The friend is also a soldier, but in the fight against poverty through pushing drugs. Ernest Hemmingway’s novel recounts the story of an American soldier in the Spanish Civil War, in which case the title could act as a parable for the man whose story Cole is telling. Cole echoes this tone as he hears the bell getting louder preparing for death, searching for a solution, but knowing the bell tolls for “he” (whether it is his perspective or James’). This is especially pertinent in the plight of African Americans during the search for a solution to systematic violence and institutionalized racism in the United States. Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee” connect the speaker to the death of others. Donne’s poem preaches peace the lines “Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. A reflection on his current environment, Cole’s titling of the song could be paying homage to two artistic works: a poem by John Donne bearing the same name, or the famous work by Ernest Hemmingway. The song is not so self-indulgent, instead representing the pain and exasperation that comes from the deaths of many.
Lines like “Do I wanna die? I don’t know” and “Tired of feelin’ low, even when I’m high” pivot off of themes in Cole’s previous albums, highlighting his own depression. The vibe-machine triplets, paired with flugelhorn licks soaring above, create space for a waterfall of thoughts about death, its inevitability, and what should be done in the meantime to make life worthwhile. The first track, “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” sets the morose tone of the platform J. Cole, a social media hermit, has yet to confirm whether his friend is the subject matter, but regardless, the vibrancy of the feelings expressed, paired with the truth in the general stories, gives a voice to those people lost in the discriminatory system. The result is a craftily-curated album that tells the story of someone who is gone to their daughter. Elite also touches on just how important keeping the theme, message, and commentary clear was in choosing the tracks to include on the album. Cole,” 4 Your Eyez Only humanizes the problems existing for countless, platform-less African Americans today via an allegory lived by Cole’s friend, James MacMillan Jr. Confirmed by co-producer Elite, who says, “the album is largely from a perspective that is not J. “The voice of the voiceless,” as Ibrahim Haram calls Cole, his album generates a parallel story from a perspective that isn’t his, as many fans theorized. Each song chronicles a story, manifesting countless emotions and painting a deep, pensive lament, as opposed to the shallow picture of rage that is easier to understand. This album is especially resonant in the modern environment of police brutality, but the album doesn’t ring as aggressively as those from Cole’s colleagues in the rap game. Cole? Take it from credible sources like Drake, Jay Z, Kevin Durant, and even President Obama that this 31-year-old rapper’s music is what you should be filling your ears with in 2017. Cole’s new album, 4 Your Eyez Only, it’s one of my New Year’s resolutions to change that ASAP. Ten featureless tracks of hard-hitting, brilliant, and bluesy hip-hop. He had earned her love and it felt right. It felt right.everything about what he felt about being Beija’s man, and being the father of her child felt correct and justified.
He loved every minute he was allowed to spend with this woman, and he’d fall in a different kind of love with his child. It still blew his mind how they got to where they were, but he was so sure that this was where he was supposed to be. He still couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that the same girl that enchanted him in that Los Angeles club in 2014 was now pregnant with his future child and was the love of his life. He felt a pressure and a need to conform, but even within all that he had never at any point expected for his life to spiral into a whole different scenario. Back then it seemed so hard for him to transition into. Two years previously, Jermaine had his sights pressed upon going forth with his music and building a life with someone else.
For about a week he just sat in silence a lot, thinking about the new chapter of his life that he was emerging towards.
He still couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that he was going to be a father.