On February 6th, J. Cole released what he calls the final album of his career titled The Fall Off. This highly anticipated album has been teased for several years, including most recently in a video on social to announce the album. In the video, J. Cole states: “For the past 10 years, this album has been crafted with one intention: a personal challenge to myself to create my best work. To do on my last what I was unable to do on my first.”
The album is split into 2 discs, Disc 29 (disc 1) and Disc 39 (disc 2), representing the two different stages in his life during his career. Included are songs like “The Villest,” which interpolates the classic from Outkast, “Elevators (Me & You),” with Erykah Badu, and “The Fall-Off is Inevitable”, where he describes key points of his life in reverse. Both songs, as well as the album, give listeners a glimpse into the world of a mature J. Cole, showing how he has taken the time to perfect his craft and give the best product. Students were also asked their opinions on the album and J. Cole as he steps away from the music scene.
Justin Flowers, a freshman majoring in Computer Science, says, “I like the messages he pushes through his songs. I like his style of rap overall. I like his wordplay a lot, too.” Flowers continues to express his disappointment in this album potentially being J. Cole’s last, and hopes he continues to release music periodically.
“I haven’t really heard about it much, but I’ve heard a few snippets of a few songs. I think for the last album, he’s gonna go out with a bang. Because, compared to his other songs, he’s always been good,” explained Shane Gardner, a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering. However, Gardner doesn’t feel like J. Cole is just yet.
“I feel like, as an artist, you really never retire. You probably just stop making music, and every now and then, you do a show or a concert for the fans. I would enjoy a J. Cole concert if he came to a homecoming concert.”
Kalen Richardson, a freshman Music Tech major, still holds another album by J.Cole in his top spot. “I’ve listened to a good portion of it. It’s pretty good. I heard people hyping it up like it’s the best thing he made, but For Your Eyes Only is still his top album.”
As J. Cole takes this step down, we can remember the great contributions he has made to music and what the future holds for rap and music as a whole.
