Before we look at the reasons, let's have a brief background information about the album. According to Wikipedia,it states that, "Born Sinner is the second studio album by American rapper J. Cole. It was released on June 18, 2013, ByStorm Entertainment,Columbia Records,Dreamville Records and Roc Nation. The album serves as the follow-up to his debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story (2011)".
The Track List
1. Villuminati
2. Kerney Sermon (Skit)
3. LAnd of the Snakes
4. Power Trip feat. Miguel
5. Mo Money
6. Trouble
7. Runaway
8. She Knows feat. Amber Coffman
9. Rich Niggaz
10. Where's Jermaine? (Skit)
11. Forbidden Fruit feat. Kendrick Lamar
12. Chaining Day
13. Ain't That Some Shit (Interlude)
14. Crooked Smile feat. TLC
15. Let Nas Down
16. Born Sinner feat. James Fauntleroy
17. Miss America
18. New York Times feat. 50 Cent and Bas
19. Is She Gon Pop
20. Niggaz Know
21. Sparks Will Fly feat. Jhené Aiko
Now lets look at the reasons:
1. It features a lot of guest appearances
According to Wikipedia,it states that, "The album features guest appearances from Miguel,Amber Coffman,Jhené Aiko,James Fauntleroy,Bas,TLC,Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent. The album was also primarily produced by Cole himself,along with others such as Jake One,Syience, and Elite".
From my point of view, there are various points to consider.
Firstly the fact that the album features a Dreamville artist called Bas reveals a lot. In a way, I believe this was done to introduce his listeners that there's a new artist called Bas signed to Dreamville Records. The reason why I say this is because Bas only released his first album on 2014 called Last Winter. Therefore, J. Cole has much respect for Bas to the extent he features on his album Born Sinner hence why the album is unique.
Secondly,the fact that it features a lot of famous artists like TLC,Kendrick Lamar,50 Cent e.t.c means that it was going to be successful. This is shown when the album is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
2. Born Sinner is the first album by J. Cole to be released under Dreamville Records
Not only does it serves as the follow-up to his debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, but it's also the first album to be released under Dreamville Records.
This means that it shows Cole's transition from being a signed artist at Roc Nation to being an owner of Dreamville Records. This is why the album features his Dreamville artist, Bas. I believe it's a way to show everyone that Cole not only has his own label, but is making moves to sign Dreamville artists. This is why Born Sinner is one of the most unique albums released by J. Cole.
3. Cole mentions his transition in the rap game
Wikipedia gives evidence about why J. Cole released his album Born Sinner. According to Wikipedia,it states that, "Only a week after the release of his gold certified-debut album,Cole World:The Sideline Story, Cole began working on his second album, Born Sinner. He said that it allowed him to 'reinvigorate himself both mentally and creatively' ". This shows his transition in the rap game.
Moreover,as stated by Wikipedia,J. Cole said,"...this new theme is really more reflective of where I'm at and where I've been at for the past two years,so it was just perfect to move on".
If we look at the lyrics of the song Born Sinner, not only does it show his transition in the rap game,but how he is reflecting his life choices. This is shown on the lyrics below:
"Spinning in circles,live my life without rehearsal
If I died today my nigga,was it business,was it personal?
Should this be my last breath I'm blessed cause i was purposeful...."
From my point of view, I believe J. Cole was debating whether he should make meaningful music or make music for the sake of fame. Therefore the album Born Sinner is about the transitions J. Cole is going through as an artist and as a person. This is why Born Sinner is one of the most unique albums released by J. Cole.
4. Born Sinner album has the deluxe version as well
There are some reasons why there is the deluxe version as well. According to Wikipedia,it states that, "He had also stated that the album would consist of songs that failed to make his debut". As stated by Wikipedia, Cole said,"I don't know how many,but I got songs that didn't make the last album that are automatically going to make this one".
The information above is probably one of the reasons why there is a deluxe version as well.
Moreover,from my point of view,the fact that he mentions songs from his other EP's like The Warm Up,Truly Yourz e.t.c is another reason why there is probably another reason there is a deluxe version as well.
These are some of the songs:
New York Times
As stated by Genius,"This track is not only the 2nd deluxe track and 18th on Cole's album Born Sinner, but it is the 2nd track on his 3rd EP of his Truly Yours series.
Is she Gon Pop
As stated by Genius,"This is also the third song of the Truly Yours 3".
5. Cole released his album Born Sinner the same time as Kanye West
According to Dale W.Eisinger on his music review about the album Born Sinner, he stated that, "Fiercely aware of his environment,he pressed the release of this album a week to coincide directly with Kanye West's Yeezus, wanting to go toe-to-toe with one of the greats".
Moreover,as stated by Dale W. Eisinger, Cole said on his song, Forbidden Fruit, "When I say that I'm the greatest I ain't talking about later/I'mma drop the album the same day as Kanye/Just to show the boys the man now like Wanyá".
Since he wanted to go toe-to-toe with one of the greats,it has proved to be successful. This is because the album Born Sinner debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 selling 297,000 copies in it's first week of release. This is evidence provided by Wikipedia.
The fact that Cole released his album Born Sinner the same day as Kanye released his album Yeezus shows that Born Sinner is one of the most unique albums released by J. Cole.
6. J. Cole collaborates with the choir
As I have stated before,the album Born Sinner is about the transition J. Cole is going through as an artist and as a person. In this case,I believe he was not only talking about his mental state,but also spiritually hence his relationship with God. Born Sinner is one of them.
Anothet song is Villuminati. As stated by Genius,"...is about the pressure Cole feels to succeed with Born Sinner. He is torn between making original music and staying true to himself on one side,and making marketable radio music,...".
Moreover Genius stated that,"This intro track emphasizes the irony that although we are born 'pure' and 'innocent' we have innate evil within us and yet we continuously try to live our lives by bending around it while others choose to succumb to this evil;hence the stylisation of his name (the halo representing 'good' and the devil horns representing 'evil') that he'd used for years".
The song Trouble also shows collaboration with the choir. According to Genius,it states that,"Cole adresses temptation and lust in this song,..".
7. Cole mentions some important facts in the album Born Sinner
For example,on his song Crooked Smile, there are three important facts. These are:
- uplifting women
- death of a 7-year-old girl
- loving yourself
Uplifting women
According to Genius,it states that,"The first and second verse are directly addressed to women unhappy with their appearance ". This is shown on the lyrics below:
[First verse]
"...Though you a woman I don't know how you deal
With all the pressure to look impressive and go out in heels
I feel for you, killin' yourself to find a man that'll kill for you
You wake up, put makeup on
Stare in the mirror, but it's clear that you can't face what's wrong
No need to fix what God already put his paintbrush on..."
[Verse 2]
"...To all the women with the flaws, know it's hard, my darling
You wonder why you're lonely and your man's not calling
You keep falling victim 'cause you're insecure
And when I tell you that you're beautiful you can't be sure
'Cause he don't seem to want you back and it's got you askin'
So all you see is what you lackin', not what you packin'
Take it from a man that loves what you got
And baby girl, you a star, don't let 'em tell you you're not.."
As shown on the lyrics above,the song is about uplifting women to love themselves and not change who they are.
Death of a 7-year-old girl
As stated by Genius,"the music video doesn't so much focus on the song,but is rather a message of peace-both in the community and our minds. It was dedicated to a 7-year-old girl who was shot during a 2010 raid by the Detroit SWAT".
Loving youself
According to Genius,it states that, "Using his own imperfect set of teeth as an example,Cole reaffirms his belief that nobody's perfect,as everyone has their own 'crooked smile',and that nobody has to be perfect,making worrying pointless".
From my point of view, I believe he wants everyone to love themselves for who they really are as a person.
The fact that the song Crooked Smile is not only uplifting others but as a dedication to the death of a 7-year-old-girl shows that Born Sinner is one of the most unique albums released by J. Cole.
Comments