Cole World: The Sideline Story

J. Cole | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 27, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Roc Nation / Columbia
• ASIN: B005C9WA20
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (112 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #592 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #16 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Pop Rap
  • #74 in Music > R&B

Editorial Reviews

2011 debut studio album from the American rapper, which follows up on the success of his three underground mixtapes. Featuring guest appearances from Trey Songz, Drake, Missy Elliott and his mentor Jay-Z.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cole Under Preasure Makes Diamonds, September 27, 2011

By 

Q. Pair "Shaman" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cole World: The Sideline Story (Audio CD)

Its not so easy to find quality hip hop these days that has made it to mainstream success, but by some miracle, J. Cole has been able to breach that barrier and make the transition from mixtape rapper to mainstream artist. The Dollar and a Dream kid has been on his grind, and it looks like its about to pay off with Cole World: The Sideline Story.

There are three major reasons to like J. Cole: Substance, lyrical versitility, and production. Cole goes against the grain of a majority of rappers coming out the south and strives for lyrical dominance in the game. That being said, this CD (as well as any other project he's put out) is heavy with material that is a far cry from the usual Blingidly-bling-bling bullcrap and materialistic infatuation that saturates this genre. Simply put, the man has something to say, and its worth listening to. Also, in the same fashion as Kanye West, J. Cole produces much of his own music, and is responsible for 15 of the total tracks on the CD.

As a whole, this is a very personal album, in the sense that J. Cole is not affraid to expose himself and tell his story as it really is. Much of his appeal comes from his songs being so down to earth and easy to relate to. You dont need rose tinted platinum framed shades to visualize the things he talks about. "Dollar And A Dream III," the opening track, is truely an epic song, painting a vivid mural on the walls of your mind of the struggles of being broke with litte else but a dream and some hope. Cole continues to expose his soul to the world with "Breakdown" where he talks about his father's lack of presence in his life, his mother's drug addiction, and a 3rd person perspective of a man in jail with a woman at home who is struggling to stay faithful. Also worthy of note is the stand out track "Lost Ones" where Cole portrays a young couple talking about abortion, playing both roles in his rhymes and showing both sides of the argument in a gritty, true to life fashion truely strikes a cord with you, especially if you have been in that situation (this song implies that he has before). And with "Daddy's Little Girl" he recounts the exploits of a young woman with daddy issues, abtly reffering to her as "This is Sade mixed with some Shawty Lo/Hey Jezabelle why you up in everybody fo/you lost and looking for a savior, I aint Mario."

Although there is an abundance of deep material to enjoy, Cole isnt serious all the time. He still shows love to the ladies, and has no trouble expressing it. Tracks like "Cant Get Enough" and "Work Out," while kind of plain and uninsprired, are still lyrically potent and are fun once they grow on you a bit. But songs like "Lights Please" where Cole talks about trying to put substance in his relationship with a girl, but he always ends up getting lost in the sexual aspect of it, tend to keep things down to earth. And "In The Morning feat. Drake" is a well done, very listenable track about getting some at the start of the day.

Although not every song on here is a highlight, there are still many good songs. Tracks like "Never Told" "God's Gift", "Rise and Shine", the Missy Elliot assisted "Nobody's Perfect", "Nothing Lasts Forever" only tip the iceburg. J. Cole manages to find himself a nice balance of story telling, reflecting on serious topics, showing off for the ladies, and braggadocious rapping to make his debut work well.

However, although Cole World: The Sideline Story is a great piece of work, it isnt without its flaws. Specifically, "Mr. Nice Watch feat. Jay-Z" and Who Dat". In the weeks leading up to the release, "Mr. Nice Watch" got so much hype built around it due to a pending verse from Jay-Z, which came at the last minute. With all the build up, you would have expected gold to flow from the speakers, but both artists come up short and underform on this bad attempt at a club hit. And Who Dat was ok, but I was dissapointed to see it on the album, even as a bonus track. Also, while I admire J. Cole being versitile enough to both rap and produce, his production skills are not quite where they could be on this CD. He has a lot of potential, but his beats can be pretty basic and at times, boring. Personally, I like the beats he makes, but I know thats not gonna fly with the masses in the long run.

Overall, Cole World: The Sideline Story is a solid piece of work; a product of sweat, tears and relentless grind that has paid off. J. Cole is truely an underdog in the rap game but I enjoy watching his progress to the top. Definitely a solid 5/5.

SN: Because Amazon didnt load the track list for some reason, here it is:

Intro
Dollar And A Dream
Cant Get Enough feat. Trey Songz
Lights Please
Interlude
Sideline Story
Mr. Nice Watch
Cole World
In The Morning
Lost Ones
Nobody's Perfect feat. Missy Elliot
Never Told
Rise And Shine
God's Gift
Breakdown
Work Out
Nothing Lasts Forever
Daddy's Little Girl
Who Dat (Bonus)

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dollar AND A Dream, September 27, 2011

By 

Ryan K. Loosier "TheStixter" (Saint Augustine, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cole World: The Sideline Story (Audio CD)

My dude...it's been years since I've had a favorite hip-hop artist, years since I've written a review for an album, years since I've actually purchased a physical copy of a CD...so why J. Cole you ask? Simply put, I relate to him...you can tell he's got his head on straight, he's down to earth, he talks to the fans in a way that makes you know he appreciates you and is right there with you. He doesn't put himself above his fans, he's modest, he let's his music speak for itself.

From the Come Up, to the Warm Up, to the now Blow Up of his "official" career, this here debut album...It's been good watching you grow Cole, good watching you do what you love. You can tell you got a passion for the game, as I do, and you're going about it the right way, not getting big-headed, not losing everything that makes you, well you. Keep bringing meaningful lyrics that express yourself and touch on things that matter, that people can relate too...A lot of rappers lose that when they get signed and make it big...they start talking about everything they got or just about themselves. Yea, the dude's life has changed, but he still talks about issues that relate to all of us. That right there, is an artist I can respect and will be a fan of for a long time. And he does it in a creative lyrical way that tells a story from a different perspective...Many artists out there just don't have that anymore. Listen to tracks like "Lost Ones" and "God's Gift" and "Never Told" and tell me that's NOT REAL. Story-tellin' Cole. Cole World. Support, buy this album, follow your own dreams as he did, and have some good music to listen to while you're doing it. Nuff said.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars J. Cole!!, September 27, 2011

By 

Dmh2011 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cole World: The Sideline Story (Audio CD)

Hands down, one of the best freshman albums I've heard, and one of the best of 2011! J. Cole brings back hip hop with vivid story telling so fans can relate, while still providing quality singles. It may have some older songs from mixtapes, but who cares when Cole's been giving fans free quality music for years!? #ColeWorld no blanket!