V Exclusive: J. Cole Calls The Blueprint a 'Classic,' Names His Favorite Song
Ten-years after its release, Jay-Z's The Blueprint, is still mentioned amongst the best hip-hop albums of all time.
Impacting rappers just as much as fans, the project played a big part in J.Cole's coming-of-ag
"That album was a classic, there's only one song that I ever skipped on that album religiously and that was (starts singing) 'Jigga, jigga, that nigga jigga.' I always skipped that," Cole tells VIBE. "But everything else was my shit on that album, especially "Renegade." I played the hell out of "Heart Of The City."
His mentor's seminal album has been debated for the past decade, disputes on the LP's best and worst tracks still breakout in hip-hop circles across the globe.
"I'll probably say "Renegade" but everything else is pretty much tied. Like "Song Cry" is such a classic," Cole's says of his personal favorites from The Blueprint.
As for his opinion on who came the hardest on the record, Jermaine votes for Slim Shady.
"Oh, it's tough man, I mean Eminem of course got it but Jay had an incredible verse. People fail to realize, Jay had some of his best verses. That's how good Eminem was that Jay had some of his best, 'I had to hustle/ I had my back to the wall/ ashy knuckles/ pockets filled with a lot lint/ not a sin gotta vent...," he was killing the whole thing."
J. Cole's debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story is set to be released on Sept. 27.
Previously: 'The Blueprint' Turns 10: VIBE Salutes Jay-Z's G.O.A.T. Album [Interviews, Essays & Debates]
V Exclusive: J. Cole On His Jay-Z Collaboratio