Born Sinner

A talent on the mic and behind the boards, J. Cole crafts smart and emotive hip-hop. Guest verses on Cole\'s second studio album come from 50 Cent (\"New York Times\") and Kendrick Lamar (\"Forbidden Fruit\"), but it\'s the R&B touches that imbue the project with its defining soul. TLC\'s T-Boz and Chilli bring a summer sheen to \"Crooked Smile,\" Miguel helps turn \"Power Trip\" into a melancholic lament on love, and the Dirty Projectors\' Amber Coffman graces the dramatic \"She Knows.\"

J. Cole's lastest album finds the Roc Nation signee in a referential state of mind. In addition to all the name-checks, the album also features Kendrick Lamar, Amber Coffman, Miguel, and TLC.

Check out our album review of Artist's Born Sinner on Rolling Stone.com.

If his debut found J. Cole bringing the sound of Drake down to the streets, the Roc Nation rapper's sophomore effort finds him going for the full Illuminati and attempting an ambitious, multi-faceted album in the style of his label boss, Jay-Z.

While his debut album didn't secure the stardom Roc Nation expected, J. Cole has returned with sophomore effort Born Sinner, an unabashed story of musical dedication and malicious hunger.

Cole’s palpable sense of responsibility is matched by his slick but convincing critiques of hip-hop’s culture of conspicuous consumption.