As the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, North Carolina native J. Cole has a lot to prove. Moving to NYC in early 2004, Cole immediately set upon his mission to secure a record deal and bring his music to the masses. After a meeting with Hov he got his shot and was the first rapper Jay inked to his new label. After an impressive mixtape debut with 2008’s, The Come Up, J. Cole returns with his second taste and what he calls a more mature piece of work entitled The Warm Up. With almost no guest appearances on the tape it seemed as if J. Cole wanted to just let us know about him and why he is in the position he is.

 

Standing at 22 tracks strong it is clear on this tape from the jump why Jay was willing to put his money on the boy. Starting with “Welcome” we get introduced to the growth Cole was speaking on. Like most new rappers today who are getting some shine Cole finds a way to blend both personal content with standard rapper braggadocio.  “Waitin on that shit I prayed fo/ Am I ungrateful?/ want it all so quick/feel the vibrate, hold I got up a call, old bitch/ how she get my new shit?/ I swear this city too small, the type of chick won’t take off her shirt off cuz her titties too small”.

 

J. Cole hails from the south and therefore there is heavy influence content wise in his music. Most of his songs are about struggle and striving to achieve your dreams all with a southern twang yet, delivered with a noticeable east coast style of flow. Think T.I. meets Kanye West and you start to get a better picture of what he’s working with. The young’un continues to let us know why he’s here on tracks like “Dreams” and “Hold It Down”, both which deal with his ups and downs since partaking on his musical journey.

 

Vulnerability is also something that J. Cole doesn’t need any help on as he lets the listener in on some of his private issues with tracks like “Heartache” and “Can I Live” where he reminisces on everything from cheating on ex-girl friends to slain friends from back home.

 

Overall The Warm Up mixtape is another notch on J. Cole’s belt as he fights to be recognized as one of the top MC’s coming out today. My only gripe with the tape is the amount of instrumentals he used instead of original production. Newcomers like B.O.B., Asher Roth and Drake have made original production almost a standard on mixtapes now. However the skill and appreciation for the art form he displays on most of the tracks make up for it. Look for J. Cole. With Jay behind him, this kid’s Warm Up may turn into a championship run.