Heavens EP
Dreamville & J. Cole Lyrics

(I'm working on dying)
J. Cole is focused on his work and driven to succeed.

Yeah, yeah (and like that)
J. Cole acknowledges the ups and downs of life, but he keeps pushing forward.

(Gotta have a space, gotta have a space) yeah
J. Cole needs space to process his thoughts and emotions in order to create his art.

It's a been a pleasure
J. Cole has enjoyed his journey so far and is grateful for his success.

Know what I mean? (She belongs to the streets)
J. Cole recognizes that some people aren't trustworthy and will do whatever it takes to get ahead.

Freedom, know what I mean? (We gone)
J. Cole values his freedom to speak his mind and create his art, and he's moving forward despite any obstacles.

Uh, space to get this shit off (Gangsta Grizzillz)
J. Cole needs room to express himself and create his music, and he's grateful for the support of his team.

Yeah
J. Cole is confident and focused on his goals.

Yeah (get this shit off my mind, off my chest)
J. Cole needs to release his thoughts and emotions through his art.

Yeah (know what I mean?)
J. Cole is making sure his message is clear and understood by his audience.

With every record I be asking the masses to tune your hearts to me
J. Cole wants his fans to connect with his music on a deep level and be inspired by his message.

I represent intelligent niggas that grew up harshly
J. Cole speaks for those who have faced adversity and have overcome it.

But lately I've been questioning, second guessing
J. Cole is facing self-doubt and uncertainty about his place in the industry.

Whether or not I've got something to offer since I done eluded poverty
J. Cole is questioning if his success has changed him or if he's still staying true to his roots.

Or has the money watered me down? That truth is hard for me
J. Cole is struggling to balance his success with staying true to himself, and he's wondering if he's lost some of the edge that made him successful in the first place.

Like the second time I got cut from the junior varsity
J. Cole is referencing a personal struggle from his past to illustrate his current struggle with self-doubt.

Fightin' back tears, I promised to switch gears
J. Cole is determined to overcome his self-doubt and continue to push forward.

And said to myself, "Whatever you do, you won't do it partially"
J. Cole is committed to giving his all in everything he does.

From this day forward, I move with a new ferocity
J. Cole is more determined than ever to succeed and make an impact in the music industry.

Ferrari coupe velocity, a fail proof philosophy
J. Cole is moving forward with confidence and a clear plan for success.

Success is in the effort, so if a nigga tried his hardest
J. Cole believes that success is not just about the end result, but also the effort put in along the way.

I'm at peace knowing God ain't deal it in this group of cards for me
J. Cole trusts in a higher power and is at peace with the cards he's been dealt in life.

Some people say that I'm running third, they threw the bronze at me
J. Cole is aware that he's not seen as the top artist in the industry, but he's still pushing forward and making an impact.

Behind Drake and Dot, yeah, them niggas is superstars to me
J. Cole respects other successful artists in the industry and sees them as role models.

Maybe deep down, I'm afraid of my luminosity
J. Cole is acknowledging that he may be afraid of the attention and success that comes with being a top artist.

So when you see me on red carpets, I'm movin' awkwardly
J. Cole is uncomfortable with the spotlight and tries to avoid attention when possible.

Posin' all nervous, afraid of the judgement
J. Cole is self-conscious and worried about how he's perceived by others.

And the thought of showin' too much of my day is repugnant
J. Cole is a private person and doesn't want to reveal too much about his personal life.

I be keepin' my kids away from the gaze of the public
J. Cole wants to protect his children from the negative aspects of fame and the public eye.

'Cause these days, it feel like hate is they favorite subject
J. Cole is aware of the negativity and hate that can come with fame and success, and he's trying to shield his loved ones from it.

Fuck it, attitude like a young O'Shea with a AK
J. Cole is adopting a more aggressive attitude and not caring what others think.

Aimed at your brain, violate, and I bust it
J. Cole is not afraid to speak his mind and may take aggressive action against those who challenge him.

I don't play when it come to family, that's one thing I refuse
J. Cole values his family above all else and will do whatever it takes to protect them.

Pimpin' they kids out for views to just to be in the news
J. Cole is criticizing those who exploit their children for public attention or personal gain.

Could never be me, I piss in the celebrity tea
J. Cole is not interested in playing the game of celebrity culture or being part of it.

God with me on this record, this is Heaven's EP
J. Cole is focusing on his faith and expressing it through his music.

The tales official, the best nigga breathing, it just failed to hit you
J. Cole believes that he's the best rapper out there, but not everyone recognizes his talent.

You couldn't tell 'cause you fell for the bells and whistles
J. Cole is criticizing those who are impressed by flashy things and overlook true talent and artistry.

And that's an area I don't excel
J. Cole recognizes that he may not be good at promoting himself or playing the game of the music industry.

I'm from the 'Ville where young girls talk grown as hell
J. Cole comes from a place where people grow up fast and are forced to mature quickly.

That's raw, never saw one person go to Yale
J. Cole's community is not known for producing Ivy League graduates or highly educated individuals.

But every nigga that I know done gone to jail
J. Cole's community is plagued by poverty and crime, and many people end up in jail.

At least once, provin' we the ones police hunt
J. Cole is acknowledging that police target his community and people of color in general.

For the pains, we smoke three blunts the size of tree trunks
J. Cole's community turns to drugs as a form of escapism and coping with their struggles.

Too much hunger, it's no wonder these niggas can't keep up
J. Cole's community faces so much adversity and struggle that it's difficult for people to succeed and rise above it.

So saying "Yes" to a feature just means I'm 'bout to eat lunch, bitch
J. Cole is confident in his abilities and sees every opportunity as a chance to showcase his talent and dominate his competition.

I'm goin' for it, no never shall he punt
J. Cole is committed to success and will never give up or surrender.

I'm the one and you can be sure, speaking of beachfront
J. Cole is the best in the game and he's not afraid to declare it, using a metaphor for prime real estate to emphasize his point.

I'm kickin' my feet up while I write this in somewhere tropical
J. Cole is enjoying his success and taking time to relax and soak up his surroundings while still creating new music.

Supposed to be relaxin', this passion makes that impossible
J. Cole can't help but continue to create and strive for greatness, even when he's supposed to be taking a break.

Follow the leaders
J. Cole is a leader in the industry and he's encouraging others to follow his example.

Another Gangsta Grillz classic
J. Cole is proud to have DJ Drama and his team behind him, and he acknowledges their contribution to his success.

Like I never left
J. Cole is back and better than ever, as if he never took a break from making music.

Dreamville
J. Cole represents his record label, Dreamville, which is more than just a music label, but a community and a movement.

D-Day
J. Cole is referencing the date of a crucial military operation during World War II, using it as a metaphor for his own important moment in the music industry.

(Gangsta Grizzillz)
J. Cole is shouting out his team again, showing appreciation for their support and hard work.