Today, December 9th, marks the one year anniversary of J. Cole’s third studio album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive. Over the course of the past several months, we’ve watched a journey unfold that has blessed J. Cole, from the outside looking in, with his most successful and praised era or music to date. Going forth to reach such acclaim through his own efforts, J. Cole has went on record to emphasize just how the message in the music is much more important than the superficial perks it brings. Announced via a simplistic and straight to the point Facebook post, J. Cole went on to say, “What up? My New Album is finished. It’s called 2014 Forest Hills Drive and it’s very special to me.” Filled with excitement, along with a countless amount of other J. Cole supporters, what I didn’t know at the time is that the album would be just as special to me.
Over the years, as I got older, the way I listened to music and even the type of music I listen to has vastly changed from my teenage years. In those earlier years, it was all about what records had the catchiest hook, the latest dance craze, and/or who was the “it” guy/girl at the time. I credit September 11, 2007 as the day my eyes opened on just how impactful music could be as Kanye West’s Graduation album was released. Basking in the greatness of that LP for weeks, it was then that my “obsession” with music began. I needed to know so much more than who was the voice of these records. It was important for me to know producers, writers, and everyone and everything between. Perhaps most importantly, I wanted to find someone I could relate to. While Kanye was working his way to that spot, there was this rapper by the name of Jermaine Cole that I randomly came across after the standard countless hours of internet browsing that most teenagers fall “victim” to. Once more, 2007 proved to be vital as ‘Dollar And A Dream’ grabbed my ears, struck a chord, and locked me in as a fan of J. Cole.
Jermaine Lamar Cole is the epitome of inspiration. He’s an artist that I could relate to, from the single parent home to going to college while chasing his dreams. The first time I heard him was on ‘A Star Is Born’ on The Blueprint 3 and after that I was hooked. 2014 Forest Hills Drive was a complete masterpiece to my ears. The production, the promotion, the meaning, everything was incredible. Every song grooved right into the next so effortlessly and it was all him. I really am proud of everything he’s doing and all of his accomplishments and I hope nothing but the best for him.
Although we live in an era where everyone buys music digitally, I made the trip to Best Buy to purchase a physical of FHD the day it came out. There’s something distinctly throwback about the way Cole approaches his craft, and, as such, I felt that was appropriate. FHD was Cole’s “I’M NICE!” album. Cole is clearly a guy who’s an enthusiastic student of the game. He has a lot of respect for his craft, and his desire to continually sharpen his skills is evident in every project he puts out. FHD put all the whispers about Cole’s place in the game to rest for good. Salute!
J. Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive had a huge impact on me when it dropped. I had quit my job a month before its release with no idea how my next move would pan out or how I would survive in the long run. For a few weeks, my hope seemed shot down but 2014 FHD helped me realize that there is hope in chasing your dream and there’s certainly a light at the end of the tunnel if you keep going. I couldn’t be more thankful for that album.
J Cole has always been my favorite rapper since I got introduced to his first mixtape, but in 2014 he transitioned to a role model. After listening to Forest Hills Drive and watching his interview with Angie Martinez multiple times, I decided to quit my job. I was working as a server at T.G.I.Friday’s at the time, where I could easily make more than one hundred a night, but I realized I had to invest my time in myself. Working as a server is hard. We get paid less than minimum wage and have to depend on customers to make a living. I was tired of depending on people. J Cole’s words showed me that my time was worth more than $5.25 + tips, and that my destiny was solely in my hands. Now I work with kids for the money I need to get by while I plan on my own small business. The money isn’t as good, and I think about going back to serving every other week, but I’d rather have my dignity. I’ve never felt more fulfilled, and I owe it all to Cole. One day I hope to have a conversation with him just to say thank you.
In the wild experience of high school, most of us have at least an idea of what career we want to commit to for the duration of our adult lives. Those ideas could stem from our own thoughts, or those around us that somewhat dictate what we should do and much less of what we want to do. I was one of those kids, too, but I didn’t know my destiny. Across the following years, I would do as I was “suppose” to do. I went to college, graduated with a degree in a field that would assure me job security for as long as I searched, immediately landed a job, but I still didn’t know what was my purpose. J. Cole’s music proved to be vital across this journey as I felt my life experiences being conveyed through most of his music. It became an escape from the woes and trials life threw at me. Records like The Warm Up’s ‘Grown Simba,’ Friday Night Lights’s ‘Farewell,’ and the bodies of work as a whole, became reoccurring sources of inspiration for me. Going forth to release Cole World: The Sideline Story and Born Sinner, at that point J. Cole was easily one of my favorite rappers and artists at the time. You didn’t like J. Cole? I was arguing for him and pointing at prolific records that connected with me.But all in all, I didn’t have a body of work from J. Cole that moved me from start to finish. December 9, 2014 became the day where that would change. It was the start of me finding my purpose.
As a huge fan, days before the release of 2014 Forest Hills Drive, it was the only thing I could talk about via the Hip-Hop circuit. Nothing else mattered. I was about to get a brand new body of work from J. Cole. Making it known that there would be no single leading into the release of the album, that immediately caught my attention as Cole subtly saying that he needed the focus of listeners to be on the album as a whole and the message he was trying to convey. I respected that. Simply put, Christmas on December 25th was cancelled. December 9th was the new date.
2014 FHD in its entirety really just inspired me to love where I was at the point of my life when I listened to it. ‘Love Yourz’ reminded me that we all grow at our own pace.
FHD honestly made me love Cole more, if that’s even possible. Every single track inspires me in one way or another. Whether it’s loving myself regardless of my circumstances, or appreciating life. It also taught me that you can do everything by yourself and still be great. In every song, there’s a lyric or two that personally speaks to me because it relates to my life. If he can do it, so can I.
So, I know it’s comparing apples to oranges, but J Cole was the first I felt I could heavily relate to since Eminem. Growing up without a father and growing up with nothing but my mother was how it made me relate. ’03’ Adolescence’ is the truth. MY song of the year. I was selling weed in high school trying to make ends meet for my family. That song hit me when he’s talking about how he looks up to his drug dealer friend and his friend punks him saying that he looks up to him. I was the drug dealer friend, so that message really hit me. I was in high school bringing grey goose to parties, while others were hopefully throwing in together for a 30 pack and they looked up to me for having money when in reality I was looking up to them for having a good family, good grades and such. All this being said, I wasn’t a big J. Cole fan before this album. This album is golden. I base all music on how I can relate. This album is the one.
It was upon the opening words of ‘Intro,’ “Do you wanna be free?, Do you wanna be happy?,” that I knew this body of work commanded my attention. I knew that the idea of being free was beyond it’s literal definition. Was I happy? Sure, in some aspects. As with most of us, there’s other areas where we would love to see improvement, even if it’s only for ourselves. Those simple questions struck a nerve and feelings beyond the record being pleasant to my ears uprose. Locked in and moving on, the album continues on and we experience the stories of ‘January 28th,’ ‘Wet Dreamz,’ & ’03’ Adolescence.’ Something became apparent early on. J. Cole was telling his story, his truth, through his art. This isn’t different from some of his earlier work, but I found myself connected. Through his words and experiences, he was telling my story, or it was at least something I found myself relating to more than anything else in recent memory.
In a shift of pace and what comes off as an unprecedented slap in the face of the naysayers, we encounter part of the girth of the album’s material. Often critiqued by some as not being the quintessential “turn-up” rapper with the current “it” records on radio at the moment, J. Cole lays it on the table and taps into a more hard-hitting side on ‘A Tale Of 2 Citiez.’ Painting the picture of his dream and goal, the purpose reigns clear. Continued on in ‘Fire Squad,’ Cole presents a reoccurring question expanding far outside of himself. ‘Who’s the king?” Neither here nor there as the title will always be up for debate among Hip-Hop lovers, Jermaine’s lyrical prowess continues. With the underlying message of putting the focus on what really matters, even amidst the invisible flames coming through my speakers, the message shined through and resonated with me. In what still feels like a movie, ‘St. Tropez,’ ‘G.O.M.D.’ and ‘No Role Modelz’ is best put as the journey, feelings, and events that build the heart of the experience. Not being his destination in the literal sense, again, I found myself thinking of just what or where my ‘St. Tropez’ would be. In the art of repetition, there was a connect with the journey I would soon find myself on.
After my ex and I broke up, I would often listen to 2014 Forest Hills Drive. The album majorly helped me get through those nights where all I did was cry over her. Through those words, the album helped me a lot.
For starters, it’s my second favorite Cole project after Friday Night Lights. I’m a huge fan of story-telling in Hip-Hop albums and he gave just that. A relatable story, to say the least, not many artists give that feel in this era. It was appreciated. ‘Love Yourz,’ in particular, had the biggest impact during a time where I was questioning a lot around me. It help to put things in perspective. In my opinion, the album is great, Cole created a solid album and I appreciate it.
Although the album is simple in delivery, it’s monumental on the portrayal of its message. Cole decided to speak to his fan-base as just a regular Joe, but while doing this, he solidified his career by “wearing my heart on my sleeve.” Though simple, his message to be yourself, love what you have, don’t take things for granted and underlying messages of better civil rights for his people, I think it’s safe to say Cole really cares about his fans and the quality of his music.
This album has affected me like few others, despite me being a person that isn’t quite easily moved by music. To hear an artist with such a celebrity stature like Cole talk about the true meaning of life and all the things we experience and endure during it was truly remarkable. Not only did he make and structure an album centered around the notion of happiness, but he brought the world into his life. He rented out theaters for them, took them to lunch, signed their CDs and even visited their homes. Pure authenticity in an era where that isn’t applauded, but rather shot down in favor of a more lavish, flamboyant lifestyle with the main purpose is to make money. That’s another lesson in itself. The real will always prevail. Thank you, Cole.
Rounding off and approaching the final moments of the album, J. Cole delivers more food for the thought with ‘Hello,’ ‘Apparently,’ my personal favorite J. Cole track to date, ‘Love Yourz,’ along with ‘Note To Self’ bringing things home. In what I like to deem as the reflection moment of the album, chanting, “It ain’t no looking back,” ‘Hello’ strikes me with acceptance and not having regrets. But in J. Cole fashion, and once again showcasing his relatable character, ‘Apparently’ hones in on a theme that hits the nail of acknowledging what went wrong, having faith, and putting forth a conscious effort to do better. No matter the circumstances or the person you look at, these are feelings that aren’t exclusive to a group of people that meet a particular criteria. ‘Love Yourz,’ or what serves as my epiphany, puts everything in perspective. What’s meant for me will be for me. No one can take that away. It resonates. It sticks. It currently serves as the perfect inspiration to keep going forward. ‘Love Yourz’ gave me clarity, and most importantly, it helped me unlock my purpose through the art of those words. ‘Love Yourz’ is my ‘Note To Self,’ which paints the picture of loving each other, as that what matters in the grand scheme of things. In those countless shout-outs that completes 2014 Forest Hills Drive, the excitement that Cole shares becomes my own for what life will bring. A new outlook was birthed. As with everything, it gets better with time, but I find myself being more positive not only for myself, but to those I encounter in my life. Those final moments of Forest Hills Drive implanted a hope that would push me to be the best person I can be.
2014 FHD is Cole’s undeniable classic that WILL stand the test of time. His first body of work since The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights that completely grabs my attention from start to finish. A body that inspired me in every way possible. You have to be willing to take risk, show just how passionate you are in life about what you want for yourself, so others believe in you and that’s just what Cole brought with FHD. “Do you wanna be happy?”….do you?” Don’t we all want to be happy? With ‘Love Yourz,’ he throughly got his point across that your happiness isn’t the next person’s, because every ones path isn’t the same. ‘January 28th,’ my birthday — yes, I am the gawd — track two on the album, just completely puts life into perspective, aim high, never let up and never let no one tell you what’s for you. You’re the author of the story they’ll tell of you. And for those messages, I thank you, sir Cole.
2014 Forest Hills Drive helped me become a better person in terms of believing in and loving others. It was amazing seeing this story live in multiple cities in the country and with friends in each city. Diving into their lives with these same mere words was pretty incredible. The funny thing is that all we ask from the Dreamville camp is music; they give us that and even more than we would of ever imagined. Anyone’s story is just as important as the next person, we just need to open up more.
On December 9th, 2014, a masterpiece dropped. Forest Hills Drive is approaching its one-year mark and it continues to help me through my struggles daily. A feeling of hope is found throughout the album, even in just the first few words “Do you wanna, do you wanna be happy, do you wanna, do you wanna be free?” It makes me feel like the key to happiness lies in my hands. Jermaine used his own insecurities and demons to inspire those who love his music. He may not know it, but his music truly does keep many from going over the edge. Ever since the album dropped, I’ve played “Love Yourz” at least once a day. It amazes me how much strength and appreciation for life that song brings me on a daily basis. Thank you, Mr. Cole, for always spewing your heart into your rhymes and creating music for the soul & not for the club.
For myself, J. Cole is ultimately relatable, honest, unapologetic for simply being true, and speaks his truth that hits home for many of us across the world. With an album that has now solidified his place in an industry where contributors can easily be replaced, Cole took a risk and displayed an honesty that isn’t often seen among many of his peers in today’s Hip-Hop climate. Perhaps, that’s why many J. Cole fans go as hard as they do for the rapper. It goes far beyond Cole pushing out “good music” and taps further into seeing their stories being told through his words. Shown by the thoughts and words of fellow admirers of the LP, J. Cole delivered a jewel that we can call our own. 2014 Forest Hills Drive lit a fire within me and helped reaffirm my love for my passion. The art aided me in unlocking my purpose, which is to simply inspire, connect, and show genuine love to those similar and different from me across various avenues of my life. These avenues have and will continue to be guided through my actions and words, like the ever so many that you’re reading now, which are ultimately driven by the wide range of music and lessons I encounter in my life. Life is a journey. It’s a journey that I’m now even more excited to live and experience all due to this heartfelt body of work.
One year and several honest words later, a simple “Thank You” doesn’t seem to be enough, but it will have to do. Thank you to J. Cole for helping me discover my purpose and changing my life.
