On this day, Dec. 9, in hip-hop history...
Cole's new album, 2014 Forest Hill Drive, leaked today, and I can honestly say it's up there with Drake's NWTS album, Cole pressuring Drizzy. Results 1 - 10 of 10 - Free parkway drive album deep blue cover bajan style zip. Wednesday 27. Cole 2014 Forest Hills Drive Album Download. Dec 9, 2014 - Find a J. Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive first pressing or reissue. Complete your J. Cole collection. Shop Vinyl and CDs.
2014: Just as a lackluster year in hip-hop was coming to an end, North Carolina rapper J. Cole surprised everyone by dropping one the best albums of his career thus far, his third studio LP 2014 Forest Hills Drive.
The name of the album comes from Cole's childhood home in Fayetteville, N.C., that was foreclosed on while the rapper was away in New York for college. Much of the album's subject matter recounts Cole's adolescence, him moving from a small town to a big city to pursue his dreams and him dealing with the perks and pitfalls of the music industry. Though Jermaine controlled much of the production himself, the Dreamville boss employed the likes of Illmind, Vinylz, Phonix Beats and Willie B to help.
With only three weeks of prior notice, no marketing, no features and no singles to hype the release, Forest Hills debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, moving 353,000 copies in the first week. J. Cole's overwhelming success with his bare-bones approach to releasing the album is what inspired other artists to switch up their marketing and album promo in subsequent years.
The album was met with rave reviews from critics. Though it spawned commercial singles like 'Apparently,' 'Wet Dreamz,' and 'No Role Modelz,' fans and critics commended Cole for his production and crazy lyricism on even the deep cuts. Though it was dropped just as fourth quarter was coming to a close, the album ended up on many of music's Best of 2014 lists.
'J. Cole has finally shored up those tiny but aggravating cracks, and crafted both his most compelling and consistent studio album to date,' wrote XXL when awarding the album an 'XL' rating. 'Hip-hop fans can be some of the most difficult to satisfy, and while there is no atrocious songs on 2014 Forest Hills Drive, this album reinforces the faith that Cole is a superstar.'
The album won Cole plenty of awards, was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 58th Annual Grammys and sent the rapper on a stadium tour for the majority of 2015.
Two years later, thanks to his steadfast fanbase, 2014 Forest Hills Drive is certified double platinum by the RIAA.
Exactly two years later, the illusive Jermaine dropped his fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only, on Dec. 9, 2016. He followed generally the same formula of no features, no singles and little promo prior to dropping the project. Having since been certified platinum and reaching number 1 on the Billboard 200, the follow-up album certainly lived up to the precedence set by 2014 Forest Hills Drive, and laid the groundwork for Cole's successful KOD album, which was released in April of this year.
See Photos of J. Cole’s Different Looks Over the Years
Rapper J. Cole has unveiled the track list for his surprise new studio album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, which is scheduled for release on Dec. 9.
Cole caught fans off guard by announcing the new release, his third studio effort, with a Facebook post on Nov. 16.
“What up? My New Album is finished. It's called 2014 Forest Hills Drive and it's very special to me. It's available everywhere on 12/9. This time I'm releasing no singles, just the album. See you in 3 weeks. Thank you for the love and support,” he wrote.
J Cole Forest Hill Drive Album Zip
Tracklist. Pre-order the album 2014 Forest Hills Drive. http://t.co/msK0s3KpZa available 12/9 pic.twitter.com/yowcblSWJz
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) November 30, 20142014 Forest Hills Drive is named after the address of Cole's childhood home in Fayetteville, N.C. The rapper accompanied the announcement with a seven-minute trailer in which he takes viewers back to his hometown and visits memorable spots, including his high school and the skate park.
The upcoming 13-track album is available for pre-order on iTunes.
Cole's last album, Born Sinner, peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in July 2013.
Here's the track list for J. Cole's upcoming album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive:
1. “Intro”
2. “January 28th”
3. “Wet Dreamz”
4. “03’ Adolescence”
5. “A Tale of 2 Citiez”
6. “Fire Squad”
7. “St. Tropez”
8. “G.O.M.D.”
9. “No Role Modelz”
10. “Hello”
11. “Apparently”
12. “Love Yourz”
13. “Note to Self”