Yes, the young rising king of Hip-Hop, J. Cole, just earned his fourth number 1 album on Billboard’s Hot 200 album charts, following 2011’s “Cole World”, 2013’s “Born Sinner,” and 2014’s “Forest Hills Drive,” with no features.
“4 Your Eyez Only” sold 492,000 total copies in its first week, between 363,000 physical copies and another 118,000 from streaming equivalent albums in SEA (equaling 51.7 million streams of the album’s songs), Billboard reports. “4 Your Eyez Only” is the third-biggest weekly sales sum for a single album this year, following behind “Views” (852,000 sold in its first week) and “Lemonade” (a 485,000 sales launch).
“4 Your Eyez Only” has only elevated Cole as a true rapper and lyricist that he was destined to be since the beginning. Throughout the album, Cole addressed many issues he’s faced, but also black America. Ranging from suicide and mental health to mass incarceration and its after effects on the black man, love, having and raising a family, his newborn baby girl and wife, how he’s perceived by some Americans, his neighbors (as a drug dealer), and more. This album is definitely a deeper examination of Cole, his life, and many black males in America. It’s an album about growth and question, examination and acceptance. The album has 10 tracks, and a visual to go along with the album (that’s available on TIDAL).
The most prominent information he’s rapping about on this project as a whole is what’s most fascinating. Although these stories have elements of Cole’s life, a few songs, the last song in particular, shows his friend’s story. In “4 Your Eyez Only,” Cole is speaking of his friend that passed away, his story, what he wanted to pass down to his daughter, his thoughts, feelings, emotions, life story and more. The album is not just a look into Cole’s world, but it relative to many people. “4 Your Eyez Only” is a staple for the culture, it;s elements of realness is something needed in this world of Young Thug, Lil Boats’ and whatever else is out there. A staple of real Hip-Hop, if you open your ears. “J.Cole is boring”… No, J. Cole is for the people, people are so quick to want guns, violence, and hoes in music but cant respect real artistry or poetic flows. rap is poetry, a way of expression, expression of viewpoint, political problems, social problems, and more. This album addresses those issues with story telling, not only his stories and life, but his friend James. How we all have paths in life to choose.
Purchase Here: 4 Your Eyez Only