This wasn’t a classic. He had too many filler songs for it to be a classic. The songs that featured Jay-z and Missy Elliot sounded like filler songs. I’m not a fan of Drake either but atleast he made great songs for his guest to shine on.(well atleast the song he had with jay-z) If it wasn’t for some of the lyrics I would actually say that this album was borderline ass. But he’s getting his feet wet so who knows what the next album may be like. He may surprise us all.

    107. I agree with Hip-Hop DX The album let me down. Don’t get me wrong I’m a huge J. Cole fan but too many recycled songs is what killed me. Also, songs like Cole Wolrd and Mr. Nice Watch didn’t fit the album. There was good songs like Dollar and a Dream III, Rise and Shine, Breakdown and a few others but idk I was expecting a classic that’s why I was disappointed not to say this album is trash because It’s far from it but maybe his sophomore effort will be that legendary classic

    108. If this album doesnt go platinum, hip-hop truly is dead. This is the most refreshing and authentic album I’ve heard in years. Shit, Friday Night Lights mixtapes was better than most 95% of the albums that have come out in the past few years.

      Top 5 Dead or Alive
      1) Nas
      2) Eminem
      3) Big
      4) Jada
      5) J. Cole (Simply based off of Friday Night Lights and Cole World)

      No particular order, depends on my mood that day

      1. IF YOU’RE EXPECTING THIS ALBUM TO GO PLATINUM THEN ALL I CAN SAY IS GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND J.COLE LOL.

        THE SALES WILL REFLECT THE PRODUCTION OF THE ALBUM …

      2. I am not expecting it to go Platinum right away, in due time it will, in due time it will be considered a classic along with the reasonable doubts, illmatics, ready to dies, college dropouts. I think he will sell 100-120k first week, which wont even be enough to give him the #1 spot on billboard.But, this is some real hiphop shit right here boy. I don’t even fuck with down south or young niggas coming up, but this kid makes authentic music.

      3. “but this kid makes authentic music”…LOL…who the fuck do u think you’re kidding??? j. cole sounds just like every other bullshit hip-pop artist out right now. the album sounds like a fucking R&B album.

    109. Im seeing some outlandish sales predictions like 100k first week and even 200k first week. Some of you guys are out of your freaking mind.

      he wont sell no more than 50k, if that. His buzz starts and ends on blog sites.

      I even seen people compare this Illmatic and Reasonable Doubt, gimme a fucking break what kinda hip hop heads are you ???

      1. I can agree to people comparing this to Reasonable Doubt or Illmatic. Alot of us aren’t willing to accept anything new because of our cherished values but it was a different time in the 90s and to me, nothing can ever compare to that 90s feel but J.Cole and Big K.R.I.T and Kendrick Lamar are the closest you are going to get to that where they try to give you substance but balance that with a way to reach the masses.

        It’s a radio single crazed time and motherfuckers are worried about hoes and trap shit so it’s diffcult for the people who want to bring the real hip hop back to get shine or financial support to do that. Plus the young heads didn’t grow up with Nas, Wu-Tang, Pac, Gang Starr and many others that we did. So it’s a large disconnect

        But there are some cats like I said, Big KRIT who acknowledges 8Ball and MJG and his southern rap roots history to sound authentic and same way with Kendrick with 2 Pac as well as his homage to overall hip hop history through a social narrative on Section 80. And dont make me mention Jay Eletronica. But each individual wants different things…

        My take on J.Cole is that he wants to be a bid deal on the mainstream tip so he has to deal with the label BS to push forward because he needs that backing or else he is going to be another “underground rapper”. Cats like Yelawolf, Big KRIT, and even Cyhi want their shit on the radio man!

        It’s part of the game but y’all old minded cats gotta realize its a new time and just appreciate some shit that is definitely better than the average and go from there.

        But those folks who are a fan of J.Cole are not wrong saying it’s a classic because that’s their take. Art is subjective. Shit aint gonna be like the 90s NO MORE!

    110. YES fucking lames BEATS do count! Just because your ass can’t dance or feel a beat doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t. Never in my life have I heard of a classic album in any genre have boring beats and still be considered a classic. Stop making excuses for this regular sounding album. It’s a cool album but classic?????

    111. First of all, I’d say I’m very disappointed in this album. I expected much more from J.cole.

      I think it was over confidence on his part. No big name features. was he trying to resurrect Missy’s career?

      And it looks like he produced the entire album himself. thats obviously a mistake.

      And when he included old songs like Who dat, lights please and in the morning, he should have been smart enough to include the better ones like Return of Simba, Simba, Villematic and Blow up.

      all the greatest debut albums had a number bigger and established names behind it but Cole here tried to do it alone.

      In all the album sounds like an average mixtape. its boring and it has no replay value.

      3/5

      1. First of all you can fuck yourself!

        This shit is a great album! I see the fact old songs on there with the exception of Lights Please, that he had to appeal to the label. Lights please was one he probably wanted to have on the album already.

        The album has a pefect balance of subject matter. I agree with some of the beats sounding like slight variations of the album but he at least has 10 solid bangers!

        He’s above the curve from his peers, he sounds better when he first started then some vets who we all respect I mean to me he definitely has more skill as an MC than Drake. Plus dude can produce. I mean what more y’all want?

        I would say Hiphopdx should have at least rated it a 4. 3.5 is Bullshit because it’s good product.

        All the industry bullshit is why the album was pushed backs and he already said alot of songs on Friday Night Lights were going to be on the album but he had to keep people wanting his music until the time the album was to drop!

        Support this dude man! I mean i’m not dickriding but what else is out there of quality besides EV’s Cats and Dogs and Phonte’s Charity starts at Home that’s coming tomorrow? I mean Cole World is going to be one of top albums of the year point blank…..At least top 4!

        Y’all haters are disgusting man! All the real folks know what’s up! All y’all haters, get a life. If the album was disappointing, it wasn’t meant for you. As an artist you gotta juggle industry shit and your integrity and mainstream is where the money and where the ability to move up, meaning like Grammy or Award noms and overall notoriety on a major scale…..Aight i’m done rambling!

      2. Your 100% correct and I was so excited to finally get the album. I had a nice smoke, threw the headphones on and was trying to zone out on it, but it just could’ve been better.

      3. missy is one of the biggest selling female rappers evah, drake is kinda big. trey songz is the most wanted guy to do a hook. and jigga wel he is only called top 5 of all time by almost every hip hop magezine and by other rappers. and btw i like rappers doing most of their songs solo on their albums. look at the red album by the game people complaining about to many features.

    112. after it seemed like the whole world was screaming “cole world” j. cole drops a dumbed down boring ass album…LOL…saw this shit coming from a mile away.

    113. this is a strong 4/5. 5 is a classic and shouldn’t be mention right away it takes time. but come on dx 3.5 really im pretty sure when take care comes out its going to get a 4 or a 4.5

      1. only way drake gets a 4 or 4.5 is if u put a minus sign in front of it…here, i’ll show u……………….. -4 or -4.5

    114. That’s exactly what I said on the other article! He shouldn’t have done all the beats bottom line. The album is good, but it’s definitely NOT A CLASSIC! Come on Cole your in the Roc Nation family so get some seasoned producers to help you with your album next time. Its just a benefit of being in that position, so take advantage.

    115. Not sayin this is a classic but a classic nowadays is gonna be different then a classic in the 90’s…hip hop has changed…to many people expecting illmatics are setting themselves up for disappoinment. This album is a 4.5

    116. I don’t know if I’ve been listening to rap too long but it just feels like NONE of the new rappers have the power, persuasion, swagger, or skill level of the 90’s rappers.

    117. GUY SUCKS! weak voice. weak lyrics. soft beats. boring flows. boring music. jay-z drafted a fucking bust. he’s one and done. not one classic line, no memorable sound bites. no repeatable lyrics. no interesting stories. what is the appeal of j.cole? seriously. “he sucks less than drake?”. “he sucks less than lil wayne?”. this guy wouldn’t have a fanbase without jay-z. he’s done nothing to earn it. he’s done very little with the opportunity. nothing unique, interesting, special, about this kid, or album. coaster.

      1. People like him for his brutal honesty on his songs. You don’t get many rappers who speak from the heart nowadays, and therein lies his appeal. Go listen to your backpack rap, you indie scum. gtfoh.

      2. “indie scum”

        HAHAHAHAHAHA

        i can imagine a little bow tie wearing faggot with urkel glasses posting that. sorry, but if you listen to j.cole and think he’s something special you haven’t been exposed to enough quality music in your life. and your top emcee list would look like a fucking joke.

        j.cole has fans cuz of jay-z. no jay-z, no j. cole fans.

      3. jcole is way too overrated, album sucks and has no replay value at all. beats are awful and boring. hes good, but people really like forcing themselves to like stuff just cause they feel someone is “keeping it real”

      4. j cole been rapping for lng time and yur stupid for thinking jayz’s fans are jcole’s they rap about different shit jayz about his money and clothes and jcole about life. The fans that come from jayz are people who appreciate hiphop. and if you dont like jcole why click on an article about him? yu fags probably listen to him and when his fanbase grew yu fake fans wanna start hating. appreciate the music and if yu like this artiste then dnt have to hate cause hes doing better in life then yu

    118. Carter 4 – trash
      Red Album – trash
      Watch The Throne – NICE
      Section 80 – NICE
      Bad Meets Evil – Trash
      Cole World – Above average to NICE

    119. Im bout to really SCHOOL a lot of you closed-minded fans on here. 1st off, if u sayin dis album dissapointed you den take note to the keyword YOU..Cole came out in proved to his doubters he got more than one style!!! The person who wrote this review seems to have some favoritism for the style Cole used on “Sideline Story” and “Dollar and a Dream III”. That is the style J Cole has become known for since he 1st popped up on a national level, but his new, more commercial offerings like “Cant Get Enough” and “Work Out” are of EQUAL QUALITY. You may have a certain sound u favor or enjoy the content of certain songs, but that doesnt take away from the other songs u like less. And anyone who dislikes the inclusion of Cole’s mixtape classics obviously isnt realizing the fact that tons of ppl have never heard any of Cole’s previous work and this is their introduction to his work. Very dissapointed by many of u fans out there who being way to judgemental without using some logic 1st!!! VERY SOLID ALBUM, WITH VERY FEW SHORTCOMINGS

    120. If an album gets too much hype prior to release, it can often lead to a backlash when it is discovered that the record is not the best thing since sliced bread, as had been expected. It’s much better, in my opinion, if there is little to no fanfare surrounding an album (for instance, Shane Eli’s The Push) before it’s released: that way, if it’s good, it will always be appreciated all the more.

      We all know this right here falls straight into the former category, rolling in upon a sea of anticipation and sky-high expectations. Who could be blamed for getting excited? The artist’s 2010 mix-album “Friday Night Lights” was lauded upon release in online communities and amongst the artist’s fans.

      It (FNL) found J. Cole expanding his horizons and pushing into more accessible territory, and it seemed that he was finally combining his lyricism with more direct elements. A step in the direction of immediacy, away from the conscious brand of hip-hop he had mined on his first two projects was a cause for concern? Yes!

      But today it gives me a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction to say that as many compromises as there are, “Cole World: The Sideline Story” is still a very artistic offering that is MORE concerned with quality than having a hit, despite having a very accessible, relatively polished sound. It’s not perfect, but for the most part the artist definitely has his head and heart in the right places. It shouldn’t be confused with a classic, but it’s another impressive addition to an already great catalog.

      Making a major label album is a commitment to the art of compromise, and Jermaine Lamarr Cole provides a prime example of this exercise. Courting the radio crowd while satisfying the artist within is a tough task, but Cole runs the emotional gamut from amusing to astute, and once listeners delve past the radio-friendly ditties, they’ll hear some of his most inspired work transpire. Although not a leading light in the genre, J.Cole demonstrates a surpassing ability to connect to the core concepts of hip-hop music. It’s an album that supplies more substance and less compromise. The second half of the album is a proof of this!

      Admittedly, the first few times I heard the album, before I had a chance to look closely into the lyrics or when I was unfavorably comparing some of the songs to the more intricate J. Cole songs from the past, the album didn’t produced a tremendous impact on me. And although I still find a few flaws here and there, I think after learning this record – after studying it – it’s clear to me that it falls in an elite category of music, one that is defined by one simple rule: in order to find its true beauty it’s absolutely necessary to listen. It’s an album that grows on you with each listen, and what was boring at first seems less so each go round as the lyrics sinks in. If there is a mainstream hip-hop album since “Attention Deficit” that needed time, it’s this one.

      If your first two records is to cultivate an original fanbase and the third is to extend the brand, the fourth should be about reconciling the three and J. Cole does that proficiently by adding new techniques and textures to what was already a fine, if infamously known for a lack of variation, style of music.

      J. Cole’s skills hasn’t grown by leaps and bounds. But more notably, to me anyway, is the vast improvement in arrangements. There’s a breadth and diversity of style that had been previously lacking. His instrumentals proves to be more dynamic, moving around (though not changing directions drastically) but away from basic loop format. Both “Breakdown” & “Dollar And A Dream III” in particular comes to mind because production hints at a slickness, but still the real power for both joints lies in the breadth of emotional nakedness and the depth of thought.

      Piano has such an amazing presence on “Nothing Lasts Forever”, with a mix of programmed beats & percussion playing on top, that somehow brings to mind MJ’s “They Dont Care About Us”, especially the arrangement after 3:58. Guess it comes down to the layering style. On mic, Cole displays a rather unsettling sense of despondency but evades being negatively dragged down by it, and the female vocals in the hook only adds to the feel of the song.

      “Dollar And A Dream III” has a lot of gravity to it. It’s hard enough to knock in the whip with enough elements to sound really interesting in your headphones. Flute and strings gently slides into the mix, and a pliable bass line that seems to merge with the drums pattern, recall to mind the best moments of Justice League’s instrumentals. After you rock to this beat you go back and digest what he has to say.

      “Breakdown” sounds like No ID taking a stab at a Coldplay number. At least dats how I would describe. And anybody who can pull off something like that is definitely someone to be reckoned with. “Nobody’s Perfect” features strong electronic drums teamed up with smooth guitar licks and bass notes popping strategically throughout the song that gives it a persuasive power all its own. Its very hard to not head-nod to it with guitar strums and vocals keeping it potent and catchy.

      “Sideline Story” tells a candid tale of the hardships that arise when trying to make it in the music industry. “Breakdown” is such a deeply poignant number, and the gripping “Lost Ones” – both sound like the work of a top shelf hip-hop veteran.

      J. Cole is a smart rapper who is concerned with the advancement of himself and his people, managing to describe the backward circular logic of the street without being too judgmental. Cole has a lot of strengths as a writer (witty punchlines, an ability to write an issue driven song that doesn’t come across as condescending. Album also shows an artist with the ability to write songs equally interested in women’s assets (Work Out), brain (Lights Please), and heart (Never Told). I admire his wordplay abilities, as he can loosen up and drag out the lyrics, then slip in a tight package of words a couple of lines later while walking such a lyrical tightrope.

      “Never Told” has a constant mesmerizing flow to the track that really does captivate. And it only helps that in J. Cole, you find an MC with a keen sense of self-awareness that knows how to make conscious rap accessible, with a strong feminist focus. Well, as accessible as it can be.

      While the piano still plays a major role in the music, it’s not usually not the only focus. “Rise And Shine” is Cole’s most dramatic efforts to date. The way he bring in the horns after Jay-Z’s vocal sample is flat-out ill. Then he remove the drums at differing intervals, moving the spotlight to the expert sample work, giving every part of the arrangement attention. On the same end of the spectrum, “God’s Gift” is a fuller, more all-encompassing sound than J. Cole ever really achieved.

      J. Cole has managed to accomplish a difficult task. He has come together with a long line of fans who have expectations based on previous work. With this record he kept his songs familiar sounding enough to placate those fans, while infusing just enough new elements to refrain from sounding derivative and tired. It was a hard balance to strike, but Jermaine has done it very well.

      With that out of the way, let’s look at the bad. Well it’s not bad really, more like this would be a standout on a weaker LP. But on here, it’s a bit of a disappointment.

      That’s right, “Work Out” did not stand out as one of the great musical triumphs of the year, but it is not without charm, thanks to its up-front “sincerity” and ear-pleasing production. “Cant Get Enough” is that accessible, but much more varied & soulful than what you hear on the radio.

      “Mr. Nice Watch” features barely acceptable level of verses from Cole, but, considering his previous work and the courage to venture into some new sonic territory, the radio-ready sensibility shown here ultimately demonstrates that he is stylistically agile, not selling-out. Even though the song, as a whole, don’t completely click, it does bode well for future efforts.

      Both title track and “Daddy’s Little Girl”, which depicts the complexities of promiscuous females thoughts and mannerisms, blends J. Cole’s deep lyricism with production that have little to separate them from hundreds of generic ‘street-ready’ tunes in the current scene. And for this reason it leaves both songs feeling more ordinary than dramatic for which the artist seemed to be aiming.

      Lastly, both “In the Morning” and “Lights Please” are a little too old to be on this fresh project. But one of them is a great track, and the moody piano & vocal combination on “Lights Please”, is incredibly difficult to be labelled dated. It feels timeless in the best way with a hook that dont just rhyme but give meaning to the lyrics.

      These are missteps, but nothing that could be used as a criticism to demean the album as a whole. However, Cole’s journey to mainstream prominence is going to be longer and harder than we expected.

      He has not, indeed, successfully finished his trip from planet underground to planet mainstream. But what’s most important, he hasn’t surrendered to his new surroundings. Well, at least, not yet (hopefully never). The production is great (like on most big-record-company releases). But this time, what all the mainstream albums lack, is present on this record, in abundance. The larger portion of the LP is always pointed toward delivering a message and conveying dope music with feeling.

      More often than not singles are representative of the album as a whole and the singles released indicated J.Cole was going for more style than substance, but thankfully, they aren’t representative of the album as a whole. The bait and switch. It’s a classic ploy where you advertise one product but deliver another. Jermaine has employed a (positive) version of this for his debut long player, baiting us with three singles that are deceiving of how the rest of the album will sound because I think the album as a whole is ultimately more substance than style.

      Whether it gets J.Cole the wider attention that he surely deserves is something that will have to be seen, but you can be confident in knowing that… there will not be an album less commercially-inclined released on a major label this year – and it’s doubtful there will be many better, either.

      “Cole World: The Sideline Story” is not only one of the strongest debuts in a while, in my opinion, it’s the third best album of 2011 coming only behind “WTT” and still the best hip-hop album of the year “Return Of 4eva”. Rollin’ just one step ahead of “Section.80”, and the fifth-placed “The Red Album”. It’s an album worthy of purchase on its own merit.

      Rating: 4.25/5

      My Top Picks:

      1. Breakdown 2. Lost Ones
      3. Nothing Lasts Forever 4. Nobody’s Perfect
      5. Cant Get Enough 6. Lights Please
      7. Rise And Shine 8. Never Told

      1. You either have it or you don’t dude. Miss me with all the technical analysis and the labels like “underground”.

    121. 1 st album classics-
      Snoop Dogg
      DMX
      Nas
      Fugees
      Wu Tang Clan
      Mob Deep
      LL Cool J
      Run DMC
      Beastie Boys
      Kanye West
      Jay Z (took time to catch on)
      Eminem

      THEY DON’T BUILD RAPPERS LIKE THEY USE TO.

      1. Mos def
        Tribe
        De la soul
        Brand nubian
        Main source
        Black star
        Reflection Eternal
        Lupe Fiasco
        Blu
        Game
        Dr.Dre
        Ice Cube
        Little Brother

        They dropped debut albums that classic too. problem is mainstream could care less about cohesiveness unless you are on a label that appreciates history which is none rigt now and more about pleasing the radio which Ice Cube said it best in 1990 turn off radio Cole album to me is a 4.5 if he could of use some of the songs on FNL like autograph 2face enchanted blow up even the unreleased songs return of simba how high instead of mr. nice watch and in da morning good songs but kinda hurt the album from being a classic production got nothing to do with it beats were simple in the 80’s too some albums had 808’s and nothing much after that check Run DMC debut but now we’re too caught up with the beats instead of the whole package and thats what is hurting music too much pleasing the phony exects who think they no rap some who made classics themselves forget what people remember the most not a corny single but a full album if you dont think so ILLMATIC sold only Platinum but thats the album that most people would have no.1 these reviewers don’t know how to review real talk

    122. this album is a big let down. his mix tapes triumph over any of this soppy shit. … please get back to the drawing board and be individual.

      1. yup, finally someone who knows what they are talking about. album sucks, jcole gets all the underground love, people need to stop forcing themselves to like something just because it isnt popular.

    123. This album is a classic! he did his thing on the beats making his own music no help from big producers and came out with a classic!

    124. I think this album is a 3.5, the guy is a much better rapper than this album shows but don’t be blinded by your love for the kid people! This album gets so repetitive it starts to be a chore listening and yes it has some really good songs on it but when I make a drinking game that correlates to how many times he says he likes head and having sex you know you have to step your game up.

    125. i’ve been a huge fan of Cole since The Warm up, went back for The Come Up, and FNL been in my rotation all year.

      I was skeptical as hell about the album, but that shit was crazy. definitely deserved a 4.5, atleast a 4. After looking at other albums reviewed by DX and given 4 stars or more, I dont quite get it

    126. How can any of you mention albums of the year and not mention the cunninglynguists? That was by far one of dx’s worst reviews in its short history. Nothing comes even remotely close imho. Oh yeah cant wait till tomorrow def gonna swoop this album up

    127. WHAT THE FUCK MAN?!?!

      This is the 4th review of this album Ive read online from a critic that has given this review either a 3 out of 5 or a 3.5 out of 5. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? This is a great album, NOT CLASSIC, just great. It’s a solid 4 out of 5, no more or less. Fuck HipHopDX, fuck DJ Booth.net and fuck Slant Magazine. This is bullshit. This is the best mainstream Hip Hop album to come out this year. It destroys Lupe’s Lasers, tops Watch the Throne and straight SHITS on the Carter 4, yet critics are giving this album the SAME scores they gave the Carter 4?!

      Watch, next month, Drake’s Take Care will be critically acclaimed as being the best Hip Hop album of the year by all these same people

    128. Also, this is my new top 3 Hip Hop albums of 2011 so far

      1) Section.80 by Kendrick Lamar
      2) Cole World by J. Cole
      3) The Greatest Story Never Told by Saigon

      Cole World straight bumped Watch the Throne out of the bottom of my top 3

    129. HipHopDX is stupid. Wait for the RapReviews review. They always give fair and reasonable reviews even if their writing can be shitty at times. This album deserves at least a 4 out of 5. A 3.5 is ridiculous considering they gave Big Sean a 4.

    130. Critics are critics for a reason.. they didn’t have it in them to create their own work so they have to goto the next best thing. As for as the review it was very generic and reads like a 7th grade research paper. I don’t see why people complain about the production. Cole’s always been rapping over his own stuff so why would you want the album to have outside producers? If that was the case I could see this album turning out pretty medicore (i.e. Mr. Nice Watch). The internet is messing with how people view music. The album hasn’t even techically dropped and yet there’s reviews on it. I think any body of good work needs a while to be taken in and analyzed. I already like the album 100 times more then when i heard it last week. Everyone is looking for art to be dumbed down and handed to them because their attention span is shorter then this review and when they don’t get it they spazz out.

      1. The fact that he produces his own shit makes me feel like he deserves more props instead of being hated for their quality cause in all honesty, I think they’re solid beats

    131. 1) Section.80
      2) Watch the Throne
      3) Cole World
      4) Greatest Story Never Told
      5) The R.E.D. Album

      Everything else gets a 3.5 or less. Yeah, even Carter 4 all you Lil Wayne Stans.

      1. Agreed 100%. I’d switch a few of those albums around but that’s just my opinion, you still got the right idea. Section.80 is still my #1 favorite Hip Hop album this year

      2. Reason! I respect your list so much, in fact, that I will check out this Saigon album (haven’t listened to this guy yet).

    132. Im am from South Africa and J Cole gets heavy play but honestly this album deserves a higher rating. Section 80 is better thou

    133. Hip hop fans have short-term memories. Pharoahe Monch’s W.A.R. album is also better than Cole World. Monch is a beast of an MC!! Raekwon’s Shaolin vs Wu?? Much better. Albums released early in the year always get lost in the shuffle. Some of y’all need to go back and listen to those.

      1. not really as an album you have to count production, style, concept, a lot more then just lyricism goes in to an album considering cole did 95 percent of his production thats incredible IMO Coles a better rapper then both rakwons and pharoahe Monch and if hes not hes only 26 so in two years hell be the best rapper alive

    134. i liked the album..i think its a classic in a since of it’ll be appreciated later. he shoulda have more producers on hand but its still a good album..alot of people can relate to wat hes talking about. i agree wit the score the reviewer..hopefully his 2nd LP will be that CLASSIC that everyone expects from him..but and overall great album

      @cmMarleyMar_

    135. I’m just really a casual Cole fan, and i don’t think this album is that great. But wtf? Hoe does Big Sean get a 4 but this gets less? That’s bullshit. Hiphopdx is getting paid for these reviews I swear man.

    136. I like J. Cole but I wish he had people around him that could help him to develop into a complete artist. He needs a better manager and publicist. There is no way that Light Please, Who Dat or In The Morning should have been on that LP. He produced those beats so he’s not losing any money. The Jay Z feature was totally unnecessary.

      He needs someone good in the studio to help with beat selection and overall production. I mean he does a great job on the mix-tapes but a-lot more is expected from an album. Don’t get me wrong he developed a nice LP I just wish the tempo was more balanced.

    137. Wait a minute, Big Sean’s album gets a 4/5 but Cole World gets 3.5/5? Man Big Sean’s shit was straight trash, I wouldn’t even use the CD case to break my weed up on

    138. BAWWW WHY DON’T YOU HAVE THE SAME OPINION AS ME? WHY DON’T YOU LIKE THE EXACT SAME TYPE OF SONGS AS ME, MUSICIANS, BEATS, LYRICS? I’M RIGHT, YOU’RE WRONG. WHY AM I RIGHT? BECAUSE I JUST USED THE N-WORD, NIGGA.

      You’re all a bunch of babies.

      1. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

        ok there buddy, bet you cole’s is dope. you must not listen to lots of hip hop

    139. This is a classic wit #illmatic and #ReasonableDoubt. Beats Substance lyrics storytellng and not 1 Trakk u gotta skip Come on Son wit dis 3.5 def. a 4.5 at the least should be a 5 with all the trash that gets released these days. Its the TOP New Comer Album of 2011 Who Better? Ill wait.

    140. I personally love the album, I’d give it at least 4.5/5. Many of the beats sound too similar? That’s ridiculous. Just because a lot of the tracks are soulful (Cole’s best work IMO) doesn’t mean they’re similar. Interesting to see what other tracks get videos, would love to see one for Dollar And A Dream III.

    141. I may not agree with the review, but to each their own. Production aside, the majority of content he touches upon is deep, (excluding the radio singles) especially for a mainstream artist on a DEBUT album. Even taking the production into consideration, the majority of beats are ill! Not to mention he put his blood, sweat & tears into the beats – which I think should get him more props. It’s a Cole World for reviewers.

    142. I like J. Cole but the word “classic” gets thrown around way too much and too quickly these days. Lets see what we think a couple years from now before we crown this the next Illmatic or Reasonable Doubt

    143. Solid craft of art ….disliked that he used some songs from the mioxtapes instead of brining something new and fresh. 3.8/5 JCOLE>YMCMB

    144. so you rate this the same as the red album? whose the editor? garbage review, should get fired. This at least deserves 4 and a half stars.

    145. wait i didnt even know you gave big seans album a 4 out of 5? WTF i hope defsounds is smarter then this cause your a dumbass i know everyone is entitled to their own opinion but shit. Big Sean really im done with this site. IMO album of the year Cole world > section 80 and lamar is my nigga, Carter 4, Red album, Watch the throne, Finally Famous and anything else that came out so far. 4.5/ 5 and if you haavent heard all the songs like light please, in the a.m, cheer up, lost ones, it’s probably like a 4.8/5 Deuces your review sucks!

      1. I know huh? Exactly what I was sayin earlier bout Big Sean. My opinion so far this year is:

        Kendrick Lamar – Section .80
        J. Cole – Cole World T.S.S.
        Eminem & Royce Da 5’9″ – Hell: The Sequel
        Tech N9ne – All 6’s & 7’s
        Royce Da 5’9″ – Success is Certain

        Also liked RED Album & Watch The Throne, just not as much as the others I listed.

    146. Some fans just need to accept that Cole’s debut isn’t a classic. And hell, i believe he had it in him to make one, but i also believe conflicts of interest get in the way of alot of music aimed at the commercial market.

      4/5

    147. The album is no classic let me just start off with that. Its a good album but its not a great album. I feel like J.Cole, release better material on FNL then On this album. The topic matter on this album is repetitive overall. I feel like he talks to much about female relationships on this album.Some songs(Mr.Nice watch)feels like he trying to do something that is not him. This album proves to me J.Cole is not a commercial artist at all. The production on the album is solid nothing really special. I agree with HipHopdx rating this album is solid but no classic here. J.Cole is a great artist His album just fell short.

    148. DX on some retarded shit. GTFO. This album is a SOLID 5

      MADCITY nigga RIP to my nigga TROY DAVIS. I know you sipping with MJ, Pac n Biggie.

    149. ey cuz fuck dx yall some bitches for real doe mah nigga mad city said j.cole worked hard 3 years for this shit and now yall niggas shut him down like dat he said he going off the ratings crew for 3 days .you see what yall did yall niggas just lost the best revieing ass nigga from detroit ,for real doe fuk yall niggaz.shout out to mah nigga madcity keep ya head up homie dont let these punk niggas get to you maybe next time nigga cole will get 4 stars this time he going double wood fo sho

      1. Yo its yo boi mad to the sizzle city sipping on the syrup like weezy. Aydoe yeah u right my nigga Cole worked too hard for this. Bet Hova fucked him over, fuck em all haters they lame like Shane Battier.

    150. for great underground hip hop, news, discussions, and interviews with artist follow on twitter @RadioRebels
      by the way, a 3 1/2 WTF? it’s not a classic but easily a 4, 4 1/2 without mr. nice watch and some old songs. his classic will come sure enough.

    151. RIP TROY DAVIS THE KKK KLAN CREW NIGGAS WILL MISS YOU TONIGHT WE RIDING FOR YOU CUZ ,WE GONN ROB EVERY CRACKA ON THE BLOCK BITCH

      UGHHHHHHHH GET AT US FOOOL ITS DA

      KKK KLAN CREW NIGGAS ENTERTAINMENT .

    152. So dx yall give Goblin and Finally famous a 4…but give cole world a 3.5? like i understand if you gave the first two a 2 or 3 then gave Cole world a 3.5….but Cole’s album is SOO much better than tylers and big seans..this is some bullshit b

      1. i agree i just dont see what people see in tyler domo genesis frank ocean earl are better than tyler and cole world better than section 80 to me but i understand why some would put it a little lower but tyler and big sean they had 4 good songs on both their albums combined

    153. 5/5
      the man has to put older more popular songs such as in the morning just to appeal to the non-chalant hip-hop fans. best album of the year no doubt.

    154. This album is NOT a classic, but it still deserves a solid 4 out of 5, no more or no less. Kanye is my all-time favorite artist, but I dont understand how he is praised for producing a majority of the songs on his album and rapping over them while J. Cole is getting a negative response for basically doing the same. Maybe it has something to do with the WAY Kanye makes his beats, but still to critisize Cole for staying in his own lane with his debut album seems like a desperate attempt at roasting him.

      I have sead a few reviews so far on this album, and I can’t believe that Cole World is getting the exact same reviews that they gave Tha Carter IV, which was mostly 3 outta 5 as well. And how does HipHopDX give Big Sean’s FInally Famous a 4 outta 5 over this is beyond me.

      Watch, come next month, Drake’s Take Care will be rated as one of the best albums of the year, and I’m sure HipHopDX will give that album a minimum of 4 outta 5.

    155. Cole World is a solid album I must admit. But J. Cole just doesn’t have what it takes to reach the level many of his fans wants. Where are the HIT RECORDS? I understand his backpack/underground following would feel betrayed if he started chart topping or became a household name but… All his singles are trash. His album is not debatable or worth critical acclaim or worth haters by the bus loads… it’s just.. SOLID. Musically this is better than Big Sean, Drake, and Nicki’s debut albums… But no tracks that push the envelope, no hits, no “oh shit!” or “what the fuck?” moments. Old tracks from 2009!!!! Lil B and Souljah at least make you laugh at the stupidity and constantly talk about the lack of talent but this is just plain BORING

      1. Cant get enough is dope he fucked up by not making that the single….and work out was wack but its a bonus…in the morning(altho old) is also dope……mr nice watch was terrible tho he tried too hard on that one….i def give the album a 4-4.5

    156. Fuck internet and other media ratings. The people’s ratings speak for itself. This album is at least a 4, and if not a 4.5

    157. Im tired of MFs getting pissed off at the rating. Ross, Common, and Drake are ALL 3 different artist. If all their albums gets a 4, it’s based on what they do BEST. Stop comparing the review to other reviews. I turn on Nas album my mind in a totally different zone than when I listen to Jeezy

    158. HHDX, you need to get a clue on how to rate albums preoperly. This is by far the best debut I have heard in awhile, and I am not even a fan.

    159. The album is the best release of 2011, but not sure if its a perfect classic. Regardless, it shits on any other album DX has rated higher, so it deserves the 5 on this site! I’m still hoping the source gives it 5 mics. Definitely better than Trill OG

    160. WTF!!!!!! Hiphopdx wtf!!……..you give big sean wack ass shit 4.0, but then you give a pretty good J. Cole album 3.5, whoever did this rating is a fucking dumbass…rate albums properly please. It is a fucking fact that j. Cole’s album is a better piece of work than some of your 4.0 rated albums..

    161. Been listening to J.Cole for a long time. Can’t hate on the man,he dropped 3 solid mixtapes, and a few EP’s. Supporting his sales because he worked hard. I have not listened to the whole album yet but have heard good reviews. He doesn’t have instant radio success but he’s doing his thing regardless. 9/27 COLE WORLD

    162. Every one is a critic…If you like it, bump it, tell a friend. Buy that shit…all you niggas downloaded that shit and are the first to have opinion on some shit you got for free. Take it for what it is, you can’t even enjoy the shit cause you dissecting the entire thing apart looking for imperfections. Until you niggas have a column, or blog where your opinion really matters just shut the fuck up. You niggas kill hip hop.

      1. nigga if this wack muthafuckas got real jobs hip hop wouldnt be gettin killed u dumb muthafucka i u like wack shit go head n support it wana be jay zs n shit

    163. After a few spins, I can say, it’s pretty good. Not classic or anything but decent. My biggest critique is that J Cole doesn’t really have diverse subject matter, too ma’ny songs about girls, but whatever maybe thats cole. I could see the ladies really digging it.
      I’ll stick to my kind of hip hop, Evidence’s Cats and Dogs. J-Live’s S.P.T.A. Phonte’s Charity Starts at Home.

      Support dope independent hip hop!!!!

    164. damn i mean every man got his own opinion, but if you gave big sean a 4 star, then please dont be stupid and give Cole a 3.5.

    165. Great album but something was missing. His lyrical ability seem to be off a bit. Not the same excitement i got from his older songs. And people talking about Big Seans debut like it was wack is wrong. That was also a great album. I would give both of them 3.5 out of 5 cause they have room for improvement

    166. Wow i knew as soon as j.cole got a low core the dickriders would be butt hurt lol…. Again he didn’t make a classic and it takes more than lyrical skill to make one…..Concept,Lyrics,Story telling, Beat selection, etc…. The overall package….I have listened to hiphop since i was 5 yrs old and i am 30 now and i will tell you this is not a classic but a decent album and a good start for the young dude… Shit happens now get over yourself….Oh yeah 4/5

    167. The amount of male groupies is incredible. The album is good but it’s not great. 3.5 is a very accurate assessment. The production was flat and sounded the same throughout the album. That alone is enough not to give it any higher than a 3.5 rating.

      We’re talking overall flow of the album. If people don’t start taking harder stances for what they allow to come out then we’ll always be stuck with weak, wack, and mediocre art. As listeners, y’all need to step y’all game up.

      Kudos to Ketch for holding true to himself and giving this a fair and UNBIASED listen. Because I know dude personally and I KNOW he’s a J. Cole FAN.

    168. IS HipHop DX another “Source” I swear J. Cole is a reincarnation of Benzio. I can’t go a day without viewing an article related to J. Cole on this mess. Move on!

    169. Funny how the review knocks him for doing production himself…haha I mean maybe we are all tired of the same ol beats from other artists.

      The album is solid. Rhymes with substance and beats that are original (minus mr. nice watch)

    170. diz album iz a fuckin classic. how dare hiphopdx give it a 3.5? it’z a 10000000000/5 bitchez! all da songz r bangin filled wit hot beatz and awsum lyricz. and a 4.44 user ratin? where all u haterz at? lol, guess j cole proved y’all wrong. i c u cole, let’z go!

      RNGMB BITCH! COLE WORLD NIGGAZ!

    171. this is straight fire…not a classic but really close…he kept us waiting too longs so the expectations were way too high…this is an amazing album and he’s gna stay on top for a while

    172. Damn, I guess it’s up to Kendrick Lamar now…

      If that nigga album dosen’t get critically acclaimed when it comes out next year, Hip Hop is FUCKED

    173. Critics don’t know what the fuck they talkin bout the new wave has found it’s leader along with Kendrick and Drizzy

    174. This album was decent, wasn’t as good as I thought it would be, looking at his mixtapes and all but still pretty good. I agree with HipHopDX on this one its almost a 4.5. None the less still better then most the bullshit mainstream music you hear now a days.

    175. keep on speaking to all the haters talking about yall know rap this isn’t a classic, that’s your opinion i understand totally… but ya’ll act like this is first and last album bro…. and too all the older heads that prolly know rap better then me this is our time man let us be i can even name any rappers past the 1990’s….

    176. 3.5?????? Never visiting hiphopdx again. You guys obviously don’t know hip-hop. Not even a Cole fan like that. I liked kendricks section.80 more. But come on. A 3.5? Foh

    177. Cole gave us great mixtapes but jus as i feared, he chose some of the wrong songs to be on dis albulm. I agree w/production but to me, he has to work in his songwriting(more or so the hooks) cuz they’re plain & boring..Nevertheless tho he put out a good albulm dat cud’ve been better but its a good rookie debut

      fav tracks:(non-mixtape)-lost ones, sideline story, rise and shine, dollar and a dream

      my rating:3.8/5 or 7/10

    178. Hip-Hop Dx..Disappointing a 3.5/5! Really now! So this is just 0.5 better than Carter4? NO! This is for sure on terms and slightly better than the RED album. Cole world 4.6/5. Would say that “RAP’s roots” are represented in this album. Bordering classic, but we will have to wait a few months to see if it crosses that line. Respect.

    179. i dunno what ppl talking about. okay so in the morning and cole world kinda let down the album. but songs like rise and shine and gods gift, lost ones are just incredible. brilliant album

    180. This album is brilliantly put together. With enough for the mainstream, the new listeners, and the loyal J-Cole fans. I’d hate to use a cliche to describe this album by calling it a classic, but I’ll call it rather a subversively innovative chef d’oeuvre!!! Cole world…

    181. Ive been a fan of Cole for a long time nearly 4 years, I know know half the songs he made as a the Therapist lol. That a being said this is album is not a classic. But Cole is capable of a classic album Lost Ones is perhaps the best hip hop song in a long time. What makes a classic a classic is TIME lol.

      The reason why J. Cole stans go so hard is cuz once u past the beats the sorry hooks lol the message he is spittin is yours. He is not rapping bout $250,000 aston martin or a $95,000 Audemars Piguet. In every song he puts out he tries to rap consciously. The reason warm up was so good was due to the fact that a majority of the songs didn’t have hooks lol. Ive said for the longest time that boy hook game needs work.

    182. im never coming to this site again because you gave j.cole an average rating… do you losers hear yourselves. dont worry about not coming back to this site… get off the fucking internet and get out of the house. you people care too much about something so minor! wow!

    183. Stories and Messages in Sideline Story:
      Dollar and a Dream III — continuing the story of a college student who was broke but all he has is this dream of rapping, and telling the story that dreams never reach fruition without adversity and effort have brought him and overall doin’ everything for his mom and his family

      Can’t get Enough — nothing lol

      Lights Please — an allegory bout how we as black people seem to neglect adverse actions around us and have accepted it as the norm, so much so that it is subconsciously averted.

      Sideline Story — Cole knows he spits as hard as he can on a track and no that people are gonna reject it as trash. Regardless, he is still gonna break out from the stereotype of underground rappers. Everything he does has meaning and purpose, and hopefully the change is for the better. This song is full of Cole talking about the long term. the change you see may have you nearsighted but he just preparing you for the next phase in his career

      Mr. Nice Watch — Time isn’t money, because if you go broke time is still gonna move forward, and no one knows what the future holds so go all out. You can make money back but one thing you can’t get back is time. the hook sucks lol good msg in it though and the first verse was sluggish

      Cole World — throws in some real life stuff a about how colleges try and keep us out and how the black education system sucks lol but it don’t fit. no msg really and the hook sucks lol

      In the Morning — raps to a woman like she is a woman lol, not a object there just to satiate your torrid and prurient desires. Telling women not to judge men off of what they might hear from their girlfriends and in return he won’t judge them from what they wear.

      Lost Ones — Obvious msg The whole song is ostensibly lets the listener no what the song is about. Thats when Cole is at his best when the entire song has one complete thought with many congruent parts and perspectives. Cuz Cole like to jump all over the place with his subject matter.

    184. Nobody’s Perfect — Cole talks bout his flaws, and some of the world’s too. an ok track

      Never Told — msg is SLEPT ON for real lol. Cole delves into the subconscious of men and women in relationships, men and women do the same stuff. Tells you why men have a problem with commitment and why cheating perpetuates our society cuz its a socially frowned upon action that receives latent praise and for men its pardonable.

      Rise and shine — Cole knows that for the past songs on the album have been slow so he wakes up the listener. also to tell the rappers that have no substance that their days are numbered and tell people who hate him wake up nigga what I’m trying to do is real lol

      I’M GETTIN TIRED OF WRITING LOL!

      God’s Gift — good song good hook good verses some subject hopping but he throws in some real life stuff we all know some of them ex cheerleaders nigga YOU KNOW WHAT IM TALKING BOUT LOL

      Breakdown — Again like Lost ones this where Cole is at his best. A complete thought spit on wax, telling the story of child growing without a father, mother addicted to drugs, losing friends to gun violence, and for college educated women with boyfriends locked up ( this happens a lot more than you think) and telling her no matter what life throws at her don’t breakdown. good song no real hook makes it better lol

      Work out – theres a minute msg. girl you a one night stand don’t catch no feelings i know thats not fair but life is not fair either lol

      Nothing Lasts forever — Real life spit on a track msg is apparent good song

      Daddy’s little girl — don’t like the beat but this is one of the realest songs on the album, cole analyzing a stripper seeing that this woman was once a little girl that shunned her family and now looks up to see herself trapped in a life she can’t escape DANG THIS JOINT DEEP SON SMH LOL! TOO BAD THE HOOK SUCKS COLE U CANT SING LOL

    185. 4/5 8/10, worth your money, he is not a mediocre rapper he just has mediocre hooks and some occasional mediocre beats. Once Cole stops subject hopping and can write some good hooks over some fire beats…………its over lol. And all that can be done. which is why I’ve been a fan for so long. The realest and most relatable out there in there mainstream well sort of lol

    186. Does this author know what contrived means? If anything, Work Out was the most creative song on the album (beat wise).

      I listened to this album from top to bottom, and even his interludes where he expresses so much are enjoyable.

      Great story telling. Great delivery. I don’t understand the knock on beats (this was something Yeezy initially was knocked for at times too).

      I’ll admit, I’m a big fan, but this album is a rookie classic.

    187. cole had a vision for the album was not properly executed!3/5..the album gets boring just because a nigga talks doesnt mean its a classic… i can write a whole album about my troubles in Africa will you dumb sheep neggaz give me a 5? no because im no j.cole. the album above average..the word classic is thrown around too much!

    188. i tld u guys..
      if cole keeps making his own beats for himself shit aint gonna work.. hes a good beatmaker… GREAT lyricist.. make beats for other people but just cause u make the beats dont mean u have to match it up with ur far more superior rhymes.. that shit dont make sense.. I FELT LIKE I WAS LISTENING TO NAS SPIT ‘THE WORLD IS YOURS’ OVER ‘OOCHIE WALLIE’ COME ON COLE i give this a 3 because i come from the era where ur production had to come as hard as ur rhymes.. pick out all the classics these young dudes portray to outshine.. ready to die alone.. even puns cpital punishment.. or fuck it he said it a few weeks ago.. blueprint.. man i can go on for days with CLASSICS with CLASSIC production.. this shit is HIP HOP homeboy.. not just RAP.. u gotta come HARD on all ELEMENTS.

    189. Obviously the rating u gave the Album doest match it’s review. U haven’t really said anything that’s flawed about the Album other than it’s beat (which are decent to me) and the inclusion of some mix tape songs (which has become common place today) I think he’s being leveled up with people like Drake and that’s what’s keeping him from full critical appeal. I’d give it a comfortable 4 starts. Nice work Cole.

    190. DOPE!
      The fact that is produce his own track make the essence and a soul to the album.
      Cole deserve respect. He can be produced by all the hit maker, but he keep it real.
      For me his a solid album. 4/5

    191. The only mistake J.Cole made was being hot to early. He made all the people who listened to his music expect an illmatic. He even said it himself “But no one touching Nas”..lol. Finding a balance between giving the fans what you really want and label politics is a battle thats killing the expressive nature of these guys. From Lupe to dame near big fish like 50cent. In this day and edge if you want to define a good album in hip-hop by sales then you are utterly misguided.

      The next J. Cole album?! Watch Out….thats my thought!

      1. An overrated debut album by an overrated cookie cutter MC that overshadows a bunch of more important releases at the same time?

        Id say he did a pretty good job of emulating illmatic lol

    192. I pre-ordered the album on Amazon but also downloaded the leak.

      #1. The album is hot. I agree that he should have called in a favor from Jay to get a couple heavy weights like Ye & Swizz on the album but I think Cole really wanted to prove himself.

      #2. Lyrics are on point. Dollar and a Dream III is great and it’s nice to hear someone spit on real life subjects. Also, you hear that agression in his voice that reminds me of a young Jay when he was really hungry.

      #3. Jay needs to really push Cole. I’m a big Jay fan but I think he looks at Cole more like an employee of RocNation than someone of his crew and he might be justified in that because cats turn out to be snakes but this cat should definetly be on the Roc’s starting 5.

    193. This is the gayest album since Im Gay.

      Rise and Shine could have been a great song but J Cole is a fag so thats that.

      “Hey its me , got signed by Jay Z ! Blah blah blah blah blah”

      1. Why do people like you even bother to comment? Leave this space for people who want real discussion, facts, opinions, with constructive criticism which (smart) people can talk about. You blatantly haven’t got an ounce of brain, in that probable dumb-lookin ass head of yours, so go comment on some pre-teen site where you’ll most likely be greeted by 9 year olds with a higher intelligence, you weapon!

        Solid debut, not long been into Cole but definitely a fan since coppin’ few mixtapes and now this album, the guy can tell a story. Bit harsh I feel DX, at least worthy of a 4 in my opinion considering what else is filling your speakers in these current times!

    194. HipHopDX is undervaluing the fuck out of this album. Know one is complaining about the couple songs that were already released. Some of the beats sound similar but that’s only a problem if you don’t listen to the lyrics. J.Cole is the future of Hip-Hop, get with it or go home.

      1. I have read some people’s complaints about the same mixtape songs reused. They were told to shut up though, cause its been done before on Illmatic.

        It was on this site actually. Oh well 19 songs who cares I haven’t been treated this good since “The Cool.” lol

    195. This album is so good! Its got that real hip-hop feel. Content is great and people can really relate to it. The production is really good too, Imagine when he gets other producers to make beats for him! There aren’t any songs that I want to skip over either. It really does have a good story to it. J. Cole is definitely here to stay for a while! Cole World

    196. after listening to the album for the past week, realized that its VERY hard to hate this kid.. he just sucks you into his own world where he brings you on a journey through what he calls home.. him and krit are the most humble cats in the game and they appreciate real hip hop

    197. the editor who did this review must have been high,cole world is 4.5,classic beats,charismatic flow,dope lyrics,solid album

    198. beanie sigel and freeway never went platinum. william ketchum III sorry but ur review is factless.shit! it is fucked up so called hip hop writers dont even know hip hop.nobody that has ever been on the roc roster can touch j cole. maybe just kanye west

      1. you must be strictly a radio listener because album doesnt mean anything, cuz former Rocafella artist like Beanie, Freeway, Young Chris, and even Peedi Crack are all underated MC’s…I love J.Cole’s music but he still has a while before he can be compared to Beanie Sigel. How many other rappers you know can go blow for blow with Jadakiss

    199. how does the beat for work out,ADAAD3 and lost ones sound similar.i can always tell a dr dre beat. and he 2001 was a classic album.people always find unnecessary faults, dats all i can say.

      1. ADAAD3 and Lost Ones definitely sound similar to me. Can’t put my finger on it. I jumped back and forth between the tracks, but I still couldn’t figure out why I had that feeling.

      1. were any of these hailed as classics out the gate ??? i dont think so,. i flipped a coin deciding either to buy ready to die and street fighter 2 soundtrack,..staright to my feet by hammer got played and so did i

    200. this album doesnt have any faults. cole world is complete greatness. a classic debut in the books. lyrically the best rap album of the year so far.

    201. 4/5. The beats sound a too similar to me but the rhymes/flow are good. I still think Kendrick Lamar’s Section 80 is the best CD of 2011, and it’s ironic to me that J. Cole gave away his best beat to K-Dot! (Hiiipower)

      1. i still rock TML. WTT, and this will not leave the disc changer,. my ipod gonna be on blast with these traxx, the album is sick.

    202. You guys are crazy if you really think this album didn’t have any faults. I personally gave this album an A-. Simply because, it’s what you expected. Lyrics were top notch, production was good at best. And he’s an average song writer.

      It’s really exactly what you thought it would be. Deep content, and strong lyricism. He needs to work on making strong MUSIC now. Okay, we know you have something to say, but give me something I can bounce to. That’s what separates the best from the good.

      I mean sure Work Out, Can’t get Enough, In the morning, Mr. Nice Watch. Sure they’re great records but he needs to be able to musically hold down a piece by himself. Especially if he makes his own beats. He should be able to follow the melody and really make something catchy.

      But for what it was. This album is great. I really didn’t expect a strong musical album. I expected a strong lyrical album. And thats what it was.

      PS. I’ve been seeing some crazy stuff about this album being a classic and up there with Kanye’s and Jay’s first album. Honestly if this is what we’re considering a classic album now. Then Drake TML was as much of a classic. Because even though he might not have been as deep in content or lyricism. He makes up for it in song writing.

      1. LOL Bounce??? this isnt Soulja Boy, you dont bounce to this J.Cole’s music. The same way you dont bounce to Illmatic or Reasonable Doubt…You just sit back and listen to good lyrics

    203. Dear Arthur: Is it not a good thing that a debut album does NOT need to be held up by the reputation of big name producers??? Cole’s beat selection is what makes this album so dope. This is a hip-hop album not a pop album. I’m glad Cole didn’t try to sound like everyone else and retained his own sound for this project. Only project I would put before this album, this year, is Big K.R.I.T’s Reutrn of 4 Eva

      1. Completely agree. If it wasn’t for the fact that the same writer gave something like Finally Famous 4/5 I would begrudgingly accept 3.5/5 for J. Cole (use of old mixtape songs hurting it).

        But if Big Sean scores 4, then J. Cole easily deserves a 4 or higher.

    204. a classic album stands the test of time. how do you know right now if its a classic,..MBTF,COLLEGE DROP OUT, DOGGY STYLE , CHRONIC 2001, ONLY BUILD 4 CUBAN LINX, BLUEPRINT,REASONABLE DOUBT, MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS, LOW END THEORY, ILLMATIC, 36 CHAMBERS, READY TO DIE. THESE ARE CLASSIC.

      1. About time someone else says what I’ve been saying for years now. You can’t call something a classic until at least 5 years or more and see if you still rock that thing on the regular.

        I would also like to throw into that list some of the following (your mileage may vary):

        – E. 1999 Eternal (BTNH)
        – It’s Dark and Hell is Hot (DMX)
        – Disposable Arts (Masta Ace)
        – The Chronic (how did you leave that off but include 2001?)
        – Marshall Mathers LP

      1. Except he graduated from college… and the production on this album shits on dropout.. stop being a hater and do something with your life bum ass nigga

      2. Does not shit on College Dropout’s production. How could you even say that?? And the production’s not worse, Cole World doesn’t seek the same appeal as College Dropout, so the productions different. Hell, Dropout was satirical as hell and serious when it needed to be. Cole World is serious, it changes mood, but never to the same degree.

      1. If your just talking about the new rappers then i must agree but they have a long way to go before they enter the JayZ/Nas level

    205. THIS ALBUM IS FIRE!! FIRE!! FIRE!! I got chills on the INTRO! This nigga is a beast. You Have to listen from the beginning to end. you get the full feel of the album. i think people dont do this anymore and they lose the true feel of the album.

      1. the intro is mean… makes u remember them old 90’s albums with that sick intro then he just start flowing,. thisd shit is 5

    206. Everybody waiting to hand out perfect and near-perfect scores for Drake’s Take Care. Watch, that shit gonna be named the bst album of the year. SMH!!!

    207. Cole’s debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story

      The Best Hip-Hop (Lyricism,message,Punchlines,methaphors) of the year by far, not Weezy, not Watch The Throne but J. Cole.
      If you long for real Hip-Hop like myself, I’m talking 80’s 90’s type realness then you should feel at home right here. J.
      Cole a true student of Hip-Hop’s glory days of realness,message in your lyrics and passion in your music does’nt dissappoint. If your looking for poppy singles,
      straight club dance songs and BS that plays over n over on radio, then this is not for u.
      With That Being said here’s my review. Oh yeah only 4 features, a rarity these days so you know its all Cole’s World Baby.

      1. Intro – J. Cole reminisces about the day he waas signed on son real shit, a nice prelude of what’s sure to be a classic. 5/5
      2. Dollar and a dream – A continuation of the DAAD series from his mixtapes sets the tone for what’s to come. 5/5
      3. Can’t get enought ft. Trey Songz – not too poppy as some would expect but this works right here. A sure hit if pushed the way
      it should be, a nice hook & Cole show he can switch it up for the ladies also, he’s comfortable here. 5/5
      4. Lights Please – If you dont know this song you obviously not a fan of Mr. Cole. This the infamous song Jay Z heard and signed him. 5/5
      5. Interlude – nice retrospective here, I’d feel the same way too, J. Cole played it cool. 5/5
      6. Sideline Story – Real shit right here, listen to the lyrics. For all u upcoming repper take notes. 5/5
      7. Mr. Nice Watch ft. Jay Z – Produce by cole Himself, the beat sounds weird at first but catches on with
      multiple spins. But Jay Z’s half assed bars brings the song down. 4/5
      8. Cole World – a Banger. ” got a 150 bitches in the club staring at me, how dat feel? very happy.” 5/5
      9. In the morning ft. Drake – First liked this on Friday Night Lights. 5/5
      10.Lost Ones – The Best song on here in my opinion, from start to finish Cole’s lyricism,delivery
      & story telling is reminisence of the Great @ Pac Shakur’s Breenda’s Got a Baby. Real Shit if
      you don’t like this you buggin. 5/5
      11.Nobody’s Perfect ft. Missy Elliott – Potential single that has a 90’s feel to it and Missy does her thing
      very well as if she has’nt been behind the scene’s & J. Cole is on point with his flow & lyricism. 5/5
      12.Never Told – Another Real record which Lyrics paints a perfect picture with the art of story telling
      alah one of Cole Idol’s Andre 3000. 5/5
      13.Rise and shine – When the beat drops & lyrics start to flow, you wil definatle be repeating this everyday. 5/5
      14.God’s Gift – he is to Hip Hop. 5/5
      15.Breakdown – another of the best tracks on here, listen to the words and lyrics. 5/5
      16.Work Out – The first single, has that summertime vibe to it, thought it did’nt get the push
      or radio play it derved still good. 5/5
      17.Who Dat – 5/5
      18.Daddy’s little Girl – Real Shit 5/5

      Alotta rappers these days get so much hype & dont live up to it, not J. Cole. He not only shows he’s a student of those that came before him
      but he also shows he’s here to stay. If your lookin for beat driven, pop oriented anthems this is not for you.
      Best Hip-Hop album of the year in my opinion, Classic (I dont say that often). Overall 9/10.

      Best Songs: Lost Ones, Nobody’s Perfect, Sideline Story, Cole World, Never Told, Rise & Shine, God’s Gift, Breakdown & Daddy’s Little Girl.
      Nobody’s perfect should be a single for the ladies anyway.

      1. How am I supposed to take this seriously when you gave every single cut 5 out of 5 and then ended it with a 9/10?

        It’s like you realized you were being way too generous through the whole thing and then tried to temper it.

        Every song is between 4-5 stars. Should be around a 7.5-8.5 on the scale. People rate shit way too highly these days. 7.5-8.5 on a scale to 10 is still an amazing album but it isn’t anywhere close to what I would ever consider an instant classic (that’s something that scores a perfect 10 or off the damn scale).

      2. And to anyone who says Work Out doesn’t get the play it should, that song gets bumped constantly on Shade 45 on SiriusXM. I damn near hear it every single morning on the way to work, not that I’m complaining.

    208. “I EVEN MADE A WAY FOR THEM TO GET AHEAD, TO MY SURPRISE, NOBODY REPLACING ME, TAKE CARE & AND CARTER 4, IT WONT BE LONG TILL THEY CAN SEE THE LIGHTS”

    209. this at the very very least is a 4.5, every song he talking about something,. what the hell is lil wayne talking about ,, whats wrong with people ,. you can tell this man is hungry ,. and to put that effort in to record interludes u never get tired of is sick.. 5 stars cause i cant go any more

    210. first album of the year hands down
      second whoever wrote this review is pretty much basing his review on the lack of originality of the beats, however when you have noid backing you up while you also have a great ear for beats as well a kanye n jay making sure ur beats n rhymes r on point i dont think u can even argue about the beats so that point is irrelevant
      third i dont think any freshman for the past years has had such an elaborate piece of work as their first album although it would have been better if he wouldnt have used his mixtape songs or at least mayb drop another verse on them thats gotta be the worst thing about the album which at the same time it didnt affect it as much

      forth an last this is a 4.5/5 hands down beats watch the throne AND DEFF SHITS on the carter IV (most hyped album for the lack of delivery) i played it for a weeek n then i got bored of it well thats got nothing to do with this lol

    211. bought the album. i havent bought a cd in 3 years since mixtape messiah 4. I thought i would support him. Album is worth my 10 bucks. not classic but still good. anyone know why my copy doesnt have daddy’s little girl and who dat on there?

    212. I HEARD THE MIX TAPES AND THERE OKAY SO I DOWNLOAD THE ALBUM AND I GOT TO ABOUT TRACK 6 AND THEN FELL ASLEEP THIS DUDE IS BORING AND NO I DONT LIKE BULL SHIT CLUB SONGS HIS LYRICS ARE NOT SHARP MORE LIKE IVE HEARD THIS BEFORE THE BEATS ARE GARBAGE (THIS REVIEW GOT THAT RIGHT) FACE IT EVERYONE JAY SIGHS NEVER MAKES IT LONG (NAS DON’T COUNT) ALL THIS ALBUM IS LULLABY’S ON TOP OF JUNL THATS WHY I FEEL ASLEEP 2.5/3

    213. I waited so long for this to drop…and Cole did not disappoint. Near flawless album! Definitely one to remember. And I dont understand why people are givin him shit for making his own beats. First of all, all real musicians should be 100% involved in ALL aspects of their sound. Secondly, all the beats are TIGHT, I dont understand how anyone could deny it. They hit the spot for me. Period.

      1. I guess the reason is that there are definitely better producers than Cole. He’s not bad and has a lot of room for growth, but there are a lot better guys who focus primarily on making beats.

    214. Solid rhymes, production, flow, and instrumentals. Takes silver medal for album of the year. (after Section.80)

      Warm Up > Cole World > Friday Night Lights > Come Up

    215. First listen through i was a little disappointed. I heard some fire on the mixtapes as far as beats and rhyme, and i had that same expectation on the album. There were original songs on recent mixtapes that were dope that didnt make the album, but then they go waaaaayyy back and put Lights Please on there?? Kind of confusing…Im going to listen through several more times and then truly judge…Cole is dope whatever way it go, still support the kid

    216. This is an awesome introduction to the hip-hop world for Cole. He didn’t have to go get a Premier, Lex Luger, Timbaland or any other well known producer to provide the soundscape. His album is hip-hop, not candy-coated pop disguised as hip-hop. The album is the epitome of being organic. He is a rare breed of artists who produce their own product and its good…shout to Big K.R.I.T another artist in a similar mold. Lyrically Cole came with it and makes you pay attention, rather than catchy beats and hooks which are played out…overrated..nah..he deserves the accolades of a dope MC period!!!

      1. That’s the thing though. Provided he found a beat that he could really feel, a track by the likes of Premo, could have really elevated this album. There’s a reason a Premo beat is a big deal.

    217. honestly how dare this fuckin site say that the fucking RED album is better than this fucking album. FUCK hiphopdx. game cant even rap he name drops and his album was so fuckin bad and he knows it. peace. 4.5/5. SOLID DEBUT. fuck the haters.

      1. Real talk, Game’s album is better than J. Cole’s album. I actually agree with the rating. The problem is that hiphopdx has given so many bad reviews that when they get them right, people bring up other album reviews. “WTT” was a 3 imho, so giving this one a 3.5 is accurate. Lil Wayne’s “C4” was like a 2.5, but DX gave it a 4. See my point??? J. Cole’s album is dope, but I agree about the production, & I also think that the album could have been a little shorter too. Guarantee when J Cole drops his second album, it will be way better than this album. & all the dickriders will have to admit it….

      2. U crazy kid. I don’t like Game at ALLLL, but give credit where its due the album was better in all aspects of music than this CD

      3. @ the first Anonymous: I could give a shit if you like the Game or not. Game’s album is better than J. Cole in MY opinion. We all have our tastes & what type of music we like. I don’t hear a classic when I’m listening to either Game or J. Cole’s album, but I prefer Game’s album at this point. It’s that simple, slut.

    218. Sounds like a 3.5 to me. I’m a fan of J. Cole & all that, but I’m not in denial like some of you fucks. Hiphopdx actually got this one right.

      1. listen to the album..dont skim it dumbass its near perfect in this day n age, you;ll never get anything close to a 90’s golden era hip hop album again,. this is the nearest thing

      2. This is a case of agree to disagree. While Cole is capable on the mic, the production definitely could and should have been better. Maybe it’s more real for him to use his beats, but that for me is the weak link.

        I’ll give the album a few more listens to see how well it sticks with me, but Cole’s got some stiff competition today.

      3. @idiot: I did listen to full thing, bitch. You can’t judge something if you don’t fully listen to it all. It is ultimately a flawed album though. It wasn’t that live either. Most of the album stays in the same lane. & the whole “this is the closest you’ll get the a 90’s golden era hip-hop album” comment is one of the biggest jokes I’ve seen in a minute.

        @Cuda B: I pretty much agree with everything you said. I’ve heard it once & I’ll give it another go tonight. But you pretty much feel how I feel…..

    219. Tracks that should have been on the album:

      Home for the Holidays
      The Autograph
      We On
      Premeditated Murder
      Cost Me A Lot
      Enchanted
      Return of Simba

    220. COLE WORLD!!! HE DELIVERED IN EVERY WAY MY ONLY ISSUE IS THE RECYCLING OF LIGHTS PLEASE, IN THE MORNING AND LOST ONES

    221. according to dx, a list of albums better than cole’s in the last 6 months

      4.0 Beastie Boys: Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2
      4.0 Thurz: L.A. Riot
      4.0 Bad Meets Evil (Eminem & Royce Da 5’9″): Hell: The Sequel
      4.0 Royce Da 5’9″: Success Is Certain
      4.0 Jay-Z & Kanye West: Watch the Throne
      4.0 Big Sean: Finally Famous: The Album
      4.0 Swollen Members: Monsters II
      4.0 Beyonce: 4
      4.0 Blu: Her Favorite Colo(u)r [Reissue]
      4.0 Roc Marciano & Gangrene (The Alchemist & Oh No): Greneberg

      HAHAHAH BIG SEAN and BEYONCE had better albums than the sideline story?????????

      I DUNNO DX

      1. Keep in mind – different writers review different albums.

        And I can’t speak for the rest, but Thurz album sounds great. While Cole may be superior lyrically, production-wise Thurz has got him beat.

    222. Its actually really funny how people on here say J.Cole is better than Game lets compare there debut albums, The Documentary is way better than this and no one can deny it. and im not even being bias I both like em but Game is better, I guarantee anyone his second album will be worst than Doctors Advocate.

      1. For one, how can you even compare the two, seeing as how Game’s debut was at a time when records were actually selling. Also, it’s real easy to say that when Game’s album was produced by every single one of the best producers in the biz: Dre, Timbaland, Just Blaze, Kanye, Scott Storch, Havoc, Cool & Dre, Hi-Tek… J. Cole did all of his own production (which is ill enough in itself), and don’t get me wrong, The Documentary was an dope ass album, but with those heavy hitters doing all of the production, Soujia Boy could’ve been the one rapping and the shit still would’ve been halfway dope just on production alone!!!

    223. very good but not a classic. its my fav this year with reakweon’s. hype bringing this album to people who cant appreciate it?

    224. WHAT ARE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIS ALBUM SUCKED JUST A BUNCH A SING SONG TYPE SHIT WITH LOW GRADE BEATS TELL ME WHEN A REAL LYRICIST DROPS A ALBUM 2011 IS THE WORST YEAR FOR MUSIC 2/5

    225. Name another rapper that had as much emotion and lyricism as J Cole in lost ones.. in 2011. You all most likely didn’t bother to actually LISTEN to the WHOLE album and decided to make judgements.

    226. i dont think it was over hyped. it had just enough hype. i do agree that the beats could’ve been better and he should of had all new music. he had enough time to make all original songs. and should not be so stubborn not to use other peoples’ beats/productions. All and all I would give it B- i just hope he keep growing as a artist and improves on his weak spots

    227. personally dude, im sick of everybody trying to say that one artist is bigger than another. i dont care who the biggest is, as long as real, good hip-hop is being created once again. dudes like cole, kendrick, xv, and k.r.i.t. are bringing the game back. whether theyre here for a while or just a right now, they are making hits and good music.

    228. I see some/most people are giving this a high rating just because the like J.Cole.
      Beats were weak
      Lyrics are good
      His Delivery isnt that great
      His voice can gte annyoing afterwhile
      Good Storytelling

      And like some said, after waiting this long he should have had nothing but New Tracks on the album.

      Decent album overall – People want to Like J Cole so much this they are overrating this album.

      I give between 3 and 3.5 stars but thats my opinion.

      1. umm, it’s called an opinion. if you wanna rate it 3-3.5 then so be it. I’ll give it a 5 if I think its worth a 5. Your judgement is irrelevant

    229. Dope! Been waiting for this album for a year and a half now! As big of a fan as I am of Cole, I was starting to have my doubts how dope the album would be considering a lot of the music that I’ve heard from him over the past year hasn’t been up to the level I expect from someone with his skills. Thankfully, on this album he shows that I should never have doubted him. Ever since I heard Lights Please and The Warm Up mixtape a couple years ago, J. Cole instantly became one of my favorite emcees so I’m a little biased, but I think that his debut is better than all of the other young cats that came in the game around the same time (Drake, B.o.B., etc). This album is a BANGER!!!

    230. Deserves a 4 at least especially since big sean got a 4 IDK HOWWWW!! dope ass album tho….the most complete album of sept. 27th MIGHT go to evidence tho…phontes is great too but i give the edge to cole on the album

    231. J coles album was amazingly great , i was speechless after every song .. this definitely a classic #ColeWorld over everything

    232. Jermaine Lamarr Cole is a 26 year old MC and producer from North Carolina, who performs under the stage name, J. Cole. Like many of the up-and-coming mainstream artists in Hip-Hop, Cole is not a thug, in fact, he graduated magna cum laude at St. John’s University in New York. He sings on tracks, he uses the same flow as Drake and Big Sean, and his lyrical style is the same as every other rookie in the game. Although J. Cole is in many ways similar to his peers, something sets him aside from this generation of MC’s. Something makes his studio debutCole World: The Sideline Story rise above any other debut this year.

      Most importantly, J. Cole’s lyrical content surpasses all the Wiz Khalifas out there who repetitively rap about that same 5 things over-and-over again. The lyrics on Cole’s studio debut are about the trials and tribulations of an aspiring artist and dealing with new found fame and success; a common trait of many auspicious lyricists.

      However, it is Cole’s production ability that provides the unique sound on Cole World: The Sideline Story. Eleven of the fifteen tracks on the album are exclusively produced by J. Cole, which are some of the most interesting and innovative beats since the rise of Kanye West in the early 2000’s. In fact, his production style is similar to that of Kanye’s. Both producers make simple, raw instrumentals that appeal to mainstream music listeners, as well as real Hip-Hop enthusiasts. The production on the album makes Cole sound like a contemporary version of Common or Q-Tip, a refreshing change of sound, compared to the likes of his peers. At this point in Hip-Hop, when most new artists are trying to get on another shitty Lex Lugar track or when you have guys like Wiz Khalifa working with the same dude who produced “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry; its nice to hear someone like J. Cole, who’s capable of making some real beats.

      The biggest issue with J. Cole is that he is somewhat stuck between a rock and a hard place. Although Cole makes great beats, rhymes well and is all around creative, his persona is way too soft for hard core Hip-Hop’s respect. He of course does the whole interchangeably singing thing in his verses and he’s not afraid to belt out a hook. However, the more degrading aspect is that he simply doesn’t rap with the classic Hip-Hop swagger, he uses the new skinny jeans Drake-style bitch swagger. When he sings the hook “Can I hit it in the morning?” on his track “In The Morning (Feat. Drake)”, he sounds so winey when he says it. Just imagine how much realer it would sound if someone like Ghostface Killah or Biggy were saying it; smoother and more confident, instead of winey and pathetic. The track “Lost Ones” is another great example. Cole takes one of his realest, most creative beats on the album, along with three solid verses; only to ruin the whole track with one of the softest hooks ever made. “and I aint to proud to tell you that I cry sometimes, I cry sometimes about it”, listen to this hook about J. Cole crying, then listen to “Who I Am” by The Diplomats. You will be able to tell how Juelz Santana is real enough to be talking about himself crying, but when Cole does it, he sounds like a 15 year old trying to write his first song. This proves that it’s not J. Cole’s lyrics that are the problem, it’s his persona.

      J. Cole did a lot of things right on Cole World: The Sideline Story, but he’s still got a lot of work to do if he wants to make something classic. He doesn’t need to go out and become a Thug or go to the other extreme and become a record company sellout, his balance makes him who he is. However, he needs to play with that balance in order to live up to his potential.

      http://www.cdcheck.net/index.html

    233. I know cole got haters out there but they cant deny his talent and lyrical ability….even if u dislike him you should still respect him and hope he does well because if a lyrical mc can sell and be on top of the charts, thats a good look for hip hop as a whole…yeah the underground has the best music it always has, but cole represents the future of the mainstream and we need a voice like his on the airwaves

      1. what is so fucking lyrical about this album??? please explain it to me. whether they want to admit it not, people know this shit is so dumbed down it’s stupid.

      2. @ brian stfu wtf about the album is dumbed down….be happy that a real lyricist is getting love from the mainstream

    234. Best album that has come out in a minute no doubt if you’ll hating on this album something is wrong with you ALBUM OF THE YEAR!

    235. Only wack songs in my opinion were Mr. Nice watch and Never told… and work out but that was a bonus everything else was really great….the other bonus track was dope too daddys little girl

    236. Let’s be honest, this album was shit. This is one of those that will be forgotten in about two weeks. No hits, no lyrical feats, just lame assness. At least “Tha Cart IV” had some good beats. This shit is just soft.

      1. Nigga….you dont gotta be a stan to know that this is a dope album and the only good songs on the carter 4 were the 2 songs wayne wasnt even on

      2. Muther fucker.. did u listen to the album?? I was never into cole.. Blazed a fat one last night and listened to album from start to finish.. Album is dooooope!! Best album this year next to Jay & Kanye & I know some are gonna hate But Lupe Lasers.

        Go out & cop it!

    237. Sad…The Master Got Outdone by the Pupil…..Dope Album Cole…Support it and copped 2 copies…Carter 4, Hell: The Sequel, All 6’s & 7’s, Watch the throne..GOOD DAY IN HIP-HOP

    238. shit was fucking great. Can listen to it staright through with ease and i think thats the true sign of a great album.

    239. THIS NIGGA PUTS OUT A WACK ALBUM AND THE STANS STILL WONT GET OFF ME. THIS SOME OL BULLSHIT. 3.5 AT FUCKIN BEST.

    240. Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor >>>>>>>>>> This pile of “oh i gotta get the hood” repetitive “oh how you gon leave a pregnant girl” shit

      1. J. Cole >>>>>>>>>>>> Lupe
        Cole World >>>>>>>>>>> any Lupe album
        Friday Night Lights >>>>>>>> any Lupe album
        Warm Up >>>>>>>>> any Lupe album

      2. ^^^^^slow your role, lupe will and will always be a superior lyrist to j. Cole, I like J. Cole but also Food & Liquor > Cole World

      3. I’m a Lupe fan but I don’t think he has more lyrical talent than J. Cole…60% of the times his songs have no meaning where he rhymes about random things like most rappers now a days. On the other hand Cole paints pictures in your mind, like a movie while you listen. Go ahead and listen to the album. Oh and, I say J. Cole can take in Lupe in a battle any day! Eat that nigga alive!!! Lol.

    241. this sound weak to me , lyrics arent great he sound like the rest of the other pop rappers on this album . nothing special
      2 stars

    242. I’m interested to see what a concensus rating would be from people who actually like J. Cole, not from people who think he’s shit in the first place. Obviously we should have ratings from people who enjoy the same types of shit. I’m a video game head, among other things, but I generally hate military FPS games & yearly Madden football. I’m just the wrong guy to ask for a review on Black Op’s, that’s all. Why say I hate it and it sucks when millions of people can’t get enough?

      Cole World is fantastic. I love that he produced most of the album and had barely any features. Boy don’t need no fucking features. And to say it ain’t up to the caliber of his mixtapes only speaks higher for him. He’s got total creative control over those, after all. And can drop em’ quicker too. Damn! Politics just fuck up everything, don’t they?

      Rating: 90% out of 100% (Fuck 5 Stars, I gotta keep it One-Hunnit!)

    243. listened to it…i would have to give it a 7/10. I respect this man’s grind,he is prolific and is very talented on the mic and behind the boards as a producer but his album left me wanting a little more. I would recommend danny brown’s XXX, big k.r.i.t. Return of 4eva, and of course Kendrick Lamar’s Section 80. The trifecta of 2011 hip hop releases.

    244. so i listened to the album and i must that i am taking back what i said about the album being decent….The album is amazing!!!!! It deserves a 4.5….it is not a classic but a solid debut and shows that he has the skills to be a great!!! and that song rise and shine is greatness at it’s finest!!! i got that joint on repeat as we speak!!!! 4.5/5

    245. I find it funny that so many are complaining about the production. While it may not be on the level of Kanye’s it is still pretty good. NOTE: In order to hear the quality of the music, you must have quality equipment! Listening to something on a computer doesn’t compare to listening to something on REAL speakers. What kind of speakers are some of y’all using anyway???

      Great Debut! Solid album.

      1. Kanye has a million co producers on every track. I like the simplicity of J Cole productions which allows his voice to be the major instrument and a bunch of souped up crap

    246. J. Cole’s debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story

      The Best Hip-Hop (Lyricism,message,Punchlines,methaphors) of the year by far, not Weezy, not Watch The Throne but J. Cole.
      If you long for real Hip-Hop like myself, I’m talking 80’s 90’s type realness then you should feel at home right here. J.
      Cole a true student of Hip-Hop’s glory days of realness,message in your lyrics and passion in your music does’nt dissappoint. If your looking for poppy singles,
      straight club dance songs and BS that plays over n over on radio, then this is not for u.
      With That Being said here’s my review. Oh yeah only 4 features, a rarity these days so you know its all Cole’s World Baby.

      1. Intro – J. Cole reminisces about the day he waas signed on son real shit, a nice prelude of what’s sure to be a classic. 5/5
      2. Dollar and a dream – A continuation of the DAAD series from his mixtapes sets the tone for what’s to come. 5/5
      3. Can’t get enought ft. Trey Songz – not too poppy as some would expect but this works right here. A sure hit if pushed the way
      it should be, a nice hook & Cole show he can switch it up for the ladies also, he’s comfortable here. 5/5
      4. Lights Please – If you dont know this song you obviously not a fan of Mr. Cole. This the infamous song Jay Z heard and signed him. 5/5
      5. Interlude – nice retrospective here, I’d feel the same way too, J. Cole played it cool. 5/5
      6. Sideline Story – Real shit right here, listen to the lyrics. For all u upcoming repper take notes. 5/5
      7. Mr. Nice Watch ft. Jay Z – Produce by cole Himself, the beat sounds weird at first but catches on with
      multiple spins. But Jay Z’s half assed bars brings the song down. 4/5
      8. Cole World – a Banger. ” got a 150 bitches in the club staring at me, how dat feel? very happy.” 5/5
      9. In the morning ft. Drake – First liked this on Friday Night Lights. 5/5
      10.Lost Ones – The Best song on here in my opinion, from start to finish Cole’s lyricism,delivery
      & story telling is reminisence of the Great @ Pac Shakur’s Breenda’s Got a Baby. Real Shit if
      you don’t like this you buggin. 5/5
      11.Nobody’s Perfect ft. Missy Elliott – Potential single that has a 90’s feel to it and Missy does her thing
      very well as if she has’nt been behind the scene’s & J. Cole is on point with his flow & lyricism. 5/5
      12.Never Told – Another Real record which Lyrics paints a perfect picture with the art of story telling
      alah one of Cole Idol’s Andre 3000. 5/5
      13.Rise and shine – When the beat drops & lyrics start to flow, you wil definatle be repeating this everyday. 5/5
      14.God’s Gift – he is to Hip Hop. 5/5
      15.Breakdown – another of the best tracks on here, listen to the words and lyrics. 5/5
      16.Work Out – The first single, has that summertime vibe to it, thought it did’nt get the push
      or radio play it derved still good. 5/5
      17.Who Dat – 5/5
      18.Daddy’s little Girl – Real Shit 5/5

      Alotta rappers these days get so much hype & dont live up to it, not J. Cole. He not only shows he’s a student of those that came before him
      but he also shows he’s here to stay. If your lookin for beat driven, pop oriented anthems this is not for you.
      Best Hip-Hop album of the year in my opinion, Classic (I dont say that often). Overall 9/10 or 4.5

      Best Songs: Lost Ones, Nobody’s Perfect, Sideline Story, Cole World, Never Told, Rise & Shine, God’s Gift, Breakdown & Daddy’s Little Girl.
      Nobody’s perfect should be a single for the ladies anyway.

    247. People calling it trash now, just wait a few weeks. Everybody is gonna be D-riding him watch. Lol…He’s by far the realest rapper in the game! Lyrically gifted, and can kill the beat. What more can you ask for? The album is great! very clever theme, selective tracks, great beats. Although I downloaded it, defiantly supporting him. I can understand why he didn’t feature many artist, it’s obvious that he wanted to prove himself especially regarding the fact that he produced 15 out of 18 tracks. Keep doing your thing J. 5 stars!

    248. listen to it fully with understanding not party/beat thinkin. people who rate this low is obviously 2004-5 onward Label/ Radio friendly HipPop orientated. recognize real shit not wat label’s/billbord sale’s portrays as best content. Cole World 4.5 Classic Hip/Hop content about his life & struggle to reach wher he’s at, Jayz ain’ signed him to be a gimmick/puppet for sales like 90% of the rappers out now ex: Wiz Khalifah, Gucci mayne, waka flocka,post carter 3 lil wayne & others. He signedhim because he has conten in his lyrics & he can spit. y’all hatin because he made his own beats, so wat? whyshould he spend mad bread on high profile produces when he’s prtty dope producer in his own right, jus for sales the label gon make off him? he aint graduat NYU a dummy. Cole World Bitches

    249. this is what u call being an individual with skillz that can carry his own weight with rhyme, productin, skilz, content, lyricism methaphors punchlines u name it & dont need every song on his album to have a feature for sales & airplay for success. I wonder since when is producing your own album a fault that means your’e goin to fail says the reviewer William E. Ketchum III. this guys obviously does’nt know hip hop history The Chronic, Graduation College Dropout, The Low End Theory come on Willie, now history of the game before u say dumbshit like that. anywyas this is pure hip hop if this were the 90’s this will be platinu in 2weeks. Cole world 4.5

    250. This album fail to live up to my expectations. As a J.Cole fan my self I can honestly say I’m disappointed in this album. I’m going to break 3 aspects of the album down right now, lyrics,beats, and creativity as a whole.

      Okay the Lyrics on this album were average. J.Cole spends to much time talking about the same ol shit we heard before. The intro track he is just rapping about the same story he told us and all of his other mix-tapes. Honestly bloggers how many damn times do you have to write about the same shit we get it already. The other half of the album he talks about relationships. It gets repetitive after awhile and boring. Everything he is rapping about we all heard before from females getting knocked up,cheated on,being strippers and from being broke and not having shit and now you made it. Its very disappointing because I was expecting more.

      Okay the beats are whatever also. Lets just be real a lot of these beats have a old school feel to them. Which depending on your preference would be either good or bad. But since we have to considered J.Cole a commercial artist(I mean shit he is sign to ROC-NATION) The beats are not up to commercial standards. A lot of his beats sound like mix tape beats not album beats. I think J.Cole should of reach out more to other producers.I’m not talking about Lex luger or whoever else that make trap beats. I’m talking about producers like. Kanye west,Bink!,Just blaze,J.U.S.T.I.C.E. league. Those are top notch samplers in the game. They would of made his album sound more bigger and epic.

      To me the creativity on the album was solid. I just felt that he failed to execute it the right way. He should’ve came up with new stories elements that we haven’t heard yet. He should came up with new concepts that we haven’t heard. There is so much stuff that I felt like he could of did but he didn’t. Hopefully with his next project he gets more creative.

      Overall the album is solid. Its not the best album I heard this year by far. Its not the worst either. There are just a lot of elements I feel like are missing from this album. Hopefully J.Cole look at his faults with this album and come harder next time. Overall I give this album a rating 3.5/5

      1. Just wondering, but what did you expect him to talk about? This album was following his story of rags to riches. I like how you went into detail on why you didn’t like certain things, even though I disagree with you on almost everything you said.

    251. I like the album. Though I think the prior mix-tape should have been released as his first, I give his first album a 4.5. He is the realest artist in the game. If you include the co production, J Cole produced over 90% of his album. I disagree with writer of this post. J Cole gave us a solid J Cole album with dope lyrics and original beats. I am so so tired of these cliche albums. Get a trendy R&B hook or white person (Lupe), an amped up dance rhythem track that is so overproduced, and some stupid illogical lyrics, like I should diss Obama or dumb shit. This guy on to something big. Honestly new acts like Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica just bore me, J Cole is refreshing. New acts need to take note. Fans want honestly. Just be yourself and you will have a following. The only co sign J Cole gets is from his hardcore fans. He doesn’t need industry heads to gas him up. I think Jay Z needs to get out of way and let this guy grow into something big. The negative comments are same Comments Jay z and Nas got during there first album. Like Lyrics are good, but needed commercial production like Dre or Puff. Stop hating, this album will go gold in a year. And you young folks need to go listen to lil b or soulja boy. You don’t understand classic material.

      1. @ jay

        whats refreshing about Cole? Personel lyrics? thats nothing new. And the beats are not original or new.

        Beats sound pretty boring

    252. when i first listened to album i was some wat disappointed cuz i expected more. but as i listen to it more im starting to feel it more and more. yesterday i got high and got a chance to really drive around & check it out and its a tight album. not the type of cd u can jus play one or two times and say if its good or not. so to everybody saying they dont like it i say give it a chance. alot of classic albums are the ones that grow on you. i didnt like biggies ready to die when it first came out cuz i was stuck on the westcoast tupac and spice 1 sound but i gave it a chance and thats wat music is about. you cant just listen to a cd a couple times and really give a true review. i will say some of the beats could have been more like the lights please beat but ya boy cole spittin on this cd. he talking bout more in one song then most rappers talk about on their whole cd. to everybody who saying its not good dont toss it out the sunroof yet, give it a few more listens. on another note, stop arguing on here like a bunch of lames cuz someone has a difference in opinion, that is wat the site is for, to say how u feel. respect one another. respect is the key to life.

    253. I don’t see why the beats are that big of an issue. Now I’m not saying that Cole shouldn’t have called on NoID or Kanye since Watch the Throne had Kanye produce a good amount of those beats, but but I feel like Cole wanted to make his first album HIS album you know? I mean the lyrics aren’t lacking in the least in my opinion, and there is subject matter (you know…the thing that hardly anyone ever uses anymore)which is greatly appreciated. The only thing I didn’t like was the fact that Cole used Lights Please and In the Morning when he could have used ANY song on FNL and probably got better output for. I feel like once Cole get’s into beats that more people appeal to and keep up the way he raps now he will be a great. Not a legend like some dick-riders would say, but great nonetheless

      1. Definitely agree and remember Kanye’s beats were dope but not as great on College Dropout as they were in Graduation. I feel like by the 2nd or 3rd project his beat game is gonna be crazy, and his lyrics are gonna get even better.

    254. Its dope that he produced most of the tracks and eventhough I heard some of the records before the album came out it was still a solid rookie album.

      1. srry theres still commons slaughterhouse 9th wonder joell ortiz album eminems album the W.A.R album.j cole album is in the top 20 though for this year

    255. 4.5, some of the songs are so emotionally charged. That line about rappers not rapping about real life, how they did that hard white, yeah right, ask my momma what addicted to that pipe feel like….wow. Jay-Z should’ve been on Rise and Shine or God’s Gift. He has some good radio play on his album but he kept it lyrical as he said he would. Really good album.

    256. i didn’t like the fact that he release almost half of the songs from the album before it’s due date, but i like the fact the fact he did promised his fans something to look for it. i loved it. I can feel J. Cole put his fullest 100% on this album and i must say, he did a great job on it…4.5 stars is what i rated the album

    257. I think its great that Cole did his own production on his debut. The beats aren’t the greatest, but its his way of making his mark. Putting his own stamp on his own album. Many have done it before so I don’t see what the problem is. I find his production on the album to be a bit generic, but he’s only going to get better.

    258. There is def potential. The MIssy track is hot for sure and Nothing Last Forever is a heartbreaker…and Whos Dat NEEDED a Kanye feature, the beat is screaming for Yeezys voice to drop on that 2nd verse!

    259. I agree with Big Ghost on his blog. Cole is a bitch and the album is over-emotional pop rap bullshit. Niggas on my block put out hotter albums than this faggot. The album gon flop n Jay gon drop his ass from RocNation. I’m glad I didn’t buy it.

      But I ain’t gon hate tho, I guess some people like this kind of crying shit. Fuck it, Nov 10th, MED – Classic. That gon be album of the year.

      Anyway, two stars just cause… idontevenknowwhy

      1. You are obviously uneducated as fuck. To claim that an album is too emotional just proves that you cannot even enjoy any type of REAL music. Music is meant to show emotion from the artist. It is art at the end of the day. So stop acting like you’re “hard” and only like “hard” music that talks about pointless music we’ve heard every rapper from the ghetto try and talk about. “Money, bitches, and guns” are really motivational topics with a lot behind them. And 1. you don’t have any valid reason for 2 stars (you admitted it yourself) and 2. any point you have is invalid due to the fact that you read Big Ghost, the most randomly opinionated 4th grade-educated fucking idiot.

      2. 1. Has it ever occurred to you that not all people like to hear a rapper talk about him ‘shedding tears’ when his mom is doing drugs. On like 10 DIFFERENT SONGS ON THE SAME FUCKING ALBUM!
        2. I don’t think hip-hop should be too emotional, I think it’s supposed to be entertaining.
        3. Before all these hipsters came, hip-hop was hard, and I like it that way.
        4. There are many ways to talk about money, bitches and guns (don’t forget drugs). Listen to the Outro joint on Section80.
        5. A reason for two stars: boring beats, wack rhymes and all the songs are basically about the same shit. Very unoriginal music. The whole album is as soft as his facial expressions.
        6. Big Ghost is mad funny and I recommend it to anyone.

    260. Sideline Story is the best record on the album. The piano combined with the sick flow had me replayin it 10X.

      Don’t you know that I be out in France where the fans throw they hands like Pacquiao. Not cuz my looks cuz my hooks could knock Rocky out. Rediculous.

    261. I will say this:

      This album seems to be the best attempt of a rapper trying to keep his underground fans happy while trying to branch out to his newer mainstream fans. I give Cole credit for that.

      The album is a VERY solid album. Not a classic, but I can still see myself playing this album years down the line. This is a great debut that puts me in the mind of Kanye’s College Dropout and Lupe’s Food & Liquor. And I dont understand why critics are complaining about Cole not working with outside producers. Just the fact that e made his debut album using 90% of his own production is something that should be praised. It’s HIS album, from the beats to the lyrics to the themes, and Cole did a great job there. I give it an 8/10.

    262. Solid album. Few flaws. Hard to call it Classic. But compared to everything else the other 90% of the game has to offer right now, gotta give credit where it’s due.

    263. this album sucks and I dig all of his mixtapes.

      At the moment it’s : Lupe & Odd Future in terms of young ones doing it with potential longevity.

      1. ODD FUTURE?!?!? what about kendrick lamar and big krit? man everyone has their own opinion but i thought this album was dope….and plenty of albums have used old tracks (Illmatic, Its dark and hell is hot, Pharoahe monch- desire, get rich or die trying, my dark twisted fantasy, etc) However evidence came out with the best effort

      1. Nah B Joell is the next Pun you heard big pun back? Since cole look a lil like Al B sure ima say Cole da nex keith sweat YA FEEL ME? #Coleworld

      2. Fuck all yall, it’s the one and only J. Cole. Quit comparing this man to other muh-fuckas and respect him and his work for what it is, one of a kind. Cole World….

      3. @Colethenext2pacmyass and Anonymous…yall didnt get the joke and irony faggots i guess you dont have a brain…kid from kid n play? really? u didnt get the joke? you thought we were serious? lmao dumb asses

    264. 200k… thats all i got to say to this stupid ass salty ass I’m a old ass hiphop head ass article… Nigga woulda gave the dropout a 3 1/2 smh

    265. Loved it man. Can’t wait to hear more of this guy’s music. Great album. I can listen to all of the tracks without skipping them.

    266. I gotta be honest. I’ve been waiting for this album to drop, I’ve been a Cole fan since before most peeps even heard his name. But for me this album doesn’t meet expectations. Too many poppish type songs on here, plus some shit we already heard before. The album is maybe 50/50 for me. Not the “timeless” album that I was expecting. His best beat to date is on Kendrick Lamar’s album. I don’t always agree with hhdx reviews but 3.5 seems on point for this one.

    267. HIPHOP WEDNESDAYS On BKS1 RADIO http://www.bks1radio.com at 9pmet/6pm PT. It’s The LIVE IN THE CIPHER SHOW as we RATE & REVIEW Along with You the Listener J. Cole New Release “Cole World: The Sideline Story” Chat Live or Call In 646-929-1530. Artist Can Also Call in with Your Hot 16, Hip Hop Gossip, Rap Trivia Quiz & More Join the CIPHER 2 Nite LIVE @ 9pm on http://www.bks1radio.com Join The Experience! SPECIAL GUEST RAP ARTIST WHiiTE BOY

    268. AMAZING! This is brining hip hop back and he is going to take this game. ever since his album came out i havent been stop listening. I just bought my 3rd copy of the thing cuz i wannna support becuase hes so great so everyone better go out there and support

    269. You guys need to hire reviewers that know what true hip-hop is…this album right here at this stage of the game is a classic. If you were born in the 1990’s you shouldn’t be allowed to publicly review any music, because your naivete causes so many artists to lose potential fans and shine….5 Stars for the kidd from the N.C.

    270. And for the record, Beanie Sigel went plat SOLELY because Jay-Z was hot. Beans was ok and just knew how to rhyme. Freeway’s personality was missing before he got signed, and noone related to him at all…ask the half of million people who bought his first album. What do you expect J. Cole to rap about since we all know he isn’t Jay-Z? Drugs? Guns? This kid is just as incredible as Lupe, and a classic album dosen’t have to consist of all things G…his music is accessible to all because he isn’t attempting to prove he is hard-body, and people all over the country are tired of wannabe G’s in the rap game saying the same shit over and over again. Classik…

    271. HIPHOPDX IS A JOKE. i was dissapointed in j cole from what i heard, however i bought the album and it is very good. Yes it could be better because he isnt doing things that aren’t much different than others. this hiphopdx review is bullshit thought giving big sean a 4 and this a 3 like really. fucken homos, riding the wave.

    272. Look whether u wanna call the album a classic or not is up to u but it is a damn great album. I read this reviewing before listening to it and picked it up today and listened to it twice so far. I didn’t think that the beats all sounded alike and actually admire the fact that he produced most of his DEBUT album. great job j. cole!

      ….as far as your concerned hiphopDX…u rated this album 3.5….u also gave that same rating to pitbulls last album….yea i dont understand how your rating works.

    273. Now that cole is going to do pretty well commercially, cole is now the best rapper on the mainstream level. Until lupe comes out with something better than lasers lol Id put nas at # 1 but Nasty isnt played that much…EVEN IN NY!! its disgraceful…..anyway good album A-

    274. 2.5 outta 5 is what this album is…Now Evidence’s album “Cats & Dogs” is easily the best album to drop this week.

    275. stop hating on my shit you bastards!!! i worked hard for this and you niggas need to L.I.S.T.E.N. to what the fuck is being said!!

    276. Never been so obsessed with an album before. J Cole is amazing. This album rivals Food & Liquor and the College Dropout

      1. j.cole is by far better lyrically than big sean, BUT the difference in their albums is the SINGLES, Sean has better and more reliable singles on Finally famous than cole has on his. Nevertheless, this still some classic sounding tracks on here. definitely a great album, and it may even sell more than Big sean(and Wiz) albums did…

      2. whoa!!! i just got on this site.. dont tell me they gave big sean’s album anything more than 2/5??!?! that shit was horrible. probably the most dissapointing album ive EVER heard. i dont even listen to big sean anymore because of that shit.

        j cole > big sean

    277. this album when deep and has clear messages.. some people dont seem to analyze high quality lyrics .. but im sure jcole has something prepared for the future.. COLEWORLD. get off the closet and study his music lame fucks

    278. This is a great album. Who knows if it will be a classic? Maybe it will be or maybe it won’t, but all I know is I will be listening to this years down the road.

      Standout Tracks:
      1. Lights Please – timeless classic song, got him signed by Jay Z
      2. Sideline Story – Arguably the most well-rounded song on the album. Amazing storytelling.
      3. Lost Ones – One of the deepest tracks on the album. Cole wrote this 4 years ago and has been saving it. The perspective is unlike anything else I’ve heard.
      4. Nobody’s Perfect – Missy destroys the hook, upbeat song about love. Like the beat a lot and its something you can just bump.
      5. Breakdown – The deepest song on the album next to the aformentioned Lost Ones. If you like lyricism, this song is for you. Cole opens up his mind and his heart.

      Skippable Tracks:
      1. Work Out – A poppy sounding song, more for the radio and the clubs.
      2. Mr. Nice Watch – I thought it would grow on me. It doesn’t help that Cole’s lyrics are average. He can do better. Still a song I’ll listen to from time to time to bump in the car.

      Overall: 9/10

    279. I put this album in very excited took it out and put ev’s right back in here and there is a good track but a little dissapointed 2.5 cmon people if this is 5 mics the scale must have went up to 10 not hating its just not that good

    280. 3.5 stars? CMON DX its atleast a 4, seriously… theres only a few tracks that are alright, the rest of the album is FIRE.

    281. Trash album, sound like something you expect from a ex Disney chanbel actor. Miley Cyrus Jonas brothers type shit. Fake rapper, trash lyrics trash production.

    282. dollar and a dream 3
      lights please
      cant get enough (best radio track 2011)
      breakdown
      never told
      nobodys perfect
      sideline story
      rise and shine
      gods gift

      this lp has 9 sik tracks, even the ones i didnt mention are nice, except mr. nice watch which is easily one of coles worst tracks 2 date….

      3.5/5 is bullshit, id giv it a 4/5, maybe 4.5/5

      best album of the year, cant wait till the next cole world, not stopped listenin 2 the sideline story all week

      RISE AND SHINE

    283. quality album. album of the year? no. but still an awesome album. i hated it at first. i was upset and was about to go find j cole and whoop his ass for letting me down. but as i got in my car and actually LISTENED to the album… its is smooth, clever, and well done. it is not what we are used to hearing. yes, there are flaws, some straight GARBAGE tracks.. but 10 out of 18 are good. thats quality. i would give it a 3.5 or maybe even a 3.8. not really a 4, but definately not a 3.

    284. So Big Sean gets a four and this gets a 3.5? That’s just stupid, it’s not a classic or even close to classic but it’s still a very good mainstream album!

    285. This album doesn’t really deserve a 5/5 but definitely not a 3.5. I can listen to the entire CD without auto-skipping tracks unlike other albums rated 4/5. The production on the album may be similar as a whole but only when listening to the songs individually, you can appreciate his style.

    286. Clearly having a huge single doesn’t matter when you have a loyal fan base who willing to buy your album. 250k with no radio play and top 10 single = game changing. You play the game to change it. Cole did it.

    287. Yo J. Cole goes so hard on this album its not even funny.

      You out of shape, my mind run a mile a minute
      The sky’s the limit, I’m so high, I’m divin’ in it
      My rides is tinted’, my knob’s gettin’ slobbed up in it
      She hollerin’ God, man you would’ve thought that God was in it
      But it’s just a nigga God invented

      Uhm.. JESUS! No one listen to the second verse of this Rise and Shine. There isnt ONE skippable track. He goes in on everything. Mr Nice watch and workout are both hard as fuck. “But im back and track and never drive sober.” “Cole World but im hot as shit, do that mean that im bi-polar?”

      Thats skippable? The fuck are you all on?

      Dollar and a dream? Breakdown? daddys little girl? Gods gift? never told? this is a classic.

      Dont listen to these people Cole. They download anyway.
      “J. Cole homie, can you sign my burnt CD”
      “Nigga please, an album ten dollars
      You act like it’s ten g’s”

      … get some taste

      1. “You out of shape, my mind run a mile a minute
        The sky’s the limit, I’m so high, I’m divin’ in it
        My rides is tinted’, my knob’s gettin’ slobbed up in it
        She hollerin’ God, man you would’ve thought that God was in it
        But it’s just a nigga God invented”

        What makes these bars so special? It’s the same braggy shit that everyone else is doing. These bars are basic. There’s nothing clever, creative or deep to them. And how many songs on the album refer to him smashing some chick? This is regular rap, nothing that deserves a rewind.

      2. I bet some of ur favorite rappers are basic if you really think about it….and im not talking elzhi, pharoahe monch, black thought and royce those guys are somewhere else with the lyrics

      3. If im selling a product. im gonna convince the world that my product is the best and nothing competes to it. Thats all J Cole is doing. This is a job boy. He makes music and hes telling you why you should like it. Cause hes the fucking man. If my homeboy was sitting next to me telling me about the pussy hes slaying im gonna give him a high five. Hes writing about his life. Real events. Not about some fabricated bullshit. These bars are clever as fuck and your an idiot if your not gonna give him some credit for going in right here. dont be such a hater. He can write a song any which way and he proves that man. Any other rapper besides people like atmosphere and macklemore have trouble doing it and making it a classic piece of music. Its a talent. He put some mainstream shit on his album for sure. But fuck… I dont blame him. And its defintley twice as good as anything else on the radio to date. Youre arguing a false cause. Cole is fire thru the speakers. “Yall niggas hates before you played it but I already forgave yall” keep up to speed boy.

    288. Really good only ones i skipped were mr nice watch and never told….4/5 at LEAST!! damn dx u slippin lol but that evidence album yall better give a 4.5 or more

      1. Why would you skip never told?

        He fucking rips that track open with a smooth as flow. last eight bars of that track should change your mind. “cause wolverines, depressed and, don’t wanna be your X-man” come on man…

      2. Cuz he fucked everything up by saying “Never blow like hetero-SEXuals lol idk sounded corny…just not my type of track i preferred daddy;s little girl over that

      3. Thats funny. I think thats well put together. The line “forever young, peter pannnn” is sick tho. I love that track. At least your not hatin on the whole album like some of these little boys in here.

    289. you guys are rapidly loosing credibility with reviews like this. You gave TML 2.5/5 and now this gets a 3.5/5. I’m sorry but in 5/10 years you’re reviews are going to look laughable.

      4.5 is more like it for both.

    290. GIVE THIS MAN HIS 5/5!!!! THIS NIGGA SHIT GO HARD, YEA A COUPLE OF THE TRACKS ARE OLD, BUT SO FUCKIN WHAT THE COMPLETE BODY OF WORK IS GREAT! HE SAID IT ON VILLEMATIC,” U HATE IT BEFORE U PLAYED IT, I ALREADY FORGAVE U”

    291. 3.5/5 STARS? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

      This is the best Hip Hop album I’ve heard in at least the past 5 years…maybe more. The lyrics, wordplay, content, beats…they’re all there. Cole spits real shit everyone can relate to. This is an instant classic and will get even better as time goes on….

      5/5 STARS

    292. I couldn’t give a fuck about J Cole, I just wanna know where Ev’s Cats and Dogs’ review is. There’s too much bullshit hip-hop out there not worthy of any true B-Boy cluttering up this site. J Cole, Watch the Throne, Lil’ Wayne, Bad Meets Evil get no respect from me. It’s still turnin’ out to be a great year for real hip-hop with ace albums by eLZhi, REKS, Apathy, Grenebeg, Dopplgangaz, Rae, Random Axe, Pharoahe Monch, Blu and of course Evidence.

    293. CLASSIC, CLASSIC, CLASSIC!!!

      The best album I’ve heard since ”Food & Liquor”. To rate this album any less than 4.5 is ridiculous. His wordplay and his storytelling abilities are out of his world, his song-writing is so amazing, his flow is driven by pure emotion and he almost produced that whole album by himself while maintaining this crazy level of quality. The concepts are sooo sick, ”A Dollar And A Dream III” alone shits on the majority of albums that have been released this year. If that ain’t incredible, nothing is. He’s sooo talented. It’s a shame to see such a great and well-rounded album getting dismissed like this. This album has everything a true classic needs, it will be appreciated years from now for what it is. Cole will drop several classics.

      5 STARS!!!

      Easily the best album of the year and he will only get better.

      1. wow. i know you can be a fan but come on dog give it a rest. Go listen to Boy Meets World and then tell me Cole World is a classic. A classic impacts your life/way of thinking on the first listen, there are def some hot tracks, but the beats are repetitive and Cole sounds like hes drooling half the time

    294. A few DOPE albums dropped this week. I’ve listened to 3 of them so far. I would have to rank them like this though:
      Evidence
      9th Wonder
      J Cole
      (haven’t listened to Phonte yet)
      I like all of them, the reason I put Cole 3rd is cuz there are a few tracks on there I would skip. I can’t say it’s his fault though, being on a major label he has to have those “radio” joints on there. Cole shoulda saved the HiiiPower beat for himself. It was mos def a good week in Hip Hop. Support the real people.

      1. What is below average about him? He has rhyming skills, a great storytelling ability, honest emotions and crazy wordplay.

    295. One good beat one a whole album, and lyrics is so so! Weak!!!! He definitely don’t live up to the hype! Disappointing!!!

      1. You are a punk bitch with a shitty opinion. This shit goes hard. Theres a reason underground rap is underground. and theres a reason the underground rise. And Cole didnt even sell out. Hes been making music like this from the get go. no good beats? the fuck are you a dj or you like lyrics? second verse of sideline story is fucking nuts. third verse of rise and shine is retarded. Its this dudes first album. Give him some credit for putting together a nice work of art. Just because all you can relate to is sucking dick and squeezing nuts, doesnt mean it isnt good cause you cant relate to jermaine. HOEBITCH!

      2. ^^^ posey’s right thisa album is a 4/5 easy listen to rap don’t browse through all the tracks and provide a shitty opion

      3. Its not shitty, but I agree that the majority of albums that come out lately are overrated. Like Watch The Throne sucks, and I was looking forward to that.. and nothing special about this

      1. He may not be as lyrical but hes definitely able to make a better overall cohesive album…and thats what he did

    296. Just finish listening to the album and i enjoyed it.

      1. Intro
      2. Dollar and A Dream III 5/5
      3. Can’t Get Enough Ft Trey Songz 3.5/5
      4. Lights Please 5/5
      5. Interlude
      6. Sideline Story 4/5
      7. Mr. Nice Watch Ft Jay-Z 4/5
      8. Cole World 5/5
      9. In The Morning Ft Drake 4/5
      10. Lost Ones 5/5
      11. Nobody’s Perfect Ft Missy Elliot 3.5/5
      12. Never Told 5/5
      13. Rise And Shine 5/5
      14. God’s Gift 5/5
      15. Breakdown 4/5
      16. Work Out 2/5

      Cole World: The Sideline Story 4/5

    297. i wanna buy it support a good artist, but idk about this one i mean its his first album yeah but y have these old ass songs on there, kinda dissapointing tracklist

    298. LITTLE BROTHER – THE MISTREL SHOW = CLASSIC
      NAS – ILLMATIC = CLASSIC
      COMPTONS MOST WANTED- MUSIC TO DRIVEBY = CLASSIC
      AZ – DOE OR DIE = CLASSIC
      MF DOOM – MMM FOOD = CLASSIC
      MADVILLIAN – MADVILLIANY = CLASSIC
      MF DOOM – OPERATION DOOMSDAY = CLASSIC
      DIGABLE PLANETS – TIME & SPACE = CLASSIC
      ABOVE THE LAW – UNCLE SAM’S CURSE = CLASSIC
      LUPE FIASCO – THE COOL = CLASSIC
      MASTA ACE – A LONG HOT SUMMER = CLASSIC
      A TRIBE CALLED QUEST – MIDNIGHT MARUADERS = CLASSIC
      BONE THUGS N HARMONY- CREEPIN ON AH COME UP = CLASSIC
      2 PAC – ME AGAINST THE WORLD = CLASSIC
      BIGGIE – READY TO DIE = CLASSIC

      ETC

      1. I agree with most of ur list but you cant say overrated rappers if u include Mc eiht whos a simple rapper and masta ace who said “they think im washed up like i got in the tub” if ur guna say a masta ace album say “slaughtahouse” lol also the cool isnt HALF as good as food and liquor….cole got a dope album here dog and ima hip hop head..4/5

    299. Definitely an awesome album. Cole rips each track lyrically. No bad songs. There are some standout/ridiculous tracks. Cole goes silly on Rise and Shine, lyrically and production wise.

    300. He is the next lyrical giant? “boy you cant out smart me, i’ll make you feel like you the shit, but boy you cant out fart me”……….. “the time is now it couldnt be more herer”…. before yall crown this nigga he need to get his bars up… smh

      1. co-sign 100%! Those lines are awful. He has plenty of good bars on the album and he has a lot of horrible bars too. “I ball I ball like Kobe in the fall” Really? He could be kicking the illest rhyme and then throw some wack bars like those mentioned. Big Ghost outlined all the corny lines in his review. He’s good, once he drops some of these corny punches he’ll be great.

      2. And made up words like “herer” have been done by some of the greats like Black thought when he said “I’m already internation-able” i DARE yall to criticize black thought

      3. yea son but, internationable, at least you know what he’s trying to say. But out fart me? come on son, thats just ridiculous.

      4. come on bruh ive heard alot worse, what about the hot shit!!!!!! “niggas think they can hang with me, cant even tie my nuse” no pain, no gain; i blow brains, kobain; throat flames, cocaine, u was probably lookin for orny shit cause u a hater

      5. STFU. Those lines are mediocre, but far away from being awful. EVERY SINGLE line on ”Nasty” is waaaay worse than all the shit you just posted here.

    301. why “in the morning” and “lights please” is on it, i’ll never know but this wasn’t a bad album at all. 10x better than Thank Me Later. hope he has more input on his next one.

    302. how can you hate on this album?…4/5 one of the best of this year…even his club songs are lyrical…damn what are you guys listening to?….let me guess every one that hates this album are wayne fans that like rhymes like “i walk light so i dont piss the grown off” or ” you niggas are sweet like pumpkin pie”?…..lol

    303. Best solo Album I heard this year, what makes it so impressive is that he did over 90% of the production and doesnt have a bunch of guest appearances, he did it all on his own…. cant name to many MC’s if any that does that these days…. #respect

      1. You have to appreciate his effort and while he has “mad-potential”…This is also the reason why the album goes into the vaunted 3-rating…Too many trial-by-fire music and production on this album…But this is still a damn-good album…

    304. Im not saying this is better than College Dropout….but cole is definitely lyrically better than kanye on his debut that kanye was….thats all ima say….4/5…..4.2/5 for college dropout lol

      1. he may have a better flow, but lyrics? Your dumb College Dropout changed the game forever…Cole World will be forgotten in 3 months

    305. 3.5 Solid album, I do agree with the score of the review because I honestly expected something more or maybe different. It had the same feel as Friday Night Lights (not a bad thing @ all btw) but if that mixtape never came out, I probably would of rated it even higher. This guy is a breath of fresh air from all the over saturated mediocrity hip-pop you normally hear. Rise & Shine (shout out to the underground duo) send chills down my spine. Excellent Debut and best of luck to this talented young man reppin my family home state NC.

    306. I’m giving this 3 stars. It didnt live up to the hype. I hope he gets better beats next time and writes better hooks….most of his hooks are wack. Other than that he’s a good rapper.

    307. J. Cole is Truely a hero for this desperately needed hip-hop game that’s flooded/infected with these horrible so called rappers.

    308. A solid 4….only real wack tracks were never told and mr nice watch…also that song cole world’s hook was CORNY but it was a good song otherwise….what i woulda done if i was cole was take out mr nice watch, put jay on god’s gift, take out in the morning and put in cheer up, and replace never told with daddy’s little girl…and to make it perfect replace cole world wit return of simba lol

    309. 4/5 hip hop album of the year. What love about this album is the authentic feel it had. I didn’t like the fact lights pleasewas on the album, love that song but its over 2 years old.

      1. If you think this is better than Watch The Throne you have zero taste in music- I’d hope this album was going to be better! Sounds like J.Cole was depressed while recording this- its so mediocre

      2. your crazy if you think WTT is better then this. The production alone is better then WTT and that’s sad. I’m not even going to mention the poor lyrics on that LP. And how can you say that someone doesn’t have a taste in music because they don’t share the same opinion about 1 album..? smh

      3. Reks – R.E.K.S.
        Saigon – The Greatest Story Never Told
        Vakill – Armor Of God
        Elzhi – Elmatic
        Kendrick Lamar – Section.80
        Skyzoo – The Great Debater
        Bad Meets Evil – Hell: The Sequel

        all say ”hello”.
        But Cole World is also great and up there for the best album of the year. 2011 has been the dopest year in a long ass time for Hip Hop.

    310. Best CD all year hands down!!! We are witnessing the next great rapper here…Cole in my opinion if he doesn’t become full of himself like Wayne and Jay can eventually be the greatest MC ever!!!

      1. Yeah…He has the ability, but, he has a classmate that it can be argued is neck-to-neck with him w/ a slight edge, due, to his crooning ability. And, the greatest talks shouldn’t even be thought about at this time!!!

      2. LOL, he’s good and shows the potential to be great, but best ever? LMAO, that you said something like this, after an album that’s far from being a classic, is unbelievale.

    311. I think DX got this wrong. It’s a very good album! Deserves a better rating for it actually being an “album”. Great body of work from J, though he could have taken more chances like he did on his mixtape as far as his productions goes, but it’s real solid and showcases a dope MC!

    312. Definitely deserves a 4.3/5, yeah there were some corny lines in there but hey if you are a J. Cole fan you know what to expect. Now i see J. Cole to be a great rapper because he actually raps about stuff other than money, hoes, and clothes all the time. Yeah he still raps about those things but not in every song. He has tons of stories he tells and man when i listen to “Breakdown” i can feel and relate to that shit because i went through some of that shit. Niggas can relate to the shit Cole Spits. Niggas cant relate to the shit Wayne n dem spit because all of us ain’t “Balin’ or got 3 million dollar cars. Nigga da rent due and we late! There is nothing wrong with boasting a little but try and do something different in your rhymes like J. Cole does. Probably the song i see myself kipping a lot is “Never Told” not because its a bad song(which it’s not) it’s because i cant wait to hear “Rise and Shine” and “God’s Gift” Album is Dope Deserves a 4.3/5. I know cole is gonna come out with more dopper shit than this so i aint worried about the haters. Also and yes, to me this album is better than THA CARTER IV. Thank you and have a nice day…. #ColeWorld Follow me @Retweetmishit

      1. While I agree with your first few sentences…I will say that 1-rating is an album that sucks, a 2-rating is an album that sucks, but, has potential, a 3-rating is an album that’s good, but, nowhere near great, a 4-rating album is close to being a classic album, and a 5-rating is a classic-without a doubt!!! J-cole’s rating was a 3 to 3.5, because, of J-Cole’s lyrical ability and some of the production…However, far from a 4-rating due to it’s lack there-of…

    313. First-off, I give this album a 3.5 for its sustenance!!! Second, J-Cole impressed me with his lyrical-content!!! Production was decent, but, can definitely have room for improvement!!!

    314. The production was pretty good, with the only problem being his topics were sometimes tiresome – 3.5 stars

    315. This album proves how important production, content and songwriting is. While J Cole is clearly one of the most talented lyricists in the game, he has not yet mastered the art of making a GREAT song.

      There are no wack verses on this album, but it does not have a whole lot of replay value for me because the songs don’t stand out and stay in my head. Good debut, but he’s got a lot of work to do if he wants to stay around for a while…

    316. ”Music is just what feelings sound like” – Joe Budden.

      J. Cole accomplished that in such a masterful way.

      This is a future classic.

    317. this is the best album I heard so far. Not quite a classic but based on the stuff thats out. Its pretty close 4.5.

    318. still can’t believe Pete Rock & Smif-N-Wessun put out that shitty monumental album and it was rated a 4 and this was rated a 3.5, shyt still doesn’t make sense too me

    319. Best albums
      1. Saigon- Greatest Story Never Told
      2. Phonte- Charity Starts at home
      3. Pharoah Monche- W.A.R.
      4. J. Cole- Cole World
      5. Jay-Z/Kanye- Watch The Throne
      6. Skyzoo- The Great Debators
      7. The Game- The Red Album
      8. Kendrick Lamar- Section .80
      9. Blu- Her Favorite Col(u)r
      10.9th Wonder- The Wonder Years
      11.The Cool Kids- When Fish Ride Bicycles
      12.Reks- Rthymatic Eternal King Supreme
      13.Raekwon- Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang
      14.Median- The Sender
      15.Tyler The Creator- Goblin

      1. Good list, but ”Armor Of God” by Vakill, ”Elmatic” by Elzhi and ”L.A.B.O.R. (Language Arts Based On Reality)” by OneBeLo shit on all of them lyrically. You also forgot ”Hell: The Sequel”.

      2. I think em & royce(but espeacially em) are wash up and they made an entire album with no subject matter or punchlines. Thats a fail

      3. Lol @ that list here is mine:

        1. Random Axe – Random Axe
        2. Elzhi – Elmatic
        3. Atmosphere – The Family Sign
        4. Evidence – Cats & Dogs
        5. Vakill – Armor of God
        6. Long Arm – The Branches
        7. J. Cole – Cole World
        8. Hassaan Mackey & Ap Brown – Daily Bread
        9. Sims – Bad Time Zoo
        10. OneBeLo – LABOR
        11. Cunninlynguists – Oneirology
        12. 40 Winks – Its the Trip
        13. Trace Blam & Soulchef – Bottles
        14. Neek & Large Pro – Still on the Hustle
        15. Pharoahe Monch – W.A.R.

      4. Random ax @ #1 lol, leave the rocks at home! Black Milk is losing his touch, Guilty Simpson is boring as hell, and sean price is the best thing on here but he catering too much to Guilty & Black instead of being fimself. Any List dat doesn’t acknowledge Phonte or Saigon is a joke. Atmosphere lol

      1. Go somewhere w/ those no career haven ass rappers. #ColeWorld VaKill looks and sounds fucking retarded. Theres rhythm involved in rhyming he clearly does not have. Great lyricist but terrible rapper.

      1. LMAO. They’re worlds above the other two soft ass, half singing guys rapping over played out and non-creative 9th Wonder beats with one-syllabic rhymes. Fuck it, they’re above everyone stepping to a mic in 2011.

        Vakill and OneBeLo have far better wordplay, concepts, flows, rhymes, punchlines, metaphors, double-entendres and waaaay more original beats. They’re 20 times the rappers Phonte and Median (LOL, I can’t get over this) put together are.

      2. ^guess u don’t know rap then if u think this, This is coming from a Native tongue head to the fullest. krs-one & Rakim are among my all-time favorites but onebelo & vakil aren’t better rappers/MC’s than Median or Phonte, they don’t have the skill sets. Median Relief’s is one of the top 20 albums of the last decade, and one of the best debuts of all time. As for Phonte well the track record speaks for itself, Little brother has surpassed the like of EPMD & Jungle Brothers as all-time greatest groups.

      3. What the FUCK are you talking about? Stop talking out of your ass and get a fucking reality check, you fool. I, for one, KNOW the rappers you are talking about. Some words from a guy who actually STUDIED rappers. Are you serious about comparing these rappers? Since when are Phonte and Median recognized as spitters? LOL. I can’t believe that this is even a discussion. What have you heard from Vakill and OneBeLo? Especially Vakill is one of THE most skilled rappers to EVER tocuh a mic, he has more mulit-syllabic rhymes and better wordplay than Eminem. Did you hear the flames he spit on The Darkest Cloud? I guess not. I haven’t come across a rapper who is more technically gifted than Vakill, this guy is a straight monster. The track ”Darkest Cloud” SHITS on most albums out there. Every single site out there acknowledges Vakill as one of the greatest lyricists out there, many believe him to be even better than Lupe. e heard many punchline rappers, NOBODY comes close to this lyrical dexterity and his rhyme scheme is up there with Eminem’s. Elzhi always has these double rhymes, but Vakill just crushes everything, this dude’s rhymes are unmatched in terms of complexity, he’s a force not to be fucked with on the mic. But that isn’t all, aside from his incredible battle tracks, he’s such an amazing and vivid storyteller with incredible detailed scriptures of the street life and he never dropped a whack track, his three albums are consistent as fuck and underground classics up there with Madvillainy. The Darkest Cloud (The Creed, Til’ The World Blows Up, Dear Life, American Gothic, Fallen (tell me that ain’t one of the best concepts ever, Cry You A River, Sweetest Way To Die, The Flyer.) Worst Fears Confirmed (Cold War (The N.Y. State Of Mind of Chicago, When Was The Last Time, Serpent And The Rainbow, Farewell To The Game, Man Into Monster and the most amazing track, Acts of Vengeance, this is up there with Nas’ betrayal tales of It Was Written), where perfected his already amazing skills to his newest one Armor Of God (Sick Cinema, Endless Road, The Apology (again, these crazy concepts, Beast Ballad (where he proved that he easily can hang with some of rap’s best lyricists., I Came 4 U, A Lynched Legacy and Bi-Polar). It’s unbelievable HOW overlooked this dude is, especially in these days and times where everybody is waiting to hear those crazy lyrical dudes. He’s up there with the best ever. He got it all when it comes to rap skills and can hold an album down on his own at an incredible level.
        “I’m Fantastic Four with the flow, I Rock Fire shit, Unseen by any Stretch of your imagination”. This is just untouchable, he might even be nicer than Jay with the lines. Mean Mug Muzik? This dude is unfuckwithable. Plus, he picks one of the nicest beats out there. This dude is, by far, the underground king. Please, you CAN’T be THAT dumb. One Be Lo, from his work with Senim Silla as Binary Star, ”Project F.E.T.U.S. (For Everybody That Understands)”, ”S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. (Sounds Of Nahshid Originate Good Rhymes And Music)”, ”S.T.I.L.L.B.O.R.N. (Something To Interest Lo Listeners Beyond Original Recorded Networkings; or
        Subterraneous/Trackezoids Invest Lost Lyrics Bringing Old Rhymes New)”, ”The R.E.B.I.R.T.H. (Real Emcees Bring Intelligent Rhymes To Hip Hop)”, ”L.A.B.O.R. (Language Arts Based On Reality)” to ”B.A.B.Y. (Being A Black Youth)”. The titles ALONE are better than EVERYTHING Phonte or that non-skilled weedcarrier Median have done this decade.

        LISTEN TO SOME OF THEIR MUSIC INSTEAD OF TALKING OUT OF YOUR ASS, YOU UNINFORMED FAGGOT! Vakill crafts more rhymes and double-entendres into one song than Median has on his whole album. OneBeLo writes waaay more beautiful poems than Phonte did in his prime. Get the FUCK outta here. LOL.

        http://www.epinions.com/review/The_Darkest_Cloud_-_Vakill/content_128972000900

        http://www.epinions.com/review/The_Darkest_Cloud_-_Vakill/content_141339627140

        http://www.epinions.com/review/The_Darkest_Cloud_-_Vakill/content_121897848452

        Read the reviews to ”Armor Of God” and ”L.A.B.O.R.” and kill yourself afterwards.

      4. ^Vakil sounds like a better version of reks, I’ll give him that but u need to get ya teeth marks off him sack. His lyrics are great but his flow is not the best & he often just can’t craft a song he’ll be 4ever stuck in the underground. Phonte & Median are better story tellers with subtle complex flows that vary. Their worldplay is on par with Vakil but they’re clearly the better mc’s or artist however u wanna slice it & dice it. They Craft better songs & albums, which is why they’ll always get the critical claim they get.

    320. yo who the fuck would put cole world on a year’s best list. shit was mediocre at best. smh at you stan ass motherfuckers. y’all hear this shit through filtered ears.

      1. Chris u sound like a wocka flocka fan u faggot this album was album of the year so get yo dumb ass out here and go blow wocka’s dick u know u want them aids too u faggot

    321. I bought coles album but i thought his mixtapes were much better. production was ok. most beats sounded the same almost. his realness that i used to lyk so much seemed to have kinda disappeared on this album except for on never told, rise and shine, gods gift and breakdown. i lyk the second half of his album more. nevertheless i rekon this is the best album of the year

    322. The dopest album this year. Cole kept true to his word. I have the album and i’m loving all the tracks, especially sideline story, nothing lasts forever,rise and shine, lost ones, in the morning, lights please,never told, and breakdown

    323. Best projects of 2011
      1. Evidence – Cats and Dogs
      2. J-Live – S.P.T.A
      3. Saigon – Greatest story Never Told
      4. Pharoahe Monch – W.A.R.
      5. Random Axe
      6. Rasheed Chappell – Future Before Nostalgia
      7. Reks – R.E.K.S.
      8. Kendrick Lamar-Section 80
      9. Elzhi – Elmatic
      10. Curren$y – Covert Coup
      11. Big Krit- Return of 4eva
      12. J cole – COle world

      1. 1.Saigon- Greatest Story Never Told
        2.Phonte- Charity Starts At Home
        3.Pharoah Monche- W.A.R.
        4.J.Cole- Cole World: Sideline Story
        5.Jay-Z/Kanye- Watch the Throne
        6.Skyzoo- The Great Debators
        7.The Game- The R.E.D. Album
        8.Kendrick Lamar- Section .80
        9.Blu-Her Favorite Col(u)r
        10.9th Wonder- The Wonder Years
        11.The Cool Kids- When Fish Ride Bicycles
        12.Reks- Rythmatic Eternal King Supreme
        13.Reakwon- Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang
        14.Median- The Sender
        15.Tyler, the Creator- Goblin
        16.Talib Kweli- Gutter Rainbows
        17.Evidence- Cats and Dogs
        18.Big Sean- Finally Famous
        19.Lil Wayne- The Carter IV
        20.Murs & Ski Beatz- Love & Rockets 1
        21.Style P- Master of Ceremonies
        22.Bad Meets Evil- Hell: The Sequal
        23.Joel Ortiz- Free Agent
        24.Freeway/Statik Selektah- StaticFree
        25.Roc Marciano- Greneberg
        26.Lupe Fiasco- Lasers
        27.Royce 5’9″- Success is Certain
        28.Slaughterhouse- Slaughterhouse EP
        29.Jay Rock- Follow Me Home
        30.Random Axe- Random Axe

    324. When someone released 2 banging mixtapes as Cole did, the expectations for his album is gunna be super high… and i don’t think he delivered.

      I used to share all his good stuff on facebook trying to get the man the credit he deserved, and as a dedicated fan i was pretty disappointed.

      It’s not that it’s a bad album, cos its not, its just that it isnt as good as what i had expected

      1. Well hey man i’m sorry to say this to you but something must be very wrong wit you if you don’t think he delivered dude wake the fuck up j cole has sold 218,000 copies his first week and debuted at number 1 the label didnt even expect him to sale over 100,000 his first week, and on top of that he has one of the highest debut sales since drake, nicki, and b.o.b i know that 218,000 copies sold your first week may not seem like alot to a rap artist especially compared to the big leagues like kanye, jayz, lil wayne, and drake but if you look at other recent new rap artist debut sales like big sean 87,000 first week and waka flocka 37,000 first week they werent even able to sale 100,000 copies their first week now that’s disapointing matter fact no rap artist album this year other than wayne’s carter 4, jayz/kanye’s watch the throne collabo, beyonces album, wiz khalifa’s rolling papers, and now j cole’s the sideline story, besides them no other rap album has sold 100,000 copies in the first week let alone over 100,000 copies, and i’m also a fan of waka flocka, and big sean’s music to i’m just saying j cole has sold over 3 to 4 times what waka, and big sean sold their debuts, on top of that j cole didn’t really have radio play for his singles, he didn’t have the hype or buzz he was kind of underrated at the time not being promoted and all, but produced most of the tracks on his album, payed some pay dues, built up his fan base worked hard and still came in at number 1 on the billboard charts with well over 200,000 copies sold in first week sales i don’t know about all yall but that seems pretty remakable to me for a beginning young newcomer when you look at all the factors i have talked about in comment here yall just need to give j cole the credit he desevres and stop doubting him, and hating on him cause he has worked his ass off the past 2 years now with very little help from jay-z and payed some dues as well to get to this point and that’s what you must do in this rap game to make it built yourself up become better, fix your flaws, and just believe in yourself, even jay-z himself and beyonce congratuated j cole on having the number 1 album, in the country last week see i don’t think yall realize that j cole has so much potential dont get me wrong he still has alot to learn, he probably even know that but he has so many things going for him right now he really delivered on his album as promised i just wish yall would acknowledge that and accept it but everyone has their opinion im just tell yall the truth facts cause i did my research and wanted yall to see the bigger picture about how well j cole has done and where he stands now among other artist in the game i don’t mean to write a entire book here either im just gettin my point across to yall, it’s up to yall whether you want to believe it or not just look it up for yourselves and besides j cole is already prepping for his second album which he hopes to have ready in like nine months from now or so next year j cole’s on a roll man some of yall just don’t know it’s a cole world out there dress warm haters lol its only going to get coler now that j cole has Blowin up

    325. Wale 2.0. When you come out with near perfect mixtapes, expectations are through the roof, making even a solid effort look bummy. I am a fan of J. Cole and want to see dude succeed, but if the nigga doesn’t come up with some new subject matter soon he gone be old news quickly. We heard your come-up story on the first two mixtapes nigga.

    326. yall str8 disrespected Cole rite here how is it a 3.5 when this is hands down the best album to date this year??? at the very least 4.75 just becuz he has mixtape songs on it which btw is still dope!…..Cmon HipHopDX get ya shit together!..this site is def turnin into the source when benzino was running the shit!

      1. I actually thought its the other way around lol he killed it on dolla and a dream, sideline story, lost ones, rise n shine and god’s gift so i thought his lyrics were dope….i thought most of the beats were ehhhh minus god’s gift, rise n shine and the missy joint

    327. I’m happy for this dude and his success, but damn, he gives average a whole new meaning. Nothing about his abilites is special or hypeworthy. You see what a co-sign from Jay can do.

    328. one of my favourite albums of 2011 without a shadow of a doubt. i cant comprehend why people are hating? sonically, this album had hardly any unskippable tracks….i think that j cole probably wanted to focus on making the best songs he could, as opposed to ones which featured too many themes or concepts….which is cool, cos it still goes hard! 4.5/5

    329. I think this should be a lesson for all of the artists out there: don’t waste all of your A-material on mixtapes. Almost every single track off of his mixtape was a banger…where the studio album was the exact opposite…no bangers…just average. Such a huge disappointment after such promise.

    330. It was aaaaiiiight. Its nothing ground breaking or original and he didn’t say anything that he already didn’t say. Not bad, but no big deal. Now Kendrick Lamar that nigga shit is off the meat!!! He is my measuring stick for new artist and J. Cole isn’t even in the ballpark with my mans. Thats not hating, its the fucking truth. One.

    331. I didn’t like this compared to the material I heard from him when he came out…it sounds like some songs dont match the beats or the beats could have been better for some of the songs…Lyrically he was still good…Altogether I give this album a 3 out of 5…Average

    332. real…….breakdown, lost ones, never told, gods gift, rise and shine, sideline story, dollar and a dream, nobodys perfect, and lights please makes the album a CLASSIC………

      1. …and the other half is bullshit garbage. Come on son, this nigga is singing paula abdul and shit, wtf? When half the tracks are skippable it’s far from classic, I’m sorry but you clearly haven’t got a clue how to identify a classic album. Only the test of time can deem an album classic anyways. Kendrick my boy, your opinion is clouded. Cole’s best beat to date isn’t even on his own joint, HiiPower on K Dot’s album is easily the best Cole made beat that I’ve heard, and that’s a deep track as well, but Cole ain’t on it. The Temptation beat sounds dope too, at least he’s gonna be on that track. Cole World, I give it 1 thumb up, 1 thumb down.

      2. Bruh you said HiiPower was his best still after hearing this album. Well the beats to Rise & Shine, God’s Gift and Breakdown>>the beat on HiiiPower. Get at me if you disagree. HiiPower is still one of his best but he really has better beats than that song to be honest

    333. Can’t say anything is groundbreaking here – but I can’t stop listening. Love when talented musicians can create on their own work and deliver from start to finish. I think people need to give him a lot of credit for being a true musician. Even if you’re not really feelin’ it. Great job Cole.

    334. all i see is haters. Im happy to see a good artist selling granted albums were better this year but j. cole did it with little features and 70 % of his on material and still made it for number on top 200 over country singers damn it boy!. debut album. i guarentee cole will become a platnium artist because at the end of the day numbers matters and some of the greats have platnium records to show for a great career in rap community. album 4/5. so tired of punch line flow so simple! Coleworld

    335. I enjoy this CD alot. One of the biggest questions surrounding his debut was could he switch up the routine- and I believe he did. From an artistic pov, he had to have used at least 6 different deliveries (aka flows or styles) within one album. “So when you spit it so REAL, suddenly these phony dudes lose they APPEAL,” I give it 4/5 for personal reasons- mainly because of older songs and recycled subject matter.

      But if you interested in another upcoming MC, check out this dude by the name of Prosperous! I don’t wanna spoil it for you, but start with his songs “Black Dream” or “The State of Hip Hop” and work from there. 😀 This guy is very creative.

      1. yea. i googled prosperous. but you gotta search em on youtube to get his music. he’s actually pretty good 🙂 I signed up for his 1st album release in the future.

    336. Overall 4.5/5

      Not going to track by track on this, but after reading this review and listening to this album, seemed to be some bias in the reviewer. Lyrically he is solid, think the general consensus is he is much better than the standard we have been hearing. I agree with the reviewer that the beats are suspect at times, but to knock him 1.5 stars? I could live with a 4/5, but 3.5 seems a little harsh.

    337. The best debut record to come out in the past 5 years and definitely the best after carter 3 and my beautiful dark twisted fantasy. CLASSIC and EPIC are too words which are not even good enough to describe this album. The best… hands down.

    338. It is a solid album 3.5/5 but this no classic. I am a fan and no hater but a 5/5 means that it can’t no better and he still has room to grow the production could have been better. Its a very good first effort don’t get wrong, but no where near classic/ 5/5 rating IMO.

    339. Really wasn’t as good as it should/could have been.

      But the Cole virgins think it’s a classic soooooo….

    340. Damn, I meant my first rating to be for Phonte’s album. This, J Cole’s album, is ok, but even better when I mix the non-radio friendly songs with some of my favorites on his mixtapes. His mixtapes are twice as good as this.

    341. Good album, been bumping it for a while. I must say im a little disapointed in it thouhg, his mixtapes definetly gassed me up to think the album would be a classic. I dont like how Lights please and Lost ones have pretty much the same vibe. At then end of the day, i rate this 3.5

    342. nothin’ but dickriders…straight up…this album was boring as fuck…this album should have been called “Sleeping Pill: Wake Me Up When It’s Over”.

      1. Brian doesn’t know music. I wonder what he was expecting on this album.

        This is J.Cole on all of his mixtapes…….

    343. Absolutely disagree wit this review-what makes this album so much better than ALL the other shit out is the personal joints PAIRED with the more introspective production as opposed to the over-produced cookie cutter”auto-hits” that everybody else leans on-4.75 stars

    344. this gud ablum watch the throne den this den cater 4 cuz a least his songs make sense carter 4 he tlks about the same shitt startin get old watch the throne was new finally sumone use dupstep

      1. LOL come on, I’m a Cole fan but he is not the next 2Pac.. Out of this new generation Kendrick Lamar is the closest to Pac.. and he’s not close..

    345. Very solid album from the next great rapper to enter the industry. Give him time, and J. Cole will take over where inferior rappers (Lil Wayne, Game) left off.

    346. J COLE SOLD OUT WTF IS CANT GET ENOUGH???

      AND WORK OUT???

      THIS ALBUM IS THE SECOND WORST ALBUM OF 2011

      FIRST BEING CARTER 4 OBV

    347. J Cole has released a debut album which is all about great beats and brilliant wordplay. Although he is not the saviour the hypebeasts seem think he is, J Cole shows great potential to be the best of this new generation of rappers.

      Marco

    348. Who ever wrote this article is obviously not a die hard J.Cole fan. J.Cole has made it where he is by doing what he has been doing since the get go: raping over his own beats. Why should he stop now? #coleworld

    349. good album I’m just saying it’s only his first album and I bet the second one will alot better it’ll be classic cause he will actually have features on the next album like Alicia keys

    350. People say J. cole sucks but if u look at all of his videos on youtube people always bring up Tupac and other hip hop greats… SHid looks like to me that he’s doing something..

    351. People say J. cole sucks but if u look at all of his videos on youtube people always bring up Tupac and other hip hop greats… SHid looks like to me that he’s doing something..!!!

    352. this was the most average album i have ever heard in my life. 4 of the beats sound the same. No replay value except for Nothing Lasts Forever. try again Cole

    353. J. cole is a beast and has been underrated for years…while everyone else is using each others flows (drake , big sean, diggy simmons ) J has made his own style and kills it…the album is refreshing and really makes you think about wordplay more than hooks which is something hip hop has been missing…Jay Z knew what he was doing in signing him…guarantee this dude outlives alot of these new rappers…Cole World all day…p.s. Got love for drake too but he’s getting way to big headed…come back down to earth lol…

    354. J. Cole’s mixtapes were both great with consistent bangers! I’m going to buy the album today after work. Cole is definatly under-rated. People stop comparring Drake and Cole they are two different types of artists. Drake talks about always falling in love with strippers/hoes Cole fucks groupies but aint hangcuffin’ – they aint on the same mindset.

      Cole World – nuff said.

    355. Im sorry guys but J Cole is too basic for me he doesnt have any flare. He doesnt bring anything extra he just raps and its really boring like he needs to get some vocabulary and plus he has no wordplay like Lupe or Kendrick Lamar

      1. LOL STFU.. DID YOU JUST SAY LUPE FIASCO, KENDRICK LAMAR AND J. COLE ARE WACK?

        GTFO IF YOU AREN’T A DRAKE FAN I WOULD BE SO SURPRISED. YOU’VE GOT TO BE TROLLING, SURELY.

      2. you must be a Lil B, Lil Wayne, Tyga fan if you think Lupe Kenrick and Cole has now wordplay… and vocabulary??? Tyga’s the one with the 4th grade vocabulary with Wayne spitting some nonsense

    356. Album was underrated in this review, It wasn’t the classic alot of fans wanted, and in my opinion, condensing the album might have made it a classic.

      The tracks that annoyed me were Lights Please and In The Morning, simply because of their mixtape heritage not earning any re-play time along with the rest of the album. Lights please is a classic, but I listen to it alongside the other Warm Up tracks.

      Other than that it was just Mr. Nice Watch that didn’t fit. I expected more from the Jigga feature. The rest of the album was flawless with Highlights being God’s Gift, Lost ones and Nobody’s Perfect. Return of Simba might have been perfect in replace of Mr. Nice Watch (bonus that if you must).

      Overall I gave this album a 4.3/5, if the changes I suggested were made, It’d be arguably perfect but more accurately probably a 4.8/5 14-track 3-bonus LP

    357. J. Cole is the best of all so called upcoming rap artists, way better than tyga and big sean. He ain’t no fake lil’ wayne fag artist or look at me i got swagger artist like drake..

      If pac or big would be alive, lil wayne would have still been working at Mac Donalds.

      Overall Cole world best album of the past year.

    358. hey j.cole broe keep pumping em good music i love eachand everysong in ur cd..much luv oww n ur voice is too damn sexy(@@,)

    359. yall call him boring because hes not a sell out like the rappers you like, even though he makes songs like “work out” and “cant get enough”, cole stays true to his style, and thats why his fans from day 1 are still here. you guys wouldnt know good music if it slapped you in the face.

    360. Man fuck this nigga, damn this album is dope and it even made me to put him in my top 3 and that is in the first Number and that is number 1. Cole World

    361. Really, really good. Too bad that you have already listened to the best tracks on him mixtapes but still 5/5 for the lyrics and beats are tight as fuck

    362. Replace Mr. Nice Watch with Cost Me A Lot….replace Cole World with Higher….replace In The Morning with Before I’m Gone…..and add Return of Simba, 2Face to the album and it would be a 5 out of 5 A+

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