J. Cole’s Dreamville Records drops an album worthy of ‘Album of the Year’

Jacob Egozi, Staff Writer|September 9, 2019

XXL Magazine

Released on July 2, Revenge of the Dreamers III was the third album release from J. Cole and Dreamville Records. This album was arguably one of the most awaited of the year, and in the first week of sales, obtained over 120,000 copies. Many of the songs on this album include underground rappers such as Earthgang, JID, Mez, and new and upcoming rapper DaBaby. This album was one of the best of 2019, and in my opinion could make a run for Album of the Year and win a Grammy.

Revenge was very hard to review because almost every song was so close to another in lyrical and musical quality. With its mixtures of mumble rap, hip-hop and more of a trap style rap, it truly has it all. Many songs such as “Sleep Deprived”, “Swivel” and “Sacrifices” have a melodic beat and a harmonial tone making them relaxing and calm while other songs such as “Wells Fargo” are more hype with louder bass and more of a trap vibe. This shows the true diversity of the album while also showcasing the pure talent.

Many of the 34 artists are unknown with less exposure and are still able to produce Billboard worthy songs. Revenge debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard 200 and has already given unknown rappers publicity and showcased their skills.

One of the best things about J. Cole is his ability to make a strong first impression. This album starts off strong, with the debut song being “Under The Sun” containing features from DaBaby, Luse, and himself. This song is my personal favorite due to its clever lyrical message, and its upbeat tone.

The rest of the album stays solid with almost every song containing strong lyrical content and a creative and hype beat. Even the songs that are more tranquil contain intelligent lyrics along with a strong and original beat.

The song “Down Bad” includes lyrics such as: “B***h, we came from nothin’ just like the big bang theory that poverty stains kept the pain buried and covered the shame with a dream we would have fortune and fame,” shows just some of the genius lyrics incorporated into this album. The rappers use different tones and creative word choice to show how talented they truly are and talk about their lives with clever lines and metaphors throughout the songs.

Most of these songs are different from traditional rap today and instead of talking about money or girls, it discusses poverty and the rappers’ old lives. It also conveys melodic beats and combines the two best concepts of rap to create an amazing project. This album was overall amazing and lived up to its six months of hype.

J. Cole takes today’s rap and transforms it into a world or lyrical songs and original beats that are a good fit for almost any listener. The combination of lyrical flow with the intense beats and raw talent, causes it to be an amazing project worthy of Album of the Year. If you’re looking for a tracklist that is the perfect way to start or end your day, then this album is perfect for you.

Personal Rating and Enjoyment: 9.25/10

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