![]() The final installment of the album is perhaps the strongest portion. In “Rich Niggaz,” he bashes those who are in the rap game simply for monetary purposes, while he assures his fans that he will not follow down this same path. In “She Knows," he sings, “Damned if I do, damned if I don’t, I’m passing up on bad h*es, trying to be the man that she want," as he describes his attempt to make his relationship, assumedly with his girlfriend Melissa, work despite the temptations of women everywhere he goes. “Runaway," marks a change in the album’s tone as Cole begins to consciously contemplate the issues that have come with his fame in an attempt to do what is right. Not to mention, the hook is extremely catchy. This song marks a significant improvement in the complexity and depth of Cole’s production. It ironically juxtaposes the thought of a church choir as being saintly. His production matches this idea as devilish-sounding horn and piano melodies accompany an equally devilish-sounding choir backing. Trouble does surround Cole as he questions the intentions of those around him, specifically women, while attempting to avoid the temptations that come with fame. “Trouble” is easily the darkest track on the album. He reminds us of this in the dark opening to the album, “Villuminati”, as he raps, “Sometimes I brag like Hov, sometimes I’m real like Pac, sometimes I focus on the flow to show the skills I got, sometimes I focus on the dough, look at these bills I got.” Ultimately, this album not only works as a coherent narrative of sin and repentance, but also as a testament to Cole’s versatility as an artist. ![]() Cole personalizes this theme as he attempts to better himself over the course of the 16-track offering, paralleling his struggle to make music true to his heart, in light of industry pressures that call for mainstream sales. We’re all born sinners, yet we all have the ability to become more saintly as our lives progress. “I’m a born sinner, but I die better than that”, which summarizes the album perfectly. The first line on the album is also the last. Unlike his debut album, Born Sinner proves to be a cohesive, logically progressing work, flowing from hell to heaven, dark to light, or more personally, from Cole's self-described depression to a newfound happiness. How confident was he in this project? Confident enough to move the album’s release date up a week to compete with the release of Yeezus. This time, Cole assured us that it was his best work yet. But now, nothing: just like with “Watch the Throne,” it’s all about the on-sale date.Less than a year later, expectations again abounded as Cole crafted his sophomore effort, Born Sinner. West decided to restrict album pre-orders to iTunes - for apparently just about one day. Here’s a sneaky trick though: Cole already has a jump start in the chart race, after Mr. He may be dropping the next “Life after Death,” who knows. I’m not sure I would put my sophomore album up against one of the biggest names in fame, but maybe Cole knows something we don’t. Kanye surprised fans at the “Saturday Night Live” finale a few weeks back with his two new singles ‘New Slaves’ and ‘Black Skinheads.’ So both have been actively creating anticipation in this recreation of the album release showdown. Cole’s “Power Trip,” featuring Miguel, peaked at No. West have both previously released two singles from their anticipated albums. Was moving the album date up too big of a challenge for Cole’s album sales? Maybe.Ĭole and Mr. Does this even tip the monstrous block of sales of Kanye? No. “Cole World: The Sideline Story” sold 218,000 copies in the first weeks of sales and charted No. Cole is on the road to being one of the greatest - but he isn’t there yet. He has been recognized by some of the greatest names in hip-hop, including DMX, who said the young rapper was actually ‘saying something’ when he heard him on the radio. ![]() West brutally massacred (get it?) 50 Cent in album sales in 2007, when both released albums on the same day? “Graduation” sold 957,000 copies in the first six days , while 50 Cent’s “Curtis” came up short at 691,000.ĭo not be mistaken I am not saying that Cole cannot compete with the awarded rapper. But let’s just take a stroll in history for a second. He has 21 Grammys and five platinum albums and Cole is displaying immense confidence to even go up against that. Yesterday Cole released the third single from his album, “N***az Know,” and the lyrical demeanor of the single is flawless.Ĭole is right. And the young artist may be building a bit of competition for Mr. West will release his sixth studio album “Yeezus” on June 18th, Cole decided to push up the release of “Born Sinner,” his sophomore album. Cole have a new found similarity: June 18th.
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