A Tale of 2 Citiez
J. Cole Lyrics

Since a youngin' always dreamed of gettin' rich
From a young age, J. Cole had dreams of becoming wealthy.

Look at me my nigga
He is speaking to someone, suggesting that he wants them to see his success.

Fantasize about a white picket fence With some trees my nigga
He used to have a simple life dream, owning his own house with a yard.

Used to want a pathfinder with some tints Thats all I need my nigga Throw some 20's on that bitch and get it wrenched But now I see my nigga That the worlds a lot bigger ever since
He used to think that material things like fancy cars were all he needed to be happy. But after experiencing more of the world, he knows there's more to it than that.

Picked up the paper and they say my nigga Eddie caught a body, I'm convinced Anybody is a killer, all you gotta do is push 'em to the limps Fuck being timid in the Civic Politicin' with the pushers and the pimps I'm tryna write a story, can I get a glimpse? Yeah can I get a glimpse?
After reading about a friend who killed someone, he realizes that anyone can become violent if pushed to their limits. He doesn't want to live a timid life and wants to write his own story.

Last night I had a bad dream That I was trapped in this city Then I asked is that really such a bad thing? They robbin' niggas on the daily Keep on blamin' nigga that ain't never had things Guess not, last night they pulled up on my nigga at the light like Uh, nice watch, run it Hands in the air now, hands in the air, run it
He has a nightmare about being stuck in a city where people are constantly getting robbed. He notes that those who have less are often blamed for the city's problems. Then, he recounts a time where some robbers took his friend's watch at gunpoint.

Small town nigga Hollywood dreams I know that everything that glitters ain't gold I know the shits not always good as it seems But tell me till you get it how could you know How could you know? How could you know?
He grew up in a small town, but has big aspirations to make it in Hollywood. He acknowledges that things may not be as great as they seem, but argues that one can't know until they experience it themselves.

Listen up I'm about to go and get rich Fuck with me my nigga We gonna slug around the Ville and hit a lick Cop some tree my nigga And some powder, bag it up and make it flip You gon' see my nigga One day we gon' graduate and cop a brick And that's the key my nigga
J. Cole is determined to become wealthy and enlists the help of his friend. They plan to sell drugs and hope to eventually be able to buy a brick (a kilogram of drugs).

And listen up I'm bout to go and get rich Stand back and watch if you want to nigga Me I want my pockets fat about a bitch Tired of seein' niggas flaunt, I wanna flaunt too nigga Watch some rollers in the fuckin' Crown Vic Tryna lock a nigga up, that's what they won't do nigga Wanna know a funny thing about this shit? Even if you let em' kill your dream it'll haunt you nigga
He again declares his intention to become rich and doesn't care who gets in his way. He wants to have money and show it off. He also notes the police's efforts to arrest drug dealers but insists that if one's dream is killed, it will continue to haunt them.

Father forgive me for me, childish ways I look outside and all the clouds are gray I need your hands to take me, miles away Your wish is my command, my command, my command, but Before you go I've got to, want you now Whatever goes up surely, must come down And you get your piece but no peace, won't be found So why just take me man, take me man, take me man Your wish is my command, my command, my command
J. Cole asks for forgiveness for his childish desires, and in a moment of sadness, seeks God's help to leave his current situation behind. He notes that success can have negative consequences, and ultimately begs God to help him escape his current circumstances and make his wishes come true.