Power Trip (ft. Miguel) - J. Cole

Many hip hop performers who handle their own production find themselves in a confined commercial environment; while they have total control of the making of their music, they cannot readily turn out enough material to stay relevant. J. Cole had previously experienced success as one of these artists. 2011's Cole World: The Sideline Story was a highly-touted release, with "Can't Get Enough," "Work Out," and other cuts receiving considerable airplay on urban radio. This single from his sophomore release validates J. Cole as a viable radio-ready rapper whose nominal street credentials (he has a college degree, how ignorant can he pretend to be?) are overshadowed by his production talent.

Many of J. Cole's lyrics give off the impression that he is an overzealous, try-hard student of the industry. Fortunately, he scraps that angle for a purely lustful narrative of a high school-type love affair: "Well this has gotta be the longest crush ever / If I ever get a fuck, it'd be the longest bust ever." The story is simple, but impassioned.

A crackly, nostalgic intro busts into pulsing bass, the kind of bass that comes from a fat, outdated car stereo system. Miguel does his thing as well as ever. Power Trip is an easy personal listen and a solid, accessible hip-hop track for group situations.