User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 219 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 175 out of 219
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Mixed: 24 out of 219
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Negative: 20 out of 219
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Oct 17, 2011under-rated by professional music critics, best HIP-HOP album of the year so far by far, dont understand how tha carter 4 sold almost a million in its first week when this only sold 200,000 should have been the other way around
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Oct 7, 2011
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Nov 15, 2011Cole World: The Sideline Story!
This is a really, really good debut album from J. Cole. Such a strong album, damn!
This is a really talented rapper, and his second album is probably coming next year on summer. And I am really hyped for it. His lyrics is real, not like the most rappers now these day's.
10 out of 10 -
Sep 27, 2011This is the man who will save hip-hop. Such a strong album. All the tracks fit in with one another, and the deep tracks have that authentic Cole feel to them. And the new Dolla and A Dream is so good, did anyone else hear the Kingdom Hearts sample?
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Sep 28, 2011just purchased this off itunes. it's a good debut...even bigger than drake's and big sean's debut. the anticipation was long but it lived up to the hype. i hope RocNation pushed this album...Breakdown best track on the album.
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Sep 27, 2011JCole really impressed me this debut. Almost all the songs are great. My personal favorite is Breakdown, as I can relate alot to it. It may not be the next Illmatic, but it's still the best mainstream debut album since College Dropout.
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Sep 27, 2011
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Sep 27, 2011
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Sep 28, 2011
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Sep 28, 2011
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Sep 29, 2011A great debut by J Cole. He keeps a kind of ying yang balance with the album perfectly balancing his fun singles and dramatic personal tracks to create a great album.
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Oct 2, 2011Great album with a variety of styles. J. Cole really widens his variety of rapping on this great debut album. From his heart-warming deep songs, to club-style hits, J. Cole releases a rare great debut album. A Classic.
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Oct 7, 2011
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Oct 25, 2011
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Oct 28, 2011For a debut album, it was a strong performance. At times, it seems like standards weren't met, but some songs truly made up for it. Ladies and gentlemen, J Cole has arrived.
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Nov 15, 2011Lyrically, this album is close to nothing that we've seen since Cole's last mixtape, 'Friday Night Lights.' For him to provide such insightful lyrics at the same time as maintaining such a steady and strong production from Cole is something that hardly ever occurs. THIS is what hip-hop is about.
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Nov 10, 2012this album is incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! j cole is one of the best lyricist in the game right now as well as one of the hottest rapper to!!! just can't stop listening to MR. NICE WATCH AND NOBODY'S PERFECT!!! A dope album for a dope artiste!!!
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Mar 11, 2015
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Oct 4, 2011In my opinion J Cole set the bar high for every new hip hop artist. Cole World is a well rounded album better than Thank Me Later , Man on The Moon, and Finally Famous. My personal favorite track s lost ones tells A GREAT story about abortion. i encourage people to hear this album is is hip hops best body of work following the R.E.D album
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Sep 28, 2011When I heard this album, I was reminded of the myseducation of Lauryn Hill. That in itself warrants a great score. The album isn't perfect, but it is probably the best album I have heard this year.
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Jul 21, 2013I really like this album, and I really like J. Cole. He is what rap music has been waiting for....for real, I can listen to it all the way through without skipping a song. That is when you know you've made a good album.
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Jul 3, 20158.6/10................................................................................................................................................
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Mar 10, 2015
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Sep 27, 2011
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Sep 28, 2011
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Nov 7, 2011I was expecting so much worst with this album but I got so much better. J.Cole's lyrics were good, the production was good. He had appearances by Missy Elliot and Jay Z (two legends). I was hoping for a little bit more mello album but I like this one I give it a 8.
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Sep 28, 2011j.Cole has arrived officially that is.Its a solid debut but he could have reached out to more experienced producers to help him, stand out tracks are 'Lost ones' and 'Lights please'. I expect more from his sophomore album great future ahead.
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Oct 3, 2011
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Nov 17, 2011Pretty great album by J Cole. The standouts were "Can't Get Enough", "Nobody's Perfect", "In The Morning", "Light Please" and "Never Told". Wonderful debut album.
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Feb 24, 2012Strong debut by J Cole. J Cole impressed me with this debut with his lyrics and his aggression towards the album. This best "Pregame" & Friday Nigh Lights. Personally my favorite songs were "Breakdown" & "Mr.Nice Watch"
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Jul 5, 2012
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Dec 13, 2016I really like this album, it has solid production, and decent lyrics when Cole is doing his own thing and rapping about the introspectiveness of his career.
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Feb 23, 2019J Cole's Debut Album Cole World the Sideline Story is a great start to his rapping career, although its not perfect album, but its still a promising start to his career. His lyrics, flows, and his bars are dope. Songs are dope, the beats are dope, and the production is dope. Overall Great album.
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Jun 12, 2022Cole shows why he desserved to get signed by jay-z with his great flows, and amazing songwriting in serious and less serious manners great listen and will definetly grow on me.
76/100 -
Sep 27, 2011
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Dec 25, 2011I liked this album. J Cole is a great rapper, he came in the rap game with confidence. He has a potential and a long way to go. He lyrics are tight and his flow is good. He can only get better.
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Feb 17, 2012
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Feb 8, 2012Very good debut from J. Cole. I still think his best stuff is his mixtape Friday Night Lights but this is still great. With a smooth appearance from Missy Elliot, Nobody's Perfect is one of my favorite songs of 2011.
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Feb 6, 2014
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Jul 28, 2019There's some replay value and has a lot of solid tracks - but it lacks the consistency of Cole's prior mixtape or albums that follow directly after it. It also just seems more raw and unpolished sonically as his next couple efforts. This was kind of the classical "introduction" mainstream debut that is clear that the artist is talented with better work ahead of him.
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Oct 27, 2011This is a desent album, it's not the best. I'm glad that it reach number 1 on the US Billboard 200. Nice collaboration with Missy Elliott, Drake, Jay-Z, and Trey Songz. He needs to take his time on his next album.
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Sep 27, 2011
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Dec 3, 2018Very average album. Has a few bangers to make up for the lack of lyrics and production elsewhere.
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Apr 6, 2021this album is a 6 this album is a 6 this album is a 6 this album is a 6 this album is a 6
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Jun 24, 2013Boring. It`s just boring. Nothing about this album engages be or hooks me in any sort of meaningful way. The songs aren't bad, but they're just not that interesting either
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Apr 24, 2018man after Friday night lights I was hoping this would be just as good but its sooooo disappointing. maybe 1-2 good songs on this thing. I can't believe jay z let him put this out. he let nas down with this ****
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Jun 18, 2013The only pro of this album is the fact I never have to go to a drug store again to get some nyquil. So the $10 I paid for this album will pay itself back.
Awards & Rankings
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Nov 4, 2011He's worth the shot Jay couldn't resist giving him. But he's still not comfortable enough or clever enough.
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Nov 4, 2011Cole World reveals its maker to be a technically superb rapper with great production skills, albeit currently exploring rags-to-riches tales lacking in consistent vigour.
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Oct 19, 2011Despite the flaws, Cole shapes up his debut to be a well-rounded effort.