Cole initially gained recognition as a rapper following the release of his debut mixtape, The Come Up, in early 2007 in which he also founded his record label Dreamville with label president Ibrahim Hamad. Intent on further pursuing a solo career as a rapper, he went on to release two additional mixtapes The Warm Up in 2009 and Friday Night Lights in 2010, after signing to Jay Z's Roc Nation imprint in 2009.
Cole released his debut studio album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, on September 27, 2011, which included the lead single "Work out". It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, and was soon certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
In June 18, 2013, Cole released his second studio album Born Sinner. Born Sinner sold 297,000 copies in its first week of release, and peaked at number one in it's third week of release. The album received mostly positive reviews from critics. On September 15, 2020, Born Sinner was certified double platinum. The album was supported by the lead single Power Trip with R&B artist Miguel, which was released on February 14.
On December 9, 2014, Cole, released his third studio album "2014 Forest Hills Drive". It was also the first album in 25 years at that time that went 3 times platinum with absolutely no features. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 353,000 copies in its first week and was certified platinum on March 31, 2015. The latter earned him his first Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album. The album was later accompanied by two documentaries "J. Cole: Road to Homecoming" in the period of December 16, 2015 – January 9, 2016 & "Forest Hills Drive: Homecoming" on January 9, 2016.
On 9 December, 2016, Cole released his fourth studio album "4 Your Eyez Only". The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart with 492,000 album-equivalent units, of which 363,000 were pure album sales, becoming Cole's fourth number one album. On January 12, 2017, the album was certified gold and certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on April 7, 2017.
On April 20, 2018 Cole released his 5th studio album "KOD", after he revealed the album name two days after and held a couple listening sessions. The album featured his new alter ego kiLL edward under which he released the single "Tidal Wave (just a little reference)" on April 18th, 2018, 2 days before releasing KOD. The album was recieved with positive reviews from critics and debuted atop the US Billboard 200, selling 397,000 album-equivalent units in its first week (174,000 coming from pure sales), earning Cole his fifth consecutive number-one album in the country. The album broke several streaming records at the time of the release. On December 5, 2018 the album was certified platinum.
Cole released a 2 song EP called "Lewis Street" on July 22, 2020, which included the single "The Climb Back", which would later be featured on his 6th studio album. On May 7, 2021, Cole released the lead single "Interlude" one week before releasing his 6th studio album. Cole's 6th studio album "The Off-Season" was released on May 14, 2021. The album sold 282,000 album-equivalent units in its first week and would earn Cole his sixth consecutive number-one album in the country. 4 of the 12 songs debuted on the top ten on the US Billboard Hot 100, with the song "My Life" featuring 21 Savage & Morray peaking at number 2.
Self-taught on piano, Cole also acts as a producer alongside his hip hop career, producing singles for artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Janet Jackson, as well as handling the majority of the production in his own projects. He has also developed other ventures, including Dreamville Records, as well as non-profit organization the Dreamville Foundation. In January 2015, Cole decided to house single mothers rent-free in his childhood home in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
06
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And see what I've seen...
If you looked in my life
And see what I've seen...
If you looked in my life
And see what I've seen...
If you looked in my life
And see what I've seen...
Life can be only what you make it
When you're feelin down
You should never fake it
Say what's on your mind
And you'll find in time
That all the negative energy
It would all cease
And you'll be at peace with yourself
You won't really need no one else
Except for the man up above
Because He'll give you love
If you looked in my life
And see what I've seen...
If you looked in my life
And see what I've seen...
If you looked in my life
And see what I've seen...
If you looked in my life
And see what I've seen...
Take your time
Baby don't you rush a thing
Don't you know, I know
We all are struggling
I know it is hard
But we will get by
And if you don't believe in me
Just believe in "He"
Cause He'll give you peace of mind
Yes He will
And you'll see the sunshine
For real, yes you would
And you'll get to free your mind
And things will turn out fine
Oh, I know that things will turn out fine
Yes they would, yes they would
If you looked in my life
And see what I've seen...
If you looked in my life
And see what I've seen...
If you looked in my life
And see what I've seen...
If you looked in my life
And see what I've seen...
All you gotta do is take your time,
One day at a time
It's all on you
what you gonna do?
Oh you will see I'm so down and out
Cryin' every day
Don't know what to do or to say
J. Cole's "06" reflects on themes of perseverance and faith in God during difficult times. The repeated phrase "If you looked in my life and see what I've seen" suggests that the singer has experienced significant struggles and challenges in their life. Despite their hardships, the singer encourages listeners to be honest about their emotions and to have faith in a higher power. The lyrics emphasize the importance of taking things one day at a time and not rushing through life's challenges.
The second verse reinforces the idea that everyone struggles at some point in their lives. The use of the word "struggling" also implies that the singer sees overcoming challenges as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. The line "if you don't believe in me, just believe in 'He'" indicates that the singer is not seeking validation or recognition from others but rather wants listeners to have faith in something greater than themselves.
Overall, the message of the song is one of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite the difficulties that the singer has endured, they still have faith that things will turn out fine in the end and encourage listeners to do the same.
Line by Line Meaning
If you looked in my life
Reflecting on my past experiences
And see what I've seen...
The hardships and struggles that I went through
Life can be only what you make it
Your life is what you make of it
When you're feelin down
During times of sadness
You should never fake it
It's better to be honest about your feelings
Say what's on your mind
Speak your truth
And you'll find in time
Eventually
That all the negative energy
Negative thoughts and emotions
It would all cease
Will go away
And you'll be at peace with yourself
Find inner peace
You won't really need no one else
Self-reliance is important
Except for the man up above
Reliance on a higher power
Because He'll give you love
Divine love
Take your time
Don't rush
Baby don't you rush a thing
Don't hurry
Don't you know, I know
I understand
We all are struggling
Everyone faces difficulties
I know it is hard
It's not easy
But we will get by
We will overcome
And if you don't believe in me
If you don't trust me
Just believe in "He"
Believe in God
Cause He'll give you peace of mind
God will provide tranquility
And you'll see the sunshine
You'll see brighter days
For real, yes you would
It's true
And you'll get to free your mind
Your mind will be free
And things will turn out fine
Things will be good
Oh, I know that things will turn out fine
I have faith that things will get better
All you gotta do is take your time,
Just take it slow
One day at a time
One step at a time
It's all on you
It's up to you
what you gonna do?
What will your action be?
Oh you will see I'm so down and out
I'm currently in a difficult situation
Cryin' every day
Crying regularly
Don't know what to do or to say
Uncertain of what to do next
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP, SONY ATV MUSIC PUB LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARLENE DELVALLE, CHUCKY THOMPSON, MARY J. BLIGE, ROY AYERS, SEAN J. COMBS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oliviakalema6029
Lyrics for whoever feels this
Do better, who better?
You better? Been around
Like hella propellers
Wanna know who you with
Don't tell him
Come on fellas, that ain't none of your biz'
Got on your bodysuit, you know I'm on your ass today
Would you let me hit it thrice if I asked today?
She know my stick nothin' but magic bae
I'll be swinging it back and forth, 'til you in your casket, bae
Mmm, girl you want my best side, mmm
Bet you from the West Side, mmm, mmm
Now I just wanna know
Don't just sugar coat
Or say it all if you want
Now could you tell me like it is?
Pretty little fears
Music to my ears
Okay, say it loud, say it proud, you wanted more
We open door, hit the couch, then on floor
I cut it all, like a scissor, love galore
She never bored, there's so much that we can do
You free to say whatever baby if you asking me
No limit when I'm in it, got a master piece
I'm hoping I don't get a fast release
Got me focused like I'm out here tryna get my mast to sea, mmm
Throwing out the peace sign, mmm
Girl, I'm from the East Side, mmm, mmm
Girl, you want my best side, mmm
Bet you from the West Side, mmm, mmm
Now I just wanna know
Don't just sugar coat
Or say it all if you want
Now could you tell me like it is?
Pretty little fears
Music to my ears
Now I just wanna know
Don't just sugar coat
Or say it all if you want
Now could you tell me like it is?
Pretty little fears
Music to my ears
I'm loving your light, vulnerable
Letting your guard down is honorable
'Specially when the past ain't been that friendly to you, but there's magic in that
You the flower that I gotta protect
And keep alive in the wintertime, hey, don't you die yet
You been way more than a friend of mine, we more like fam
I raised you, you raised me, let's turn this whole life 'round
You can confide in me
I can take the weight up off your shoulder blades and try to store the pain inside of me
Like, why the world do you like that?
Like they don't know you, God sent, but me, I view you like that
I'm sneaking glances, thanking God that he drew you like that
Beautiful black child, come and shed your black cloud
For your vibe and your smile I don't mind a lil' rain
I'm your dog, ears perk up at the sound of your name
Counting your main, wildfire, can't handle your flame
Download your strain, wild high, come drown in your fragrance
You that red pill that a nigga found in Matrix
Before I had you this shit was fantasy
You plant a seed, it grows some roots, a branch and leaves
Becomes a tree of life until our nights are filled
With peace from stress and strife
And that's the blessin' that I get from wifing you
'Cause you entrusted me with the key to your heartbeat, and you smart
'Cause even though I need a new start
Due to my past transgressions you believed in me
I guess the light I see in you is what you see in me, Lord
Bet she from the West Side, mmm
And she see my Best Side, mmm, mmm
Now I just wanna know
Don't just sugar coat
Or say it all if you want
Now could you tell me like it is?
Pretty little fears
Music to my ears
@pa4362
Now I understand why my son loved J COLE , My son died in 2017 and anytime I hear J. Cole I think of my son . Miss him so badly.
@Ahmad-bs9xr
Keep your head up mama bear 💔 may he RIP 🕊
@scmx90
I'm so sorry may your son rest in peace🥺...sending you lots of warmth and love your way💕
@Lando007_
I'm so sorry for your loss, keep your head up legends never die he'll be with you for eternity. May he rest his soul for God to keep.
@kameronjackson8187
may your son rest in peace 💞👏🏽
@oblivioussingularity3438
Hey mate I'm sorry to hear this but you gotta live for him now
@IsaacTownerBeats
Thank you J Cole for one of the best verses to ever be written
@StarHeart26
Facts.
@erickarias34
Damn you're in feelings frfr
@IsaacTownerBeats
erick arias yeah