Gang Tuesday

The well waited album of Jcole, The Fall Off, was released on February 6th of 2025 and since I was also waiting for it, I listened back then too.
It wasn't an instant hit for me. The 2 Disks Album was a great concept. I noticed the different styles and vibes and yet it seemed like even as I heard the music, I didn't listen.

Like most albums whenever I'm unsure of how I feel about them and their stories, I just leave it and allow it to simmer down from the "mad hypes and trend followers" so I can listen with a clear mind.
Initially, I didn't like the First CD. Felt like it didn't have a clear story and initially thought it represented his younger years where he was still experimenting and wasn't a master of his arts so that's why it sounded sub-par.

Now, on a random Tuesday night, I'm re-listening and I have a new cleater understanding of the songs and the theme of this album.

Safety

We start with the 3rd song on the album and the first song that I initially liked it's flow sounds and lyrics on my first listen.
It's now, 11 days and 4 listens later that I actually hear the story.

J cole raps from the perspective of a childhood friend who writes to him, keeping tabs on him and also helping to inform him about his hometown and their friends. It's some how like the same vibe of Stan and Broski but there was no evil stanza.
This is just a genuine friend who wants Cole to remain safe after he has realized how easily lives can be separated and lost just as quickly.

Poor Thang

In this lyrical masterpiece, Cole breaks down majority of the Gang culture in young boys and children based on their growing pride, insecurities and bad environments.
The symbolism of "young pup" shows us young boys seeking for validation and respect yet choosing methods that'll always make more pain.
Cole goes further by reference an altercation he had with a colleague in his home town who built a fake gang persona despite them sharing a similar upbringing.
Yet even in that upbringing, Cole realizes and accepts that rap was what he used to rise up from such a flawed environment.

Legacy

This is the first emotional song in the album and we get to see a slower rap and appreciate his linguistical prowress as he tries to come to terms with his feelings.
In this song, Cole wrestles with committment issues, the fear of missing out and a pull back to the one that got away.

Wondering if him pursuing his fame has made him lose something lifelong and if his legacy wouldn't be what his gathered but would be what he left behind to get it.