The post J. Cole Pens Letter to Commemorate 5-Year Anniversary of The Warm Up, Releases “Lights Please” Video appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo Credit: Norman Jean Roy

Everyone wants to be great. If an artist, or anyone for that matter, is fortunate enough to possess or learn the skills needed to earnestly pursue a goal, then success isn’t far fetched. But the most common desire is to just get there. The question existing, however, is how do you stay there? How do you continue to evolve and how do you maintain? We look to cultural veterans such as Jay Z and Nas as the standards for success. We use them as sort of a bar for which to reach. They’ve withstood the test of time, but they also continue to advance inside and outside the realm of hip-hop.

There are a few interesting factors that can give clarity or shine light on what it takes to have longevity or to remain reigning over the cultural throne. The first could be their pursuit of excellence. Jay Z has described excellence as “…being able to perform at a high level for a long period of time.” We anticipate their next move, whether it is lyrical or an entrepreneurial endeavor. Whatever the case, their efforts remain just as fresh and exciting as the first time they released Reasonable Doubt and Illmatic.

The second factor could be setting the right foundation, which is chasing the pure passion of the art form. Always making mention that the culture needs reviving, Nas’ nostalgia can be used as encouragement to revisit the historical background of the craft, “Rap is like a ghost town, real mystic. Like these folks never existed. They the reason that rap became addictive. Play they CD or wax and get lifted. I recommend when your kid turn ten, let him here Spice 1, made plenty of noise, Positive K, Father MC, the Skinny Boys.” A broader sense of awareness of hip hops humble beginnings and the creativeness of it all begins to take root. From there, the compelling nature to save hip hop from its destitute state is brought forth. Hence, switching the motive from chasing a dollar to “holding down the block.” 

“You can just be you and do you – and not let nobody mess with your flow. Forget the cash, forget the cars, forget all of that stuff… the first thing is the music.” – Nas

All eyes are on the new students of the game, who, since the beginning of their careers, appear to have been taking detailed notes. Like Jay and Nas, Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole, for example, are using their creative and artistic ability to share new perspectives on common issues. Kendrick’s struggle to make it out of Compton’s “belly of the rough” and J.Cole’s “dollar and a dream” are their means of connecting with listeners. It doesn’t hurt to have the vet’s characteristic of ambition as well, which frequently appears in Wale‘s rhymes. Wanting to aim higher remains just as important as being persistent despite obstacles.

Having a sense of self-awareness is just as essential. Being self-aware may just be what makes these artist’s relatable and encouraging to those still on a journey. Or, taking it a step further, having the willingness and courage to be vulnerable, like Drake, and conveying their messages in a genuine way. Being open, honest and transparent about most of their life experience’s; transmitting hope to the hopeless. The understudies are reaching for the bar. Maybe even setting it higher. They are undoubtedly following the same formula as their predecessor’s, but with clearly distinctive personalities and rap styles.

Of course, it takes time and patience to be a Jay Z or a Nas, but it’s possible for the believer. The throne isn’t just for few. It’s for many, who have a vision and seek to validate that vision and pursue it while keeping the proper perspective. It takes lyricists who are strong-willed, like Jay and Nas, to continue to inspire on any level. Everyone wants to be great, but to reign on the throne, the expectation should be to become excellent. Ten years from now, who will be wearing the crown?

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Save for perhaps 50 Cent, there is no other rapper who had a bigger impact on the mixtape circuit, with more releases than any one torrent file can hold. His Mixtape Messiah series is legendary, if for no other reason than the fact that part one was the most purchased mixtape in Texas history. He also scored a platinum debut with the Sound of Revenge and has managed to stay relevant while many of his Texas peers who blew up around the same time period have faded away. Therefore, in the interest of education, we’ve compiled a list of ten records that showcase a broader and deeper side of Chamillionaire. You gon’ learn today.

“Void in My Life” (Sound of Revenge, 2005)

The most introspective track on his major label debut finds Cham looking for a deeper meaning in life, turning to religion and even mentioning the conflict of having a Muslim father and Christian mother.

“Rain” feat. Scarface & Billy Cook (Sound of Revenge, 2005)

With the help of Scarface and a soulful chorus from Billy Cook, “Rain” details some of the hardships faced in life and having to power through them. Never one to dwell on the negative, though, Cham turns what could have been a down-on-your-luck story into an uplifting and positive message.

“Willing to Try” (Hangin’ With Mr. Koopa, 2009)

If there was one record that could encapsulate Chamillionaire’s character, it may be this one. From starting out as a mixtape hustler, to becoming a self-made success with a platinum plaque to his name, the Houston rapper is nothing if not determined. Here, he makes note of his perseverance in the face of doubt.

“It’s Just Pain” (Mixtape Messiah 3, 2007)

If you’re going to tackle a classic beat such as “Renegade,” you better put your unique twist on it. Instead of delivering an arsenal of bars to show that he can match up with some of the game’s top lyricists, Koopa paints a somber picture of his childhood. From a fractured relationship with his father to his fear about the afterlife, this is a fan favorite and certainly one of the rapper’s finest moments because of the detailed, specific pieces of Cham‘s life on display.

“I Think I Love You” (Ultimate Victory, 2007)

Chamillionaire has always had a knack for storytelling. On a standout record from his sophomore album, we get a compelling story worthy of a Hollywood movie. Cham details his relationship with money, but masks it as a girlfriend, capping it off with a show-stopping third verse.

“Internet Nerd’s Revenge” (Mixtape Messiah 4, 2008)

In addition to being a great rapper, Cham is also a pretty funny guy. He takes advantage of that humor on a brilliant concept record for Mixtape Messiah 4. Here, he plays the role of an internet troll who despises Chamillionaire’s music. The troll, unsurprisingly, is a lonely, angry kid. The song takes a dark turn at the end but it makes for an extremely memorable record.

“Roll Call Reloaded (Fire Drill)” (Mixtape Messiah 2, 2006)

Continuing on the lines of comedy, Cham makes use of some impression skills here and delivers a star-studded posse cut — all by himself. Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, E-40, Jim Jones, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Jay Z and more get dead-on impersonations as Koopa gives us some of their typical lyrical content.

“Go Hard” (Mixtape Messiah 4, 2008)

Aside from moments of comedy, introspection and radio hits, Cham can flat-out rap. He showcases this many times throughout his career but this one in particular is a standout. A lyrical tirade is delivered here for over four minutes and Cham rips through this record with noticeable hunger in his voice.

“Voice of Reason” (N/A, 2012)

Over J. Cole’s “Lost Ones,” we get two perspectives from Koopa. The first verse is the young man, getting his first taste of fame, while the second verse is the more mature, seasoned man giving his viewpoint.

“Think I’m Crazy” (Sound of Revenge, 2005)

A fan favorite here from Cham’s debut album. The song finds the rapper at a bar with a woman who begins telling him a story. As the record progresses, the story becomes more frantic. Without spoiling anything, the song is another metaphor, this time about a few old friendships Koopa lost along the way.

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J. Cole performed at a packed Best Buy Theater earlier tonight and true to Cole’s style, he had no hype man, no surprise appearances, and little flash: just a DJ, a keyboardist, and a mic. He displayed his usual energy and expressed his gratitude for the fans who’ve followed him closely since his debut mixtape, The Come Up, even recognizing a few familiar faces in the crowd whom he’s seen at several shows. At one point, Cole disappeared from the stage as a huge screen projected a video. Turns out it was the BB Gun-shot clip for “Lost Ones,” whose premiere that night Cole later said was a gift to the audience. The video was shot in ’08 before all of the fanfare surrounding Cole’s #1 debut, but its simple yet stark message is no less powerful.

– Alexandra Dole

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