Continued Explorations: Musical Analysis

 

Love Yourz

J.Cole 

Love Yourz by J.Cole was composed by him and released in February of 2016. J. Coles full name is Jermaine Lamarr Cole and he was born in Frankfurt, Germany but now lives in Raleigh, a city located in North Carolina. Listening to this song is like a reminder to love yourself and that your life should be seen as the best for you even though people around you may have things you don't have. This song is very positive and tells more of a story. 

Lyrics

The lyrics that J. Cole is singing in this song is spreading nothing but positive energy. He starts off the song singing "there's no such thing as a life that's better than yours" and as he continues he ends up mentioning many struggles that people go through but as he does that, he makes it clear that it is okay because there is beauty in the struggle and ugliness in the success but at the end of the day you are still blessed to be you. The lyrics show that although there are people on different levels in life, your level does not determine someone being worse or better than you as a person. These lyrics show how people look for happiness outside of themselves when that is not how it should be.

Beat and Tempo

The beat and tempo in this song is slowed but very catchy. It gives off a more serious but mellow sound and allows you to really hear the words he is saying. It matches his voice which brings the song together throughout. Almost feels therapeutic. 

Dynamics

The dynamics in this song are very soft but sharp. Soft throughout but more sharp when singing the lyrics that either rhyme or when he is bringing attention to the beauty in you life even with the struggles. The sound is clear and when he begins to mention the cycle of trying to find happiness, the sound is more sharp which makes me focus in on those words. 

Melody

The melody throughout this song is soft, which matches the beat and tempo and his voice. He is telling a story about many who go through phases where they don't feel like their life is as good as the next but the melody just calms you and causes you to just sit, listen and think. 

Articulation

The articulation in this song is not sharp but it is clear and smooth. The break between each lyric causes you to think about what he just said but then it prepares you fo what he is about to say next. It is all connected and less of a choppy sound, which makes it easy to listen to and understand. 

"The rapper is heartfelt, shares both his wisdom and his confusion and, perhaps most importantly, gives the listener a reason to keep pushing, no matter the situation," is what was stated on MTV news. The songs is motivation to some who struggle loving themselves and finding happiness within themselves. "With his soft and soulful singing, J. Cole reminds us to find the appreciation, gratitude, and love that can exist in all of our lives if we take the time to reflect deeply." J. cole is able to paint the bigger picture with just his words and connects his own life showing us that we aren't alone in situations like this. 

Sources:

Fleischer, Adam. “J. Cole Gives A Heartfelt Reminder To 'Love Yourz' With His New Video.” MTV News, 29 Jan. 2016, www.mtv.com/news/2733729/j-cole-love-yourz-video/. 

Subbarao, Mohith. “‘Love Yourz’: J. Cole's 2014 Forest Hills Drive Is Salvation Through Authenticity.” Medium, Beats and Thoughts, 27 Nov. 2019, medium.com/beats-and-thoughts/love-yourz-j-coles-2014-forest-hills-drive-is-salvation-through-authenticity-576191f96326.