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.
Album of the Year
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My mind state feel like the crime in the summertime
Higher than average
Lot of cabbage
Thank God I never abide by the established
Guidelines that keep niggas inside of fabrics
Commissioned by the state, I skate by the masters
Like "Yoo-hoo" with a new-new ridin' passenger
Decade from now I might just buy the Mavericks
What up, Mark Cuban?
I am only part human, half-man, half-amazing
Plus I'm good at math like I'm Asian
Hate to use stereotypes, but that's light compared to what a nigga get from Caucasians
No race-baitin'—treat the beat like Playstation
Reporting to you live from the International Space Station
I probably vacation on Mars
The flow is out of this world and so is the bars
Blow the facade right off of your squad
Lil' rappers, I love you, but you ain't shit 'til you got offers in Prague
Look that shit up
A book, nigga, pick that shit up
Expand your vocab
I'm giving out toe tags for no cash
All summer long plus three seasons after
Please CC a rapper, tell him meet me
It's absolutely imperative that my heat speak to rappers
The problem with this game is this weak sea of rappers
I'm the answer on the low, I'm a cheat sheet for rappers
I came up 'round AC to DC adapters
Plug talk, what I'm really sayin' is a shame but my niggas move 'caine like HBCU Kappas
Whole town full of CC Sabathias
You think niggas gettin' fat pitchin' crack?
Not really
This is not the eighties, don't be silly
Now we push pills and sell heroin to Billy
Now Billy momma want the judge to pardon his addiction
How many black addicts that got caught up in the system
With no sob stories on your prime time television, I can smell a blatant contradiction
Man, listen
Don't want to fuck up my vibe
Let's end it on a positive note, come see me live
KOD, album of the year, undebatably
My cadence be the greatest we've seen since the late MC whose name was The Notorious
Dreamville stacked like the Warriors
Winning back to back
Next up to bat is my nigga Bas
After that Jiddy-J.I.D
That's that New York City kid plus ATL
Me, I'm from the 'Ville but I know them towns well
Before I had a deal I was givin' niggas hell
Now I'm givin' niggas deals and they givin' niggas hell
In J. Cole's song "Album of the Year", he raps about his success in the music industry and his desire to continue pushing himself to greater heights. He compares his mental state to the heat of summertime crime, suggesting that he is driven and intense. He mentions that he has a lot of money and doesn't follow the rules set by others. He also references the racial stereotypes and prejudices that he has experienced, acknowledging that he is good at math but does not want to be boxed into a category. Cole brags about his talents and suggests that he is the answer that other rappers have been seeking.
He then goes on to describe the state of the music industry, criticizing the weak artists and the system that supports them. He acknowledges the issues of drug addiction and incarceration that plague the African American community, calling out the hypocrisy of a society that profits off of drug sales while punishing those who are addicted. He ends on a more positive note, promoting his album and the artists who are part of his Dreamville label.
Line by Line Meaning
My mind state feel like the crime in the summertime
I feel like my mind is in a state of chaos, similar to the high amount of crime that occurs during the summer.
Higher than average
I am currently in a heightened state of mind.
Lot of cabbage
I have a lot of money.
Thank God I never abide by the established
I am grateful that I have never followed societal norms or rules.
Guidelines that keep niggas inside of fabrics
Societal norms and rules restrict black people and keep them from reaching their full potential.
Commissioned by the state, I skate by the masters
I have avoided the control of those in positions of power, even if they are sanctioned by the government.
Like 'Yoo-hoo' with a new-new ridin' passenger
I am smooth and effortless, like a ride with a new passenger and a cold beverage.
Shout out Oak Cliff, I'm 'bout to fly to Dallas
I am acknowledging the neighborhood I grew up in and am on my way to the city where the Dallas Mavericks NBA team is located.
Decade from now I might just buy the Mavericks
I may become wealthy enough to purchase the Dallas Mavericks team in the future.
What up, Mark Cuban?
I am greeting the owner of the Dallas Mavericks team, Mark Cuban.
I am only part human, half-man, half-amazing
I possess great abilities and skills that set me apart from other humans.
Plus I'm good at math like I'm Asian
I have a talent for mathematics, even though this is often stereotyped as an Asian trait.
Hate to use stereotypes, but that's light compared to what a nigga get from Caucasians
I dislike using stereotypes, but the stereotyping of Asians for their math skills is not as harmful as the stereotypes black people often face from white people.
No race-baitin'—treat the beat like Playstation
I am not trying to provoke racial issues, and instead, I am focusing on my music like it's a video game console.
Reporting to you live from the International Space Station
I am metaphorically reporting to my audience from a high vantage point, symbolized by the International Space Station.
I probably vacation on Mars
I dream of going to another planet for vacation.
The flow is out of this world and so is the bars
My rapping style is unique and transcends what is typical or mundane.
Blow the facade right off of your squad
I can reveal the true identities of your crew and destroy any front they are putting on.
Lil' rappers, I love you, but you ain't shit 'til you got offers in Prague
I have respect for young artists, but you aren't truly successful until you have gained international recognition.
Look that shit up
Do your research to confirm what I'm saying is true.
A book, nigga, pick that shit up
Read more to gain knowledge and wisdom.
Expand your vocab
Improve your vocabulary by increasing the variety of words you know.
I'm giving out toe tags for no cash
I am killing the competition purely with my skills, not through my wealth or power.
All summer long plus three seasons after
I will remain successful for several seasons in a row.
Please CC a rapper, tell him meet me
Inform other rappers to join me in a collaboration or battle.
It's absolutely imperative that my heat speak to rappers
It is crucial that my music motivates and influences other rappers.
The problem with this game is this weak sea of rappers
The current state of the rap industry is full of unoriginal and unimpressive artists.
I'm the answer on the low, I'm a cheat sheet for rappers
I am the hidden solution for lesser talented rappers, and can help them improve their craft.
I came up 'round AC to DC adapters
I grew up around electrical equipment and have become a master of handling and adapting to different situations.
Plug talk, what I'm really sayin' is a shame but my niggas move 'caine like HBCU Kappas
I am referencing my friend's involvement in drug dealing, using coded language.
Whole town full of CC Sabathias
The people in my town are all great athletes and high achievers, like the famous baseball player CC Sabathia.
You think niggas gettin' fat pitchin' crack?
Sarcastic remark about the idea that drug dealers only profit financially without much physical effort.
Not really
The truth is drug dealing requires a lot of work and danger.
This is not the eighties, don't be silly
The drug trade has changed since the 80s, and it's not as easy as it used to be.
Now we push pills and sell heroin to Billy
Drug dealing has evolved to selling prescription painkillers and heroin to even middle-class, suburban people.
Now Billy momma want the judge to pardon his addiction
The mother of a person addicted to drugs wants him to be released from jail or treated as a victim rather than a criminal.
How many black addicts that got caught up in the system
A commentary on the disproportionate number of black people who face incarceration for drug addiction compared to white people.
With no sob stories on your prime time television, I can smell a blatant contradiction
There is a discrepancy between the stories shown on TV that usually features white drug addiction victims and the reality of many black drug addicts who face systemic oppression.
Man, listen
Pay attention, hear me out.
Don't want to fuck up my vibe
I don't want to disturb the positive energy I'm feeling right now.
Let's end it on a positive note, come see me live
Instead of dwelling on negative issues, let's switch the focus and attend my upcoming concert.
KOD, album of the year, undebatably
My album KOD is the best album of the year, no question.
My cadence be the greatest we've seen since the late MC whose name was The Notorious
My rapping style is one of the best since The Notorious B.I.G.
Dreamville stacked like the Warriors
My music label Dreamville is as talented and successful as the Golden State Warriors NBA team.
Winning back to back
Continuously winning without stopping.
Next up to bat is my nigga Bas
My friend and fellow rapper Bas is next up to perform or release new music.
After that Jiddy-J.I.D
J.I.D, another rapper, will be performing next after Bas.
That's that New York City kid plus ATL
J.I.D is from Atlanta, but has a style influenced by New York City hip-hop.
Me, I'm from the 'Ville but I know them towns well
I am from Fayetteville but am familiar with other cities and towns well due to my travels and experience.
Before I had a deal I was givin' niggas hell
Before I signed a record deal, I was already making an impact in the rap industry.
Now I'm givin' niggas deals and they givin' niggas hell
Now that I have signed others to my label, we are making an impact and causing other artists to step up their game, too.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Eugene O. Gray, Jabari Jones, Jermaine L. Cole, Lamont J. Porter, Michael Epps, Nasir Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HipHopUniverse
Will he drop "The Off Season" this year? "K.O.D." was already amazing, can't wait for another project!
@akilibeasley9407
Hip-Hop Universe I watch your channel all the time
@swervo_cravineegaming3127
Hip-Hop Universe the off-season a mix tape bro then he drop the album
@steezyyeezy6936
KOD was trash, I’m still bumping his mixtapes because his albums are shit. (Except FHD)
@joshliggins2260
nope kod is arguably his best and most cohesive project.fhd would be the best but hello is one of the worst songs i have ever heard and wet dreamz is too cringe to listen to without the album context.
@danielbrown6950
KOD was whack as fuck and i fw Cole tough
@mikailtragna6406
no autotune, no chains, no throwing money, just skill
@vbblue7154
Fr tho
@rosecransjj387
MEW TWO
@albano0229
True