Similar to critique aimed at his contemporary competitor Drake, J. Cole has been subject to accusations of coasting and falling short of high quality in an age of lowered standards and expectations. The bu*t of running jokes surrounding a supposed inability to captivate, he finds himself at odds attempting to please not only a crowd clamoring for the pa**ion found on his former mixtapes but an industry model only considerate of polished hit makers. As this persistent inner conflict pulls him in multiple directions at once, Born Sinner has J. Cole entertaining under the pressure of an identity complex which clashes with his best intentions
Working to prevent the fabled soph*more curse from coming to pa**, Born Sinner is a decidedly edgier follow up to J. Cole's 2011 debut 'Cole World: The Sideline Story'. The project succeeds in tying its theme of spiritual crisis amidst stardom to an an*logy for the struggle to satisfy purists, but the overall results for this concept are fairly lackluster. Glaring missteps arise from 'Forbidden Fruit' and 'Land Of The Snakes,' which rehash the melodies of A Tribe Called Quest's 'Electric Relaxation' and Out Kast's 'Da Art of Storytelling (Part 1)' respectively, as Cole banks on nostalgia to carry his load. Also likely to make a bad impression, he sounds fairly static at times, the otherwise ambitious 'Rich n***as' standing out in this regard
J. Cole is determined to earn the continued approval of his hometown Fayetteville, NC and the Rap legends to come before him. On the opening track 'Villuminati' he repeats the phrase, “Sometimes I brag like Hov” before launching into verbal onslaught, perhaps setting out to convince listeners that he should one day be held in comparison to his iconic boss. Arguably the most honest moment of introspection on Born Sinner arrives with “Let Nas Down,” a brave yet awkward tale of how the QB veteran shunned Cole's prior measures taken in the pursuit of success. He looks back with regret, pleading, “I couldn't help but that think that maybe I had made a mistake. I mean you made ‘You Owe Me', dog, I thought that you could relate," reflecting his greatest strength and weakness in a vulnerability that risks backfiring
With this release striving to walk followers through the depths of J. Cole's soul, completely buying in to the experiment requires one to suspend disbelief as it rings inauthentic at points. 'Trouble' deals with the pitfalls of groupies and spotlight and 'She Knows' covers the temptations of infidelity, both overcompensating for his usually boyish charm with excessive usage of the terms 'b**h' and 'ho.'
'Runaway' borrows a familiar, Cole sonic formula. He switches pace here addressing what are presumably his own struggles with fame, infidelity and America's complicated relationship with slavery. The taboo subject of America's history of institutionalized racism and how that history informs hip hop's current socio-economic state is further fleshed out on the soulful 'Chaining Day.'
Thoughtfully conveying the insecurities that accompany the public perception of flossing, he explains, “The same sh** a broke black n***a gets ga**ed at. The same sh** a rich white motherf**er laughs at” The song's apologetic hook chants, “I need you to love me,” possibly begging forgiveness for superficial living and his generally cold demeanor throughout 'Born Sinner'
Receiving a pa** for effort and strong conviction rather than actual execution, 'Born Sinner' does little to rectify concerns that J. Cole has trouble exciting segments of his audience. Despite the layered production and varied rhyme cadences employed at times, it's not a particularly dynamic listen. Cole's repertoire now includes commentary about how race, power and wealth are all connecte— particularly for those in his chosen field. It's an improvement from earlier efforts, which adds up to an improved, but not quite superior album
The lead singles 'Power Trip' and 'Crooked Smile' are misfits to the prevalent darker tone with little purpose past commercial appeal, and the repeated dramatic choir effect has become stale within Hip Hop by now. Though commendable as it is largely self-produced without a solitary emcee cameo, Cole's semi-autobiographical one man show settles for being average where a more vibrant character would bring life to his music