As stated by Wikipedia, "The Come Up is the first mixtape from North Carolina rapper J. Cole released on May 4, 2007, hosted by DJ OnPoint". Moreover, Genius states that, "He produced 14 out of the 21 tracks on the mixtape himself, including his debut single Simba which he shot his first music video for".
Genius also stated that, "With samples from Kanye West, Nas, his idol Jay-Z and more, this mixtape only includes guest features from Deacon and Nervous Reck".
From the information above, the fact that Cole produced 14 tracks by himself shows he put a lot of effort to become a rap artist. As stated by Wikipedia, "The mixtape has been downloaded and streamed over 500,000 times, while being viewed over 1,800,000 times on mixtape site DatPiff ". This proves that The Come Up is the establishment of J. Cole's music career.
Reason why Cole released the mixtape, The Come Up
According to Genius, it states that, "When Cole sat down with HipHopDx he described his opinion on the project:
'I think The Come Up was way more raw; it's raw just straight rappin : I am just trying to prove I can really rap with anybody; I can hang with anybody. I wad trying to keep up with the Lil Wayne's and all that at that time '.
The Come Up is the foundation of Cole's career, later followed by The Warm Up ".
From my point of view, the fact that "it's raw just straight rappin" is an important point to consider. It is different from the other projects J. Cole had released because this mixtape was his way of making a statement that he is going to be one of the best rappers in history. Moreover The Come Up also led to his other mixtape The Warm Up hence why The Come Up is the establishment of J. Cole's music career.
The Track List :
1. Intro (The Come Up Vol. I )
2. Simba
3. I'm the Man
4. School Daze
5. Dolla and A Dream
6. Throw It Up
7. Quote Me
8. College Boy
9. Split You Up
10. Plain
11. The Come Up
12. Mighty Crazy
13. Dead Presidents
14. Lil Ghetto Nigga
15. Homecoming
16. Carolina On My Mind feat. Deacon
17. Can't Cry
18. Goin Off
19. Rags to Riches (At The Beep)
20. Get It
21. I Do My Thing feat. Nervous Reck
From the track list, there are variousreasons why The Come Up is the establishment of J. Cole's music career.
On the track Intro , as stated by Genius, "J. Cole unravels his project by thanking his listeners. While it's uncommon to open up with a thank you letter, Cole is very appreciative ". This is shown on the lyrics below :
[Intro]
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the story of a young man who left everyone and everything he loved to chase his dream. A lil' nigga from North Carolina, Fayetnam to be exact. Packed up all his shit and moved to the big city of dreams, where he ain't know a motherfuckin' soul, and he ain't have a motherfuckin' thing, just a dollar and a dream.
This mixtape is provided partly in part by, Dreamville Records. Straight out the Ville where anything's possible. All-terrain music, that's Carolina's finest boy. And by any means, when ain't shit handed to you, you gotta take it. Without further ado ladies and gentlemen I proudly present to you, J. Cole, The Come Up."
From my point of view, Cole gives us a brief background about how he decided to chase his dream a rapper. Moreover, he probably gives a hint about his record label, Dreamville Records where he wanted to release his own music. Therefore, this could be interpreted as him not only becoming the best rapper, but also one day he wanted his own label which is Dreamville Records. This is why The Come Up is the establishment of J. Cole's music career.
On the song Simba , Cole expresses his dream of becoming a signed artist. According to Genius, it states that, "The first song of the 'Simba' series that Cole would put out sees him demonstrating his hunger to become a signed artist". Moreover it says, "At this point, he feels like the 'young Simba' from The Lion King. He is young and ready for the future and 'cannot wait to be king'. He sees Jay-Z as the king, but he wants the baton passed to him". This is shown on the lyrics below :
"...Word on the streets is I'm the prince nigga, check the splendor
And I can't wait to be the King, nigga: young simba
Word on the streets is I'm the Prince nigga, check the splendor
And I can't wait to be the king, nigga: young simba...."
From my point of view, he wanted to become one of the best rappers in the rap game. Moreover, once he became a signed artist, I believe that's when he decided to have his own label, Dreamville Records. This is why The Come Up is the establishment of J. Cole's music career.
J. Cole reflects on his past during school days. This is shown on the song School Daze. According to Genius, it states that, "On School Daze , North Carolina rapper J. Cole reflects on his childhood and his time in school, while also realizing that he is finally an adult. On the track, Cole revisits an easier time where he was carefree and innocent, as opposed to the difficult reality he currently experiences". Moreover it says, "J. Cole actually really enjoyed school, displaying academic excellence and intelligence. This is highlighted by his enrollment and graduate degree from St. John's University". This is shown on the lyrics below:
[Hook]
"Yeah, back in the days when I was young, I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again
Yeah, I sit and wish I was a kid again
Yeah, I sit and wish"
From my point of view, J. Cole opening up about his past is probably his way of letting his listeners know that he is human since he was facing a "difficult reality he currently experiences". However, he still chased his dream hence The Come Up is the establishment of J. Cole's music career.
The song Dolla and A Dream is one of the most important songs in the mixtape The Come Up. The lyrics below narrates the challenges J.Cole faced in his life:
[Verse]
"A dolla and a dream, thats all a nigga got
So if its about that cream, then I'm all up in the spot
I was raised in the F-A-Y (why), a nigga never gave me nothing?
Pops left me, I ain't never cry, baby, fuck him, that's life
And trust me I'm living, look what a nigga made out
The shit that I was given, look what a nigga came out
Momma sewing patches on my holes
Man, our hoes couldn't put this flame out
Straight up, I got my back against the brick wall
I'm from a world where niggas never pop no Cristal, it was pistols
You pass through, you better pray them bullets missed y'all
I thank the Lord, He let a nigga make it this far..."
From my point of view, I believe that this is one of the reasons why J. Cole chased his dream of becoming a rapper. He wanted to help his mother at home by paying the bills. Moreover, he also wanted to become the best person he can be which he has achieved. This is why The Come Up is the establishment of J. Cole's music career. It marks the beginning of Cole becoming a rising rap artist.
The song Throw It Up is about Cole celebrating his success. According to Genius, it states that, "Throw It Up is a celebratory anthem from North Carolina rapper J. Cole, who boasts about his street origins and reflects on his come up in the rap game. On the track, Cole discusses his rise to the top and reflects on the various sights he saw on the way up". This is shown on the lyrics below:
"....Before they start saying "He changed"
A real nigga can never forget where he came
So if I'm up in Carolina kicking deep game
Or if I'm riding through Queens like the E-train
I throw it up!
Yeah"
From my point of view, this proves that no matter where you come from, you can always follow your dreams. The fact that Cole is reflecting on his come up in the rap game proves that the mixtape is the establishment of J. Cole's music career. He does not forget his street origins despite the fame he's got.
There is a reason why the mixtape is called The Come Up. This is shown on the track The Come Up. According to Genius, it states that, "On title track The Come Up, North Carolina rapper J. Cole reflects on his rise in the rap game and the progress that he's underwent. On the track, Cole juxtaposes his current living situations to his difficult upbringing". This is shown on the lyrics below:
[Verse 1]
"I'm on The Come Up
Chill nigga, don't run up
A yellow nigga, finna rise and shine like the sun up
My mind on that paper..."
From my point of view, I believe the mixtape The Come Up is about Cole finally gaining recognition in the rap game. Although he had a difficult upbringing, he is now on the right path towards his dream which is why he's known to be one of the talented rappers. This is why The Come Up is the establishment of J. Cole's music career.
The track Lil Ghetto Nigga highlights the important issues faced in America. According to Genius, it states that, "...J. Cole reflects on his humble origins in his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, the place where he spent the majority of his childhood. On the track, Cole boasts about his rapping abilities and offers a glimpse into life in the projects". This is shown on the lyrics below:
"...Young niggas emulate what's coming out the speakers
So everything we learn came from rappers, not teachers
Cause if we can't relate, then how the hell you gonna reach us?
Surrounded by crooked cops and preachers, (yea) Who am I trusting?
No time to think about illegal when your stomachs touching
By any means, nigga, even if the gun is busting
I see the world for what it is now
I see the odds is looking slim for our kids now
Cause, uh, it wasn't set up for my people to rise, (yea)
My niggas slang, but I see the pain deep in they eyes
Niggas living like they don't give a fuck
And I don't blame 'em, it's a cold world, live it up! (live it up)"
From my point of view, I believe he is talking about lack of equality in terms of race hence failed racial integration. This is one of the reasons why there are some corrupt cops who are racist towards African Americans. This is why Cole said, "I see the world for what it is now....it wasn't set up for my people to rise". This highlights the challenges faced by African Americans which are racism, police brutality e.t.c
However,Cole seems to have a positive outlook from racism. This is shown on the lyrics below:
[Hook]
"The things that I've seen, (seen)
The dreams that I dream, (dream)
The rain in my sky
The pain in my eyes
But know that it gets better baby
Hope that it gets better baby
Don't let this world break you, (you) naw, naw
Don't let them break you, (you)"
This is probably why The Come Up is the establishment of J. Cole's music career. Cole has highlighted the issue of failed racial integration in America. Cole did not let circumstances define who he is, instead he pursued his dream of becoming a rapper.
*If you're interested, you can listen to the track "Can't Cry" where Cole also talks about racism, crime, unemployment e.t.c*
The song Get It is about lifting others to become the best they can be. According to Genius, it states that, "....Cole raps about living the tough life and how this song is going out to everybody trying to make it out of that life and become something greater in life". This is shown on the lyrics below:
[Chorus]
"This is for my niggas tryna make it
Watch out for them evil ass niggas tryna take it, uh
They love to see a nigga dead, up in jail
Living in a world where we set up to fail
But I'ma get it, nigga, I'm finna to get it (Uh)
I'ma get it, nigga, I'm finna to get it (Yeah)
I'ma get it, nigga, I'm finna to get it (Yeah)
I'ma get it, nigga, I'm gotta get it"
From my point of view, I believe Cole wants everyone to win in life and he does not want circumstances to define who they are. He encourages everyone to pursue their dreams which is why The Come Up is the establishment of J. Cole's music career. It marks the beginning of listeners appreciating him as an artist.
In conclusion, The Come Up is about Cole finally gaining recognition in the rap game. The mixtape is about Cole chasing his dream of becoming a signed artist and his dream of having his own label, Dreamville Records. He has achieved both of these dreams over the years.
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