Despite his efforts to remain lowkey, J. Cole is ending 2016 by making headlines once again. His fourth solo album, 4 Your Eyez Only, debuted at No. 1 on the charts. Even with the absence of heavy marketing for the project prior to its release, the album moved 492,000 units during the first week, making it the third-largest debut album of this year. All of the rapper’s solo albums so far have reached the No. 1 spot after their releases.

Cole also earned his first Top 10 song with “Deja Vu”, a single from 4 Your Eyez Only. “Deja Vu” specifically left many listeners initially confused, as the similarities in the track’s beat sounds undeniably identical to Bryson Tiller’s song, “Exchange”. From what the public knows at this point, apparently J. Cole’s version was recorded first, with Vinylz and Boi-1da behind the boards.

If you listened to the album, you know J. Cole has a lot on his hands currently. With a wife and newborn waiting for him at home, the rapper had plenty to be happy about no matter how well his album debuted. Regardless, 4 Your Eyez Only is J. Cole’s fourth No. 1 project within the last five years, and hopefully Melissa and baby Cole will understand if Young Simba hits the road for another world tour.

December 20, 2016