If you don’t know who J. Cole and Chance The Rapper are, then it’s time to do some homework. The artists will perform at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center tonight, and the worst thing you could do is go to a concert where you don’t know at least one song.
What’s the fun of attending if you can’t sing (proudly and out of tune) with the artist and your friends? You could be that person who awkwardly bobs to the beat. But trust me, you’ll look so much cooler if you know the words to the songs and can really get into the music.
Here’s a list of songs to check out before the concert:
“Crooked Smile” by J. Cole featuring TLC
You have most likely heard this song on the radio, but take the time to listen again prior to the concert and really understand the lyrics. This song is about embracing your imperfections. It’s one of today’s few rap songs with an actual message, which is to love who you are.
“Forbidden Fruit” by J. Cole featuring Kendrick Lamar
Those of you who attended last year’s concert during Black History Month will get another taste of Kendrick Lamar in this song. It reflects the theme of the album “Born Sinner.” In several songs on the album, you’ll notice references to Adam and Eve, heaven, hell, church and God.
“She Knows” by J. Cole featuring Amber Coffman and Cults
This song is so darn catchy. Seriously. By the time the song ends, you’ll be belting out “she knows” over and over and over again.
“Work Out” by J. Cole
This is one of Cole’s more upbeat songs from his debut album. Honestly, this would be a great song to play when having sex. It’s not exactly baby-making music, but we all know what Cole is really thinking when he says, “I wanna see you work out for me.”
“Favorite Song” by Chance The Rapper featuring Childish Gambino
If the beat to this song sounds vaguely familiar even though you never heard this song before, you’re not going crazy. The beat is a sample from Betty Wright’s “Clean Up Woman,” giving the track an old-school sound. This feel-good track is perfect for when you ace that exam you spent all night studying for.
“Cocoa Butter Kisses” by Chance The Rapper featuring Vic Mensa and Twista
This laid-back song is perfect when you’re just relaxing in your room. At first listen, you may think this is just another rap song talking about smoking and drugs. The song is really about the rapper thinking back to the kisses he would get from his mother before he started smoking.
And class is dismissed. If you take a listen to the songs on this list, you’ll definitely be ready to show off your rapping skills at the concert tonight.
I also recommend listening to Chance The Rapper’s most recent mixtape and Cole’s latest album for tonight’s show.
[A version of this story ran on page 10 on 2/27/2014 under the headline "Your J. Cole pre-concert playlist"]
