J.Cole
Born Sinner
Track by Track Review
Villuminati: The
perfect album intro. The beat is hot, the Biggie sample is appropriate, and
Cole does great lyrically. He gets at people that think he’s Illuminati also in
the last verse.
9.5/10
Kenny Sermon(skit):
An interesting piece by a preacher. It has the same beat as the next track.
7/10
Land of the Snakes:
I think this song showcases Cole’s storytelling. It feels similar to some songs
on his first album…but its more effective in my opinion. He deals with the
pressure of stardom which includes the pursuit of women.
8/10
Power Trip: Miguel joins Cole here. He does a good job
with the chorus. I really like how the songs parts effortlessly flow together.
The beat is fire and yet very relaxing and smooth.
9.5/10
Mo Money(Interlude): A nice interlude. I haven’t heard a rapper say “Money” so much since Game on “Money” lol.
7.5/10
Trouble: Things
continue to be very soulful here. The beat is very fitting and multilayred.
Cole has a nice chorus as well.
9.5/10
Runaway: Another
soulful song. I like the chorus here also. Cole spits the truth man.
8.5/10
She Knows: A cool
song. The beat is dope. This kind of sampling reminds me of classic Rocafella
records’ sound. “Got me up so high, tryin to get a piece of that apple pie”
9/10
Rich N****z: An
interesting narrative. “How much for your soul n*gga” raps Cole. He hates rich
N***z which is what he is now lol. The beat is very laid back.
8.5/10
Where’s Jermaine
Skit: A nice little church skit. The
end is funny.
7/10
Forbidden Fruit: Cole
is joined by Kendrick Lamar on this one. It’s an interesting song, with biblical
references. The end is funny.
9.5/10
Chaining Day: Another
introspective song by Cole. I like the chorus. However the beat sounds kinda
familiar like I’ve heard it before
8/10
Aint that some S***: A
really hot interlude. It seems that he can make bangers at will now….
9/10
Crooked Smile: TLC
joins Cole on this one. This is a really nice song. It really is a song with no
flaws. Ironically this song is about the
flaws in a woman and the black culture.
10/10
Let Nas Down: Kinda
the same concept as Kanye’s Big Brother song, but this song is an ode to Nas. I
don’t like this song as much as Kanye’s but this is still really good and introspective.
The beat is pretty basic, like something Nas would rap on
9/10
Born Sinner: The
album’s outro song is decent. The chorus is really good. It’s a solid end to a
great album.
FInal Score is 9.5/10