With the morning dew refreshed
thinking of a life redressed
How would it be,
a field of flowers
seeds planted in ground
no showers
should we dare grow
a colorless field
filled with different archetypes
side effects in plain view
sorted climate change
distorted by way of natures abstract
how would we think of beauty
untamed
When did it become
hit and runs
championing trophies
divide and conquest
How did we destroy your beauty
stop enjoying the simplicities
of conversation
noticing your pet peeves
hearing that sweet symphonic
sound in your laughter
how did we start putting
sex before sex
wheres the value in investments
plundering and pillaging
adventurous lust compelling
guts for glory
where is the chase
what makes it worth while
knowing you before I know you
knowing what I like about you
before knowing how to like you for you
how can one determine worth
when countless others have tried
to show me for you
I am at a loss beginning to think that
this is how the world should
treat you
despite my values and belief in courtship
one day you will be my daughter
or he your son
and I will have to live with
the world I have helped shape
convince you
to look at me the same
as I look at you
where is forever in that
I pray that control and discipline
continue to direct me
in the way of valuing so i can be
the reason for my own not to
devalue
I heard what you had to say yesterday
the pain felt anger
condemning those who seek to control the outcome
conveyance of blatant murder
they say the flavor of death has been seasoned
by we who sprinkle tweaks
in audibles of failed reason
claiming it’s ok when we
let
lo-jacking our young
start
hi-jacking our minds
we begin to start killing our kind
silently
postponing thoughts of saving countless lives
loosing them to the streets whether it be black on black crime
or mishandled weapons of mass destructions
still we choose when to yell bloody murder
ouija
are you with me
there’s bound to be plenty of fruitful nights
lying ahead just around the bend
over there…
yes, and right here
look in your backyards
because while we lay sleep-dormant to the fight
I am still him
and we are still you
lost ones dying in the light
caught in the crosshairs of an uneven life
pitted within the mixture of matchbox realities
and hand grenades
who stands witnesses to those cocktail bombs thrown
at hollowed tree’s and burning crosses
lives hanging in the balance
triggers pulled as chaos runs through the night
maybe we are scared of the fight
too numb to find a way to deliver proper justice
in the hour when no one is looking
I never thought death
a natural happening
would attack before its scheduled time
an unbecoming enemy considering the inevitable
what becomes of…
I am him and we are you
when it causes me to keep check of my neck and shoulders
when it scares the innocent to be stopped by those blue marching soldiers
I understand the notion of those who think we dont know about the countless others
but we do
ill-advised experiences have shown me to save myself so I can write the plight
of unforgotten memories in remembrance of you
me
we
at the end of the day we dont need things to be televised
this type of…
well hell
lets just say it happens everyday
and why who is the blame
who should feel ashamed
we continue to let it happen
I use to think it was a choice of lifestyle that caused us not to speak
but its plain to see
theres to many dangers in standing up
when murderers are allowed to roam free
we are afraid and held captive by our own mental trappings
so today will remain to be like yesterday
our past, present and future are written
Miss America-petty thoughts
are we about knowledge or about change
American pain.
Who do you think you’re
not
I wonder
to feel compelled enough
to think
you can dictate lifestyle to me
have an opinion on how I should live
do I look like a fraud
using my talents to persuade & manipulate
conquering a fear of breathing under water.
Should I question my morality because you do!
you see I’m trying to stay true
to my value’s but
am I accountable for yours too!!
to live in your skin & perform like you do
See the doctors and scientist never discovered
puppet in my genes, nor the strings attached to one,
wooden cross controlling every movement
and sound that comes from me
but then again I wasn⿿t pieced together with
glue & nails expecting someone to live for me
I admit my wrongs and correct them accordingly
there is only one person that can control or define me
and thats just me
Then I wonder
who do I think I am
that you cant…
who are we?
With that said J.Cole’s, “COLE WORLD THE SIDELINE STORY” is a album rich with life and full of positive messages. Pain, struggle, accomplishments, thats the stuff real life is made of, what could anyone possibly want from an album. As I listen to music, I find a need to seek some type of substance, an underlying message, something to connect to rather than all the materialistic things that have claimed so many lives in today’s society. Something that was lost long ago, meaningful messages, Hip hop has become a cash cow, glamorizing the wrong messages and although all music is a story, it’s a version of some type of truth somewhere, or fantasy, some of these musicians are bojangling a little to much for me. We can’t continue to fall slave to the green paperbacks, is it not weird that we fall privy to the dead presidents… yes think about that question for a minute. I have heard countless people claim that real music doesn’t exist anymore. I must disagree and this album sets an example. Starting from the moment you press play, an inside feel for that moment of success, accomplishment and all that lies in between, sets the stage for one of my favorites “Dollar and a Dream III” (by the way if you listen to any of his mix tapes you will find the other versions I and II, which are very good introductions to having a dream and going for it) The cost of success, decisions everyone has to make to get there, sacrifices and such comes clear in this track. From friends to haters you get the whole emotional roller coaster not just for him making it to this point but think about it, what you have overcame or the decisions you are trying to make, this track in its own way gives insight on how he got through it and how you can too! or better yet just to relate to a mood or feeling you’ve been in.
Track 2: Dollar and a Dream III (click for track audio)
“never seen rich, but Ive seen po,” This track breathes perseverance, strength, determination, and that rare belief that hard work pays off. All he has is a dollar and a dream “life at the bottom, nobody but God got him they say he wouldn’t leave me but Im falling like its autumn,” thats the sound of dreams and given it all to the most high, sometimes you have to believe in something bigger than yourself to receive the strength to keep fighting. In closing the track this last verse just hit home and its something we all go through, how do you decide to let the chips fall? “What do you do when your on your last dollar, and the stress in this mess your in can make your ass holler, do you fold, grow bitter, and grow cold, no longer fighting now the only thing you grow is old, or do you flip that fuckin dollar to a dream, whether a scholar or a friend watch a pawn become a king” All I am trying to let you guys see is with this track you are on a journey, a pawn becoming king/queen. Message is never give up. Ride your one way ticket to the stop and make it happen.
Track 4: Lights Please (click track audio)
What I really like about this track is, he speaks of knowing what he wants and trying to be about something bigger. However, the sexual chemistry and feeling confuses and manipulates how we all fall in this trap of lust. When I start thinking about our youth it gives a better understanding of what our youth are facing. It sheds light on how the intimacies between two individuals is more complex than the act itself, and although I focused on the youth in this track, I understand that it is something that adults face too and how we are all unprepared at times to make the right decision when we fall victims to lust.
Track 6: Lost Ones (click for audio)
What can I say about this track, first off I think it is perfectly placed as an interlude separates this track from lights please. This comes out to the effects of falling to our lustful desires and how youth deal with an unplanned pregnancy. How the background of a individual causes us to think a certain way. How the irresponsible act for the most part makes one thinks responsible, it talks about the decision young couples have to face when one really starts to think of the consequences. It talks about the idea of abortion (not to say this is the only way out, but again one of the decisions are youth are faced with) it talks about abandonment, goals and dreams, it is a beautiful song about the trials and tribulations of youth and in this day and age something that seems to be happening often, not to many people speak about this subject and I happy that I was able to listen to this track.
Track 15: Breakdown (click for audio)
This track is heartfelt, the reunion of seeing your father for the first time after years pass. Its a shame because so many young men have to grow up without their fathers leaving mothers to do their best trying to show boys how to become men, the emotions that go through a young mans head, the feeling of wanting a father and resenting the disappearing act at the same time its crucial leaving you to breakdown. This is a must listen track for those who don’t understand the feelings of an absent father and the needs and want of a child.
These tracks are among my favorites and again I say this album has the ability to become a classic just for all the realistic issues that are being discussed. The voice that this artist represents can calm so many minds give so many strength and that is the making of a solid album to me. Yes you do have the basic tracks of fantasy and enjoyment but it is not cluttered around money, women, and all the things that fame brings, although there is a taste of that as this album is talking about a lot of subjects that we as humans and individuals face, men and women together. Below you will see a video from one of my favorite tracks as Missy Elliot is featured ( one of the most original artist out there) in the album track titled Nobody’s Perfect.
(please leave a comment and let me know what you think about J.COLE, and the Album Review)
LEFLORE INC. 