Smith, Trevor (June 22, 2013). "J. Cole – Let Nas Down (Remix) Feat. Nas [New Song]". hotnewhiphop. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016 . Retrieved February 19, 2016.

Cole:"It’s definitely the balance between the low end. Power Trip is a perfect example again. There’s an 808 there that needs to live, needs to be heard. But there’s a bass line going at the same time that’s just as important. They’re in each other’s way but both need to be there, so it’s about carving the space, finding the right ratio of taking from the 808 without taking too much of its life, and the same with the bass line. That’s where we had to spend the most time. And also the vocal mix is something I’m trying to master." J. Cole Announces 'Born Sinner' Release Date". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on June 2, 2013 . Retrieved May 26, 2013. Although “Born Sinner” is filled with stadium-sized beats, the album has intimate moments that shine as well. The stellar “Rich Ni–az” starts with a harp looping over the sound of running water, while Cole gives some of the most personal and relatable rhymes of the album, rapping about his mom moonlighting for money because his dad wasn’t around. Cole’s thoughts evolve constantly on the song: His middle finger to the titular “Rich Ni–az” turns into a tale of personal poverty and ultimately a comparison between his own bittersweet success and that of Basquiat or Kurt Cobain. In the end, it’s something of a mission statement for Cole’s career and his struggles throughout it: He wants success, but he doesn’t want to sell his soul for it. Cole:"I kind of freestyle every time. The Avalon [VT-737sp] is great, but sometimes I don’t have that and just have the Duet so that will do. And for the mic, the [Neumann] U87 is usually what we use. There’s also a Sony mic, the C800G, that’s great."Miss America" contains a sample of "Flightline", written by Brookln Dekker, as performed by Rue Royale. Frequency News". Frequency News. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013 . Retrieved April 18, 2018. Horowitz, Steven J. (November 19, 2012). "J. Cole Says "Miss America" Is Meant To "Shift Culture," Preps Short Film". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013 . Retrieved May 26, 2013. Spotlight-Stealing Squad: Some of his guest appearances on song by other artist put him in this position.

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 6/23/2013". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013 . Retrieved June 26, 2013. Jay-Z And Eminem Return With 2013's Most Anticipated Hip-Hop Albums – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. January 4, 2013. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013 . Retrieved May 26, 2013.

Video: J. Cole Performs New Verses Live In Hollywood – All City Chess Club". October 20, 2012. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013 . Retrieved May 26, 2013. J. Cole Talks "Miss America" and Sophomore Album Born Sinner | XXL". XXL. November 19, 2012. Archived from the original on March 14, 2013 . Retrieved May 26, 2013. Similar to KOD, the idea was there, but the execution wasn’t well-received, due to the same dreary atmosphere that followed its previous high-energy counterparts such as Born Sinner and 2014 Forest Hills Drive. New Video: J.Cole x Miguel "Power Trip" ". Rap Radar. April 9, 2013. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013 . Retrieved September 24, 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.

J.Cole Born Sinner Delayed". Rap Radar. January 2, 2013. Archived from the original on July 1, 2013 . Retrieved May 26, 2013. Cole:"Honestly, I use tools like panning to clear up space, especially now that I’ve grown as a producer, but in my early stages there was no such thing–just sounds piled on top of each other. Only now am I starting to take control of things that used to be done in the mix. Now I’m doing EQs, reverbs, delays, panning, etc. while making the beat. I didn’t have the mixing ear at first, just an ear for melody and drums and adjusting the volume of the sounds. This album [Born Sinner] was the beginning of my putting more motion in the sound design, and it’s only scratching the surface."

Top tracks

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.