As we saw in a post-2014 Forest Hills Drive world, it has become difficult to separate the name J. Cole from the words "platinum, no features." While the impressive feat has since been reduced to a hilarious batch of memes, we often forget the bigger picture that the lone wolf emcee's conscious decision to create without guest features is not necessarily for shock value, but rather to present his point of view, solely and unapologetically. It feels rare, because it is.

Cole isn't impressed by accolades of fame or one's talent, as exemplified on the recent one-off “False Prophets,” but by how one handles said fame or talent. Cole is a living example of the cliché "with power comes responsibility," and his decision to use his platform both wisely and with an authentic realness is exactly why he has created his own lane. The Dreamville emcee creates with something greater in mind, but he doesn't have everything all figured out either. Without room for trial and error, there is no room for progress, and this is an integral part of his curious and undeniable charm. While “False Prophets” and “Everybody Dies” are not featured on his new album 4 Your Eyez Only, they act as foreshadowing that Cole’s gearing up for something bigger, later delivering 10 tracks that provide plenty of material for us to digest and talk about. Every move he makes is calculated, forcing us to be more thoughtful in our response.

And "thoughtful" we were. Without further ado, here are some musings that crossed our minds while spinning J. Cole's 4 Your Eyez Only.

Read the full article here, via BET.com.