With titles like “No Role Modelz,” “Mortal Man” and “The Blacker the Berry,” it’s clear J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar have much more to talk about than the typical drugs, women and money message that pervades most rap songs.
Cole tends to rap more about his personal experience and gives listeners a sense of comfort in knowing they are not alone in their everyday struggles, while Lamar’s music reveals the world’s true colors by describing the negative situations we face today. However, the one trait each of possess is the ability to convey an elevating message without degrading women, flaunting money and encouraging drug abuse.
North Carolina native J. Cole effortlessly shows his southern charm in his expressive lyrics in his latest album “Forest Hill Drive.” This 13-track album reminds us of what the original meaning of rap — a personal life story wrapped up in meaningful syllogisms and eloquently written rhymes. Cole’s album follows his previously released albums “Born Sinner” and “Cole Word: The Sideline Story.”
Both albums had popular hits such as “Can’t Get Enough” and “Crooked Smile.” It was obvious from the start that Cole is influenced by the more conscious side of rapping, as opposed to other rappers who simply string together basic rhymes to make quick radio sensations.
Unlike many artists who feature popular artists on their album to ensure higher sales, Cole makes sure he steers clear of this trend by focusing on his personal life, giving it a more authentic, autobiographic feel. He relies on his swift storytelling ability and relaxed voice to appeal to his listeners.
His songs range from the awkward experience of everyone’s first time in “Wet Dreamz” to the sad reality of this generation’s lack of female role models, which happens to be the theme of one of my favorite songs on the album: “No Role Modelz.” In this song, he describes how women today lack depth and are overly concerned with looks and materialistic possessions, rather than the priceless attribute of a beautiful mind. The classic Sade Adu, the late Aaliyah Haughton, the original Aunt Vivian from “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and the ageless Nia Long are among the women he mentions in the song as a reminder of what a woman with substance looks like. This song is comforting in despite the media’s efforts to make women’s physical beauty more important than their intelligence — brains trump beauty any day.
“Forest Hill Drive” is the epitome of the perfect album to “vibe” too. This album can be played throughout the day, as it goes through a melody of soft subtle beats with encouraging words to strong, rhythmic sounds that inspire achievement. It’s definitely an album you want to listen to if you’re in the mood for relatable lyrics and beats that take you on an emotional rollercoaster of life’s inevitable ups and downs.
Kendrick Lamar’s third album “To Pimp a Butterfly” is another must-listen. This album includes 16 controversial songs with an empowering, revolutionary feel. He uses these tracks to show his position on racially motivated crimes, justice and money; he raps about money not in the way most rappers flaunt it but in a way that makes listeners consider the power and oppression behind those green, dead presidents. But, the main issue presented by the album is the trend of unjustified hate crimes around the nation.
The most obvious display of this feeling is in his song “The Blacker the Berry,” in which he professes his adoration of being African-American despite society’s negative views. With lyrics like, “I mean it’s evident that I’m irrelevant to society / that’s what you’re telling me / that penitentiary would only hire me,” Lamar easily taps into the deep feelings of many African-American males today.
Within 16 tracks, “To Pimp a Butterfly” manages to awaken the lost consciousness and spirituality we had back when groups like A Tribe Called Quest and Public Enemy existed.
It seems like it’s the third time’s the charm with these two talented artists. Their third albums sets an example for their competition, though Cole and Lamar vary greatly in their rapping style and topics of interest. Cole and Lamar just might be the rappers we’ve been waiting for to bring raw political lyrics back to hip-hop.
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