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.
Kerney Sermon
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gone just like that
You've been suffering 18 years yourself
You've been going through pure hell but it can be over just like that
Well this is pastor Kerney Thomas and I literally
Have tens and thousands across this country
That were hurting, but God can heal them
And God could work a miracle for them
Or you can dial the toll-free number
And place your order right there
For the Personal Prayer Package
I want you quickly, to place that order right now
For the Personal Prayer Package
Pick up the telephone right now
I said pick up the phone right now
You're past due a miracle
In J. Cole's song "Kerney Sermon," we hear a recording of Pastor Kerney Thomas speaking to his congregation about the power of prayer and the potential for miracles. The lyrics I'm just thankful 18 years of suffering / Gone just like that, speak to the relief and gratitude someone might experience when they have been going through a difficult time and are suddenly delivered from it. These words are meant to provide comfort and hope to listeners who may be struggling with their own personal demons or hardships. The following lines, You've been suffering 18 years yourself / You've been going through pure hell but it can be over just like that, reinforce the idea that someone's suffering can be lifted in an instant, with the help of God's grace.
Pastor Kerney Thomas then jumps in with a call to action for his listeners to seek out their own miracles through his church's Personal Prayer Package. He reassures them that God can heal them and work miracles for them if they just believe and take action. These lyrics serve as a commentary on the role of religion and spirituality in providing comfort and solace to those who are struggling in life. It suggests that through faith and prayer, people can find hope and peace in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just thankful 18 years of suffering
I am grateful that after 18 years of suffering, I am no longer in pain.
Gone just like that
It is amazing that my suffering ended so abruptly.
You've been suffering 18 years yourself
You have also been in pain for 18 years.
You've been going through pure hell but it can be over just like that
Although you've been through a lot, your suffering could end abruptly.
Well this is pastor Kerney Thomas and I literally
I am Pastor Kerney Thomas and I mean what I say.
Have tens and thousands across this country
There are tens of thousands of people all over the country who are in pain.
That were hurting, but God can heal them
Although they are in pain, God has the power to heal them.
And God could work a miracle for them
God can perform a miracle for anyone who needs it.
All you gotta do is either log on to our website
You can visit our website to get the help you need.
Or you can dial the toll-free number
You can also call the toll-free number for assistance.
And place your order right there
You can place your order for assistance at that moment.
For the Personal Prayer Package
You should order the Personal Prayer Package.
I want you quickly, to place that order right now
I urge you to quickly get the Personal Prayer Package.
Pick up the telephone right now
You should pick up the phone at this moment.
I said pick up the phone right now
I'm emphasizing the need for you to act now.
You're past due a miracle
You need a miracle urgently to end your suffering.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jermaine Cole
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kmmx91
This has a sort of dark vibe to it.. I love it
@j3dallasj356
kmmx91 that’s the point.. he is exposing him as a snake
@christinayoung6137
@@j3dallasj356 and that is why it goes into the next song, LAnd of the snakes
@Whitespeaks
@@christinayoung6137🧠📈
@tmactime1
The way his voice started emanating a low demonic sound at the end 😮💨.
@Dulaism
Agreed. This skit was something special. I don't know why but it's just appropriate for the mood of this album.
@Dulaism
18 years suffering GONE just like that
@daedae3934
this is the shit i used roll down lewis street with.
@tsklan3162
Know some hoes from the past like "damn cole wish i knew that you would be rich"
@dreamsofabutterfly7603
finally got my own bedroom in this bih.