I’m not going to get into the “beef” between J. Cole and Kendrick and these other “beefs” because these aren’t real, they aren’t good, they really don’t know what a true Hip-Hop beef is all about.  These current beefs have no teeth, they just don’t push the needle, but then again today’s Hip Hop doesn’t have the teeth, the same meaning and talent that Hip Hop used to have. I grew up listening REAL beefs, from KRS-One and MC Shan, LL Cool J and Kool Moe Dee, Dr. Dre and Luke, 50 Cent and Jah Rule, N.W.A. and Ice Cube, Roxanne Shante and The Real Roxanne, as well as Nas and Jay-Z.  These were true battles, you couldn’t wait to hear the next album to find out the best diss tracks and lyrics. These battles weren’t won by record sales or awards, they were won by the fans choosing the winner, being celebrated by the masses. It took Hip Hop to another level. It is safe to say, for the most part, I don’t care for todays Hip-Hop or artists.  But there are a few I can listen to, a few that have a good flow and style.  J. Cole is one of them, and he’s a rapper that could work at different times throughout the history of Hip-Hop.

Might Delete Later is a solid album, or maybe it’s more of a mixtape, not that it matters what you want to call it, but we get that mixtape feel with how it comes together, or I guess doesn’t flow together. But it kind of has the J. Cole album feel where some songs are so strong and hit you in the face with his lyrics and beats, but others just kind of fall a little flat. He starts of with “Pricey” featuring Young Dro & Gucci Mane, with a slow soul beat, some great lyrics and a nice hook. Young Dro and Gucci Mane hit it pretty good in this as well. “Crocodile Tearz” a somber sonic tune with some of Coles most direct bars. The mixtape vibe flows to “Ready ‘24” with Cam’ron joining for a brief cameo. Cole sounds very energized on this muscular, pulse-bumping production with a sample of “I’m Ready.” Cole takes us to the almost cartoonist “Huntin’ Wabbitz.” This trap flow just never takes off, it has a few moments, but you keep waiting for it to take off. We move to “H.Y.B.” by J. Cole, Bas and Central Cee with a nice dose of energy thanks to Bas’ dizzy but catchy hook, giving the track a lot of personality with some sweet chill guitar licks. UK Rapper Central Cee’s appearance is dope, it takes this song to another level.

“Fever” is a catchy tune, it feels like it doesn’t fit in this project, and may not be one of the stronger songs, it is really about J. Cole's crooning. Does it completely work, no, but it is fun. We move to “Stickz N Stonez” with its clever harmonies and beat. Cole spitting like Cole spits, changing up his tempo from time to time. We are hit with what would be one of my favorite tracks “Pi” featuring Ab-Soul & Daylyt. Daylyt tag teams with Ab-Soul over this soulful groovy tune. But Cole hits us with a transphobic lyric which really effects how I am looking at him now. No need to go there. “Stealth Mode” by J.Cole and Bas is next and honestly I am not sure why people went crazy over this diss track about Kendrick. It is pretty mild like a store-bought Indian dinner. If you want to go after another rapper, make it real, make them feel it and think about it.  Its not a bad song, I was just expecting more. “3001” is up next where Cole unleashes a sonic assault, displaying his lyrical competence and dominance at this point of his career. This track has a menacing, bass-heavy beat that thumps rather than simmers, heightened by layers of unsettling synths. We move onto “Trae The Truth In Ibiza,” a song that kinda falls flat, not much too it musically or lyrically. The album or mixtape is finished off with “7 Minute Drill” a simple song with some good lyrics, he let’s us know several times he has much respect for Kendrick.  Which makes this whole “beef” seem silly. Some fans may think it’s great, but really it just makes it all fall short. 

As a release, Might Delete Later is good but it does feel at times like it was a bit rushed. There is some excellent J. Cole going on throughout, but some areas that it just doesn’t hit right.  It is a good set up to his upcoming album, The Fall Off. An album where Cole can prove he is one of the best of his generation.

One Love - Todd