J. Cole — Niggaz Know

Posted by jeffwbaird on May 30, 2013

Cole dropped this one less than an hour ago, and I’m already hooked. I haven’t been as excited for an album as I am for Born Sinner in a long time. Let’s be honest, we all know (Cole included) that his debut was a disappointment, but it’s easy to tell from “Miss America” and “Power Trip” and “Cole Summer” (i.e. everything we’ve gotten since) that he’s back to what he does best. He’s got the lyrical dexterity, wordplay, and reflectiveness that makes for the best hip-hop, and he produces for himself, which always leads to an amazing fluidity in sound. I love Kanye, too—but my prediction is that Cole will bring the better album on June 18.