Every J. Cole Album And Mixtape, RANKED

‘KOD’

Image Credit: 'KOD' album cover.

Although J. Cole’s message on KOD was an important one to deliver, the surrounding factors did not come together harmoniously. Cole set out on a mission to provide commentary on “Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed, and Kill Our Demons.” He even adopted an alter ego, kiLL edward, which sparked many fan-led theories and conversations.

The album had highlights like the discourse-triggering “1985” and “Kevin’s Heart” with its accompanying music video featuring Kevin Hart himself. However, the choices on this LP veered too far left, with songs like “ATM” and “Motiv8” sounding inauthentic to his sound. KOD aged as more of an experimental deviant from Cole’s overall artist journey, which isn’t inherently a bad thing, but still lands it at the bottom of his catalogue. 

‘4 Your Eyez Only’

After the success of Forest Hills Drive, expectations were sky high for Jermaine to deliver another project that was as potent as his last. In came 2016’s 4 Your Eyez Only, a 10-track LP that carries out a somber yet beautiful concept of leaving behind intentional words for someone after you’ve passed away. 

4YEO’s tone is more lax, with his highest concentration of forgettable tracks on a single project. Its intro “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” and fillers like “Immortal” and “Deja Vu” aren’t his strongest offerings, but favorites like “Neighbors” and “Change” pick up the pace. 

However, the project houses one of his most piercing storytelling songs of all time, the title track. The nearly 9-minute outro walks the listener through a vivid story told from the perspective of a father, who was navigating his life in the streets while trying his best to provide for his daughter. “4 Your Eyez Only” is the song written for her to listen to if his life was ever cut short. The result is a masterclass in evoking emotion, reminding listeners of the power true Hip-Hop artists have when their art can really put you in the shoes of someone else.

‘The Come Up’

Image Credit: 'The Come Up' cover art.

The Come Up is evidence of Cole not skipping any steps in his journey. This time capsule documents the pure hunger of a rising Fayetteville rapper who knows he has what it takes to make it, but he’s got a long road ahead of him. Fans who were already hip to Cole with this first ‘tape often say the signs were there from the start. The Come Up also kicks off several song series’ that are dear to the hearts of day one fans, like “Simba” and “Dollar And A Dream,” early decisions that deserve their credit for how intentional they were and how much they paid off.

His later mixtapes would go on to blow this first offering out of the water, but The Come Up still puts up a good fight in his catalogue.

‘Cole World: The Sideline Story’

Image Credit: 'Sideline Story' cover art.

After signing to JAY-Z, the pressure was on to deliver a debut album that would put Cole on the map.

Sideline Story isn’t a bad project by any means, as it had stellar highlights like “Nobody’s Perfect” with Missy Elliott, “Rise and Shine,” and “In the Morning” with Drake. It also honored moments that truly represented his journey thus far by including “Lights Please” and “Lost Ones,” two songs that many fans refer to as the moments that won them over for good.

However, “Mr. Nice Watch” featuring Hov aged like milk and the LP’s overall cohesion was lacking. The nail in the coffin is Cole himself expressing he wasn’t fully satisfied with his debut project due to the pressure of “chasing a hit.” His single “Work Out” infamously garnered disapproval from one of his idols, Nas. Because of those sentiments, Sideline Story wasn’t a flawless execution at a critical time in his career, and he was even more determined to get it right with his sophomore project.

‘Might Delete Later’

Image Credit: 'Might Delete Later' cover art

Might Delete Later’s purpose in J. Cole’s overall prolific catalogue is clear: to serve as a stepping stone to The Fall Off. With that mission in mind, Cole delivered a solid mixtape that showed he’s continuing to get his reps in as a true spitter after all these years. The LP hit all his bases. It houses introspective tracks, upbeat hype offerings, impressive and diverse features, and even a rare 2024 Cam’ron guest verse. Despite minimal marketing or warning, the project debuted at an impressive No. 2 spot on the Billboard 200, marking Cole’s eighth project on the chart.

The project’s glaring blemish is its former outro track “7 Minute Drill,” the Kendrick Lamar diss that was later removed after his infamous apology to the Compton rapper at Cole’s 2024 Dreamville Fest. At the very least, it represents a man taking accountability for his actions and correcting them in real time, regardless of what he knew the Hip-Hop community would say. Might Delete Later will forever represent this moment in the scope of his career when it’s all said and done. And due to his intensely loyal and understanding fanbase, he’ll be just fine.

‘The Warm Up’

Image Credit: 'The Warm Up' cover art.

Although FNL is widely regarded as Cole’s best mixtape, The Warm Up deserves its recognition for the integral role it played in the St. John’s alum’s career. The 22-track compilation represents Cole locking in and showing unwavering determination to make his dreams come true, as longtime fans will remember him passing out this mixtape on the street, at festivals, and more. And thankfully, it was actually so good that it caught the attention of JAY-Z.

It’s a treasure chest of older, more playful bars that his audience might chuckle at now, but the overall body of work withstands the test of time. Tracks like “Heartache” and “Royal Flush” show off his flow, and feel-good selections like “Get Away” and “I Get Up” will always be reminiscent of his “college guy just trying to make a way” chapter.

‘The Off Season’

Image Credit: 'The Off Season' cover art.

By 2021, J. Cole was at the top of his mountain. With back-to-back platinum projects under his belt, a sold out inaugural Dreamville Fest in the books, his mega “Middle Child” single, and the respect garnered from his unforgettable “2018 feature run,” what’s left for him to do?

The Off-Season was a good answer. The 12-track album was a strong body of work that fed the appetite of his fans who were waiting for three years for a solo project. In terms of quality, he’s still rapping at a high level, and songs like “My Life” with 21 Savage and Morray and “Pride Is The Devil” with Lil Baby show off his comfortability with crafting hits without compromising lyricism.

His sixth studio album topped the Billboard 200 and was ranked at No. 4 on VIBE’s 2021 list of Best Hip-Hop albums. It got the job done, but lacked a moment that moved the needle. But with a name like The Off-Season, it’s fair to take the project for what it is, and nothing more.

‘Born Sinner’

Image Credit: 'Born Sinner' album cover

J. Cole defeated all the sophomore slump stereotypes, with Born Sinner being one of his strongest projects in his arsenal. Not only did the 2013 release perform well commercially by debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, it reinvigorated his creativity, something he felt he needed to do after releasing Sideline Story.

The cohesion and sequencing are strong, as the songs on the album crescendo from darkness to light with their tone and subject matter. Born Sinner begins with tracks like “Villuminati” and “Land Of The Snakes,” where he’s openly navigating the negatives that come with rising to fame. Some of his best collaborations were housed on this album, such has “Power Trip” with Miguel and “Forbidden Fruit” with Kendrick Lamar. By the end of the album, the listener has traveled through an entire journey of self-discovery and landed on uplifting offerings like the reflective title track and “Crooked Smile” featuring TLC. Moreover, the latter song and “Power Trip” also felt more in line with singles that represent Cole better this time around, a contrast from the attempts on Sideline Story.

The victory lap kept going with the impressive deluxe edition, which added on features from 50 Cent and Jhené Aiko. Within the context of his famous $1 concerts and Dreamville building their roster at the time, many fans remember this era as one of the best times to be a Cole fan.

‘2014 Forest Hills Drive’

Image Credit: 'Forest Hills Drive' cover art.

There comes a time in every prominent artist’s journey when a project in their catalogue catapults them into a different stratosphere, and 2014 Forest Hills Drive achieved just that.

FHD was Cole’s life story packaged into 13 tracks, taking the listener on a voyage through his upbringing, explaining where his drive came from, and arriving at his status as a successful rapper. Every choice was intentional. It begins with his birthday (“January 28th”) and flows through the honest thoughts he had as an adolescent, to facing life as an imperfect public figure. The deeper overall message of loving the journey you’re on is explained beautifully on “Love Yourz,” an impactful record that had real-life positive influence beyond just words over an instrumental.

Not only is the project one of his most commercially successful offerings on paper, Hip-Hop lovers remember the era as a whole due to the flawless campaign ran by Dreamville. The project was paired with a documentary, a homecoming tour, and even had fans flying in from all over the country to visit his childhood home in Fayetteville, NC. Its lasting impression amongst fans was well-earned.

Numbers-wise, FHD is the shining star of his entire discography. The project went on to go 6x Platinum, with individual songs stacking standalone plaques: “No Role Modelz” is 14x Platinum, “GOMD” is 4x Platinum, and “Love Yourz” and “Apparently” each have 3 Platinum certifications.

‘Friday Night Lights’

Image Credit: 'Friday Night Lights' cover art.

Every artist has their magnum opus, and in 2010, Jermaine Cole presented his to the world. Friday Night Lights is Cole at his absolute best; The beat selection is pristine, the storytelling is potent, and the project feels true to who he wishes to represent himself as during his journey to the top. 

He bravely tackles classic instrumentals like Kanye West’s “Devil In A New Dress” and Erykah Badu’s “Didn’t Cha Know,” risky moves that yielded high rewards once his reinterpretations stuck their respective landings. “Home For The Holidays” aged to become an anthem for hometown heroes, and blog era lovers were gifted the memorable “You Got It” collaboration with Wale.

The release also won him Best Mixtape of the Year at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards, and more importantly, approval from his peers, OGs, and future dedicated fans.