J. Cole Responded and It's Bad

fantano

5 Apr 202408:38

Summary

TLDRIn the video transcript, the reviewer discusses J. Cole's response to Kendrick Lamar through a new track on a surprise release titled 'Might Delete Later'. The reviewer criticizes the instrumental as weak and the beat as unconvincing. They also analyze Cole's lyrics, suggesting that his heart doesn't seem to be in the diss track and that the response feels half-hearted. Despite the lackluster attempt, the reviewer acknowledges the complexity of the situation, noting that the hip-hop community's expectations and the pressure to engage in such disputes might not align with Cole's artistic vision or personal feelings.

Takeaways

🎵 J. Cole released a surprise track responding to Kendrick Lamar, titled 'might delete later'.
🎶 The instrumental of the track was criticized as weak and lacking impact.
🎤 J. Cole's vocal delivery was described as half-hearted and underwhelming.
🔥 The lyrics suggest that J. Cole perceives the challenge as easy, with the line 'light work like it's PWC'.
🌐 The chorus is considered forgettable and lacks the catchiness J. Cole is known for.
💡 J. Cole uses a simile comparing himself to The Simpsons, which was deemed not impactful.
🏆 J. Cole acknowledges Kendrick Lamar's classic albums but criticizes his more recent work.
🔄 Kendrick Lamar is known for his aggressive stances and challenges towards contemporaries.
🤺 The second verse of J. Cole's track switches to a better instrumental but maintains a tone of reluctance.
🚫 The overall assessment of J. Cole's response is that it lacks the heart and interest he usually puts into his work.

Q & A

What is the title of J. Cole's project in response to Kendrick Lamar?
-The title of J. Cole's project is 'might delete later'.
How does the commentator describe the instrumental of the track?
-The commentator describes the instrumental as weak, lacking in strength and conviction.
What is J. Cole's initial attitude towards the diss track according to the transcript?
-J. Cole's initial attitude is described as half-hearted and underwhelming, suggesting he didn't really want to engage in the diss track.
What is the commentator's take on the phrase 'cold world' used in the chorus?
-The commentator views the phrase 'cold world' as overused and lacking originality, having lost its appeal over time.
How does the commentator describe the impact of the Simpsons simile used by J. Cole?
-The commentator finds the simile to be weak and a strange admission, as The Simpsons is still a popular and influential show despite its long run.
What does the commentator say about Kendrick Lamar's history with contemporaries?
-The commentator notes that Kendrick Lamar has a history of being aggressive with some of his contemporaries and often throws out challenges.
How does the commentator view J. Cole's reference to Stone Temple Pilots?
-The commentator finds the reference to Stone Temple Pilots to be out of place and not fitting the tone of a diss track, describing it as silly and goofy.
What is the commentator's overall assessment of J. Cole's response track?
-The commentator considers the response track to be weak and not reflective of J. Cole's true Artistry or capability, as it seems he wasn't genuinely interested in engaging in such a response.
Why does the commentator sympathize with J. Cole despite the track being mediocre?
-The commentator sympathizes with J. Cole because it appears he didn't want to engage in the diss track and it doesn't reflect his true intentions or direction for his career.
What does the commentator suggest about the expectations of the hip-hop community?
-The commentator suggests that the hip-hop community can be toxic in its expectations, pressuring artists to engage in conflicts they may not be interested in, and potentially leading to unfavorable public opinion if they choose not to participate.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 J. Cole's Response to Kendrick Lamar: An Underwhelming Retort

This paragraph discusses J. Cole's reaction to Kendrick Lamar through a new track on his surprise release, 'might delete later.' The critique focuses on the track's instrumental, describing it as weak and lacking impact. It also analyzes Cole's vocal delivery as half-hearted, suggesting his reluctance to engage in the feud. The lyrics are examined, pointing out the repetitive use of 'cold world' and the forgettable nature of the chorus. The paragraph further delves into the similes and metaphors used, questioning their effectiveness and relevance. It concludes by addressing the core criticism of J. Cole's music being boring and the irony of his current position in the rap hierarchy.

05:03

🕊️ J. Cole's Reluctance and the Toxicity of Hip-Hop's Expectations

This paragraph delves into J. Cole's reluctance to fully engage in a diss track against Kendrick Lamar. It highlights the pressure from the hip-hop community for a strong response and Cole's stated intention to maintain a stance of peace. The summary critiques the wordiness of the lyrics and the lack of impactful punches, despite some clever wordplay. It also discusses the complex emotions behind the response, suggesting that J. Cole's true feelings might be misinterpreted as weakness. The paragraph ends by sympathizing with J. Cole's position, recognizing that his lack of enthusiasm for the diss track does not diminish his artistic talent or credibility.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡J Cole

J Cole is a prominent figure in the hip-hop community known for his introspective lyrics and storytelling abilities. In the context of the video, he is the subject of discussion as he has released a track in response to Kendrick Lamar. His approach to the situation and the content of his response are analyzed, highlighting his reluctance to engage in the diss track culture and his focus on artistic integrity over controversy.

💡Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is a highly acclaimed rapper recognized for his thought-provoking lyrics and innovative musical style. In the video, he is portrayed as an aggressive contemporary who has challenged J Cole, sparking a discussion about the nature of competition and the expectations within the hip-hop community.

💡Diss Track

A diss track is a song in which an artist criticizes or insults another artist, often as a response to a perceived slight or conflict. In the video, the focus is on J Cole's release of a track in response to Kendrick Lamar, analyzing the quality and intent behind his contribution to this form of artistic expression.

💡Artistry

Artistry refers to the creative skill and expressive ability of an individual, particularly in the context of the arts. In the video, artistry is a central theme as it discusses the quality of J Cole's response track and contrasts it with the artistry displayed in Kendrick Lamar's work.

💡Hip-Hop Culture

Hip-hop culture encompasses the various elements that comprise the musical genre of hip-hop, including rap music, DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti art. The video delves into one aspect of hip-hop culture: the tradition of rappers engaging in verbal battles or 'beefs' through diss tracks, and how this practice influences the perception of artists within the community.

💡Lyricism

Lyricism in music refers to the use of language in a poetic and expressive manner, particularly in songwriting. In the context of the video, lyricism is a critical aspect of evaluating the quality of a diss track and the skill of the rappers involved. The analysis focuses on the effectiveness of J Cole's lyrics in comparison to Kendrick Lamar's.

💡Beat

In music, a beat refers to the rhythmic foundation of a song, often created by a producer and providing the structure for the rapper's lyrics. The quality of a beat can significantly impact the overall reception of a track. In the video, the beat of J Cole's response track is criticized for being weak and not enhancing the listening experience.

💡Vocal Delivery

Vocal delivery refers to the way a singer or rapper performs their lyrics, including aspects such as tone, emotion, and clarity. In the context of the video, vocal delivery is a significant factor in evaluating the effectiveness of a diss track. The critique of J Cole's vocal delivery indicates a lack of conviction and energy.

💡Chorus

The chorus is the recurring part of a song that is typically memorable and carries the main theme or message. In the video, the critique of J Cole's chorus highlights its lack of catchiness and memorability, which are essential qualities for a successful track in the context of popular music.

💡Simile

A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two different things, often using the words 'like' or 'as.' In the context of the video, the use of similes in J Cole's lyrics is analyzed for its effectiveness in conveying his message and enhancing the artistic quality of the track.

💡Rap Feud

A rap feud refers to a conflict or disagreement between rappers that is expressed through their music, often in the form of diss tracks. The video discusses the dynamics of such feuds and the expectations placed on artists to engage in these exchanges, exploring the reluctance of J Cole to participate fully in this particular feud with Kendrick Lamar.

Highlights

Jason Herbert Coleman II (J. Cole) responds to Kendrick Lamar with a new track.

The track is part of a surprise release project titled 'might delete later'.

The instrumental of the track is criticized as weak and lacking impact.

J. Cole's vocal delivery is described as half-hearted and underwhelming.

The phrase 'cold world' is used, which is considered overused and lacking originality.

The chorus is deemed forgettable and not catchy.

J. Cole uses a simile comparing himself to The Simpsons, which is considered a weak comparison.

Kendrick Lamar's influence and classic moments in his career are praised.

J. Cole's criticism of Kendrick's more recent work is highlighted.

The line 'your second [album] put dudes to sleep' is a bold critique.

J. Cole mentions his own success and position in the industry.

The beat switch in the second verse is praised as better than the initial beat.

J. Cole expresses reluctance to engage in a toxic back-and-forth.

The phrase 'SWAT and a fly' is used to describe a potential powerful response.

J. Cole's use of Stone Temple Pilots references is considered out of place and ineffective.

The response track is seen as a warning shot rather than a serious diss.

The overall assessment is that J. Cole's heart wasn't in the response, affecting the track's quality.

Despite the track's perceived weaknesses, J. Cole's artistry and capability are not questioned.