J Cole the Off Season songs is his sixth studio album. On this record, he emphasizes the importance of training. Dubbed as his most ambitious project, does he reach a new height? On January 28th, I deep-dive in search of answers to find out what it takes to unlock a new level and also predict the 2022 Grammy winners. Let’s work.
Firstly, let’s pick up where we left off. It is clear that since his debut LP, “Cole World: The Sideline Story” (2011), Cole was determined to be one of the greatest.
To do that, he had to leave his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, with a dollar & a dream. Alike a young Simba, if he was ever going to make it, he had to explore the surroundings.
However, a career-defining moment came on his third LP, with the release of “2014 Forest Hills Drive.” Instead of aiming for Hollywood, he detached himself from that superficial dream.
On his next endeavor, “4 Your Eyez Only” (2016), instead of singing from his perspective like on “2014 Forest Hills Drive“, he narrated the highs and lows of one of his friends.
Also, on “KOD” (2018), he expanded his musical barriers by incorporating trap into his raps. Indeed, all the three aforementioned LPs have one thing in common: they are featureless.
“I don’t want to look back 20 years from now and be like,
-J. Cole, Dreamville Presents: REVENGE (2019)
‘I never worked with anybody.’
And so I had this idea…”
Therefore, atop of 2019, he sent a golden ticket invitation to producers, rappers, and singers to record “Revenge of the Dreamers III” in just 10 days.
Consequently, the sessions made him realize the benefits of such a creative process. That is, being surrounded by others can spark productivity.
Ever since its foundation in 1973, Hip-Hop has vouched for equality. For instance, it has given a voice to the powerless to stand up and fight against discrimination, racial injustices, and police brutality.
At this point in his career, whenever Cole dropped, his fans were there to support him by buying his music. So, what happens when people need help from a bigger voice?
On May 25, 2020, a security guard named George Floyd was killed by police. He died of asphyxiation once the officer kneeled on his neck. “At times the devil is winning but does that mean God lost?“
At first, by not being present at the rallies, he felt the wrath of not only his fans but of the public in general. Eventually, he showed up to protest among the civilians and understood their pain.
Afterward, he continued training on the long-awaited album for his fans. Finally, on May 14th, 2021, the record arrived.
J Cole “The Off Season” Songs
Undoubtedly, the parallels between rap and basketball have always been there. For many stuck in the projects, it is the only way out. You either rap or go to the league.
“When I fell in love with rap, I started realizing the parallel between rapping and basketball.”
-J. Cole, Applying Pressure: The Off-Season (2021)
Although Kobe Bryant’s unreleased album, “Visions” (2000), never came to fruition, Damian Lillard’s “The Letter O” did (2016). Before aiming for rap, Cole aspired for the NBA. Clearly, during the off-season, he also trained hard for his hoop dreams.
Hence, just two days after its release date (May 16), he made his professional debut in the Basketball Africa League with the Patriots Basketball Club.
Riddle me this. Whenever you see your favorite team raising the trophy, do you think it is pure luck? Hell no. That moment is the reward of the hard work put in during the off-season.
But if a rapper/athlete wouldn’t apply pressure to the craft, the results would match the previous one, thus, comfort becoming the enemy rather than an ally.
So, what does it take to reach a new height? Namely, by maintaining a schedule and continuous training, writing a verse, doing a drill, making a beat, and sharpening the pen. Only then can the next level be unlocked. Admittedly, it is the blueprint for an everlasting career instead of disposable music.
To conclude, the songs by J Cole’s “The Off Season” are deserving of 2021’s “Best Rap Album” and future Grammy champion. Last, in my opinion, the rest of the 64th Annual Grammy Awards winners will look as follows:
| Category | Artist | Album/Song |
| Album of the Year | Taylor Swift | Evermore |
| Song of the Year | Olivia Rodrigo | Drivers License |
| Best Rap Album | J. Cole | The Off-Season |
| Best Pop Vocal Album | Billie Eilish | Happier Than Ever |
| Best Immersive Album | Alicia Keys | Alicia |
| Best New Artist | Olivia Rodrigo | – |
| Best Rock Song | Kings of Leon | The Bandit |
| Best Latin Pop Album | Selena Gomez | Revelación |
Watch “Amari” and listen to the songs of “The Off-Season” by J Cole below.
- “Amari” music video by J. Cole. Directed by Mez for Heirs (Dreamville, Roc Nation, 2021). ↩︎
- “The Off-Season” by J. Cole. Cover artwork by Felton Brown and Justin Francis (Dreamville, Roc Nation, 2021). ↩︎
- “The Off-Season” documentary video by J. Cole. Directed by Scott Lazer (Dreamville, Roc Nation, 2021). ↩︎
