J. Cole Needs to “Knock on Wood” (Freestyle Listen & Download)

Posted by Nathan S. on 02/17/10 | Filed under Top Stories, Downloads, J. Cole, Freestyles

Some rappers are on another level, a level at which you know one of their new tracks is going to be ill before you even listen, and the future of Roc Nation J. Cole is quickly approaching that next level. For most rappers a freestyle like "Knock on Wood", which uses Common's bedroom burner "Go" as its backdrop, would be an opportunity to clear out their rhyme book, but Cole legitimately kills this, covering topics ranging from his meteoric rise to a Valentine's Day spent with his girl instead of watching the All-Star Game (I know dudes can relate to this one).

Cole's got a flow all his own, but I can hear elements of Kanye and Brother Ali's styles in here. And that's not a slam on Cole at all. He doesn't rip off their styles, he takes their influence and molds it into something completely original.

(Just in case you're like me, listen to this and find yourself really wanting to hear the original as well, click here for Common's "Go").