By Jake Osswald
Contributing Writer
In today’s modern era of hip-hop, many different artists are considered when talking about the greatest of all time, the “GOAT.” Some stick with the older generations and are convinced Tupac, or artists like Notorious B.I.G., Eminem or Jay-Z are the greatest rappers of all time. The younger generation would probably argue that Lil Wayne or other artists like Kendrick Lamar are in this conversation. However, one artist ingrained in today’s culture rarely considered in these conversations is J. Cole. That conversation should change with the release of Cole’s newest single.
There is a clear reason for this as well. J. Cole hasn’t tried to be the GOAT or claim he is the best of the best, unlike other popular artists such as Lamar on “Control,” or Lil Wayne on “Best Rapper Alive.”
One of the only times Cole has ever talked about his status in the current state of hip hop came in the form of “Let Nas Down” on Born Sinner. Here he talks about the disappointment of his peers with his music. This being one of the only tracks where he discusses this shows he hasn’t been aggressive enough in presenting himself to be a valid artist to be considered in arguments about the greatest of all time.
That was one of the last times Cole discussed anything about his current place in hip-hop until Jan. 23, when he dropped the single, “Middle Child.” This track featured a trumpet-heavy, bass-filled beat in which he made some statements on the current state of the hip-hop genre. His feelings in this song seemed to show a shift in his attitude. It seemed in a way he is out for blood now with this song and wants to prove something. He has been doing this the last year with about a dozen features throughout the year on other artists’ songs, something he is not known for at all.
In this single, Cole talks about how he has been counted out and is looking for revenge, which seems to imply that he wants to be taken more seriously in general and be considered when talking about the greatest of all time. He goes on to say he is a legend, when he says, “They act like two legends cannot coexist,” calling himself a legend, which he does not normally do. The way that he has changed his philosophy of being featured on songs and his general presence in the hip-hop community shows he is trying to be taken more seriously.
With a more aggressive and confident persona, it seems something has struck a nerve in Cole. We will just have to wait and see what more he has to say in the three projects he has planned to release before 2019 is over.
osswaljw17@bonaventure.edu
