Cole has previously suffered criticism for his self-righteous and at times corny approach to bigger issues. & Envyi, and one of the weaker tracks on the album. The one moment that is something of an outlier on the record is “Deja Vu”, based on a sample of “Swing My Way” by K.P. To that end, for the most part, 4 Your Eyez Only places the narrative above any pursuit of chart success. In its own way, it makes 4 Your Eyez Only as powerful as any of these other releases that have been held up by critics and fans alike. The record is written from the point of view of the very people who the media frequently discuss but rarely talk directly to.
Jcole 4 your eyez only top tracks full#
Whilst 4 Your Eyez Only may not be full of the political rage and rhetoric of Run the Jewels or the figurehead positioning of To Pimp a Butterfly, it presents another perspective, a simpler, more grounded viewpoint.
Most startlingly, the words from his funeral provide a grim reminder of the reality of many families across America.Īlongside the work of artists such as Sly and the Family Stone and Marvin Gaye through to more recent contributions from the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Solange, it is important that major label artists focus on these community and social issues in a positive manner, recognising the conditions and pressures that lead to the difficulties and imploring change at all levels personal, local communities and governmental. However the startling reminder at the end of the record is that however hard someone tries to pull away from their past they can always be pulled back in twice as quick, as the perspective flips back to Cole himself as he reads and hears reports of McMillan’s death at the age of 22.
“Change” sees the lead character embrace the idea of reform and distancing himself from the negative influences of the past. However, alongside the exasperation and frustration there is hope and the desire to make positive changes. Similarly, on “Immortal” Cole laments the racial inequality that has seen just 14 black astronauts at NASA and none of these have stepped foot on the moon and the injustices that leave so many people feeling they have little choice in direction but to follow the pre-ordained route of “sell dope, rap or go to the NBA”. The raid is reported to have followed a tip from the local community, who were concerned by the comings and goings they had seen at the property. It is based on the raid of the Sheltuh, a creative space for Dreamville (Cole’s label and social foundation) associates with a studio in the basement, which was raided for drug offences. Highlight “Neighbours” reflects on the mentality of the white elite of America, the inherent racism that can quickly rear its ugly head and, particularly in light of recent events, lead to more threatening situations. There are also reflections on the social forces driving racial relations in modern America. However, the album is also laced with autobiographical details of Cole’s life, as he himself recently became a father, and more broadly it could be taken to be the narrative of so many young black people living around the world. It charts his decisions to run the streets and sell drugs (“Immortal”), the conflicting desire to provide and care for his girlfriend and daughter (“She’s Mine”) and the anxieties and fears that he won’t be around to do just this (“4 Your Eyez Only”). The album acts as a loose telling of the life and times of James McMillan Jr, a childhood friend of Cole’s (whose name was changed for privacy), who was shot dead, leaving behind a young daughter and had asked Cole to tell his story in the event he died. Throughout the album, there are fantastic examples of his long lauded lyrical and songwriting prowess, driven by social outrage and emotional investment and pulled together by an often compelling narrative. Sonically, the thick drum lines and rolling hi-hats are a fusion of new and old aesthetics, with Cole putting a foot in each camp a student of old school hip-hop but a product of modern times. The stark graphic storytelling is absorbing, packed with rhetorical questions and social insight and reflection. Above the snarling snaps of “Immortal” this feels very much a reality. Indeed, much of 4 Your Eyez Only feels like Cole’s pitch for spokesman of a generation, the voice of the young, isolated and exasperated. This suggests why so many fans have taken to him so keenly, particularly in a genre famed for its larger than life characters and bravado. It presents Jermaine Cole as a humble, grounded man, inquisitive in nature, grateful for his success and invested in making positive change.
4 Your Eyez Only was previewed by a 40-minute documentary, filmed at the Electric Lady Studios in New York during the album recording sessions, which provides some insight into the creative process behind the record.