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The Warm Up
Hip-Hop · 2009 · 22 tracks · 1h 13m

The Warm Up

J. Cole

Hungry, soul-sampled storytelling from a pre-fame J. Cole. Dusty production and basketball metaphors define this blueprint for modern conscious rap.

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The tape that proved Cole was the next great storyteller before the world even knew his name.

A hungry, soul-drenched pursuit of greatness fueled by both insecurity and undeniable talent.

The Warm Up · vs · J. Cole
Sampler+0.9σ

The instrumentation foregrounds sampler a touch more than the catalogue usually does.

Tracklist · 22 Tracks · 1h 13m
01
Intro (The Warm Up)
1:47
02
Welcome
2:20
03
Can I Live
3:21
04
Grown Simba
3:52
05
Just to Get By
1:37
06
Lights Please
4:25
07
Dead Presidents II
3:34
08
I Get Up
4:54
09
World Is Empty
2:55
10
Dreams
4:24
11
Royal Flush
1:27
12
Dollar and a Dream II
4:21
13
Water Break (interlude)
2:20
14
Heartache
3:01
15
Get Away
3:17
16
Knock Knock
1:54
17
Ladies
3:22
18
Til’ Infinity
2:11
19
The Badness
2:37
20
Hold It Down
4:17
21
Last Call
7:32
22
Losing My Balance
4:16
Moments Worth Waiting For
The transition on Lights Please where the beat drops into that smooth, seductive soul loop that caught Jay-Z's ear.
The raw, unpolished intensity of the flow on Dead Presidents II, proving he could stand on a legendary instrumental.
The storytelling arc of Dreams, where the narrative tension builds alongside a haunting, repetitive piano motif.
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