J Cole doesn’t really want to be famous any more. This is, after all, the same rapper who once wrote: “I’m knee-deep in the game and it ain’t what I thought.” More recently, though, he’s flirted with the idea of withdrawing from the public eye completely. On Jermaine’s Interlude from DJ Khaled’s pop-rap compilation Major Key, which wondered about rap’s place in a world of state-sanctioned violence against unarmed blacks, he said: “How the fuck do I look when I brag to you ’bout some diamonds?/ Said all that I could say, now I play with thoughts of retirement.”
The Album is here on 991Nation For Free, After sending shockwaves throughout the industry over the past week or so, J. Cole releases his highly anticipated new album 4 Your Eyez Only, which appropriately arrives on the two-year anniversary of his last album 2014 Forest Hills Drive.Laced with 10 featureless records in total, the follow up to his.
4 Your Eyez Only Cd
Throughout his career, J Cole has had trouble reconciling his celebrity with his humility, and as he’s gotten more famous, his music has gotten more trite and uneventful. He seemed to be going through the motions until police shootings around the country (and the following protests) snapped him awake. Then, he began to re-evaluate what his music could do.
How #BlackLivesMatter started a musical revolution
J Cole
Cole was among the first responders to the cause, heeding the call from fans looking to anoint a new generation of visible advocates; he was early on the scene in Ferguson after the death of Michael Brown and has written a handful of protest songs since. When Brown was killed, Cole performed an ode called Be Free on the David Letterman show. It was a moving tribute to black lives mattering that unfolded like a vigil on live TV: “Can you tell me why/ Every time I step outside I see my niggas die/ I’m lettin’ you know that there ain’t no gun they make that can kill my soul.” To this day, it remains the most gripping and endearing moment in his canon.
With his new album, 4 Your Eyez Only, Cole channels Be Free, finding a new niche and renewed purpose as a mouthpiece for black frustrations, throwing himself headfirst into rap activism. He does this all while dissecting how stardom has changed his life just enough to make him influential, yet somehow not enough to spare him from racial profiling. “Fuck the fame and the fortune – well, maybe not the fortune / But one thing is for sure though, the fame is exhausting,” he admits on the bass-heavy Neighbors, a fast-paced jam that refuses to confuse upward social mobility with inclusion, as Cole recognizes that his rich neighbors think he made his money “selling dope”. It’s a microcosm of Eyez, which is equal parts personal and political, and absolutely his best album yet.
Outside of Deja Vu, which is basically a rehash of a Bryson Tiller song, Exchange, with the same sample (KP and Envyi’s Swing My Way), this is a collection of songs with a clear and unified vision, scrutinizing mass incarceration, police brutality, toxic masculinity (which he brands as “tough guy culture”) and other tensions plaguing black communities. He does it best on Change, a song that transports the listener into the shootout that took the life of James McMillan Jr, Cole’s friend, and on Immortal, which memorializes those lost to gun violence.
But despite being beset by traumas past and present, Cole finds hope in love. A three-song suite about the power of affection brings balance to an otherwise bleak project. After contemplating suicide on the opener, For Whom the Bell Tolls, he finds a reason to live on She’s Mine Pt 1: “I’ve fallen in love for the first time/ I wanna cry and I ain’t even tryna fight it / Don’t wanna die (I don’t wanna die no more) / Cause now you’re here.” She’s Mine Pt 2 is a reprise, this time dedicated to his newborn daughter, but with the same touching sentiments. Both have gorgeous, string-laced arrangements, complementing the mood. The best of the three songs is Foldin Clothes, which turns menial labor into a romantic gesture, further implying Cole’s desire for a simpler life.
Another outing without featured performers, 4 Your Eyez Only is packed with detailed compositions lined with lush live instruments from session musicians and additional production and programming from heavy hitters, including Boi-1da, Vinylz, Frank Dukes, members of the Social Experiment, and, of course, Cole himself. It is his most unassuming record to date, but also his richest sonically. There is still significant room for growth, but he has finally found his voice. It’s only when he questioned his motivations that he discovered what was truly valuable: peace of mind.
| Tour by J. Cole | |
| Associated album | 4 Your Eyez Only |
|---|---|
| Start date | June 1, 2017 |
| End date | December 9, 2017 |
| Legs | 3 |
| No. of shows |
|
| Box office | $35,600,000[1] |
| J. Cole concert chronology | |
| |
4 Your Eyez Only World Tour was a concert tour by American recording artist J. Cole, to support his fourth studio album 4 Your Eyez Only (2016).[2]Dreamville artists J.I.D, Ari Lennox and Lute served as opening acts on the first leg of the tour.[3] Singer Anderson .Paak and rapper Bas served as opening acts on the second leg of the tour, along with J.I.D and Ari Lennox.[4] Dreamville artists J.I.D., Ari Lennox and EarthGang served as opening acts on the European leg of the tour.[5]
Background[edit]
To further promote his fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only, Cole announced 4 Your Eyez Only World Tour on February 21, 2017.[2] The tour was to include 62 dates across North America, Europe and Australia. The first 13 dates took place in smaller, intimate venues, while the remaining set of dates will take place in arenas. The tour began on June 1, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina and concluded on December 9, 2017 in Perth, Australia.[6]
A limited-edition 4 Your Eyez Only collectors' set was made available for pre-order on February 22, 2017 via Dreamville's website, with a shipping and release date of April 28, 2017.[7] The bundle included 4 Your Eyez Only on vinyl, cassette and CD, or each could be purchased individually. The set also included limited artwork and 4 Your Eyez Only tour pre-sale access.[8]
Opening acts[edit]
- J.I.D(Leg 1, leg 2, European leg)
- Ari Lennox(Leg 1, leg 2, European leg)
- Lute(Leg 1)
- Anderson .Paak(Leg 2, selected dates)
- Bas(Leg 2)
- Cozz(performed with Bas during the opening act for majority of Leg 2)
- EarthGang(European leg)
J Cole 4 Your Eyes Only Download
Set list[edit]
- 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'
- 'Immortal'
- 'Deja Vu'
- 'Ville Mentality'
- 'Change' (with Ari Lennox)
- 'Lights Please'
- 'Nobody's Perfect'
- 'Can't Get Enough'
- 'Forbidden Fruit'
- 'Neighbors'
- 'Foldin Clothes'
- 'She's Mine, Pt. 2'
- 'Love Yourz'
- 'Wet Dreamz'
- 'A Tale of 2 Citiez'
- 'G.O.M.D.'
- 'Power Trip'
- 'No Role Modelz'
- '4 Your Eyez Only'
- During the Las Vegas show, Cozz joined Ari Lennox during the opening act to perform 'Backseat'.[9]Dennis Smith Jr., Statik Selektah, Joey Badass and DJ Mustard also attended the show.[10][11][12]
- During the first Inglewood show, EarthGang joined J.I.D during the opening act,[13]Russ also attended the show.[14]
- During the second Toronto show, Cozz joined Bas during the opening act,[15]WondaGurl and Michael B. Jordan also attended the show.[16][17]
Tour dates[edit]
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Attendance | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America[6] | |||||
| June 1, 2017 | Columbia | United States | Music Farm | — | — |
| June 2, 2017 | Jacksonville | Maverick's | — | — | |
| June 3, 2017 | Tallahassee | Potbelly's | — | — | |
| June 5, 2017 | Jackson | Hal and Mal's | — | — | |
| June 6, 2017 | Birmingham | Avondale | — | — | |
| June 7, 2017 | Baton Rouge | Varsity Theater | — | — | |
| June 9, 2017 | Little Rock | Metroplex | — | — | |
| June 11, 2017 | Kansas City | Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland | — | — | |
| June 13, 2017 | St. Louis | The Pageant | — | — | |
| June 14, 2017 | Memphis | The New Daisy Theatre | — | — | |
| June 15, 2017 | Louisville | Mercury Ballroom | 900 / 900 | $32,625 | |
| June 17, 2017 | Norfolk | Norva Theatre | 1,450 / 1,450 | $50,750 | |
| June 18, 2017 | Greensboro | Cone Denim Entertainment Center | — | — | |
| July 6, 2017 | Phoenix | Talking Stick Resort Arena | 12,411 / 13,853 | $924,354 | |
| July 8, 2017 | Las Vegas | MGM Grand Garden Arena | — | — | |
| July 9, 2017 | Anaheim | Honda Center | — | — | |
| July 11, 2017 | Inglewood | The Forum | — | — | |
| July 12, 2017 | |||||
| July 14, 2017[4] | Oakland | Oracle Arena | — | — | |
| July 15, 2017 | |||||
| July 17, 2017 | Seattle | KeyArena | 11,417 / 11,417 | $921,347 | |
| July 19, 2017 | Vancouver | Canada | Rogers Arena | — | — |
| July 22, 2017 | Saint Paul | United States | Xcel Energy Center | 8,892 / 8,892 | $614,762 |
| July 24, 2017 | Chicago | United Center | 12,685 / 14,068 | $1,166,321 | |
| July 25, 2017 | Auburn Hills | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 8,946 / 12,905 | $700,507 | |
| July 28, 2017 | Toronto | Canada | Air Canada Centre | 26,071 / 30,521 | $1,936,090 |
| July 29, 2017 | |||||
| August 1, 2017 | New York City | United States | Barclays Center | 26,984 / 26,984 | $2,122,600 |
| August 2, 2017 | |||||
| August 4, 2017 | Boston | TD Garden | 12,338 / 12,338 | $1,150,575 | |
| August 5, 2017 | Uniondale | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 10,544 / 10,544 | $775,124 | |
| August 6, 2017 | Baltimore | Royal Farms Arena | 8,165 / 13,157 | $615,657 | |
| August 8, 2017 | Washington, D.C. | Capital One Arena | 14,176 / 15,084 | $1,083,698 | |
| August 9, 2017 | Charlotte | Spectrum Center | 15,122 / 15,297 | $1,297,367 | |
| August 11, 2017 | Duluth | Infinite Energy Arena | — | — | |
| August 14, 2017 | Miami | American Airlines Arena | 12,330 / 12,330 | $1,034,901 | |
| August 16, 2017 | Orlando | Amway Center | 10,478 / 10,478 | $1,084,733 | |
| August 18, 2017 | Houston | Toyota Center | — | — | |
| August 19, 2017 | Austin | Frank Erwin Center | — | — | |
| August 20, 2017 | Dallas | American Airlines Center | 13,579 / 13,579 | $1,051,808 | |
| Europe[6] | |||||
| September 29, 2017 | Copenhagen | Denmark | Tap1 | — | — |
| September 30, 2017 | Oslo | Norway | Oslo Spektrum | — | — |
| October 1, 2017 | Stockholm | Sweden | Annexet | — | — |
| October 3, 2017 | Cologne | Germany | Palladium | — | — |
| October 5, 2017 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome | — | — |
| October 6, 2017 | Berlin | Germany | Columbiahalle | — | — |
| October 7, 2017 | Offenbach | Stadthalle Offenbach | — | — | |
| October 9, 2017 | Zürich | Switzerland | Samsung Hall | — | — |
| October 10, 2017 | Paris | France | Le Zénith Paris - La Villette | — | — |
| October 12, 2017 | Nottingham | England | Motorpoint Arena Nottingham | — | — |
| October 14, 2017 | Birmingham | Barclaycard Arena | — | — | |
| October 15, 2017 | London | The O2 Arena | — | — | |
| October 16, 2017 | |||||
| October 18, 2017 | Dublin | Republic of Ireland | 3Arena | — | — |
| October 20, 2017 | Cardiff | Wales | Motorpoint Arena Cardiff | — | — |
| October 21, 2017 | Manchester | England | Manchester Arena | — | — |
| October 22, 2017 | Leeds | First Direct Arena | — | — | |
| Oceania[6] | |||||
| December 1, 2017 | Auckland | New Zealand | Spark Arena | — | — |
| December 2, 2017 | Brisbane | Australia | Riverstage | — | — |
| December 5, 2017 | Sydney | Hordern Pavilion | — | — | |
| December 6, 2017 | Melbourne | Margaret Court Arena | — | — | |
| December 9, 2017 | Perth | HBF Stadium | — | — | |
| Total | 190,456 / 221,447 (86%) | $35,600,000[1] | |||
- Cancellations and rescheduled shows
| July 18, 2017 | Vancouver, Canada | Rogers Arena | Rescheduled to July 19, 2017[18] |
| July 21, 2017 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Xcel Energy Center | Rescheduled to July 22, 2017[18] |
| July 23, 2017 | Auburn Hills, Michigan | The Palace of Auburn Hills | Rescheduled to July 25, 2017[18] |
| July 25, 2017 | Chicago, Illinois | United Center | Cancelled[18] |
References[edit]
- ^ abhttps://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2018/01/2017YearEndTop100WorldwideTours_621.pdf
- ^ abJ. Cole (January 21, 2017). '4 Your Eyez Only Tour. On sale Friday. See you in a few'. Twitter. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
- ^Ibrahim Hamad. 'Tomorrow, #4youreyezonlytour let's get it started. First Run with the home team @jidsv @arilennox @lute_west9 @dreamville'. Twitter. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ abDreamville (June 17, 2017). 'It's time to hit them arenas. Catch @JColeNC this summer with @AndersonPaak @Bas @JIDsv @AriLennox'. Twitter. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
- ^Dreamville. 'The #4YEOTour hits Europe in T-minus 10 days. Pulling up with @JColeNC @JIDsv @AriLennox @EarthGang See you soon'. Twitter. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
- ^ abcdSimmons, Ted (February 21, 2017). 'J. Cole Reveals 4 Your Eyez Only Tour Dates'. XXL. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
- ^Dreamville (February 22, 2017). 'Limited Edition Vinyl & Cassette Available Now! Order for Exclusive access to #4YourEyezOnly Tour Pre-sale Tickets!'. Twitter. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
- ^Ibrahim Hamad (February 22, 2017). 'The Bundle, The Vinyl, or the Cassette order which ever one you want to get a pre sale code @'. Twitter. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
- ^Dreamville (July 9, 2017). 'When a collab come together like this you gotta hear it live #4YEOTour #Dreamville'. Instagram. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ^Dreamville (July 10, 2017). 'Hometown Heroes #4YEOTour #Dreamville'. Instagram. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ^Dreamville (July 10, 2017). 'Peace to Statik Selektah and Joey Badass pulling up last night in Vegas. #4YEOTour #Dreamville'. Instagram. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ^Dreamville (July 10, 2017). 'Cole World x 10 Summers #4YEOTour #Dreamville'. Instagram. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ^Dreamville (July 12, 2017). 'Gang takeover #4YEOTour #Dreamville'. Instagram. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ^Russ (July 12, 2017). 'THE WARM UP. This is my Tupac. Been a massive fan since 17. Life is lit'. Instagram. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ^Bas (July 29, 2017). 'TORONTO 🇨🇦 w/ @cody_macc #4youreyezonlytour 📷: @joshygonz'. Instagram. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- ^J.I.D (July 29, 2017). 'One of my favorite composers 🖤🕊#HastaLuego #TheNeverStory #4youreyezonlytour'. Instagram. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- ^Bas (July 30, 2017). 'This tour's been hella inspiring. Shouts to @michaelbjordan for stopping by and dropping some gems. Looking forward to the next project champ! #4youreyezonlytour 📷: @anthony_supreme'. Instagram. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
- ^ abcdIbrahim Hamad (July 18, 2017). 'Due to the Vancouver show moving to tomorrow, the rest of the shows this week had to be shifted around. Apologies for any inconvenience'. Twitter. Retrieved July 18, 2017.