J. Cole Calculates Outselling Kanye West: “I Don’t Feel Like I’ve Done Enough”

Written By S. Samuel

Roc Nation's J. Cole recently discussed the success of his new Born Sinner album and, notably, its selling power in comparison to Kanye West's recently released Yeezus.

Kanye West
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Despite strong overall numbers, Cole said he feels there is still plenty for him to accomplish in the music industry.

“I don’t wake up every day like, ‘I got a great status in the rap game.’ No, I feel behind. I don’t feel like I’ve done enough. I only get brief moments to appreciate things. I might get a two minute thought of like, ‘Wow, you really did sell more than Kanye. You currently have sold more records than Kanye West’s album, which came out the same day.’ Then I’m back to focusing on what’s next.” (Noisey)

Back in July, Born Sinner slightly edged Yeezy’s latest solo album in overall sales.

J. Cole’s newly released Born Sinner album continues to impact on Billboard’s album charts. After sitting at No. 2 behind Kanye West’s Yeezus and Wale’s The Gifted since its June 18 release, Cole’s sophomore LP rises to the top this week with 58,000 copies sold. A rare feat where an album rises after its debut, Born Sinner now slides past Yeezus in overall sales selling 439,000 copies to date versus Kanye’s 431,000 units. The Roc Nation/G.O.O.D. Music family of J. Cole, Kanye West, and Wale hold down the first three spots on Billboard’s “Top 200? album charts respectively. (Miss Info TV)

In May, Cole spoke on the motivation for moving his Born Sinner release date up a week to face off against Kanye.

“Instantly the lightbulb [turned on]… it got real. I made one phone call to somebody that would know, just to make sure first. As soon as I got it confirmed, I was like, ‘Yo…’ The idea hit me instantly: ‘You got to go to that date,'” he said. “I’m not going to sit [here]… I worked too hard to come a week later after Kanye West drops an amazing album. It’d be like, ‘Oh and J.Cole dropped too, a week later.’ Nah. I’m going to go see him on that date. He’s the greatest. So it’s like, I’m a competitor by nature so it was instant, it wasn’t even a thought,” the Roc Nation artist continued. (Billboard)

Rather than pick sides, The LOX’s Jadakiss said he would purchase both albums and applauded Cole for taking a business approach with the early release date strategy back in June.

“I’ll buy both of them,” Jada said when asked if he would cop J. Cole or Kanye West’s album on June 18th. “I mean, me, personally, I got a couple of dollars so I’ll get them both but um, I think J. Cole was smart doing that. Cole is at a good [point]. His career is on the upside of things so with him putting his album up with Kanye’s I think it was cool. It can’t do nothing but help, you know what I mean?” (“The Breakfast Club”)

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Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

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