“Being good is good, that’ll get you Drew Gooden, but me I want Jordan numbers, Lebron footing.”
With a simple message of “Much Love”, J. Cole released some new music last night in the form of “The Return of Simba”. Cole has used the “Lion King’s” main character many times in his music, referring to himself as Simba, a young kid destined to be king, being trained for the throne. The taking of the crown has been a longtime coming though for Cole, who told us back in 2010 that his debut LP was almost done and would be released that year. It’s more than 12 months later, and we have yet to see his album get a release date. J. Cole did write on his site back on May 3rd that his album would be done this month, and that the mixing and mastering sessions were on the way. In the time since the he inked with Roc Nation there’s been growing chatter and rumors about the reasons for the delay and a sense of growing frustrations on the part of J. Cole. After a few listens to “The Return of Simba”, which carries J’s staple soulful and boom-bapstic production, you can hear that frustration and an emphasis on patience. He ends the song with the line “I only make classics, what that take? timing, Cole under pressure, what that make, diamonds.” It’s another reference to the wait for his debut, as well as the mounting anticipation, and for some doubt that he can live up to the hype. Also on the song he makes reference to perhaps older heads and industry executives that don’t get where he’s coming from and are holding back the music, as he continues to perfect his LP and do what is needed to see a release.
I think J. Cole is a very talented emcee and producer that could be well served to release an LP and get the debut monkey off his back. J. Cole seems to fitted for a career in the industry, with his first album just being the start of a brilliant catalog. Let’s get it already and let him breathe, all this build up and talk about the build up may satisfy some fans, but what is the real point? Listen to the new one below.
[audio: http://rubyhornet.com/media/rh/music/j_cole_return_of_simba.mp3|width=180]