2014 Forest Hills Drive
by J. Cole
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 613 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 532 out of 613
  2. Mixed: 47 out of 613
  3. Negative: 34 out of 613
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  1. RegenT_A_1300
    Dec 23, 2022
    8
    worse than 4 your eyez only xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo bad asf overrated xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo
  2. daytonatabooywr
    Dec 20, 2022
    9
    guevfyisrhyesrhfbuserilhifehrsfgbreysfbgyreyfgbesyfgbyresfbgeryfgerygbagfeweg
  3. garfield7081
    Mar 25, 2022
    8
    very enjoyable album with some of the best production in modern rap

    best song: g.o.m.d.

    worst song: st. tropez
  4. Johnsmtih
    Dec 3, 2021
    10
    Timeless project one of coles many albums that show he is one of this generations best
  5. JohnBasco
    May 26, 2021
    10
    Definition of a classic. No rapper has ever evoked emotion as genuinely as Cole does on this project
  6. hdcooper
    Apr 11, 2021
    7
    An easily accessible record from Cole; however, it does seem to come across as shallow at moments.

    7.7/10
  7. Hendo250
    Apr 6, 2021
    8
    this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8
  8. Stoney_Bob
    Mar 25, 2021
    10
    This is just one of the greatest albums ever, J. Cole really shows his struggles and reflects on his youth through out this Album. J. Cole has great lyrics and flow on all the songs. The beats complement the mood of the song very well. It's really hard to top an album like this.

    Favs: Love yourz, Fire squad, January 28th, No Role Modelz least fav (but is still love it): Note to    This is just one of the greatest albums ever, J. Cole really shows his struggles and reflects on his youth through out this Album. J. Cole has great lyrics and flow on all the songs. The beats complement the mood of the song very well. It's really hard to top an album like this.

    Favs:
    Love yourz, Fire squad, January 28th, No Role Modelz

    least fav (but is still love it):
    Note to self

    10/10    … Expand
  9. EZR
    Jun 5, 2020
    10
    Album changed my life



    Made me a Cole fan
    ................................................................................
  10. Ryan_9
    Feb 2, 2020
    10
    An imperfect masterpiece. 2014fhd is sonically pleasing and itʼs overwhelmingly honest. But since Iʼm a big cole fan and Iʼm a little biased, itʼs perfect for me. He has a few corny bars here and there but they donʼt really ruin any song for me and I like his voice so I donʼt really mind his singing. What I like about him the most is that he puts his heart into what he says and you donʼtAn imperfect masterpiece. 2014fhd is sonically pleasing and itʼs overwhelmingly honest. But since Iʼm a big cole fan and Iʼm a little biased, itʼs perfect for me. He has a few corny bars here and there but they donʼt really ruin any song for me and I like his voice so I donʼt really mind his singing. What I like about him the most is that he puts his heart into what he says and you donʼt hear that nowadays. He can convey a heartwarming/nostalgic feeling but that requires a connection between the listener and the artist. With all that being said I believe he can do much better. He has the potential of making one of the greatest albums ever imo. Looking forward to his next album. Cole world no blanket!… Expand
  11. Kyle_Peake
    Jan 28, 2020
    10
    Really great with the theme of Cole's life from the early days of Forest Hills Drive through to his days of becoming a celebrity and reflecting on the past. Also like how the love theme is present throughout.
  12. Ivmena
    Jan 24, 2020
    10
    This album is a masterpiece, every song has deep meaning and delivery is amazing also this album has the best Intro ever and you can't change my mind. MASTERPIECE
  13. Shaymooose
    Aug 17, 2019
    8
    This is THE adolescence album. Imma be playing this from now through college.

    Best Tracks:Wet Dreamz, No Role Modelz, Intro, Love Yourz, January 28th, ’03 Adolescence, Hello, Apparently, A Tale of 2 Citiez, Fire Squad, St. Tropez, G.O.M.D.
    Worst Tracks:Note to Self
  14. fifi3
    Jul 28, 2019
    9
    A masterpiece of an album. The concept takes you on a journey that helps you feel a connection to the artist. The lyrics are soulful and relatable. The tracklist is airtight with plenty of repayable tracks. This is undoubtedly Cole's best album and a classic of the decade.
  15. erve
    May 28, 2019
    10
    Every song is good. Worth listening to over and over again. You will not be disappointed
  16. Connorcox1997
    Jan 29, 2019
    10
    2014 Forest Hills Drive is not just another rap album, its art. When I first listen to his album the first time I thought it was decent. However when I listen to the album a couple more times, I fell in love with it. 2014 Forest Hills Drive by J Cole make one of the greatest albums of his career, and one of the best albums of 2014. This album is a must listen.
  17. C_dot
    Dec 3, 2018
    9
    A true entertainment album. The lyrics are good but not great, but the production is elite and Cole's rapping is perfect.
  18. DamonAubergine
    Oct 26, 2018
    10
    2014 Forest Hills Drive is a masterpiece from an artist that has changed the rap game. No features, no guest voculs, only vague samples. This is what makes this album so impressive, that such a young artist had the confidence in himself to deliver without any help, and he 100% did.

    From 'No Role Modelz' to 'Wet Dreams' and 'Hello' to 'A Tale of 2 Citiez', almost every track hooks you in    2014 Forest Hills Drive is a masterpiece from an artist that has changed the rap game. No features, no guest voculs, only vague samples. This is what makes this album so impressive, that such a young artist had the confidence in himself to deliver without any help, and he 100% did.

    From 'No Role Modelz' to 'Wet Dreams' and 'Hello' to 'A Tale of 2 Citiez', almost every track hooks you in with its inquisitive beats and sometimes emotional lyrics. This is a non-stop listen album that should go down as one of the best Hip Hop albums of this decade.    … Expand
  19. kams
    Jun 30, 2018
    10
    Thats a classic album. J. Cole delivered some fire on this one. Great production and the lyrics are on point. Album contains songs that everybody can relate to.
  20. dell221
    Apr 24, 2018
    9
    this is his second best album no hits no real standouts to me I just like every song. the ontro is really good. love this album hope he can make something just as good in the future
  21. skaylez
    Mar 25, 2018
    9
    J.coles story telling skills are un real. every track is unique only one forgettable track : st tropez
  22. frnky
    Jan 30, 2018
    9
    The first classic that J.Cole has in my opinion is definitely this album, his third. 2014 Forest Hill Drive introduced me to J.Cole as a storyteller MC. Painted vivid pictures that made me understand why people make the Nas comparison.
  23. jackwells99
    Sep 4, 2017
    10
    His best work to date. Delivered through Incredible production and a signature flow that is hard to compare to any other artist in the game. Very real and raw lyrics make this album a hip-hop classic.
  24. FruitJuice
    Jul 18, 2017
    7
    good album..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
  25. Jensen67
    May 23, 2017
    9
    This is a truly great album to just sit back and chill while listening to. There are some hard hitting songs and also some softer songs that greatly even the album out. I don't dislike any of the songs.

    Best songs: No Role Modelz / St. Tropez / Fire Squad
  26. shaangsingh
    Mar 6, 2017
    10
    Easily the best album of all time. I refuse to give anything else close to this project. From now on, I base my albums from 1 to 10, where the only way it can be a 10 is if it somehow beats this album. Cole is the greatest of all time. Hands down
  27. bilbo95
    Dec 15, 2016
    10
    Incredible album that truly expresses the story of J Cole. Give it time, multiple listens, and enjoy the art. Certainly one of my all time favorite albums
  28. jamoha98
    Nov 17, 2016
    10
    Like a reviewer in the comments, I also made an account to write a review in defense of this album. I do not know what album the reviewers were listening to, but this was clearly not the same J. Cole. One "critic" labeled J. Cole as indecisive. However that is completely false, this would be an apt description of J. Cole before this album, except this album changed this trait. Cole touchesLike a reviewer in the comments, I also made an account to write a review in defense of this album. I do not know what album the reviewers were listening to, but this was clearly not the same J. Cole. One "critic" labeled J. Cole as indecisive. However that is completely false, this would be an apt description of J. Cole before this album, except this album changed this trait. Cole touches on very real and important subjects such as the position of the black community in January 28th, being grateful for what you have in Love Yourz, addressing the falseness of the modern age with No Role Modelz, and finally him battling himself in Tale of 2 Citiez. J. Cole takes on a trip through his own real experiences and he does it in a masterful and entertaining manner. His songs are not to the point of denseness and meaning of a Kendrick Lamar, yet it is easier to enjoy his songs because of this. Additionally, these songs are fun, the beats are mastered excellently, and his rapping skills maybe only surpassed by a hand few in the game. This is hip hop at its finest in the new era where most rappers rap about the same shallow objects. 2014 Forest Hills Drive is a gem in the modern day of hip hop and should be appreciated as such.… Expand
  29. aidanhicks101
    Oct 8, 2016
    10
    If J. Cole knows anything, its how to tell a story from beginning to end. Such a masterpiece. This is not just one of my most favorite albums of all time, but it changed who I was as a person. It should me the reality of life, and I have no idea how he will be able to top himself after this. Hopefully he continues with this sound and what he is doing because things will only get better from here.
  30. KSortin
    Dec 2, 2015
    10
    I literally made an account just because the critic score was so wide off it's unbelievable. This album is timeless, every track is on point. I'm dumbfounded by MetaCritic's "critics." You guys are clearly suffering from a lack of education on hip-hop and are the reason great artwork like this doesn't get the deserved recognition. The lyricism has it's blow-my-mind-away moments and withI literally made an account just because the critic score was so wide off it's unbelievable. This album is timeless, every track is on point. I'm dumbfounded by MetaCritic's "critics." You guys are clearly suffering from a lack of education on hip-hop and are the reason great artwork like this doesn't get the deserved recognition. The lyricism has it's blow-my-mind-away moments and with the calming, resonating and nostalgia-based records there's also those crazy excitable this-man-going-in records. It's 2015 and this album is still the best from then until today - Dec 12.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2014
7
#7 Most Shared Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Uncut
    Feb 3, 2015
    60
    You long for a bit more of the ardour of "Fine Squad." [Mar 2015, p.73]
  2. Rolling Stone
    Jan 5, 2015
    60
    He speaks some incisive truths about class, race ("Fire Squad") and relationships ("Wet Dreamz"), but those insights are too often undercut by crass humor. The production falls short, too, with dull beats to match his languid flow.
    Read full review
  3. NOW Magazine
    Dec 18, 2014
    60
    Consistent, yes, but not the king yet.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »