Opening the album with a Biggie sample ("Juicy"), Cole addresses Illuminati rumors and his position in the game. It set the tone: he was technical, aggressive, and ready to prove he belonged at the top.
One of the primary themes of Born Sinner is identity. Cole grapples with his own identity as a black man in America, exploring the tensions between his privileged upbringing and his experiences with racism. On tracks like "January 28th," Cole reflects on his own journey, rapping about the difficulties of growing up and finding one's place in the world.