J. Cole releases eight songs cut from ‘2014 Forest Hills Drive,’ announces 10th anniversary livestream

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As a die-hard J. Cole fan who has followed his career since the early days, I must say that this latest move by the North Carolina rapper is nothing short of brilliant. It feels like a journey back to the good old days when we used to eagerly wait for his mixtapes and albums. The unreleased tracks from 2014 Forest Hills Drive are pure gold, showcasing J. Cole’s signature sound that I’ve grown to love over the years.

Despite already launching a podcast series, putting out hit mixtapes on streaming platforms, and setting up an exclusive one-night show at Madison Square Garden, J. Cole remains at the top with the release of an unheard collection of tracks from his third studio album 2014 Forest Hills Drive, further emphasizing his dominance towards the end of the year.

As a dedicated gamer, I was thrilled to learn that initially, these fresh tunes were only available with select physical editions of his legendary album. However, he graciously made them accessible through his “Inevitable” podcast platform as a flexible digital download-pay-as-you-wish. The package boasts a revamped cover and retains the original tracklist, with eight additional tracks that showcase the soulful beats, sharp rhymes, and captivating narratives we’ve come to expect from this North Carolina rap icon, one of hip-hop’s founding greats.

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: Tracks such as “Home Soon,” “Judgment Day,” and “Die Together” offer a raw, relatable perspective from people I grew up with – a theme that resonates deeply in his music. Just like many tracks on the original album, these songs blend jazzy tunes with gritty beats, a signature sound that defines J. Cole during that release period.

Other tracks, notably “Keep Heaven Dancing,” highlight J. Cole’s exceptional talent for creating melodies and hits. Although these songs might not be as immediately appealing or popular as some other rap artists’ work, J. Cole’s distinctive voice, rhythm, and the cleverness of his lyrics and verses make them memorable, as if they were made just recently.

The song “Miles,” deviates from the standard structure of the 2014 album “Forest Hills Drive” by incorporating verses from the Ohio rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. In this six-minute track, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony infuse a classic feel with their unique rhyming patterns and vocal tones, creating an intriguing contrast to J. Cole’s gritty southern sound.

As I wound down my gaming session, the final track, “Obviously,” resonated deeply with me, reminding me of J. Cole’s poignant and romantic album, “4 Your Eyez Only“. His delivery was subdued yet melodic, weaving a tale of devotion that echoes the themes in that album. The song concludes dramatically with a soulful horn solo, offering a touching closure to one of his most celebrated periods in music.

For an additional treat for their fanbase, J. Cole and the Dreamville team announced that his exclusive one-night-only performance at Madison Square Garden would be streamed live to fans who bought either the Inevitable podcast or any version of the 10th anniversary edition of 2014 Forest Hills Drive.

The upcoming concert in New York City, scheduled for December 16th, has been generating buzz due to its massive Ticketmaster presale line-up of approximately 150,000 people. Remarkably, resold tickets are now priced at a minimum of $409, demonstrating the persistent popularity of the rapper, despite some questioning his worthiness for being included among rap’s top three artists after he stepped back during the Drake and Kendrick Lamar rivalry early on.

With J. Cole’s nostalgia-filled tour in New York City and the conclusion of his “Inevitable” podcast, fans can’t help but wonder where all this may lead. Since 2018, Cole has hinted at his upcoming album, “The Fall Off.” Will we get more updates as we reach the end of this musical journey? If not, fans can still enjoy the wealth of content and celebrate a decade of what is widely regarded as one of the finest rap albums of this generation.

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2024-12-11 01:23