J. Cole

Vinyl Records and Rare LPs:

	2014 Forest Hills Drive New - LP - 88875 05698 1 Sealed 2015 2LP Original Gatefold Pressing With Clear Hype Sticker On Front. Small Corner Crease Bottom Left & Tiny Dings On Jacket Mouth Edge. more
	2014 Forest Hills Drive Used - LP - 88875 05698 1 2015 2LP With Inner Sleeves. Small Corner Bump & Light Edge Wear. more
	2014 Forest Hills Drive New - LP - B0037320-01 Sealed 2023 2LP standard black vinyl reissue. "Named after the address of his childhood home in North Carolina, J. Cole's third studio effort was released with no supporting singles, and there are no featured artists, either, because 2014 Forest Hills Drive is one of those personal, conceptual, and "heavy" albums. Most importantly, it's admirable bordering on excellent, sure to inspire returning fans to herald it as a classic even if it doesn't woo the skeptical, casually wandering out of its intro with two smooth and soulful numbers that are so free, they're just shy of being clumsy. Key cut "January 28th" puts gut-wrenching hard truths of the Pusha-T type ("What's the price for a black man's life?/I check the toe tag, not one zero in sight") next to wobbly wordplay that could have been lifted off some old Digable Planets LP ("Flow is bananas/Here, peel this back"), while "Wet Dreamz" finds J. Cole the producer offering a beat that's rather Alchemist or 9th Wonder inspired, and then slathering it in plush strings for a perfect single on an album that refuses singles. Later, "No Role Modelz" mixes a tribute to the late actor James Avery ("Rest in peace Uncle Phil"), with a bubbling beat that's a variation on cloud-rap (co-produced by Phonix Beats and Cole), and a snarky, snappy set of put downs that are like an elevated Fergie ("I don't want no bitch from reality shows/Out of touch with reality hos"), but all these flights of fancy fly freely since the album lacks an anchor. 2014 Forest Hills Drive comes off as a great, experimental, and advancing mixtape, but it's insider to a fault, as slight as that fault might be." All Music Guide - David Jeffries more
	4 Your Eyez Only Used - LP - B0026313-01 2017 Urban Outfitters Coke Bottle vinyl in gatefold with inner sleeve. The album is a concept album that tells the story of a character named James McMillan Jr., who is based on one of J. Cole's childhood friends. The album is a tribute to him and his daughter, who is also mentioned throughout the album. The album opens with "For Whom the Bell Tolls," a track that sets the tone for the entire album. The track features a sample of the famous Ernest Hemingway novel of the same name, which discusses the themes of death and sacrifice. The beat is mellow and melancholy, and J. Cole's verses are introspective, hinting at the themes that will be explored throughout the album. Overall, "4 Your Eyez Only" is a powerful and emotional album that explores themes of life, death, love, and loss. The album's production is top-notch, with J. Cole showing off his skills as a producer, and his lyricism is insightful and introspective. While the album may not be for everyone, it is a must-listen for fans of J. Cole and fans of introspective rap music. more
	4 Your Eyez Only New - LP - B0026313-01 Sealed 2017 Urban Outfitters Exclusive In Gatefold With Hype Sticker. more
	Born Sinner New - LP - B0037697-01 Sealed 2023 2LP deluxe edition reissue pressed on opaque gold vinyl. "If his debut found J. Cole bringing the sound of Drake down to the streets, the Roc Nation rapper's sophomore effort finds him going for the full Illuminati and attempting an ambitious, multi-faceted album in the style of his label boss, Jay-Z. No spoiler alert required for that one as the opening "Villuminati" has the gall to sample Biggie's classic "Juicy" while using Jay's nickname as a mantra by repeating "Sometimes I brag like Hov," but besides this, Born Sinner is the a more self-confessional and word-filled effort than before, all of it very busy and Black Album minus the references to Beyoncé and the beats from Rick Rubin. Cole is the one who produced most of the album himself with his Kanye-sense of sampling (work songs, gospel, old soul, etc.) and his love of hard bass (check "Trouble," "Chaining Day," or infectious single "Power Trip" for some great low end) both returning from before, but it's his love of jazz that provides the greatest rewards as "Forbidden Fruit" (it's like Erykah Baduh meets Ice Cube on this soulful dude cut with guest Kendrick Lamar) and "Let Nas Down" (a pledge to honor the man with better rhymes and less pop) are both driven by their Blue Note-inspried backbeats. All this bold borrowing is backed up by lyrics that flow fine until their shocking twists ("She raisin' that guy's kids while she swallowin' mine"), while "She Knows" with Dirty Projectors vocalist Amber Coffman is shameless enough to spit "This is Martin Luther King in the Club/With a bad bitch in his ear/Saying that she down for whatever/In the back of his mind is Coretta." It's snide, smart-ass stuff and when it comes to sublime/ridiculous balancing act that his heroes Jay-Z and Nas have mastered, Cole is a little short on the sublime side here to be considered classic. Still, "Crooked Smile" with special guests TLC is a genuine, mature step in the right direction and will have no trouble reaching vintage age. A handful of other numbers carry that same weight, making Born Sinner a daring step forward for Cole and an exciting attempt at mastering Jay's Blueprint style." All Music Guide - David Jefferies more
	Cole World: The Sideline Story New - LP - B0037373-01 Sealed 2023 2LP reissue. Cole's debut record available for the first time on vinyl! "Anyone who encountered his numerous mixtapes can tell you that before his official debut landed, rapper/producer J. Cole had spent some time bringing the whole Drake, Wale, and Big Sean style to a more street level. It’s worth mentioning because Cole World: The Sideline Story has little of that debut desire to cross over, and while the multi-talented Cole is a skilled, interesting beat-maker in his own right, a superstar production would have certainly made this album more approachable. Instead, No I.D. -- the biggest behind-the-boards name here -- turns in a sluggy, druggy construction for “Never Told,” Cole's deep, rich study of father/son confidence. Cole handles most of the rest on his own, turning in B+ stabs at dubstep (“Mr. Nice Watch” with guest and label boss Jay-Z), indie-hop (“Cole World” or “flossin’ with a laptop”), and his own humbler version of the Roc-A-Fella sound (the great single “Lights Please”). Add an “Intro” and then a part III -- the first two parts to be found on earlier mixtapes -- and you’re practically telling the aboveground crowd they’re stale from the start, but the tradeoff is a talent that has matured in the underground and is free of any forced outside influence. Cole’s fantastic style shoots off bold punch lines one minute (“I blow brains, Cobain-style”) and then goes deep the next, with equal skill and all while stringing together eye-level, real-life stories that have that classic flow. The reservation count is high and the flaw count is zero, and in this case, that’s the proper formula for a rich hip-hop album. Take a couple listens, let it sink in, and then discover that Cole World is one hell of a debut." All Music Guide - David Jeffries more
	KOD New - LP - B0028571-01 Sealed 2018 pressing in gatefold. "KOD" is the fifth studio album by J. Cole, released on April 20th, 2018. The album title stands for "Kids on Drugs," "King Overdosed," and "Kill Our Demons," and explores themes of addiction, mental health, and societal pressures. Overall, "KOD" is a well-crafted and thought-provoking album that showcases J. Cole's lyrical prowess and ability to tackle complex topics with nuance and depth. more
	KOD New - LP - B0028571-01 Sealed 2018 Signed original. Autograph is on the cover under the shrink. These were available for purchase on his webstore for twenty four hours. "KOD" is the fifth studio album by J. Cole, released on April 20th, 2018. The album title stands for "Kids on Drugs," "King Overdosed," and "Kill Our Demons," and explores themes of addiction, mental health, and societal pressures. Overall, "KOD" is a well-crafted and thought-provoking album that showcases J. Cole's lyrical prowess and ability to tackle complex topics with nuance and depth. more
	The Off-Season New - LP - B0034081-01 Sealed 2021 Original Gatefold Issue. Features From 21 Savage, Lil Baby & Bas. more
	The Off-Season New - LP - B0034081-01 Sealed 2021 gatefold original. Not the misprint! "Made in France" sticker on back. "As a technically masterful rapper, skilled producer, and exacting lyricist, North Carolina-based J. Cole has grown into one of the most commercially successful rappers of his era without sacrificing an ounce of artistry to appeal to mainstream audiences. While his production can be great, it's never particularly geared toward crossover hits, leaving raw talent and personality as the driving force behind Cole's string of platinum-selling releases. Though his music is immensely popular, it has never been particularly fun. Albums have centered around heavy themes of death and addiction, and while his intricate lyrical perspectives are often flawlessly delivered, he's also prone to self-seriousness and hypercritical takes on the world around him. Sixth album The Off-Season finds Cole lightening up a little. Named after the sports term for taking a break from the regular season to sharpen your game, The Off-Season changes up Cole's approach in several ways, breaking away somewhat from his personal storytelling style in favor of more wordplay and complexly constructed bars. This can be felt almost immediately on opening track "9 5 . S o u t h," an anthemic song complete with early-2000s-styled horn samples and club chants as Cole spills out nonstop one-liners and rapidly switching flows. It's all bragging and brutalizing the opposition, and it's a welcome relief from the weighty atmosphere that often accompanies Cole's music. He also foregoes his usual "no features" approach, collaborating with multiple other artists throughout The Off-Season's 12 songs. 21 Savage and Morray join Cole on the soul-trap beat of "M y . L i f e," and Lil Baby contributes to "P r i d e . I s . t h e . D e v i l," one of the album's most melodically hooky tracks. In a particularly meta moment, Cole raps about getting into a scuffle with Diddy on "L e t . G o . M y . H a n d" and the song ends with a spoken prayer from Diddy himself. There are still remnants of the crabby perspectives Cole exhibited to a greater degree on earlier albums. He spends the majority of "T h e . C l i m b . B a c k" examining his place in the rap landscape and bemoaning the culture around rap in general with a weary scrutiny that showed up more often on previous efforts. It's one of just a few moments of its type on the record, however, and Cole showcases his versatility by exploring other outlooks. The album is a varied selection with solid performances and production throughout. Much like the title suggests, The Off-Season feels like Cole running through different exercises as he gets in shape for something bigger." All Music Guide - Fred Thomas more
	The Off-Season New Import - 00810061165194 Sealed 2021 Original Gatefold Issue, With Misprint On Spine "He Off-Season". more