Studio Album · No. 1
Cole World: The Sideline Story Songwriting Credits by J. Cole
Produced by J. Cole, No I.D., Brian Kidd, Capsvl, Canei Finch, Ron Gilmore, L&X Music, Cubic Z, Elite · Engineered by Juro "Mez" Davis, Rob Kinelski, Tom Coyne
Holds writing credit on 18 of 18 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 18 / 18 documented
Scored across the 18 tracks with documented writers, by whether J. Cole carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 18 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Cole World is a heavily self-authored debut: J. Cole wrote his own raps and produced most of the album himself, sharing production with mentor No I.D. and a small in-house team. The guest list is marquee, with Jay-Z, Drake, Trey Songz, and Missy Elliott, but the writing and beats stay largely in Cole's hands. It established his model of the rapper-producer who builds records almost entirely on his own.
Cole World: The Sideline Story is the first studio album by North Carolina rapper J. Cole, released on September 27, 2011 through Roc Nation and Columbia Records. The hip hop album was produced largely by Cole himself alongside No I.D., and features guest appearances from Jay-Z, Drake, Trey Songz, and Missy Elliott. Its singles include "Work Out," "Can't Get Enough," and "Nobody's Perfect." The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 218,000 first-week copies. It was certified platinum by the RIAA, with introspective writing on relationships, family, and ambition marking Cole's arrival as a major-label artist.
Track Listing & Credits 18 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Intro
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr Cole | J. Cole | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 2 |
Dollar and a Dream III
|
J. ColeCanei FinchRonald GilmoreHustle JustJovan Woods | Jermaine Lamarr ColeCanei FinchRonald GilmoreHustle JustJovan Woods | CapsvlJ. ColeCanei FinchRon Gilmore | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 3 |
Can't Get Enough
|
J. ColeTrey SongzBrian KiddIbrahima KouyateEmile Soumah | Jermaine Lamarr ColeTremaine Aldon NeversonBrian KiddIbrahima KouyateEmile Soumah | Brian Kidd | Trey Songz |
| 4 |
Lights Please
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr Cole | J. Cole | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 5 |
Interlude
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr Cole | J. Cole | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 6 |
Sideline Story
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr Cole | J. Cole | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 7 |
Mr. Nice Watch
|
J. ColeJay-Z | Jermaine Lamarr ColeShawn Corey Carter | J. Cole | Jay-Z |
| 8 |
Cole World
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr Cole | J. Cole | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 9 |
In the Morning
|
J. ColeDrake | Jermaine Lamarr ColeAubrey Drake GrahamLeslie MerceronXavier Smith | L&X Music | Drake |
| 10 |
Lost Ones
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr Cole | J. Cole | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 11 |
Nobody's Perfect
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr ColeCurtis Lee Mayfield | J. Cole | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 12 |
Never Told
|
J. ColeErnest Dion WilsonKevin RandolphSteve Wyreman | Jermaine Lamarr ColeErnest Dion WilsonKevin RandolphSteve Wyreman | No I.D. | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 13 |
Rise and Shine
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr Cole | J. ColeCubic Z | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 14 |
God's Gift
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr ColeMilton Nascimento | J. Cole | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 15 |
Breakdown
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr ColeEero Koivistoinen | J. Cole | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 16 |
Work Out
#13
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr ColeKanye Omari WestBosco KanteElliot WolffJohn Roger StephensMiri Ben-AriSukmeke Rainey | J. Cole | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 17 |
Who Dat
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr ColeAnthony ParrinoAndré Lauren BenjaminAntwan André PattonPatrick BrownClifford Robertson | J. ColeElite | J. Cole (Rap) |
| 18 |
Daddy's Little Girl
|
J. Cole | Jermaine Lamarr Cole | J. Cole | J. Cole (Rap) |