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.
Last Call
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La-la-la-laaaa, la lala la lalaaaa
Yea, ay yea Fayettenam
Now I am, hey and they ask and they ask and they ask and I tell them, here's to Fayettenam hey
Hey and your glasses and your glasses and your glasses
To the sky is, yea this is the last call for alcohol
This is the "Warm Up"
Yea, look now to the few niggas out there who heard my last shit
I never been the type to ride my own coat tail
But its obvious Im here to stay, a fucking hotel
I came up, I warmed up!
The next up, I blow up!
If you aint peep the trend by now with each rap I go up
Look all he wanted was a deal so when he got it he just faded
But tell me whats a deal when you want to be the greatest?
So Jay I appreciate it, hell of a stepping stone
Wonder if he see it in my eyes Im trying to get the throne
Wonder if the people know how many nights I spent alone
Making beats writing rhymes, thinking deep fighting time
Im getting better but wasn't getting younger
And all that time can make the most confident nigga wonder
But never doubt it or allowed that shit to phase me yo
Just switch my thoughts up like the stations on the radio nigga now I am
Chorus
Hey and they ask and they ask and they ask and I tell them, its the Fayettenam hey
Hey and your glasses and your glasses and your glasses
This is the last call for alcohol
This is the warm up!
So get cha back up off the wall
Verse 2
Yea, now may I never slip up or let my grip up
I know my girl be praying "Lord just keep his pants zipped up!-
Now if some groupie bitch is on his dick then make its stiff up, at least give the nigga
Common sense to wrap his dick up"
Toast the spliff up, our glasses then sip up,
We fly past they look up
They don't last we give up
They don't blast we clip up then empty
And indeed we hit the target yea these niggas think they the shit and they aint even farted yet
Style incomplete like a garbage ass quarterback
My office is forreal ah fuck sack, niggas getting coffin in the Ville
Way too often and it feels wrong
New York Niggas fuck with me I got em singing Ville songs
I guess its only right cuz we grew up singing they shit
BIG shit, Mase shit, Nas shit, Jay shit
Time for a Carolina nigga to take his place with the greats
A slim nigga making bold statement
Ay J. Cole how you do that there?-I hear you blowing up my nigga
Im like ,true that yea,
In NY but smile everytime I flew back there
That Carolina, Fayettenam oh yea my crew back there
I go home been so long they saying, "you back here?-
Took a turn for the worst boy don't move back here"
Don't do that! Yo who that?
He rep the Ville when he spit it told you he be back with a record deal and he did it
Nigga, fuck spinning on my pivot homie, im finna travel to the reps blow the whistle on me
I got a whole fuckig city that's just sitting on me
But yea it fits on my back , my state is sitting on that
Will I drop? I think not I get up while they stop-like a sleeve on tank tops
They aint give it all they got so they flop
So hey watch, how Im finna take their spot
Now im starring and they not-let me show you how to stay hot
I play not man Im killing em' even your idols feeling em' dog
The same nigga who used to chill in the mall
While they were still in the mall, I was up there spilling my rap
The hero fighting villians just to put the Ville on the map
Now I am
Now I am, hey and they ask and they ask and they ask and I tell them, here's to Fayettenam hey
Hey and raise your glasses and your glasses and your glasses to the sky and..
This is the last call for alcohol
(Talking)
Last Call by J. Cole is a self-reflection on his journey as an artist, from when he started rapping to signing a record deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation. The title, "Last Call," also pays homage to Kanye West's song of the same name, in which he reflects on his rise to fame. The song's name suggests that this is the final step in J. Cole's journey to success. The opening verse sets the stage for the theme of the song. J Cole acknowledges the fans who have supported him from the beginning and addresses the industry's expectations. The line "all he wanted was a deal so when he got it, he just faded," refers to the trend of artists becoming complacent after achieving mainstream success. In contrast, J. Cole expresses his desire to be the greatest and earn his place among rap's elite. He sees his deal with Roc Nation as a stepping stone rather than the end goal.
The second verse focuses on J. Cole's aspirations and his city, Fayetteville, North Carolina. He notes that he hopes to avoid making mistakes that could derail his career and mentions his girlfriend's prayers for him to remain faithful. He talks about his crew's loyalty and how it motivates him to succeed. The line "I got a whole f***ing city that's just sitting on me" highlights the pressure that J. Cole feels to represent and make his hometown proud. The song concludes with J. Cole lifting his glasses to Fayetteville and his aspirations to be the best in the rap game.
Overall, Last Call showcases J. Cole's hard work, determination and motivation to succeed while staying humble and true to himself. It also highlights the pressure on artists to maintain their relevance and not become complacent after achieving success.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea, warm up!
Let's get ready to start the show!
La-la-la-laaaa, la lala la lalaaaa
This song is my warm up and I am singing it with joy.
Yea, ay yea Fayettenam
I am from Fayettenam and I am proud of it.
Now I am, hey and they ask and they ask and they ask and I tell them, here's to Fayettenam hey
People keep asking me where I am from, and I keep telling them that it's Fayettenam.
Hey and your glasses and your glasses and your glasses
Raise your glasses to the sky and let's make a toast.
To the sky is, yea this is the last call for alcohol
This is the last call for alcohol, so let's make it count.
This is the "Warm Up"
This is my warm-up song, and I am just getting started.
Yea, look now to the few niggas out there who heard my last shit
I want to thank the fans who listened to my last album.
Which if I must say so myself that was a classic
I believe that my last album was a masterpiece.
I never been the type to ride my own coat tail
I never bragged about my success.
But its obvious Im here to stay, a fucking hotel
My success is here to stay, just like a hotel.
I came up, I warmed up!
I put in the work, and now it's paying off.
The next up, I blow up!
My next album is going to be even more successful.
If you aint peep the trend by now with each rap I go up
If you haven't noticed yet, each of my songs is getting better and better.
Look all he wanted was a deal so when he got it he just faded
Some artists just want a record deal, and then they disappear.
But tell me whats a deal when you want to be the greatest?
If you want to be the best, a record deal is not enough.
So Jay I appreciate it, hell of a stepping stone
I appreciate Jay-Z for giving me a chance to prove myself.
Wonder if he see it in my eyes Im trying to get the throne
I am determined to be the best in the game.
Wonder if the people know how many nights I spent alone
My success was not overnight, I put in a lot of hard work and dedication.
Making beats writing rhymes, thinking deep fighting time
I spent countless hours making music and perfecting my craft.
Im getting better but wasn't getting younger
I am improving as an artist, but time is not on my side.
And all that time can make the most confident nigga wonder
Even the most confident person can doubt themselves when facing a lot of time and pressure.
But never doubt it or allowed that shit to phase me yo
I never let my doubts get in the way of my success.
Just switch my thoughts up like the stations on the radio nigga now I am
I learned to control my thoughts and emotions, and now I am in a better place mentally.
Chorus
The chorus repeats the main theme of the song.
Hey and they ask and they ask and they ask and I tell them, its the Fayettenam hey
People keep asking me where I am from, and I keep telling them that it's Fayettenam.
This is the last call for alcohol
This is the last chance to get a drink before closing time.
So get cha back up off the wall
Let's get the party started and have some fun.
Verse 2
The second verse continues the story of J Cole's journey to success.
Yea, now may I never slip up or let my grip up
I am determined to never let my success slip away.
I know my girl be praying "Lord just keep his pants zipped up!-
My girlfriend is worried about me cheating on her.
Now if some groupie bitch is on his dick then make its stiff up, at least give the nigga Common sense to wrap his dick up"
If I am ever tempted to cheat on my girlfriend, I need to use protection to avoid getting into trouble.
Toast the spliff up, our glasses then sip up,
Let's light up a joint and cheers to our success.
We fly past they look up
We are so successful that other people look up to us.
They don't last we give up
Other artists may have temporary success, but we are in it for the long haul.
They don't blast we clip up then empty
We are not here to mess around, we are here to make our mark on the industry.
And indeed we hit the target yea these niggas think they the shit and they aint even farted yet
Other artists may think they are successful, but they haven't even reached their peak yet.
Style incomplete like a garbage ass quarterback
Some artists don't put in the work to perfect their craft, and it shows in their music.
My office is forreal ah fuck sack, niggas getting coffin in the Ville
I am serious about my music, and people who disrespect my craft will not be successful in my city.
Way too often and it feels wrong
People in my city are dying too frequently, and it is affecting me.
New York Niggas fuck with me I got em singing Ville songs
Even artists from New York appreciate my music and want to collaborate with me.
I guess its only right cuz we grew up singing they shit
Growing up, I listened to a lot of music from New York and was influenced by it.
BIG shit, Mase shit, Nas shit, Jay shit
These are some of the artists from New York who inspired me.
Time for a Carolina nigga to take his place with the greats
It's my time to shine and make my mark on the music industry.
A slim nigga making bold statement
I am not the typical rapper, but I am making a big impact in the industry.
Ay J. Cole how you do that there?-I hear you blowing up my nigga
Other artists are starting to notice my success and are curious about how I got here.
Im like ,true that yea, In NY but smile everytime I flew back there
I may be successful in New York, but I still remember my roots in North Carolina.
That Carolina, Fayettenam oh yea my crew back there
I still have connections and support from my hometown of Fayettenam.
I go home been so long they saying, "you back here?-
It has been a while since I visited my hometown, and people are excited to see me back.
Took a turn for the worst boy don't move back here"
My hometown has its issues, and some people advise me not to move back there full time.
Don't do that! Yo who that?
I won't let negative opinions stop me from supporting my hometown and bringing my success back home.
He rep the Ville when he spit it told you he be back with a record deal and he did it
I represent my hometown in my music and am proud to have signed a record deal to share my talent with the world.
Nigga, fuck spinning on my pivot homie, im finna travel to the reps blow the whistle on me
I am not slowing down or resting on my laurels - I am moving forward and looking for new opportunities to succeed.
I got a whole fuckig city that's just sitting on me
My hometown is looking up to me to bring success and attention to our community.
But yea it fits on my back , my state is sitting on that
I am willing to carry the weight of my city and state on my back to bring them success.
Will I drop? I think not I get up while they stop-like a sleeve on tank tops
I am not going to let my success slow down - I will keep pushing forward like a tank top that stays up even when the straps fall down.
They aint give it all they got so they flop
Other artists may not be putting in the effort to truly succeed, and it shows in their lack of success.
So hey watch, how Im finna take their spot
I am ready to take over and become the new king of the game.
Now im starring and they not-let me show you how to stay hot
I am now the star and they are not - I can show them how to stay relevant and successful.
I play not man Im killing em' even your idols feeling em' dog
I am not playing around - I am dominating the game and even my idols are appreciating my talent.
The same nigga who used to chill in the mall
I used to be just like everyone else, hanging out in the mall and dreaming of success.
While they were still in the mall, I was up there spilling my rap
While other people were socializing and wasting time, I was working hard on my craft and perfecting my rhymes.
The hero fighting villians just to put the Ville on the map
I am fighting against negative stereotypes and perceptions of my hometown to put it on the map and bring it the attention and success it deserves.
Now I am
The song concludes with the repetition of the line from the chorus, emphasizing the pride and success that comes with being from Fayettenam.
Contributed by Alexander A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Dreamer9
Call"
[Intro:]
Yea, warm up!
La-la-la-laaaa, la lala la lalaaaa
[Verse 1:]
Yea, ay yea Fayettenam
Now I am, hey and they ask and they ask and they ask and I tell them, it's the Fayettenam hey
Hey and your glasses and your glasses and your glasses
To the sky is, yea this is the last call for alcohol
This is the Warm Up
Yea, look now to the few niggas out there who heard my last shit
Which if I must say so myself that was a classic
I never been the type to ride my own coat tail
But it's obvious I'm here to stay, a fucking hotel
I came up, I warmed up!
The next up, I blow up!
If you ain't peep the trend by now with each rap I go up
Look all he wanted was a deal so when he got it he just faded
But tell me what's a deal when you want to be the greatest?
So Jay I appreciate it, hell of a stepping stone
Wonder if he see it in my eyes I'm trying to get the throne
Wonder if the people know how many nights I spent alone
Making beats writing rhymes, thinking deep fighting time
I'm getting better but wasn't getting younger
And all that time can make the most confident nigga wonder
But never doubt it or allowed that shit to phase me yo
Just switch my thoughts up like the stations on the radio nigga now I am
[Chorus:]
Now I am, hey and they ask and they ask and they ask and I tell them, it's the Fayettenam hey
Hey and your glasses and your glasses and your glasses
This is the last call for alcohol
This is the warm up!
So get cha back up off the wall
[Verse 2:]
Yea, now may I never slip up or let my grip up
I know my girl be praying Lord just keep his pants zipped up! -
Now if some groupie bitch is on his dick then make it's stiff up,
at least give the nigga commonsense to wrap his dick up
Toast the spliff up, our glasses then sip up,
We fly past they look up
They don't last we give up
They don't blast we clip up then empty
And indeed we hit the target yea these niggas think they the shit and they ain't even farted yet
Style incomplete like a garbage ass quarterback
My office is forreal ah fuck sack, niggas getting coffin in the Ville
Way too often and it feels wrong
New York Niggas fuck with me I got em singing Ville songs
I guess it's only right cause we grew up singing they shit
Big shit, Mase shit, Nas shit, Jay shit
Times for a Carolina nigga to take his place with the greats
A slim nigga making bold statement
Ay J. Cole how you do that there? I hear you blowing up my nigga
I'm like, true that yea,
In NY but smile everytime I flew back there
That Carolina, Fayettenam oh yea my crew back there
I go home been so long they saying, you back here? -
Took a turn for the worst boy don't move back here
Don't do that! You who that?
He rep the Ville when he spit it told you he be back with a record deal and he did it
Nigga, fuck spinning on my pivot homie, I'm finna travel to the reps blow the whistle on me
I got a whole fuckig city that's just sitting on me
But yea it fits on my back, my state is sitting on that
Will I drop? I think not I get up while they stop-like a sleeve on tank tops
They ain't give it all they got so they flop
So hey watch, how I'm finna take their spot
Now I'm starring and they not-let me show you how to stay hot
I play not man I'm killing em even your idols feeling em dog
The same nigga who used to chill in the mall
While they were still in the mall, I was up there spilling my rap
The hero fighting them just to put the Ville on the map
Now I am
Now I am, hey and they ask and they ask and they ask and I tell them, Mr. Fayettenam hey
Hey and raise your glasses and your glasses and your glasses to the sky and...
This is the last call for alcohol
[Talking:]
@Dreamer9
Yeah man so shit, this was The Warm Up
Um, what can I say, what can I say?
If you heard The Come Up that was about just a lil nigga from North Carolina man
Fayettnam to be exact
Moved to NYC, chasing the dream
I used college, if y'all niggas don't know, I used college as a tool to get to New York
I ain't have no family up here or nothing like that, I came up here on a scholarship, nigga went to college
And the whole time I ain't even think I would have to finish college, I just thought I'd be signed by my freshman year so I wouldn't have to finish college
But it didn't happen like that obviously, a nigga graduated and things started falling into place
I got more focused, I dropped The Come Up
And I look at The Come Up like, how kinda like how I was in high school
Just picture this, The Warm Up is about a nigga who did not make the team when he tried out and I know it's a lotta niggas who know that feeling man
You try out, you think you deserve to be one the team and you go that day to look at the cut-list
You wake up and you can't even sleep, you're like, "Damn I'm gon' make the team, I did my thing at tryouts."
You go to the list. All the niggas is looking at their names on the list, some niggas is like, "Aww shit I see my name nigga I'm good, I'm good nigga I'm good, I see my name."
And you're looking for your name, and you kinda play in the back, tryna wait for niggas to clear out cause you're not sure
And you go to the list and your name ain't there
And you're like, "How the fuck did I not make this team? I'm better than him, I'm better than him, I'm better than him."
So a lotta niggas either quit or some niggas go harder and so that's kinda how I took the rap shit when I put out The Come Up
Cause ever since I was 15 I thought I was supposed to be signed
But you know, shit, everything happens for a reason
So shit fast forward to The Warm Up, this just me, like you know, me being that nigga that's practicing and making sure it's no way, it's undeniable that when I go to tryouts, there's no fucking way the coach is passing up on me, my nigga
So that's what this whole mixtape was about and lo and behold, you know
As I'm finishing the mixtape, the deal comes
Thank God, I'm blessed. Everything happens for a reason. And it couldn't have been with a more fucking, with a better fucking squad
You know the niggas I got on the squad if you listen to this then you might have heard who I signed with, I ain't even gon' blast it off like that
Shoutouts to, you know, Mark Pitts, definitely
Shoutout to my nigga Mike Rooney, my nigga E, shoutout to my whole fucking crew, man
That's The Warm Up is about man
RG what's good, Mike Shaw, my nigga Mez, Mez held me down, nigga
More than anybody in the whole fucking, in the whole crew, honestly
So shit, let's get it, man
We got a lotta shit for '09, '010, '011, '0 goddamn 35
That's all I got man, that's The Warm Up
I made the team
So when you go from making the team, now what you gotta do nigga, you gotta start
You gotta be a starter, you gotta make it to college
You gotta make it from college to the league, nigga
Trust me, I ain't get no deal and fucking relax man
I feel like I ain't made it yet period nigga
And that's all I really gotta say yo, it's The Warm Up
Thank you for listening man
Yeah
@carlosegonu2040
Now I am, hey and they ask and they ask and they ask and I tell them, it's the Fayettenam hey
Hey and your glasses and your glasses and your glasses
To the sky is, yea this is the last call for alcohol
This is the Warm Up
Yea, look now to the few niggas out there who heard my last shit
Which if I must say so myself that was a classic
I never been the type to ride my own coat tail
But it's obvious I'm here to stay, a fucking hotel
I came up, I warmed up!
The next up, I blow up!
If you ain't peep the trend by now with each rap I go up
Look all he wanted was a deal so when he got it he just faded
But tell me what's a deal when you want to be the greatest?
So Jay I appreciate it, hell of a stepping stone
Wonder if he see it in my eyes I'm trying to get the throne
Wonder if the people know how many nights I spent alone
Making beats writing rhymes, thinking deep fighting time
I'm getting better but wasn't getting younger
And all that time can make the most confident nigga wonder
But never doubt it or allowed that shit to phase me yo
Just switch my thoughts up like the stations on the radio nigga now I am
[Chorus:]
Now I am, hey and they ask and they ask and they ask and I tell them, it's the Fayettenam hey
Hey and your glasses and your glasses and your glasses
This is the last call for alcohol
This is the warm up!
So get cha back up off the wall
[Verse 2:]
Yea, now may I never slip up or let my grip up
I know my girl be praying Lord just keep his pants zipped up! -
Now if some groupie bitch is on his dick then make it's stiff up,
at least give the nigga commonsense to wrap his dick up
Toast the spliff up, our glasses then sip up,
We fly past they look up
They don't last we give up
They don't blast we clip up then empty
And indeed we hit the target yea these niggas think they the shit and they ain't even farted yet
Style incomplete like a garbage ass quarterback
My office is forreal ah fuck sack, niggas getting coffin in the Ville
Way too often and it feels wrong
New York Niggas fuck with me I got em singing Ville songs
I guess it's only right cause we grew up singing they shit
Big shit, Mase shit, Nas shit, Jay shit
Times for a Carolina nigga to take his place with the greats
A slim nigga making bold statement
Ay J. Cole how you do that there? I hear you blowing up my nigga
I'm like, true that yea,
In NY but smile everytime I flew back there
That Carolina, Fayettenam oh yea my crew back there
I go home been so long they saying, you back here? -
Took a turn for the worst boy don't move back here
Don't do that! You who that?
He rep the Ville when he spit it told you he be back with a record deal and he did it
Nigga, fuck spinning on my pivot homie, I'm finna travel to the reps blow the whistle on me
I got a whole fuckig city that's just sitting on me
But yea it fits on my back, my state is sitting on that
Will I drop? I think not I get up while they stop-like a sleeve on tank tops
They ain't give it all they got so they flop
So hey watch, how I'm finna take their spot
Now I'm starring and they not-let me show you how to stay hot
I play not man I'm killing em even your idols feeling em dog
The same nigga who used to chill in the mall
While they were still in the mall, I was up there spilling my rap
The hero fighting them just to put the Ville on the map
Now I am
Now I am, hey and they ask and they ask and they ask and I tell them, Mr. Fayettenam hey
Hey and raise your glasses and your glasses and your glasses to the sky and...
This is the last call for alcohol
@Brothabruv
Bumped this everyday back in 09. 14 years later it’s still fire. That second verse is one of his best
@oblaaaack8986
bro this is literally just kanye
@LilSerx
Crazy energy here
@Zarroxius
@@oblaaaack8986yea you missed the entire point lmao
@tempesttlyles710
still playing ❤ 2023
@JackKnifeTheKnight
@@oblaaaack8986 this is j.cole's verison. tbh better than Kayne's
@jaidenkssv7435
I feel what J said about not making the team. That feeling sucks. That's why I love J Cole, he's so relatable that I feel like I'm living through him while listening to his music
@benekaanddavon918
Super Saiyan Jaiden he hasnt told one lie in his rhyme.....thats why we feel and respect him
@diarmidthomson7878
@davon marshburn all of Wet Dreamz is fictional
@makomankanshoku9392
@Diarmid Thomson Yeah, that's him painting a story and trying to relate to his young and old audience