Before the release of his second album Born Sinner, J. Cole sets his sights on releasing two EP's, Truly Yours and Truly Yours 2 as a gift to his fans. Therefore the title, "Truly Yours"could mean that it is truly dedicated to you, the fans.
Let's look at the background Information about Truly Yours.
Truly Yours
It was released on February 12, 2013. According to Genius, "Truly Yours was released in anticipation of J. Cole's 2013 album Born Sinner and contains tracks that didn't make the cut. It would later be followed by Truly Yours 2 ".
Moreover on Genius it says, "He released this EP along with this message on his website :
'I appreciate you giving me the time I needed to grow, experiment, and find the direction for my 2nd album...And I have.
Along the way I've recorded at least 4 albums worth of material, lots of it being unfinished demo versions waiting to be polished up, some of them are great songs and important stories that just won't make the album (either they don't fit Sonically, don't fit Theme, or there's just not enough space).
Tonight, I want to give you a few of these songs because you deserve them. It's hard as fuck for me to keep all this music from you for so long , so I know it's been hard for you to wait. Thank you for your patience. Vibe out to these songs in their raw form, no polish...just a lot of my soul..
The wait is over.
Truly Yours,
Born Sinner
Truly Yours......"
From my point of view, the fact that he wanted to share this EP to his fans shows that he appreciates them. This is why Truly Yours is dedicated to his fans.
The Track List :
1. Can I Holla At Ya
2. Tears for ODB
3. Crunch Time
4. Rise Above
5. Stay (2009)
The track Tears for ODB sets the tone of his second album Born Sinner. There is a reason why I say this. According to Genius, "Tears for ODB is more than just a tribute to Ol' Dirty Bastard of Wu Tang Clan who died in 2004 from a drug overdose. It's a nod to anyone trying to make it as Cole talks about his father on drugs and growing up with his single mother.
Cole who compares himself to Robin Hood gives social issues like the difficulty of buying a home and quitting drug dealing (from the perspective of others)". This is shown on the lyrics below:
[Verse 2]
"Lord have mercy on my soul, what I've done and what I've seen
My life has tumbled into that which only you could intervene
I put my heart in senseless things: money, bitches and street shit
Fascinated by beef, sad to say I won't be shit..."
It sets the tone of his album Born Sinner because he's admitting his sins. He is letting his fans know that he is not perfect and that he also makes mistakes.
"..Left for dead, some niggas fled, people said they sold their souls
I just think they found a better way, Lord knows I never pray
But sometimes I be wishin' I could levitate, I'll take it straight up"
From my point of view, where it said, "sold their souls" is probably making reference to issues like drug dealing. In a way, the fact that he is putting himself in someone else's shoes is proof that Truly Yours is dedicated to his fans.
The track Rise Above seems to be dedicated to women. This is shown on the lyrics below :
[Verse 1]
"She had a little daughter with her, it was cold out
She said "ah, I hate this motherfucker," then she rolled out
He ain't answering his phone, she yells "what the fuck?!"
Then told her daughter "buckle up, yeah, that's for safety"
See she been stressin' lately
'Cause this nigga she done been with for the past two years
Is now the current reason for her last few tears
She text, he don't text back..."
Verse 1 is about a woman who has a little daughter and is in a romantic relationship. However, her lover seems to take her for granted because when she texts, he doesn't text her back. From my point of view, the message from this song is that women should love themselves enough to not let anyone take them for granted hence they should, "Rise Above", become the best they can be.
Truly Yours 2
According to Genius, "Truly Yours 2 is an EP by J. Cole released on April 30, 2013. It serves as the sequel to Truly Yours.
'Fuck it. Truly Yours 2 tomorrow. You Deserve It - J.Cole (@JColeNC) April 30, 2013' ".
This was a gift before his heavily anticipated album Born Sinner hence why the EP's were dedicated to his fans.
The words, "See You June 25th" is the release date for the album Born Sinner. The fact that Cole is letting his fans know about this is proof that the EP's are dedicated to his fans.
The Track List :
1. Cole Summer
2. Kenny Lofton feat. Young Jeezy
3. Chris Tucker feat. 2 Chainz
4. Head Bussa
5. Cousins feat. Bas
6. 3 Wishes
The track Cole Summer was definitely released for his fans. According to Genius, "A single released prior to his sophomore album Born Sinner. J Cole announced that it wouldn't appear on the album, but he felt that he needed to give his fans something, an occurrence that fortunately for fans, he makes happens often. Sampling Lauryn Hill's Nothing Even Matters (feat. D'Angelo), Cole speaks on a variety of topics in a reflection of his road travelled thus far. The song culminates into a conversation between Jermaine and hip-hop personified". This is shown on the lyrics below :
[Verse 1]
"Now this right here is not a preview
Of what the album goin' to bring you, or nuttin' like that
Sharing things I think quietly, with those that admire me
Remember MTV Diaries? This something like that
I wear my heart up on my sleeve, and I bleed for you
Cookin' beats hoping' to reach like each one you
When I release, trust if you feel like my shit is weak
When you see me on the street, then speak, I refund you
This sample was yellin' "loop me!"
Ms. Hill, please don't sue me..."
The fact that Cole felt like giving his fans this track Cole Summer is proof that the EP is dedicated to his fans.
The track Cousins is interesting. It shows one of Dreamville artists Bas and this song is also found on Bas' mixtape, Quarter Water Raised Me Vol. II. It's probably J. Cole's way of introducing his Dreamville labelmate Bas to his fans and that they should give him a chance by listening to his music. It's probably his way of promoting Bas as an artist. This is why the EP's is dedicated to his fans.
Truly Yours and Truly Yours 2 is dedicated to his fans in the sense that they were released to hold over fans until his album Born Sinner was released.
**For more information about the track, "Cousins" and "Quarter Water Raised Me Vol. II", please read my music review about 'Quarter Water Raised Me Vol. II' from the category, "Dreamville Records " **
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