Dead Presidents II
J. Cole Lyrics

Yea Fayettenam
The singer is acknowledging Fayetteville, North Carolina, as his hometown.

Uh, these niggas is playing Russian roulette with a full clip, foolish
The singer is criticizing the dangerous lifestyle that some people lead by constantly putting themselves in harm's way.

My crew is foolless naw we don't dance all we do is stay two steps ahead
The singer's crew is always prepared for whatever is coming next and are never caught off guard.

Make the hoes get loose like a noose neck-Instead while these dudes beg for head
The artist is commenting on the sexual double standard that exists in society, where women are shamed for their choices while men are praised for theirs.

They got the game twisted, heavy traffic in this rap shit
The artist believes that the rap industry is filled with people who don't understand what it takes to be successful.

Look how my lane shifted, elevated my game, lifted my name
The singer has progressed in the industry and has become more successful as a result of staying true to himself and working hard.

Now these lame niggas could never get it
The singer is saying that people who tried to bring him down in the past are unable to keep up with him now that he has become successful.

Like that bad bitch you wanted but could never hit it
The artist is comparing his success to getting the girl that everyone wants but is unable to get.

Clever with it , my flow like a devil spit it and heaven sent it
The artist is proud of his lyrical ability and believes that his talent is a gift from both good and evil forces.

So high if I dropped I would fall for 11 minutes
The artist is saying that he is so successful that if he were to fail, it would take a long time for him to hit rock bottom.

So yea, I operate on a higher plane, my thoughts take a higher train
The singer believes that he thinks and moves differently than others and is able to see things from a higher perspective.

Its dope, then you should know the suppliers name
The artist is saying that if something is high quality, then it must have come from him or someone like him.

Its J. Cole, set of horns and a halo
The singer is saying that he is both good and bad, represented by the horns and halo.

And all these Jose Canseco wanna text-us like Waco
The singer is referencing former baseball player Jose Canseco, who was known to be controversial. He is saying that people are constantly trying to get his attention, like the standoff in Waco, Texas.

Its hard to remain faithful niggas be throwing hate
The singer is saying that it is hard to remain true to oneself when others are constantly trying to bring him down.

Yo Im in a league of my own so what the fuck would I play for!?
The artist is saying that he is so successful that he doesn't need anyone else or an external motivator to continue working hard.

Some next niggas almost slide in but didn't fit in
The artist is saying that some people try to join his crew but are unable to because they don't share their values or work ethic.

Naw I aint Maury Povich but who the fuck is you kid-in?
The singer is asking who someone thinks they are by trying to act like someone else or deceive him.

These big weight niggas throwing their bid in
The singer is saying that there are people who are trying to become famous and successful like him, but they don't have what it takes to get there.

Try not to show stress
The artist is trying to stay calm in the face of challenges and not let the pressure get to him.

I guess the flow is protested like a sit in
The artist is saying that his style is being criticized and doubted by others, like a protest or demonstration against something.

I told my niggas we would get in
The artist promised his team that they would become successful and has delivered on that promise.

But that aint even half the battle
The singer recognizes that success is only one part of the equation and there are many more challenges ahead.

Stay behind like a shadow
The artist is saying that he and his team work hard behind the scenes and stay out of the spotlight until they are ready to reveal their success.

Or you catapult
The singer is saying that when they do reveal their success, they will do it in a big way, like being catapulted into the public eye.

Not if I had a ladder or not even if I had a rope
The singer is saying that nothing will stop him or his team from reaching their goals and becoming successful.

I'd climb that motherfucker to the top and never let it go!
The singer is saying that he will work hard to reach the top and once he gets there, he will never let go of his success.

Ay, look heaven or hell, you choose Freedom or jail, you lose
The artist is saying that life is full of choices, and the choices you make can have serious consequences.

I cant stop em as hot as the devils shoes
The artist is saying that he can't control everything and that some things are too hot to handle, like the devil's shoes.

Overcame a low life status to blow like Gladys
The singer is saying that he has come a long way from his humble beginnings and has become successful.

Ahead of my time like I live my whole life backwards
The singer is saying that he is ahead of his time and that he has always been different from others.

Im nothing like these hoe-like rappers
The artist is saying that he is different from other rappers who are only famous for their sexuality or crass behavior.

My whole life practice to be the one
The artist has been working hard his whole life to become successful and is finally seeing the fruits of his labor.

Whats it like to be Lebron They calling you the saviour , so much pressure but you deal with it The weight of the world on your shoulders but you still lift it
The artist is comparing himself to basketball player Lebron James and the pressures that come with being successful. Despite the pressure, he is able to handle it and continue to rise.

Ill with it for real, lil nigga from Ville that real niggas can feel
The singer is saying that he is a talented rapper from Fayetteville that real people can relate to and appreciate.

Nobody taught us how to cook still niggas a grill No Foreman, try not to call them ladies B's but them hoes swarmin'
The artist is saying that they are like self-taught chefs who are still able to make a great meal. He is also referencing the use of derogatory terms for women in rap music and how women are attracted to that kind of attention.

Now honey, Ay is it destiny or is it money your feelin' Heard rumors of a deal and now you thinkin' a million
The singer is saying that there are people who are only in it for the money and don't care about the art or the craft. They hear rumors of a big deal and immediately start thinking about how much money they can make.

Pardon my paranoid mind but I'm starin in the mirror livin in fear that things a never be the same No one left for me to blame but myself cuz I asked for this
The singer is saying that he worries that his success will change him and that he will never be the same person again. He also takes responsibility for his own success and does not blame others for his achievements.

Headed for fame but in my brain, hey can I last in this?
The singer is acknowledging that fame is a tricky thing and he wonders whether he will be able to remain successful for the long-term.

Ay five years I'll probably laugh at this
The artist is predicting that in five years, he will look back at this moment in his life and laugh at how far he's come.

Try not to let it wear me out like a bad bitch with fashion sense I keep it fresh while these whack niggas rehash and shit
The artist is saying that he tries not to let his success consume him and that he stays true to himself and his values. He also criticizes other rappers who only repeat the same tired themes and ideas in their music.

Jackin styles you know, ski mask and shit I pass these niggas, they trynna do it how these other niggas did it
The singer is criticizing other rappers for copying the styles and ideas of their peers, rather than being original and true to themselves.

Im trynna live it how no other nigga ever lived it!
The singer is saying that he is trying to be unique and original in his approach and that he wants to create something new that no one has ever seen before.

Im out for dead fucking presidents to represent me!
The artist is saying that he is working hard to achieve financial success and that he wants to be known for his achievements.

The warm up!
The title of the song is repeated as a way of emphasizing the fact that the artist is still on the verge of success and is preparing for it.