Matthew Mussoline

Ms. Burgoon
AP Language And Composition
May 28, 2015
J. Cole: Rapper or Storyteller?
Critically acclaimed writer Philip Pullman expresses in an interview with
Scholastic Corporation the importance of stories when he said, After nourishment,
shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world (Philip
Pullman). Great stories are hard to come by, but great storytellers are even harder to find.
J. Cole is seen as one of the best up-and-coming rappers in the industry, but he is also an
incredible storyteller. As one of the best raconteurs in the rap industry and displays his
lyricism on tracks like G.O.M.D., Hello and 03 Adolescence. Not only is he a
great storyteller, but in his latest album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, he addresses the subject
of racism in todays society. He dives into the issues of racial inequality by asking
rhetorical questions on the songs January 28th and Intro. Throughout the recording,
Jermaine Cole uses symbolism to reveal snippets of his life. Emotional lyrics, rhetorical
questions and symbolism fuel J. Coles latest release, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, and delves
into a subconscious explanation of his past.
Jermaine Lamarr Cole was born on January 28, 1985 in Frankfurt, Germany. At
the age of 8 months he moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina. Jermaine was introduced
to rap at the age of 12 while visiting Louisiana by his cousin. Inspired by rappers like Nas
and Eminem, Jermaine began writing his own lyrics and freestyling. By the age of 17,
Cole had began to post his own songs online under the name Therapist (J. Cole

Pictures, Latest News and Video). After graduating from St. Johns, J. Cole began to
focus on his music career. He wished to produce music for one person only, Jay-Z.
Eventually, Jermaine got his wish and was signed to Jay-Zs record company, Roc
Nation. His first release with Roc Nation was titled Cole World: The Sideline Story.
Jermaine Cole is an expert storyteller. He sets himself apart from other rappers by
using emotional lyrics to relate to his audience, especially on 2014 Forest Hills Drive. On
the track G.O.M.D., J. Cole tells a story about one of his first true love experiences.
Growing up, Jermaine did not have many experiences with someone he cared about until
he ran into this girl. He did not trust her fully and so he continued to mess around with
other women behind her back. In his lyrics, he says, Young n***a never had love. You
know, foot massage, backrub s**t. Blowing bubbles in the bathtub s**t. That is until I
met you. Together we done watch years go by. Seen a river of your tears go by. Got me
thinkin' bout some kids (2014 Forest Hills Drive). In the song, he continues to fall in
love with her while addressing issues in society. He references the song Get Low by Lil
Jon and calls attention to the fact that a majority of modern songs written and performed
are no longer about love, but instead about sexual escapades. In the second verse, J. Cole
repeatedly questions why there are not more songs about love. He asks, Don't nobody
sing about it no more. No more. Its called love. J. Cole wants to express the importance
of love and is trying to counteract other songs that focus on partying, drinking, etc. Two
tracks later, in the song Hello, Cole writes about the same women previously
mentioned, but with a twist. This song is not written from the perspective of the young J.
Cole, but from the current J. Cole looking back at his previous love. He expresses
feelings of regret when he discusses his past love for her. He asks, And I thought about

your newest kid, and damn that makes 2 now. Oh what do I do now? Cause if we ever got
together, I'd have to be them n****s step-pops forever and well that ain't my thing cause I
ain't even got my own, and I ain't really got no home (2014 Forest Hills Drive). He
wishes he could be with her, but he does not know how he could take care of two kids at
the age of 29 when he does not believe he can take care of himself. How can he be a
father when he does not even understand who he is? J. Cole shows his true writing
prowess on the track 03 Adolescence, where J. Cole takes the audience back to a
younger version of himself. He paints the scene and puts the listener back into his
hometown where he is spending time with a good friend of his. He compliments his
friend on all the money he is making from selling drugs. J. Cole is nervous about his
future, where he will be attending St. Johns University. Rather than going through with
college, he tries to take the easy way out by asking his friend to let him sell drugs. His
friend turns to him and says, Listen, you everything I wanna be that's why I f****s with
you. So how you looking up to me when I look up to you? You bout to go get a degree,
I'ma be stuck with two choices: Either graduate to weight or selling number two. For
what? A hundred bucks or two a week (2014 Forest Hills Drive)? From that moment, J.
Cole decided that he was going to make it big on behalf of those who could not do it for
themselves. Cole went on to attend St. Johns in New York on an academic scholarship
and majored in communications. He also graduated with honors Magna cum Laude. By
using emotional lyrics, Jermaine Cole explores his past by opening himself up to his
audience in a relatable fashion.
J. Cole continues to separate himself from other storytellers in the rap industry by
addressing issues in society. By using rhetorical questions, he causes todays community

to take a step back and look around at what is happening. Prior to the release of 2014
Forest Hills Drive, he released a single called Be Free, which was written in response
to the events occurring in Ferguson, Missouri ("New Song J. Cole Released in Response
to the Michael Brown Shooting"). On the album, J. Cole continues to address racial
inequality and fights for justice on two recordings in particular: Intro and January
28th. J. Cole opens the door of his new album with the song Intro. Unlike other
opening songs, J. Cole has a clear message behind his song. He begins the song asking a
myriad of rhetorical questions that say, ...Do you wanna be free do you wanna be
happy (2014 Forest Hills Drive)? He then strings out a long line of questions asking the
listeners if they want to be Free from pain, free from scars, free to sing, free from bars
(2014 Forest Hills Drive). None of these questions are answered in the track, but, it
gets the audience thinking. The obvious answer to all these questions is yes, yet, some
people still are not free from pain and are not yet happy. On the next track, January
28th, he continues to look at the differences between being African American and
Caucasian. In this track he says, What's the price for a black man life? I check the toe
tag, not one zero in sight. I turn the TV on, not one hero in sight. Unless he dribble or he
fiddle with mics (2014 Forest Hills Drive). This particular line was in response to the
incidents located in Ferguson, Missouri. He saying that no one supported the people
fighting for their rights in Missouri other than African American rappers and sports
figures. By proposing these rhetorical questions, he causes the American society to take
a step back to reevaluate the countrys views on racism and inequality that are still
present.

Another major component that made 2014 Forest Hills Drive so successful is the
use of symbolism in the album. Jermaine Cole uses symbolism throughout the album to
reveal bits and pieces of who he is. The album itself is a symbol of his childhood. The
name of the album is 2014 Forest Hills Drive and Jermaine Cole grew up in Fayetteville,
North Carolina on the street 2014 Forest Hills Drive (Selena Hill, Latin Post). January
28th can be seen as a symbol of how hard J. Cole has had to work to achieve his goals.
His birthday is on January 28th and the song title alludes to his rise to greatness and
stardom. In the track, he stated, Carolina's finest, you knew that already and turned to
the greatest, I proved that already. In the track No Role Modelz, J. Cole address his
past struggle and how he did not have many role models when he said, No role models
and I'm here right now. No role models to speak of. Searchin' through my memory, my
memory. I couldn't find one (2014 Forest Hills Drive). These lyrics symbolize J. Coles
desire to be a role model to kids growing up because he knows how hard it is to follow
the right path when you are lacking a role model. Love Yourz also makes reference to
how grateful Jermaine is to have his faith. He continues on in this song to explain that he
had a very tough time to get where he is today and that it does get better. He tells the
audience to keep fighting and persevering and in the end it will all work out.
By using emotional lyrics, rhetorical questions and symbolism on his latest
release, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, J. Cole was able to create a masterpiece and carved out
his own niche in the rap industry. He separated himself from other writers by displaying
his storytelling abilities throughout the album, while continually revealing who he was,
who he is now, and who he plans to be in the future. He stood up for what he believes in
and encourages others to do the same. J. Coles newest album is much more than an

agglomeration of songs made to make money for the artist. It is an album that asks for
change and growth in society by looking back at J. Coles past.

Works Cited
"3 Best Songs on J Cole's '2014 Forest Hills Drive'" Top 3 Best Songs on J. Cole's '2014
Forest Hills Drive' N.p., 10 Dec. 2014. Web. 27 May 2015.
Cole, Jermaine. 2014 Forest Hills Drive. J. Cole. J. Cole, 2014. MP3.
"J. Cole | Official Site." JColeMusic.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.
"J. Cole Pictures, Latest News and Video." AceShowbiz. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.
"J. Cole Talks Living in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Says It No Eminem '8 Mile':
Rapper to Open House on '2014 Forest Hills Drive' Album Cover to the Poor."
Latin Post RSS. N.p., 29 Jan. 2015. Web. 28 May 2015.
"Listen to the Emotional New Song J. Cole Released in Response to the Michael Brown
Shooting." Time. Time, n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.
"Philip Pullman." Goodreads. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.