When J. Cole announced the June 18th release of his ‘Born Sinner’ LP, many conceded chart defeat on his behalf given the “event” that will be the same-day arrival of Kanye West‘s ‘Yeezus’. For others, the parallel roll out of such major releases serves a victory for Hip-Hop. Whatever the stance, one question has remained: was the move deliberate?
Well, wonder no more. For, in a new interview with Billboard, Cole confirms that the move was indeed calculated. Find out why after the jump…
Via Billboard:
“Kanye West is one of the greatest artists of our generation. Which is exactly why I’m moving my release date up (from earlier date June 25th).
{Once I saw Kanye’s tweet about the June 18th date, I knew what I had to do}. Instantly the lightbulb [turned on]… it got real. I made one phone call to somebody that would know, just to make sure first. As soon as I got it confirmed, I was like, ‘Yo…’ The idea hit me instantly: ‘You got to go to that date.’
I’m not going to sit [here]… I worked too hard to come a week later after Kanye West drops an amazing album. It’d be like, ‘Oh and J. Cole dropped too, a week later.’ Nah. I’m going to go see him on that date. He’s the greatest. So it’s like, I’m a competitor by nature so it was instant, it wasn’t even a thought.
It’s a definite statement about how I feel about my album, which is confident.”
And “confident” Cole should be; his debut album ‘Cole World: The Sideline Story’ opened at #1 on the Billboard 200 in October 2011, after shifting 218,000 units in its first week.
Could the Roc Nation rapper score a chart upset come June 18th? Watch this space!
Your thoughts?
Tidbit: Another major Urban release due on said date is Kelly Rowland‘s ‘Talk A Good Game’.
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as much as i hate to admit it, but j dont stand a chance against kanye…… that big cheekbones is gonna kill
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“Kanye West is one of the greatest artists of our generation”.
…And one of the best album sellers. What made you believe that you could, actually, stand a chance in competing with his commercial status?
I hope he was being sarcastic.
Nonetheless, I like both he and Kendrick Lamar’s music. They’re bringing back ‘true’ concious Hip-Hop to the forefront. I wish him well.
The f*** does your gay ass know about ‘true’ concious Hip-Hop? Shut up and go listen to Katy Perry and Rihanna, you phony queen.
shut da f*** up! you stupid smelly p** racist b****!! m*****..music is a universal language it has no skin tone to it..so yes jared(white dude) can talk about bringing back true concious hip hop! d*** head you are!
@Jamilaa
Thank you Babe. 😉 x
ForReal?
Don’t like both of them but..
Kanye is gonna slay Cole’s head in the toilet.
GetYourLife(tamar voice)Cole haaaa XO
Cole, ur makin it hard for me to defend u
exactly lol i was like huh wtf lol
Who is J. Cole?
your mother’s pimp.
Ok Wwwwgood luck i hate kanye but can sell albums ask .05 cent.
If you ask me its a smart move. He’s going to get more publicity off of kanyes date. When ppl go to the store they are going to.see his album right by.kanyes. when they announce what albums have dropped ppl are gonna go out to the store to get kanyes but its like they probably.gone buy his too since they already there…
What a fool. Your first album only sold 300k after your first week and hasn’t even sold a million so why do you think you can compete with someone who can sell a million in one week.
Kanye >>>> this NOBODY. His album will sell 90k
J Cole’s last album went gold. Ciara’s last two efforts didn’t even go dust. Stay mad b****.
It sold past gold too, I think J will debut at #2 with in the 100,000 range. Kanye might get about 300,000 maybe. Hopefully Kelly makes it in the top 3. Ciara her album isn’t going to do much when it comes out because the girl doesn’t do anything to make buy her s***.
CIARA got 2 platinum albums….. how many platinum albums does COLE have?
Not sayin she will sell this era cuz her promo game is weak…. but she is a platinum artist…. unlike Cole
Well that was a dumb move J Cole!
#1 – Yeezus
#2 – Talk A Good Game
#3 – Born Sinner
Talk A Good Game…. will flop.
If anything J cole will gain sales by moving the date forward.
I am definitely buying Kanye and might buy J cole aswell if it’s good.
I love them Both so much. I’m supporting my Girl Kelly Rowland love her so much. Buying all of their albums. But kelly 2
I’m buying both albums 😀
Wow! Bold Move Cole! But Im excited bout it tho! Competition is always good for Hip Hop! #HistoryInTheMaking!
I’ll be buying J. Cole’s and Kelly Rowland’s album. ..
Ch…
A job well done to his PR Team, this move will benefit both artists. We all know Kanye does not promote so this is good promo for him. The people who didn’t know of J Cole’s existence now do. He is picking the interest of both Kanye lovers and haters. Trust and believe that this young man is under no illusion that he will beat Ye sales wise. In this era he needs all the help he can get to get that recognition that he so rightfully deserve.
Thank you for making it clear for people!
No J. The SMART thing to do is move it up one week BEFORE Kanye’s. Who TF is your AR? However, i myself will definitely buy J. Cole’s over Kanye. I’ve been over KanGay West since after the Graduation album. His music and his ego have just gone to s*** since then.
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J. Cole
Your album sales will be as bad as that feature you did on Beyonce’s “Party”…
Bad bad move to release same day as Kanye.
Xtra LARGE side eye