Might Delete Later, launched without warning at midnight on Friday, begins with force. But let’s start at the end, because it’s on the last track that J. Cole responds directly to Kendrick Lamar.
In discussions – futile, in our opinion – that try to determine who the best rappers alive are, the names Kendrick, Drake and J. Cole often come up. The latter also proclaimed that they formed the big three on First Person Shooterpublished on For All The Dogsby Drake.
Not of the same opinion, Kendrick assured that he is alone at the top on Like Thatflagship piece of We Don’t Trust Youfrom Future and Metro Boomin, launched two weeks ago.
Believing that the Compton MC’s good years are behind him, Jermaine Cole responds on 7 Minute Drill – which lasts 3 min 32 s… – launching among other things “I came up in the ‘Ville, so I’m good when it’s tension/He still doing shows, but fell off like The Simpsons ». Then, he tackles Lamar’s most recent album, Mr. Morales & the Big Steppers: “ Your first shit was classic, your last shit was tragic.” THE diss recordwhich passes from a beat medium of T-Minus to a magnificent composition by Conductor Williams, has many other arrows. None of them particularly impress. Although the tips are not as direct, the rest of Might Delete Later burns with the same fire.
The main benefit of this ferocity is that Cole raps with vigor and intention, his flow not always being inspired. Since he is a much better author than a battle rapper, we listen attentively to its pearls, sometimes philosophical, sometimes corrosive, sometimes both. Example on the superb Stickz N Stonez produced by Alchemist and Billa Joint: “Sometimes I be flyin’ commercial still/These n****s get rich and become so detached, they music start havin’ that surface feel/Not a subliminal, speakin’ in general, feelings get hurt when words get spilled.
The title of his new creation evokes spontaneity, but we prefer it to others which might have been more thoughtful.
The first four pieces, which all bear the signature of T-Minus, are powerful, both in terms of the lyrics and the rhythms. HYBwith Bas and Central Cee, and Fever are more easily consumed, without aftertaste. Pi is mainly the business of Daylyt and Ab-Soul, while Stealth Fashion And 3001 are correct, nothing more. Trae The Thruth in Ibizawhich precedes the conclusion, is good for the soul.
J. Cole will never be in our top 3but its versatility which unfolds beautifully on Might Delete Later is the reason why we will always listen to it.
Extract of 7 Minute Drill
Rap
Might Delete Later
J.Cole
Interscope Records