Dreamville/J. Cole: Revenge of the Dreamers III (2LP) [INTERSCOPE]

Why you'll love it

This 2LP set holds the full 18-track compilation. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and the Canadian Albums Chart, went platinum, and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2020 Grammys.

This edition

• 2LP set

About the album

J. Cole sent out the invitations on a gold poster, and 343 artists and producers turned up. For ten days in January 2019 the Dreamville crew took over Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta, recorded 142 songs, and boiled them down to these 18.

The label's own roster carries it: Cole, JID, Bas, Ari Lennox, EarthGang, Cozz, Omen and Lute, with guests including DaBaby, T.I., Smino, Saba, Vince Staples, Ty Dolla Sign and 6lack. "Middle Child" is Cole at his most self-assured, "Down Bad" turns into a relay race of verses, "Costa Rica" is a riotous posse cut, and "Sleep Deprived" and "Self Love" slow things down. A 30-minute documentary followed the sessions, and "Middle Child" and "Down Bad" each picked up a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance.

It's a snapshot of a label at full stretch and a group of friends clearly having the time of their lives. We can't get our staff to agree on a shop playlist in ten days, let alone 142 songs.

Also at Kops: more J. Cole on vinyl · browse Hip Hop / R&B

Tracklist

Listen

On Dreamville / Interscope (cat# B0030791-01), the 2019 compilation.