J. Cole won 2014. Yes, you read that right. Let’s face it, 2014 hasn’t been the best year in regards to public relations. Don’t get me wrong there were a few bright spots: legalization of marijuana in Colorado, DC, Oregon, and Alaska; Mo’ne Davis destroying the Little League World Series; Jesse Williams; Guardians Of The Galaxy; Jaden Smith’s tweets; Beyoncé actually breaking the internet; LeBron coming back to Cleveland; and some others that I can’t think of right now.
Conversely, we’ve been dealt a handful of shit as well: 14 teenagers have been killed since Michael Brown — Tamir Rice, Cameron Tillman, VonDerrit Myers Jr., Laquan McDonald, Carey Smith-Viramontes, Jeffrey Holden, Qusean Witten, Miguel Benton, Dillon McGee, Levi Weaver, Karen Cifuentes, Sergio Ramos, Roshad McIntosh, Diana Showman; the entire Ferguson situation; Ezell Ford’s wrongful death; Eric Garner being choked to death resulting in an no indictment ruling for officer Daniel Pantaleo; Fox News (well that’s yearly); Ben Carson and his comparison of U.S. to Nazi Germany; Roger Goodell and his galactic fail during the Ray Rice situation, let’s just add Ray Rice to this….matter of fact, the NFL; and last but not least, Don fucking Lemon.
Through all the muck comes an unlikely hero. And not in the sense of saving lives, but he provided a sense of humanity and genuine care from a class of people that have been mighty quiet during major societal issues lately. Jermaine Cole, unbeknownst to him would be the individual that people of the social media age are now championing. The Fayetteville, N.C. native quietly and calmly stepped foot into the drenches of Ferguson in the midst of the chaos sans press or Twitter updates. He came because he cared, which should be admired, and undoubtedly the press managed to get ahold of the rapper. However, that wasn’t the motive; he visited the Michael Brown tribute site and spoke with the locals to hear their grievances. And to top things off, Cole releases “Be Free,” a tribute song to Michael Brown.
Fast forward to November 16, 2014, it’s announced that J. Cole would be dropping his third album titled 2014 Forest Hills Drive. The reactions were modest to say the least. Dreamvillain faithfuls were ecstatic while detractors remained cautious. Truthfully, I wasn’t jumping for joy the moment I heard the news considering his first two efforts didn’t really grasp me. Admittedly, the hype around 2014 Forest Hills Drive kept me intrigued. In addition to the unforeseen album release date, the Roc Nation artist reveals that he’ll be conducting in-home listening sessions for his fans.
Let that sit for a second.
Simply imagine your favorite artist having a listening session at your house. Not only do fans get to hear his new album before anyone, they get to meet him and chill for a bit. This is truly a fan’s dream.
THANK YOUUUUUUUUU. @JColeNC @KingOfQueenz @Dreamville This was beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined. WOW AHHHHH pic.twitter.com/5IEapjurMN
— DALIA ????? (@DaliaDk) November 20, 2014
Cole out here surprising fans and letting them listen to the album!! #2014ForestHillsDrive
A video posted by RIKKI (@rikkimaa) on
Not only was this brilliant, it hasn’t been done before (at least in hip hop). It’s rare that an artist would take the time out and engage with fans at such a personal level nowadays. The most interaction you get from artists and entertainers is a retweet with the hope of a reply. Outside of meet and greets, which most fans pay for, and Twitter; an artist’s admirers are kept at arms length in that regard. Therefore, the overwhelming positivity that came from this promotion was greatly respected.
Yesterday (Dec. 3rd), the free album stream was unleashed to the world. And it’s all social media is talking about. Hell, I even praised the album. For me, it wasn’t like all his other projects, the production was ferocious and peppered with soulful samples that’ll make the heart do the two-step. Lyrically, it was aggressive when needed, but each verse was brimming with purposeful narratives. “Fire Squad” is easily the best track on the album. I don’t want to say to much; just listen to the album and come to your own conclusion. You won’t be disappointed.
Leave it to J. Cole to outdo himself unintentionally. Once news broke out on the Eric Garner case (words can’t describe my anguish, indignation, and despair), the streets of New York City became flooded with impassioned protesters.
One of those protesters, Jermaine Cole.
He came in the fourth quarter when things were dire, and killed the game.
Images via: Getty/Twitter
