4 Your Eyez Only: An Analysis of one of Hip Hop’s Greatest Allegories
No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as is a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own.
Or of thine friend’s were.
Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
-John Donne, For Whom the Bell Tolls
Many artists have blazed the storytelling trail prior to J. Cole’s arrival. Rappers like Nas, Slick Rick, and Jay-Z inspired generations of talented emcees. They operated from multiple lenses, crafting stories borne out of fiction and non-fiction. These tales, in many cases, were inspired by environments in which these artists grew up in. Stories of pain, triumph, crime, and an eventual rise out of these circumstances for the fortunate to gain success.
Cole is another example of a contemporary artist — a gifted wordsmith— who uses life’s events to paint vivid pictures. 4 Your Eyez Only (4YEO), an album released on December 9th, 2016, set itself apart as one of hip hop’s greatest allegories. In this work, Cole hones an already sharp gift for storytelling. It is a cautionary tale of the trappings of the streets, and the detrimental cycle of poverty, crime, death, and the for-profit prison industry.
Disclaimer: To be clear, there is no evidence to support whether this is a work of fiction or nonfiction. J. Cole has never confirmed fan theories related to this album. This story will be analyzed, and the readers can make a final determination for themselves.
Cole began 4YEO on a strong note that would set the tone for the entire album. “For Whom the Bell Tolls” is the first track, and it explored weighty themes of life and death. Cole’s tone is melodic as he sings throughout the track, and one can detect the melancholic emotion in his delivery. The poem, “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” discussed the negative impact that death can have on one’s psyche. Cole seemed to clearly draw inspiration (noted by Billboard) from poet John Donne’s masterful work, regardless if their lives mirror each other’s or not. Cole has made it clear throughout his career that trauma such a violence, abuse, and crime riddled his childhood and adolescence. In the song’s dramatic climax, Cole gave the listener a glimpse into his (or, perhaps, his friend’s— we will explore this concept later) mental state. He expressed fear of the unknown and ponders if death is waiting around the corner. The production mellows out to prepare for the close, and Cole softly sings:
“Bells gettin’ louder, louder
I see the rain
Pouring down.”
The album’s next track, “Immortal,” further advanced the allegory. It displayed Cole’s ability as a narrator to rap from multiple perspectives. He portrayed a man who got involved in a life of crime: selling drugs and committing violence to achieve short-term financial gain. The man is aware of the recklessness of his lifestyle, but he also possesses an arrogant disposition, boasting that people who live this way will never die. Cole switched back to his own point of view, juxtaposing the mentality of this character. He expressed the pain felt when loved ones are lost to violence. Finally, Cole detailed the repercussions of this behavior and how stereotypes have had a negative influence on the Black community.
“They tellin’ niggas, “Sell dope, rap or go to NBA
In that order, it’s that sort of thinkin’
That been keepin’ niggas chained at the bottom and hanged
The strangest fruit that you ever seen, ripe with pain, listen…”
“Ville Mentality” further expounded on Cole’s point of view and the risks associated with a life of crime. Cole crooned throughout the entire song. Specifically, he asked, “How long can I survive with this mentality?” In the song’s interlude, a child can be heard discussing the death of her late father, a man who was trapped in that detrimental cycle. The child is believed to be the daughter of Cole’s late friend— the other point of view that Cole raps from throughout the project. Cole rapped in this man’s perspective once again, expressing the very thing wrong with the “Ville Mentality.”
“Nigga play me, never, give up my chain, never
Give up my pride, never, show ’em my pain, never
Dirt on my name, never, dirt on my name, never
Dirt on my name, never, dirt on my name, never.”
“She’s Mine Pt. 1” is an emotional ballad that details the joy of childbirth and the impact that fatherhood can have on a man.
On “Changes,” Cole discussed the importance of self-care and how that has helped him cope with the fragility of life.
“I sit in silence and find whenever I meditate
My fears alleviate, my tears evaporate
My faith don’t deviate, ideas don’t have a date.”
Unfortunately, his mental state is tested once again when he discovers that his friend James— the man whose perspective he’s been rapping from at multiple points in the album — had been murdered at the age of 22, leaving a young daughter behind in the process. In closing, Cole rapped from the perspective of James’ friend, promising to seek vengeance for James’ demise at his funeral. The cycle of violence continues.
The next song, “Neighbors,” was inspired by true events. Cole rapped from his own perspective yet again, but this time he detailed the persistent plague of racism that exists in society. Cole rented out a house for himself and his lablemates to use as a studio. His neighbors assumed that the presence of Black men in a predominantly White, wealthy neighborhood was cause for concern. They assumed that their Black neighbors were selling drugs. That is, their Black neighbors’ wealth must have been a product of black market/”dirty” money. The house was raided by a SWAT team. Thankfully, no one was home at the time of the raid. While the investigation turned up empty, the incident was traumatizing. Cole described nights that he was afraid to go to sleep due to paranoia. He’s “Black in a white man territory.”
On “Folding Clothes,” Cole (in his perspective) expressed heartfelt sentiments. He described the positive impact that the love of a significant other can have on someone. Towards the end of the song, he further reflected on the mentality of people he grew up with.
“Put your frown on before they think you soft
Never smile long or take your defense off
Acting tough so much, we start to feel hard.”
“She’s Mine Pt.2” is a continuation of the previous version. Cole discussed the great feeling of fatherhood in a cruel world. From James’ perspective, he pondered if he’s worthy of such a special gift. The love of a daughter has changed everything for him. It made him want to be a better man, but it was too late. He was stuck in the cyclical pattern of street violence.
In the closing track, “4 Your Eyez Only,” Cole produced one of hip hop’s most masterful displays of storytelling. A heavy track over eight minutes long, Cole seamlessly weaved between him and James’s point of view throughout the track, and the intention of the album was revealed: it was inspired by James for his daughter. Throughout the song, Cole rapped about James’s moral dilemma. James was aware of the destruction that he was causing to his community, but the cries of his hungry daughter forced him to make tough decisions. James felt trapped in a system that left him impoverished and with limited options.
“I try to find employment even if it’s wiping toilets
But these felonies be making life the hardest
Resisting the temptation to run up and swipe a wallet
Or run up on your yard, snatch your daughter bike and pawn it
That’s why I write this sonnet
If the pressure get too much for me to take and I break
Play this tape for my daughter and let her know my life is on it.”
James’ story resonated with Cole. Not only was James a close friend, but some believe that Cole alluded to James on the song "‘03 Adolescence” on his previous album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive. On that track, Cole’s friend convinced him not to pursue the behavior that he was engaged in. Cole was impressed by his friend’s lifestyle of fast money and the thrill of drug dealing, but Cole’s friend convinced him that he was far too talented to get involved in a life of crime. What if Cole wasn’t blessed with his creative abilities? Would he have shared a similar fate to his friend, James, who grew up under many of the same socioeconomic conditions? Cole revealed that James knew his time would be up sooner than later as a result of the life that he was living.
“I got the strangest feeling your daddy gonna lose his life soon
And sadly if you’re listening now it must mean it’s true
But maybe there’s a chance that it’s not
And this album remains locked
In a hard drive like valuable jewels
And I can teach you this in person
Like I’m teaching you to tie your own shoes
I love you and I hope to God I don’t lose you
For your eyes only.”
James instructed Cole to play the album for his daughter one day when she’s ready. While this album was inspired by Cole’s friend, it serves as a cautionary tale for young men and women in similar life circumstances: the pursuit of money through illegal means has consequences.
