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J. Cole

J. Cole's album Born Sinner is in itself titled after thoughts about religion. Many people believe we are all born with sin originating from the Original Sin of Adam and Eve. So, songs such as J. Cole's Forbidden Fruit and Born Sinner speak to people who are of the Christian faith. J. Cole uses his music to reach people about real topics. He believes it is a platform to speak to a large number of people and potentially change their views of the world for the better. He is also one of the more religious rappers that I talk about in depth. Even though some of the music he writes is obviously devoted to Christianity and religion, some songs are a little less obvious. Many songs he has written such as Power Trip and Villuminati are about sinning and God, but you need to really listen to understand it. Power Trip talks about his life and his past loves. About how he wants to be able to have sex with someone and forget the feelings. Essentially he wants to be "sinful."

But in Villuminati it is a little more clear. He says things such as, "Born sinner, the opposite of a winner."  Referring to himself as a sinful man. He also says, "I'm tryna keep my homie from throwing crack in the skully. So, back with this pen to give back for my sins." Here he is saying he wants to lead his friends away from a life that is going to cause them pain and suffering. He is also saying he wants to repay whatever sins he has committed by using the platform he has to speak to the world about his beliefs.

J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar's song Forbidden Fruit is all about the Fall. They've based this modern day hop-hop song about Christianity's version of the origin of Mankind. The song talks about the apple that Eve and Adam ate that caused them to be sinful. For anyone who isn't religious this song wouldn't mean much, but to a Christian the lyrics could be something they connect with.

J. Cole contributes his success to the power and love of God. He believes that he has done so well with his career because God has had faith in him, and allowed him to make it to where he is today.

Forbidden Fruit - J. Cole featuring Kendrick Lamar

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