2014 Forest Hills Drive vinyl is the third studio album by American rapper, Jermaine Cole (J. Cole). Released on December 9, 2014, the album debuted at #1 on Billboard selling over 300,000 copies. How did such an album become the blueprint of life?
“A few months back, I dropped this album called ‘2014 Forest Hills Drive.’ You know this whole album is a journey. Before we go too far, I want to press rewind and take you to a time when I was just a young boy.“
-J. Cole at his sold out show in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA (2015)
“Can I make a million dollars off a rap tune?” J. Cole’s dream since he was a kid: to become a rapper. Born on “January 28th“, 1985, Cole was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
His mission: not to be just another one, but to aspire to be the greatest. But growing up in a small town and managing ends meet can be a decisive factor for failure.
On “03′ Adolescence,” he describes the struggle he went through as a teenager. Back then, there were “No Role Modelz” for him. Hence, he would look up to his friends who were selling drugs and wanted to follow the same path, unbeknownst to their struggle. “You are about the get a degree, I’m going to be stuck with two choices.“
“A Tale of 2 Citiez” keeps on depicting the same mindset. “Since a younging always dreamed of getting rich / fantasize about a white picket fence.” To pursue his goal, he knew he had to make it out of the ville or he would end up just like his friends.
Indeed, his dream finally came true in 2009, after signing to Jay-Z‘s Roc Nation label. Lights, please (get it?). With the releases of his albums “Cole World: The Sideline Story” (2011) and “Born Sinner” (2013), he lives first-hand the “Hollywood experience.”
While in Hollywood, Cole succumbs to the lights, cameras, and action. Thus, he turns into what everyone else has become: arrogant and selfish. Unfortunately, he learned the hard way that everything comes with a price. “I know that everything that glitters ain’t gold.” Luckily, after two albums, he is able to wake up.
On his quest for Hollywood, he left his mother behind, who was struggling financially. Ultimately, she lost her house. Now, he was unbeknownst to her struggle. “I’m so sorry that I left you there to deal with that alone.”
Forest Hills Drive
Upon detaching himself from Hollywood, he comes to his senses and eventually heads back home, where he is able to appreciate life for what it is.
All the money, expensive cars, big houses, that is Hollywood. Moreover, we tend to buy to fill out our void. Ever since kids, we are taught that to become successful we need to go to school followed by college. This will land the big paychecks so we can buy overpriced materials.
“On the road to riches
-J. Cole, Love Yourz (2014)
this is what you will find.
The good news is you came a long way,
the bad news is you went the wrong way.”
Don’t get me wrong. Of course, we need to go through certain steps. But most important is to never forget your roots and to love yours. Besides, what is the purpose of having a white picket fence, if you are not loved?
J. Cole’s record label is called Dreamville. Artists include Bas, J.I.D., Cozz, Ari, Earthgang, among others.
Listen to the live version of “2014 Forest Hills Drive” vinyl in the link below.
