*Disclaimer I LIKE J.Cole. Just wanted to clear that up for you guys lol.*

Ahem, Shawn, do you KNOW what type of shit storm you just caused for your understudy? In a perfect world, a statement like this would shut up every naysayer from here to Sydney, Australia. But we all know this isn’t a perfect world because if it was, there would be a Coldstone, Calamari, and a store selling nothing but leggings and wifebeaters to women through the ages of 21-35 within WALKING distance of The Ivey Inn. Instead, I have to hop in my car and drive 5 minutes down the road to get Coldstone and 20 minutes to get a Beef Burrito, all of which the female servers are HIDEOUS. I digress.

Earlier today, the good folks of RU plastered a piece on their site about Mr. Carter calling Jermaine’s debut project a “classic.” No other words, though there are a BILLION other adjectives to use, that man used “Classic.” Now be that as it may, we might have to give King Hov, well not according to Rolling Stone, some breathing room as he’s probably possessed Cole World: The Sideline Story for quite some time. Hell, the man was there from start to finish so he MIGHT know what he’s talking about. But wait, we’re dealing with a biased opinion for obvious reasons so it might be his job to deem this fresh piece of work a classic to the masses right?

From what we’ve observed thus far from Cole’s rookie debut, classic material hasn’t wiggled it’s way into our ear drums. And this is no form of hate, as said before I’m a fan of the North Carolina upstart, but truth is truth,what we’re currently hearing isn’t classic material. “Work Out” is JUST starting to make it’s way into my daily playlist and that’s only because I want to put Bernice Burgos in a viscous but lovable figure 4 on a deserted island on my birthday. Sidebar: This is the second time Jermaine has brought out a scorching hot video vixen without us knowing who the FUCK she was (the first one was from In The Morning visual with Sherbert.) Was this kid a talent scout for Playboy in his past life? Shit, I have to stop digressing.

I understand “Work Out” is one of those records the “public” needs to get familiar with Mr. Cole, but I’m quite sure there were plenty more joints that could’ve been selected. And I’ve only listened to the Trey Songz assisted “Can’t Get Enough” once because it pretty much sounds like….like….nigga I don’t even KNOW what that shit sounds like. I don’t know man. But, I’ve remained optimistic of this guy for a long time. And whenever I lose hope, I just revert back to the mixtapes The Warm-Up and Friday Night Lights to remind myself WHY I like this dude so much. Now that’s classic material.

Personally, a co-sign like that from Hov has to put an unreasonable amount of pressure on J.Cole. And I know no one asked me, no one ever does lol, but what happens if it’s not? What happens if it’s everything but a classic. I highly doubt this kid has the ability to put out a dud in any form or fashion, well in this LARGE form, but if it’s anything SHORT of a classic, good god the hail storm of criticism this kid will receive won’t be fair or fun. What could this possibly do to his confidence if he even juggles…..JUGGLES the co-sign Hov back handed on his forehead?

Maybe it was best if Shawn just did that signature head nod he does on stage when someone asked “So, how J.Cole’s album?” You can’t detect classic from that gesture right? Only, “Oh, Hov likes his project so I will too.” My man Kaz from The Source, however, said he heard some joints from the project and said the shit was hard. And Kaz is rarely ever wrong. Hell he’s the one that got me hooked on “Rollin” so maybe Hov is on to something. Maybe Roc Nation’s golden goose has a classic on his hands.

Enough of my rambling, what do you guys think? Is Hov right? Was the co-sign to early? Are those two singles early signs of a flop or a classic? I’m here all night.

Again, I like J.Cole lol. *Turns on “Disgusting”

I. Out

Cole World: The Sideline Story hits September 27th