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.
Killers
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo who that true killer
Ride any beat that they throwing at me like
Yo who that true killer
Got the lava the heat 300 degrees like
Yo who that true killer
Who you know flow iller
Stop
I'm a hit them with a punch line
Pat, pat, pat
They going see it when it come time
They going feel it when I bust rhymes
We been out here on a long grind
We ain't trying to work a 9-5
So I'm whipping up the flow
Trying to double up my dough
Yea you know I did it all night
Who that true killer
Mr. Sim Simma
Blowing clouds of the piff in the beamer
Bet your girl rather chill with a winner
True killer
Kill em'
Kill em'
Kill em'
Kill em'
True killer
Kill em'
Kill em'
Kill em'
Kill em'
I think I got to batter them
Always been a runner man
But I ain't never running man
Trying to stack a hundred bands
Blow it in the Netherlands
Little homie I got bigger plans
Only true killers bang
But I never had to hit a man
Cuz I always had my hitters man
Ready for the quit a man
Don't make me have to hit a man
I'm trying to make a hitter bang
How's that for a giggle man
If you looking at the plug
Then you know that you a middle man
And your girl I can get her man
Cuz she know I got that
K, K, Killer
Mr. Sim Simma
Blowing clouds of the piff in the beamer
Bet your girl rather chill with a winner
True killer
Kill em'
Kill em'
Kill em'
Kill em'
True killer
Kill em'
Kill em'
Kill em'
Kill em'
True killer
Kill em'
Kill em'
Kill em'
Kill em'
True killer
Kill em'
Kill em'
Kill em'
Kill em'
Who that true killer
Mr. Sim Simma
Blowing clouds of the piff in the beamer
Mr. Sim Simma
Blowing clouds of the piff in the beamer
Freeze
Who's a true killer
I need a true killer
Killer, ayyyy
Who the true killer on the block
Who the true killer on the block in the bean town
Who the true killer on the block
Who the true killer, killer, killer
Who the true killer on the block in the bean town
Who the true killer on the block in the bean town
Who the true killer on the block in the bean town
Who the true killer, killer, killer
Truest killer
Who that true killer
Mr. Sim Simma
Blowing clouds of the piff in the beamer
Bet your girl rather chill with a winner
In J. Cole's "Killers" song, the lyrics "Yo who that true killer" are repeated over and over again with other lines such as "Who you know flow iller" and "Got the lava the heat 300 degrees like." The song appears to emphasize the idea of being a skilled rapper, with the ability to ride any beat and flow in a way that few others can. Throughout the song, J. Cole raps about working hard to earn money as a rapper and reaching success, with lyrics like "We been out here on a long grind, we ain't trying to work a 9-5. So I'm whipping up the flow, trying to double up my dough, yeah you know I did it all night."
The song's use of the phrase "true killer" could be interpreted in a number of different ways. It may refer to being a dominant force in the rap game, someone who dominates and is seen as respected and feared by others. It may also relate to the idea of the "killer" mentality - that is, the idea of constantly working hard and being dedicated to one's craft in order to succeed.
Overall, "Killers" seems to be a tribute to the world of rap itself and the dedication it takes to succeed. Through its lyrics, J. Cole emphasizes the importance of working hard to hone one's skills and the idea of being a true "killer" in the world of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Fingaz
Instrumental intro
Yo who that true killer
Asking who the actual musician is that can ride any beat thrown at him with ease
Ride any beat that they throwing at me like
Being able to flow to any kind of music without difficulty
Got the lava the heat 300 degrees like
Bringing the fire and passion to the track at the highest level possible
Who you know flow iller
Asking listeners who else can flow with the same level of skill and ability as he can
Stop
Pausing momentarily
Let me get up on the drum line
Requesting to take charge of the drum line
I'm a hit them with a punch line
Using witty lyrics to make the listeners appreciate his style
Pat, pat, pat
The sound of the drum line being hit
They going see it when it come time
Implying that listeners will eventually appreciate his punch lines while he performs
They going feel it when I bust rhymes
Saying that the listeners will feel his rhymes deeply because of their quality
We been out here on a long grind
Acknowledging that he and his team have been working hard for a long time
We ain't trying to work a 9-5
Expressing the desire to make music without having to work regular jobs
So I'm whipping up the flow
Working hard to come up with exceptional musical content
Trying to double up my dough
Working hard to double his earnings
Yea you know I did it all night
Suggesting that he worked on his music all night long to perfect it
Mr. Sim Simma
A transition to the next part of the song, symbolizing that he's in charge
Blowing clouds of the piff in the beamer
Smoking marijuana while in his Bimmer car, being at the top of his game financially
Bet your girl rather chill with a winner
Suggesting that his success attracts women looking for a winner
I think I got to batter them
Confident that he's capable of outperforming his competitors
Always been a runner man
Been competitive since young
But I ain't never running man
Asserting that he's not afraid to compete on a high level
Trying to stack a hundred bands
Trying to accumulate a lot of money
Blow it in the Netherlands
Treating himself to the finer things with his wealth
Little homie I got bigger plans
Despite his current success, he's seeking more
Only true killers bang
Implying that there's something special about true musicians, and he's one of them
But I never had to hit a man
Never had to physically fight somebody because he has protection in the form of people willing to jump in for him
Cuz I always had my hitters man
Always had people willing to protect him
Ready for the quit a man
Always prepared to defend himself against an attack
Don't make me have to hit a man
Implying that he has the ability to defend himself if needed
I'm trying to make a hitter bang
Wants to empower one of his allies to become successful like him
How's that for a giggle man
Asking sarcastically how his enemies feel now that he's so successful
If you looking at the plug
Telling everyone to be careful when dealing with drug suppliers
Then you know that you a middle man
Explaining that if you're not the actual supplier or the actual buyer, you're just a middleman in the drug trade
And your girl I can get her man
Suggesting that he has the ability to seduce anyone he wants, whoever her man might be
Cuz she know I got that
Implying that his success and money is attractive to women
K, K, Killer
A reference to himself as the most successful, confident and skillful musician
Freeze
Stopping the music temporarily
Who's a true killer
Asking the listeners to tell him who the true hitmaker is
I need a true killer
Requesting to collaborate with another successful musician
Killer, ayyyy
Referring to himself as the killer
Who the true killer on the block
Asking who's rising to the top on the music scene
Who the true killer on the block in the bean town
Asking who's the best musician in his hometown of Boston
Truest killer
Emphasizing that he's the number one hitmaker, more than anyone else
Who that true killer
Asking again who the top musician is
Bet your girl rather chill with a winner
Repeating the idea that his success is attractive to women
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Daniel Montes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
You Got Everything
[Verse 1]
Momma, I just killed a man
My body still trembling, can you feel my hand?
Don’t shed no tears, it won’t be long before they find out it was me, Momma
This may be the last time you see me free, Ma, don't spend it crying
You did your best, me, I was blessed, know you were stressed trying
To keep me out the streets, me, ducking police
Trying not to make a peep to wake you up out your sleep
A drunk and high fool
Skipping class, flunking high school
I know you taught me better, somehow I never learned
Said I was playing with fire, somehow I never burned
You tried to set me straight, somehow I never permed
You tried to show me right, but somehow I never turned
Lost in a cloud of marijuana, are you 'shamed of me?
Dry your face off, Mommy, you're not to blame for me
See, I’m a man, I gotta take whatever came for me
At times I wonder ’bout my father, would it change for me if he was around?
Would I still be running 'round with the lowlifes?
Bum ass niggas no jobs, no life
Seen them niggas kill for no price
I watched his life flash before his eyes like a strobe light
I pulled the trigger, Momma
Tryna be hard, I ain't mean to kill the nigga, Momma
But what’s done is done
I’m on the run, I live my life like a movie now it’s way too realer
Who would've thought your baby boy would've grew up to be a killer?
[Chorus]
Yeah, now I’m a killer
Guess I’m a killer
They got me in here with the killers
Yeah, I mean the killers
[Interlude: Richard Pryor]
"I mean—murderers! Do you hear me? Real live murderers!
I thought black people killed people by accident!
Nah, these motherfuckers was murderers."
[Verse 2]
Yeah
Yeah, I wonder what's in store for me, lately been stressing
Pray for blessings, hope that there’s more for me than just a simple life
Niggas that I used to hoop with is doing triple life
Gave up the jump shot, worked on the gunshot
Who woulda thought? I used to block this nigga's lay-ups
Now he’s in a cell layed up
I wish you well, stay up like insomniacs
This life can make a nigga fold like a laundry mat, uh
I sip this cognac, though
To ease my brain from all this pain and so that I react slow
In this fast world, slow niggas, fast girls
Ho's give up ass while these ho niggas hold triggers
Blast on ‘em, hold up that old checker flag for ‘em
Chalk lines by the do not walk sign, it’s deep
All these cold hearted niggas holding heat
I’d rather blast before they steal a nigga
Tell ‘em now boy, don’t make me turn into a killer, nigga
[Chorus]
Yeah, into a killer
Don’t make me turn into a killer
Yeah, to a killer, yeah yeah
[Interlude: Richard Pryor]
"Triple life... How do you do triple life?
That mean if he die and come back... He gotta go to penitentiary!
Right there, he said "Fuck kindergarten. Get your little ass on in the penitentiary, motherfucker. You know what you did last time."
[Verse 3]
To those who had love for me in the past
Who woulda ever thought that time would fly by so fast
I remember back in class we used to make believe
Like it was draft day, swore that we would make the league and be rich
Saturday morning had to rake the leaves, aw shit
Watch how they pile up, seem like a mile up
I washed the blisters on my hands and then I'd dial up
My best friend, skating rink is where we headed at night
And if a nigga disrespect, oh yes, we ready to fight
In retrospect that shit seem petty, at the time the shit was heavy
'Cause life was all about your name
You had to scrap with any nigga that would call you lame
Ashamed no doubt, so many niggas got their brains blowed out
Snatch a niggas chain and he got his name wrote out
In obituaries, another body in a cemetery
Another young nigga in the penitentiary
And he don’t give a fuck: no missionary
Rap visionary, paint a picture, nigga: Pictionary
Tell you what it is, I’m a dictionary
I knew a nigga threw his dick in e'ry chick in e'ry
City that he went to, went hard like the rent due
'Til he met the wrong bitch
Her man just came home, ex-convict
And he stay on with that Thriller
Shit, fucking around with them killers
[Outro]
Yeah, with them killers
Fucking around with them killers
Say I’m a killer
K Cam
J. Cole will go down as the greatest rapper who ever lives… not most influential cas obviously biggie n pac, not the most hits cas real music doesn't make it to the radio, not the richest cas he doesn't really care about having his own shoes, or clothes or w.e… if you look solely into lyrics and songs... he will go down as the greatest...bet
Brandon Nelson
K Cam for real bro.
kingcinemattic
Facts
Jose Gallardo
called it
The Avatar
You were right. He's heading to GOAT status
DeyLoveCozy
Glad that he was rewarded monetarily for his skill set....so dope man. This hit me hard 7 years ago, and it hits the same way today.
JBG
you'll find old Cole fans always roaming these songs. no diss to new fans. I'm glad he blew up. but something about that tight old fan base that pretty much grew with Cole as he was getting bigger and bigger.
Cee N
JBG I’ll forever love Cole but his old music is really something special
Dennis Kavuwa
Mahn! It feels like ages ago when he had short hair that sleek goatee and dropping work out.
Zachary Dowless
JBG bro thank you. I honest don’t like any of his new music. He left front a old school flow and a lyrical genius to some mainstream horse shit. Same thing happened to lupe.