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The sophomore slump is one of the biggest fears that artists have. Some artist have suffered through it (Raekwon and Jay-Z had second albums we all worked to erase from memory). Other artists (Ghostface Killah, ATCQ, The Fugees) made some of their best work the second time around. Thus, there is much to deliberate for the likes of J. Cole. His first barcoded piece, Cole World: The Sideline Story was considered a disappointment. With a refreshed energy in light of a depression period, Born Sinner eradicates any worries of secondary failure.
The album starts off charged on Villuminati with a chorus that chants “sometimes I brag like Hov”. After a shady reverend enchanted interlude with “Kerney Sermon”, J. keeps running the line with Outkast tinged “Land of Snakes”. Once he spits about dollars on the “Mo Money” interlude, he unleashes more personal paragraphs of mislead situations with “Trouble”. Many try to ease listeners into the experience. J. Cole, however, goes hard from the beginning of the album.
What speaks volume about this album is that it doesn’t let up. The Mike Epp’s sampled “Runaway” unleashes on plenty of sinning. Meanwhile, “She Knows” gets into the debate of being committed vs. getting with other women. The heavily descriptive “Rich Niggaz” keeps it moving for the A Tribe Called Quest influenced “Forbidden Fruit”. Heavily based on the fairer sex, J. Cole keeps things striking with nostalgia and comedic flair.
Yet, it almost as if he saved the best for last. After the cool, but seemingly out of place “Ain’t That Some Shit”, we get some of his deft material on the album. The TLC featured “Crooked Smile” has J. Cole uplifting women that don’t appreciate their own beauty. “Let Nas Down” goes within J. Cole’s psyche as he laments disappointing Nas over a No ID telephone conversation. Thus, many will notice that Jermaine wanted to end his album on a strong note.
When the last chord is struck on the James Fauntleroy featured “Born Sinner”, we have an even better understanding of who J. Cole is. Born Sinner reflects on J. Cole being just that: a born sinner. You have a man that works to live righteously while shaking the tribulations of everyday vices. Many will question whether he was hit with the “sophomore slump”. However, listeners will conclusively understand that J. Cole could never slump when he has so much to gain and maintain in his career.