3/3/2019 0 Comments 2014 Forest Hills DrReview Summary: Who is the real J. Hip-hop purists are potentially the most elitist group of music fans there is. They don’t concern themselves with first week album sales or ticket sales, they balk at the idea of a rapper signing for a major record company, they view radio singles with abhorrence and the words “sell out” pass their lips on a near daily basis. The only thing the hip hop purist is interested in is if a certain artist is “real” or not. Being real is what separates someone like 2 Chainz from say, Kendrick Lamar. Hearing the story behind the title of J. Cole's latest effort 2014 Forest Hills Drive, it is the address of Cole’s childhood home that he bought back recently after it was foreclosed years earlier, suggests a real and personal album. And at a glance 2014 Forest Hills Drive is a hip-hop purist’s paradise; no singles were released prior to the album dropping, it features no guests and the surprise release means there was little to no promotion for this album. All this combined and it’s not hard to picture this as Cole’s meticulously crafted love letter to his childhood and an album that will follow a clear narrative; the rags to riches tale or something similar. Unfortunately it isn’t, or at least if it’s trying to be it doesn’t quite work. Sure it’s nostalgic, even quite sweet at times and Cole details episodes from his past but it never feels like we’re hearing his complete story, he just dips in here and there to construct a vague idea of a young J. ![]() J Cole Forest Hills Drive Download ZipCole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014) Intro January 28th Wet Dreamz 03' Adolescence A Tale of 2 Citiez Fire Squad St. Tropez G.O.M.D. No Role Modelz Hello Apparently Love Yourz Note to Self. Named after the address of his childhood home in North Carolina, J. Cole's third studio effort was released with no supporting singles, and there are no featured artists, either, because 2014 Forest Hills Drive is one of those personal, conceptual, and 'heavy' albums. Cole takes us on a journey back to 2014 Forest Hills Drive and lets us in on his struggles & successes there while still touching on relevant issues like the white-washing of hiphop and the myth that fame is a wonderland of good. 2014 Forest Hills Album DownloadThat’s not to say the album isn’t any good, there’s actually a fair amount to enjoy on here. For a start he actually manages to carry the weight of the album, all 65 minutes of it, completely on his own. His new affection for singing helps to keep things varied and although it may not be up to Drake’s level the way he strains to hit the notes give songs like Intro and Love Yourz an extra emotional dimension. The production is without a doubt the album’s best assest, laid back and soulful without ever becoming delegated to background music, the beats sweeten the album and compliment Cole’s direct approach, especially on the opening trio; Intro, January 28th and Wet Dreamz. Speaking of Wet Dreamz, Cole’s greatest strength has always been how candid a rapper he is, taking subjects other rappers would hesitate to touch and he puts that to good use on this track. It is the album’s best song and is a showcase of frank yet funny storytelling as Cole methodically recounts the steps that led to the loss of his virginity. It’s a brave topic and he pulls it off giving the genre its first virginity losing anthem.
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