"The destiny of Cole as a successful artist is secure"
According to Wikipedia, it states that, "Friday Night Lights is the third official mixtape from Fayetteville, North Carolina rapper J. Cole. It was released on November 12, 2010 ".
Moreover it says, "The original tracks on the mixtape were intended to be on Cole's debut album Cole World : The Sideline Story. However, because the label did not believe it would sell, Cole released the original songs with extra freestyles as a mixtape, but was forced to redo the entire album In The Morning featuring Drake, was the only record from the mixtape to make the album cut".
From my point of view, there are important points to consider. Firstly, let's look at the reason why there is the mixtape Friday Night Lights. As stated by Wikipedia, the original tracks on the mixtape were intended to be on Cole's debut album Cole World : The Sideline Story. However, the label Roc Nation did not believe it would sell hence why Cole released the mixtape Friday Night Lights. This also probably explains why Cole has his own label, Dreamville Records. He wanted to make his own music the way he wanted it to be.
Moreover, since some of the tracks on the mixtape were supposed to be on the album, Cole World : The Sideline Story, the mixtape could have marked the destiny of Cole as a rap artist. The mixtape "became the second most searched and trending topics on Google and Twitter respectively following it's release". This was stated by Wikipedia. Therefore the mixtape proved to be successful hence proving that Cole is a successful Roc Nation artist. This means that his destiny of becoming a successful artist is secure.
There are so many reasons why his destiny of becoming a successful artist was secure the minute he released Friday Night Lights.
According to Genius,it states that, "Friday Night Lights serves as J. Cole's third official mixtape and was released to help hold over fans until hia debut album Cole World : The Sideline Story released".
From my point of view, this means that Friday Night Lights sets the tone of his debut album Cole World : The Sideline Story. Moreover, it also shows Cole reaching his destination of becoming a successful artist. The debut album, Cole World : The Sideline Story became one of the best album he released. This is why his destiny of becoming a successful artist through his mixtape was secure.
There is a contrast of the title of the mixtape, Friday Night Lights. According to Genius, it states that, "The title of the project is a reference to the movie with the same name, which premiered in 2004 and is about a high school team and coach from Texas and their rise and fall ". The difference is shown where Genius said, "Even though Friday Night Lights is associated with football, it still embodies that high school, basketball athlete feeling which he explains in an interview with HipHopDX :
'It still embodies that J. Cole character- that basketball, high school athlete, varsity feeling without making it specific to basketball' ".
From my point of view, there are important points to consider from the information above. The words, "basketball athlete" is a metaphor used to make reference to Cole being a signed artist. Just like on the second mixtape The Warm Up, he was trying out to be part of the "basketball team". This meant him still working hard to become a successful signed artist. Therefore, him being a signed artist is another proof to show that his destiny of being a successful artist is secure.
Another evidence to prove that his destiny of becoming a successful artist is secure is shown through his collaboration with other artists. According to Genius, it states that, "The album includes features from Drake, Wale, Kanye West, and Omen with the music production mostly done by himself ".
From my point of view, there are three interesting facts. Cole collaborating with artists like Drake, Kanye West e.t.c is interesting because they are one of the famous people in the music industry. Therefore, it also meant Cole gaining recognition in the rap game. Moreover, Omen is one of the artists signed to Dreamville Records hence Cole gaining recognition in the rap game also meant his label, Dreamville Records would gain some recognition. This is why his destiny of becoming a successful artist is secure.
There are some tracks in the mixtape that ensures Cole's destiny as a rap artist is secure.
On the track Intro , it was his moment of finally making a name for himself before his release of the album Cole World : The Sideline Story. According to Genius, it states that, "J. Cole starts off the intro to his third mixtape by giving a glimpse of being in a position of coming so far towards reaching a destined dream or objective". This is shown on the lyrics below:
[Verse]
"So here we are
So here we are
So here we are, it's funny how so close can seem so far
Seem so far
Seem so far
Seem so far
Seem so far, funny how so close can seem so far I mean
Nigga, this is your moment
Damn, this is your moment.."
This is why the mixtape was his moment to make a name for himself. However, what made Cole's destiny as a rap artist secure is that listeners has seen how Cole has progressed as a rap artist. It makes some respect him as a rap artist.
On the track Too Deep for the Intro , it shows that the mixtape is about Cole not giving up on his dreams as a signed artist. According to a music review on sputnikmusic.com, it states that, "...he speaks about his coming up in the game, the current hype he has in the game, and some information about his past (he admitted his first time was with a slut and it was for practice)....". This is shown on the lyrics below:
"...It’s Cole, I had a dream, and so I made a move
A ill-ass nigga who just so happened to stay in school
Still rap for hustlers and mothertfuckers that hated school
Said, "That's for busters," then heard my shit, and I made it cool
It's safe to say that I’m gifted as if I’m Christmas shopping..."
From my point of view, Cole opening up about his past and him following his dreams shows his listeners that he is human and it inspires listeners that they can achieve their goals in life. This is why his destiny as a rap artist is secure.
On the track, Before I'm Gone, it speaks of violence in his hometown. According to Genius, it states that, "Before I'm Gone is a serious and mature track that speaks of the violence in his hometown and the struggles of the people there. He addresses his own personal struggles and growing up as well as struggles with the people from his city, making the best of life and claiming his place in the rap game". This is shown on the lyrics below :
"...We tired of only having just a piece
And fuck policing, they killing niggas what's the reason
His daughter starving and she fucking freezing
So no wonder why he fucking squeezing
They out here bussin’ leavin’ niggas stuck and bleedin’ on the flo’..."
[Verse 3]
"Them old niggas sayin’
Cole the wrong one bringin’ the city shine
All he ever doin’ is paintin’ pictures of crime
Tellin’ stories of pain, paintin’ pictures of dope
Bitch if you listenin' I’m paintin’ pictures of hope
That boy in class embarrassed because he broke
Hopin’ today he won’t be the butt of somebody’s joke
See me I lived it all from dirt-poor in a trailer
Worried about my mother and never trustin’ my neighbors
To middle-class with a backyard and my own room
To bein’ the only black kid in my homeroom
Academically gifted and followed my own rules
Was runnin’ the streets hey ma I’ll be home soon
Was out chasin’ hoes, was out hoopin’
Them niggas wasn’t ballin’ but yet they was foul shootin’
So meet the newest role model who don’t know how to fake this shit
Never sold a rock and look I made it bitch"
The fact that Cole is addressing issues like police brutality, poverty, crime which not only happens at his hometown but also affects the black community is important. Some of his listeners can relate hence why his destiny as a successful artist is secure. It shows that he's one of the realist rappers in the rap game.
J. Cole grew up fatherless. This is shown on the track Enchanted. According to Genius, it states that, "In Enchanted, Cole links up with Omen to touch on various topics including growing up fatherless with a single mother, the loss of young people to violence, and much more". This is shown on the lyrics below:
[Verse 1: J. Cole]
"Yeah, this is where the fathers ain't livin', at least not with us
Might see em round the city and won’t even say wassup...."
[Verse 2: Omen]
"Yeah, let's see God, I know you only do what's best for me
But is it cool if we negotiate my destiny?
They always tellin’ me it’s temporary
Then why it's feelin' like a cemetery?
My dreams ain't got no obituaries
My city hurtin' and none of us well-equipped here
You heard me say I was ballin’, I probably meant tears
I’m trying to get clear, I’m tryna quit fear
Who wrote the scripts here?
These kids live their whole life just killing time.."
From my point of view, I believe that Cole linked up with Omen in this track is because they both grew up fatherless. Also they have known each other way before Dreamville Records was formed. This made sure that Cole's destiny as a rap artist is secure since he's an inspiration to others who don't have father figures in their lives.
On the track, Blow Up, it's about Cole having fame. According to Genius, it states that, "Ever since he 'blew up' with fame and fortune,J. Cole has attracted many a hateful gaze...". This is shown on the lyrics below :
[Hook]
"Hey, this is a song for my haters
Yeah, you got me feeling like the greatest, yeah
Hey, this is a song for my haters
Hey, hey, you got me feeling like the greatest
Ha, bitch I’m about to blow up"
When he says I'm about to blow up, he is making reference to his debut album, "Cole World: The Sideline Story"
[Bridge]
"Uh huh, say what
Bitch I’m about to blow up
Hey, I came up
I warmed up, the next up
Bitch I'm about to blow up"
When he said i came up, i believe it's making reference to his first mixtape the come up where he was starting to gain recognition as a rapper. Then when he said i warmed up, this mixtape helped him become a signed artist. Then Friday Night Lights is now about him finally about to blow up through his first debut album, "Cole World: The Sideline Story ". This is why his destiny as a successful artist is secure.
Cole also shows his authenticity as a rap artist. This is shown on the track, The Autograph. According to Genius, it states that, "J. Cole tells us his story in his rise to fame in rap, providing listeners with a closer look into his beliefs and his style. The title of the song serves as a certificate of authenticity". This is shown on the lyrics below :
"..Its young Simba, I’m ballin’ 'til the buzzer blow
You try and kick the shit I kick now you gon stub your toe
Boy thats just how tough I go, see this is my light work
This shit you callin' classic, I be like that might work.."
From my point of view, I believe this marked the beginning of Cole being one of the successful rappers in the rap game. The fact that he is authentic means that he is real with his music hence making some listeners respect him as an artist. This is why Cole's destiny as a rap artist is secure.
Cole pays tribute to a late 5-year old girl. This is shown on the song See World. According to Genius, it states that, "Cole pays tribute to the late 5-year old girl Shaniya Davis from his hometown of Fayetteville ". This is shown on the lyrics below :
"...That girl was 5 years old that they just murdered
And did some wicked shit to her that was unheard of
You fuckin' coward, ain’t gotta tell em’ go to Hell..."
Moreover, this is the reason why she died :
[Sample]
"By candlelight, they stood as one, numb with shock and disbelief. A little girl's body, found Monday, is believed to be five-year-old Shaniya Davis, missing since last Tuesday. Davis has been charged with the unthinkable; prostituting her five year old daughter. Security camera’s spotted a man carrying Shaniya into a hotel last Tuesday. This man, police said, is now charged with Shaniya’s kidnapping. Search parties found the girl’s body yesterday a 100 feet off-road, wearing only a t-shirt"
From my point of view, although J. Cole gained fame, he still hasn't forgotten about his roots. Moreover the fact that he talked about the issues faced in today's society is also another reason to prove that his destiny as a successful artist is secure.
Cole was planning to murder the rap game. This is shown on the track Premeditated Murder. According to Genius, it states that, "J. Cole reflects on his life changing after getting a deal over this emotional yet epic beat. He spent years planning to murder the rap game now he's actually going to do it". This is shown on the lyrics below :
"...See, you niggas hated and I levitated further
Knew I would kill the game, premeditated murder
So if it comes down, may the best man win
No sweat like a headband in..."
From my point of view , Cole planning to murder the rap game means that he wanted to become one of the legends in the rap game. In order to do that, he had to release the debut album, Cole World : The Sideline Story. This is why J. Cole's destiny as a successful artist is secure.
Friday Night Lights shows Cole as a "basketball athlete" which means he is a signed artist and he made plans to make a name of himself . The mixtape set the tone of his album Cole World : The Sideline Story where he took steps to become one of the legends in the rap game. Moreover, this mixtape secured Cole's destiny as a successful rapper since he not only talks about his story of becoming a rapper, but also he addresses the issues faced in his society. He also doesn't forget about his roots despite the fame he's got. Out of all the mixtapes, I believe this is one of the best mixtapes he has ever released.
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