Album Review: The Warm Up

Rating: 3.5/5

By: Kaiya Lakes

J Cole’s album, The Warm Up, originally a mixtape put out in 2009 prior to his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story, was re-released on most major streaming services this November. Throughout all 22 songs, Cole creates an entertaining and rhythmic listening experience — he’s able to tell a full story that keeps listeners engrossed in each of his songs on this album, which was not seen as much in Kendrick Lamar’s GNX. Not only is Cole able to create a narrative when he sings, but he’s able to do so with lyrics that flow and a beat that’s easy to listen to — but not boring. Also, Cole wrote many lyrics dealing with racial injustice and poverty issues on this album, all of which he touches on gracefully. Cole is able to fashion his more political statements in a way that makes his songs more relatable, and catchy, to a large portion of his listeners. Another interesting point is that on this album, Cole never disses another artist — he just compares himself to them — claiming in song after song that he will make it to the top. This recurring theme isn’t seen as much in GNX. Cole’s goal to climb up the “hip-hop ladder” is best shown in track 11, “The Royal Flush,” when he sings “You’re listening to the future,” a bold statement that leaves listeners thinking.