J. Cole Talks Moving Up Album Release To Compete With Kanye West: Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013 . Retrieved May 26, 2013. a b Diep, Eric (December 21, 2016). "From Hometown Hero to Superstar Status: How High Can J. Cole Climb?". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016 . Retrieved December 23, 2016.

Lowers, Erin (June 17, 2013). "J. Cole: Born Sinner". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013 . Retrieved June 18, 2013. J. Cole, Born Sinner – 50 Best Albums of 2013". Complex. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016 . Retrieved January 2, 2016. J. Cole Originally Wanted Nas On "New York Times" – XXL". XXL. June 13, 2013. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013 . Retrieved June 18, 2013.It was just time for something new. I wouldn't have minded doing it again but I felt that I closed that story. "That metaphor and that storyline had really ended. Metaphorically I was just a kid working to get on this basketball team, got cut – that was The Come Up, then The Warm Up was like, alright I made the team, I'm on the team, now what? I'm not in the game, I'll just ride the end of the bench. Then Friday Night Lights was like 'come on man, you're still not gonna put me in the game? What I gotta do? Here, I'm gonna kill it in practice. Sideline Story was like, Wow, I really am starting now, and I feel like I ended that chapter when it's all said and done. Plus, this new theme is really more reflective of where I'm at and where I've been at for the past two years, so it was just perfect to move on. [9] Recording and production [ edit ] iTunes – Music – Crooked Smile (feat. TLC) – Single by J Cole". iTunes. June 4, 2013. Archived from the original on August 5, 2013 . Retrieved June 18, 2013. Mlynar, Phillip (June 19, 2013). "J. Cole, 'Born Sinner' (Roc Nation)". Spin. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013 . Retrieved June 20, 2013. Crooked Smile" contains an uncredited sample of " No One Gonna Love You", as performed by Jennifer Hudson. [82] When the stream finally began, some in the crowd weren’t able to get LISNR working at all. (Switching from Wifi to 4G, a non-intuitive move to be sure, worked for us). The experience lost more of its impact when the album leaked online hours after. Maybe the old-fashioned listening party isn’t so bad after all.

The 25 Best Albums of 2013". Slant Magazine. December 12, 2013. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015 . Retrieved January 2, 2016. Detailing an entire narrative in which James leaves for his daughter after he passes away, the album is yet another grand piece of work that solidifies Cole’s storytelling genius. His ability to craft a meaningful dedication that captures the pain and love he felt for his late childhood friend is immensely highlighted throughout the album. Broken Pedestal: References this on "See World". This might be a reference to rapper Canibus, who Cole has stated he's a fan of. Canibus would later diss Cole, only to recant later.Mesfin, Fekadu; Talbott, Chris (December 19, 2013). "AP music writers' top 10 albums of the year". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015 . Retrieved January 2, 2016. Is She Gon Pop" contains a sample of "Chocolate Girl", written by Wayne Bell, as performed by The Whispers. Horowitz, Steven J. (November 12, 2012). "J. Cole "Miss America" Single Cover Art". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013 . Retrieved May 26, 2013.

PopMatters Staff (December 10, 2013). "The Best Hip-Hop of 2013". PopMatters. Archived from the original on November 12, 2014 . Retrieved January 2, 2016. Tale of the Tape: Dreamville President Ibrahim "IB" Hamad Breaks Down J. Cole's 'Born Sinner' ". Vibe. June 18, 2013. Archived from the original on July 8, 2013. His Pastor Kerney Thomas skit on 'Born Sinner' is a reference to the third verse of his song "Blow Up" where he criticizes televangelism. British album certifications – J. Cole – Born Sinner". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved January 22, 2020.Horowitz, Steven J. "J. Cole Says His Sophomore Album Will Arrive in June 2012". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011 . Retrieved October 24, 2011. Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 6/30/2013". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013 . Retrieved July 3, 2013. Vasquez, Andres (November 6, 2012). "J. Cole Announces "Born Sinner" Album Release Date". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on November 26, 2014 . Retrieved November 6, 2012.