J. Cole destroyed McDonald Theatre Monday night as he kick-started his three-part tour with an amazing performance right here in Eugene.
With the entire theater packed, he opened with “Intro” from his new album.
Throughout the show, he took the time to talk to the crowd and ask for song requests. Of course, everyone wanted to hear music from his new album 2014 Forest Hills Drive, which is named after the street he grew up on. When J. Cole left for college, his house was foreclosed and his mom lost her home, all explained in the song “Apparently.” But after becoming famous, he was able buy back the house, and has since given it to two single mothers to live in.
Cole opted for a simple stage setup, with what appeared to be a tie-dye tapestry (very Eugene), and crazy lights. His presence absorbed the entire theatre as he talked about women who hurt him, and his mom, who is currently sick, but came to Eugene two hours before the show to hangout with her son.
An unforgettable moment was when he talked about his parents, specifically his father, right before performing the song “Love Yourz.” Cole sang this song with nothing but pure emotion. He said, no matter how popular you become, how famous you become, you always have time for your family. He shouted to the crowd, “You came from that man’s balls so fucking call him back!”
For the hardcore fans, J. Cole performed some of his older tracks from before he became popular.
Finally, after performing a few more popular songs, including “No Role Modelz” and “Apparently,” Cole left and the stage went black. As expected, the crowd blew up in frustration and anticipation, waiting for him to come back with an encore.
He did, and the crowd blew up.
When he was finished, he stood on stage and stared for a few moments into the crowd, which was wilder than ever.
“Damn,” he said, looking around the audience with awe and appreciation.
Before singing his final song, he told the crowd not to put their hands up and dance, but to just listen to his lyrics: “There’s beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success. Hear my words or listen to my signal of distress… For what’s money without happiness? Or hard times without people you love? Though I’m not sure what’s ‘bout to happen next, I asked for strength from the Lord up above.”
After describing how personal his album is, and how hesitant he was to release it, he sang, “Apparently you believed in me, me, me.”
Why yes we do J. Cole, yes we do.