Grown Simba: Reflections on the Warm Up Ten Years Later
“Overcame a low life status to blow like Gladys, ahead of my time like I lived my whole life backwards.” This song by J. Cole is the first one I recall hearing from him almost ten years ago. I was in my junior year of college and the year was 2010. I was home with my younger brother who was searching for songs and artists on YouTube like he always did. He mentioned a rapper named J. Cole. I heard the name and thought nothing. He told me had a hot song where he flowed off the Dead Presidents beat by Jay-Z and so I listened. His cadence, lyrics and flow caught me off the top. From there the J. Cole rabbit's hole took form. I looked up all of his work and from there became a fan. I will readily admit I was late to the J. Cole show, catching on in early 2010, but I became a fan of his work in a way unlike any other. Here was a man who had gone to college, graduated, rapped about student loans and was into the “backpacker” artists I looked up to like Kweli and Ye. I was sold. The Warm Up became my album, and I let everyone on my college campus know it. I talked about Cole so much, telling people how dope he was.
The momentum from the Warm Up led to increased attention, and he dropped his first commercial single Who Dat. Far from a smash, it was lukewarm. I remember hearing the record excited for Cole only to have friends talk about how mediocre he was. Many won’t admit it but they weren’t sold on Cole in 2010. It’d take the release of his next mix tape/album Friday Night Lights to win them over. But rather than criticize people for catching on later, I’d rather share my thoughts on the album and my favorite songs. For those who may need more backstory, here’s a link.
Can I Live
“I swear yo I’m like Huey mixed with Riley, Thursday I be trying to save the world and then on Friday, I hit the club, hoping that my dick get rubbed.” J. Cole
Cole’s introspection and struggle to balance the yin and yang is shown best on here. The halo and devil horns attached to his name reflect this very dynamic. His penchant for showing this struggle makes him the person we listen to. This cut along with a few other songs on the album took this project from a mix tape littered with great freestyles to a project.
Just to Get By Freestyle
“Picture that, best rapper since Lil Wayne with classes, the best bachelor since Bruce Wayne with his bachelors.” J. Cole
For those who know me, Talib Kweli’s Get By is one of my favorite records ever. Kanye production, Kweli struggle verses, and a great video. So hearing my new favorite ripping this track was a gem. Cole did the track justice, highlighting the struggle from leaving Fayetteville, North Carolina, to now being in New York fighting to gain respect for his ability. He drives home the narrative of chasing dreams with little to no money again.
Dead Presidents II
“Overcame a low life status, to blow like Gladys, ahead of my time like I lived my whole life backwards.” J. Cole
The first J. Cole song I ever heard by him, it showcased his thoughtfulness and ability to rhyme. Originally J. Cole rhymed on the beat and released it on his work The Come Up Vol. 1, but after being prodded to go harder, he did a second version. The theme of sports and waiting on one’s chance to be the star was cemented on this project and would continue with Friday Night Lights and his debut The Sideline Story. Only fitting that the first signee to Roc Nation would bless this record.
Get Up
“We raising babies up in Hades where it ain’t no hope, ain’t no fathers, don't take no scholarship to slang no dope, politicians holla bout problems, but I ain’t gon vote, keep talking bout change still we floating in the same old boat.” J. Cole
A favorite of mine, this goes in my top 3 best J. Cole songs. Cole’s production skills on tracks such as these shows as he pens a tale of pain and hopelessness.
The Badness
“Believe in God like the sun up in the sky, science can tell us how, it can’t tell us why. I seen a baby cry, then seconds later she laughed, the beauty of life the pain never lasts.”
Need I say more. Long live Cole, first of his name. May he long rein!
