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.
Ladies ft. Lee Fields and the Expressions
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make note of her walking speed
Make sure she didn't walk past
Better clean my teeth in the street
And walk out of that poetry class
We'll sit on a bench in the rain
Make sure I don't say a word
My sis takes a photograph
And your friend's not even your friend
The girl next to you's mean
I don't even know you that well either
I just spilled coffee all over my jeans, oh no oh no oh no oh no no
You said dad walked with a cane
So does my mom then we laugh
Oh your friend's not even your friend
The girl next to you's mean
I don't even know you that well either
I just spilled coffee all over my jeans, oh no oh no oh no oh no
Oh no
The lyrics of "Ladies" by J. Cole Ft. Lee Fields & The Expressions encourage women to be confident and embrace their identity. The song acknowledges the pressure to fit in and conform to societal expectations but ultimately advises women to stand tall and hold their ground. The chorus reminds listeners to not let anyone ruin their time and to flaunt and own their lives.
The first verse suggests that it's common to feel nervous and have doubts, especially if one doesn't fit in with the crowd. The lyrics advise listeners to keep standing tall and to show others that it’s not okay to let them kick you down. The second verse encourages women to enjoy the moment and let their hips roll while being proud of their confidence. The song celebrates women and their sexuality while acknowledging the power of individuality and self-assurance.
Throughout the song, the lyrics promote female empowerment and encourage women to embrace their identity despite societal pressures. The upbeat and catchy melody further reinforces the song's message of having fun and being proud of oneself. Overall, "Ladies" is an anthem of female empowerment and a reminder to embrace and celebrate individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
You're feeling nervous
You are experiencing anxiety
Having your doubts
You are uncertain about yourself
Don't be embarrassed if you don't fit in the crowd
Do not feel ashamed if you do not belong in a particular group
Keep standing tall
Stay confident
And hold your ground
Remain firm in your beliefs
Show 'em it's not okay to let 'em kick you down
Demonstrate that it is unacceptable to be bullied
Oh oh oh oh
Vocalization of melody/chorus
Don't let em ruin your time
Do not allow anyone to spoil your enjoyment
It's now or never, never
The moment to take action is at present time
Just let 'em know it's your life
Inform them that you possess ownership of your life
So do it use it flaunt it, own it
Express it confidently
Woo, that's right
Exclamation of enthusiasm
Yeah, you better give it everything you got, hey
You must exert all your efforts
Just show 'em you're a sexy lady
Display your charm and confidence
Yeah, you better work it till it's burning hot
You must work hard and persistently
Time is now baby
The present moment is the right time
Look around baby
Observe your surroundings
Just be proud, you're a sexy lady
Have pride in your identity
Rock it out baby
Show off your skills with enthusiasm
Play it loud baby
Perform confidently
Oh oh oh oh
Vocalization of melody/chorus
So admit it
Acknowledge the truth
It's feeling good
You feel good
Your hips are rolling
You are dancing well
And you love it like you should
You enjoy dancing as you should
Work up a sweat
Exert yourself thoroughly
Enjoy the ride
Have fun during the experience
Good girl go get it
You are capable and should obtain what you desire
Wear your confidence tonight
Display confidence during the current occasion
Aha that's right
Exclamation of confirmation
Oh oh oh oh
Vocalization of melody/chorus
Just show em you're a sexy lady
Display your charm and confidence
To show 'em you're a sexy lady
Demonstrate to them that you are a confident, charming woman
Just be proud, all my sexy ladies (you sexy)
Have pride in your identity, fellow confident women
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Cole Pfeffer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luke S.
[Verse 1]
When she talk she so closed-minded
All she wanna do is shop, she so clothes minded
Wanna cop the latest 'fore them other hoes find it
Material girl yet somehow I don't mind it
Probably 'cause she so fine it'll blow your mind
She black and Pocahontas, laid back and blow that chronic
Ass so fat, wanna tat my logo on it
So any other nigga that a tap will know it's mine
I put in work overtime
Let me cut, mow the lawn, guarantee I blow your mind
She tried to play me 'til she learned I wrote a rhyme
"That's that nigga from the Ville that I heard that Hova signed
The rap form Lebron, oh girl, that boy the bomb
No chain around his neck, but better watch out for the charm
You're not my daughter, um, but you can be my baby
Summertime, wintertime, anytime we looking for them ladies
[Chorus: J. Cole & Lee Fields (Sampled)]
Ladies, yeah
Ayy with your fat ass booty and your perty ass weave!
Beautiful ladies, yeah
Now I ain't tricking, but I got a couple tricks under my sleeve
Ladies, yeah
Now clap your hands one time if you know you look good
All you ladies, yeah
Now if you from the suburbs or the hood (Yeah, ayy, look)
Beautiful ladies
[Verse 2]
She said "I got a man", well, baby I don't give a fuck
See me I understand, and I ain't tryna split you up
Okay, give me your number and later I'ma hit you up
If you sleep I get you up, ride over and pick you up
If it's clean I'll lick you up, yeah, do you research
I'll rock that ass to sleep and have you sleeping in my t-shirt
Just came home from getting my South Beach on
You know I ran the streets like a dog without a leash on
She tryna get her freak on, come hop up on this ski jet
You scared of that water or you just scared to get your weave wet?
Barely got your feet wet, yes, I know where we headed
Tryna see you throw it back, let's check your reflexes
Good Lord, didn't know what I was in for
You could be my cuddy buddy, baby, what are friends for?
I speed up the tempo, them other niggas lazy
Can't fuck with nuttin' younger than the eighties
I'm grown and I'm looking for some ladies, ladies, yeah
[Chorus: J. Cole & Lee Fields (Sampled)]
Ladies, yeah
Ayy with your fat ass booty and your perty ass weave!
Beautiful ladies, yeah
Now I ain't tricking, but I got a couple tricks under my sleeve
Ladies, yeah
Now clap your hands one time if you know you look good
All you ladies, yeah
Now if you from the suburbs or the hood (Yeah, ayy, look)
Beautiful ladies
[Outro: Lee Fields & Ladies]
Hey girl, what's your name?
Oh wow, you look so nice
I know you man is satisfied
Ayy, young lady, what's your name?
Oh wow, I know your man is pleased
All the way down to his knees
And what's your name?
Tell me, I know yo man is worried
About where you are tonight, huh
Well ladies, all you ladies
All over the world
I want you to help me sing this, here we go
Ladies
Beautiful ladies
Oh
Ladies
All of you ladies
Beautiful ladies
(Genius)
Jason
This whole mixtape stayed in rotation at the gym in 09.
i Hyman
Cole did the sample justice...one of my favs on the warm up. Cole knows his history when it comes to music too! Nuff respect..
Steve Mulder
Im a huge Fields fan and I must say this is just brilliantly done... Kept the feel of the original..
xxExilexx1
I will bump Cole’s mixtapes til I’m dead
HOODcyclopedia™️
This is the cole era i like and truth be told only bc i was out in to him in 2010 but i was playing lloyd banks and nipsey hussle only during that era until
Michael Clayton
10 years already???....time waits for no one. I was playin this whole tape back then. Memories.
Gabby Jay
This shit timeless
SNAKE EYES
Gabby Jay FOR REAL THIS SONG WILL NEVER GET OLD
Silas Mufumba
this is real hip hop no fake shit
Cosmic Errata
Silas Mufumba Oh wow you look so nice!