J. Cole has always been dedicated to his craft. He has climbed to the upper echelon of rap through the strength of his technical skills, and his writing ability ranks among the best. His place in the so-called Big Three was established long before the events of the past year.
Dropping out early from the Kendrick vs. Drake rivalry may have been a smart choice, but it did affect public perception. Revisiting the fan-favorite project ‘Friday Night Lights’ was a smart move, connecting directly to why fans were initially drawn to his artistry.
‘cLOUDs’ reflects this sentiment. Although it isn’t available on streaming platforms, it can be found on various sharing sites – reminiscent of datPiff, it serves as a way to bypass traditional systems and share works-in-progress.
As a showcase for his rap skills, ‘cLOUDs’ is remarkably strong – a brilliant piece that skillfully transitions from addressing the wealthy elite to critiquing AI’s influence on music within just a few minutes.
Filled with impressive, sharp assertions – “I’m Spike Lee of the audio, back in my barrio” – this track shifts from clever, lighthearted moments to challenging the most influential figures in society.
He issues a warning about “billionaires who don’t care the world’s gon’ break / Long as they make money off it” and cautions: “pain brings profit…”
A track infused with J. Cole’s ethical perspective, he weaves together lines that echo both Chuck D and William Blake: “There’s a bridge you can walk to hear God talk / But there are real slim odds a rich man crosses / ‘Cause greed is a poisonous seed, indeed / As it spreads like weeds through the mind’s apple trees…”
Seeming like a draft or an incomplete essay, ‘cLOUDs’ serves as a reminder not only of Cole’s talent but also of an entire era.
“Just wanted to share. I made this a few days ago, then I added a second verse and thought, ‘man, I’ve got a blog now, I can post whatever I want.’ I didn’t have a title just 20 minutes ago when I decided to put this up. But now I have one… ‘cLOUDs’. – produced by DZL, Omen, and with minor contributions from me.” — J. Cole
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J. Cole has consistently been a learner of the art. He has ascended to the upper echelons of rap through the power of his technical skills, showcasing his writing prowess.