J. Cole’s first offering of 2019 serves as a warning in advance of an extensive rollout of Dreamville material. On the track, Cole envisions himself in the center of the old and new generations of hip-hop, therefore making him the “middle child” of rap.
“Middle Child Syndrome” is a psychological condition in which middle children sometimes feel neglected by their families due to the attention that their younger and older siblings receive.
An accompanying music video for the track was uploaded to Cole's official YouTube channel on February 25, 2019. Cole announced the video via Twitter on February 22, 2019. The video was shot in Georgia, and was directed by fellow North Carolina rapper Mez, and features cameos from Dreamville artists Lute, Omen, and Cozz. The video serves as Mez' first directed video.
In an interview with Complex, Mez spoke about the creation of the video, he said:
"I came up with everything from scratch, but [J. Cole's go-to director] Scott [Lazer] had an idea for the Bentley. He was like, "Man, we should get the Bentley dirty, we should ride it through the mud," you know what I mean? And we ended up having a conversation about how to expand on that idea. It's funny because we're all from North Carolina, so mudding cars is something we all know and understand. But when they said that, I then came up with the whole concept for the video. I was like, "Oh, I know what I want it to be." The whole video is a concept. It's like a flip of Middle America: the NASCAR shit, the mudding shit, the hunting shit, everything. Almost every single shot—even in the grocery store setting, with the white woman purchasing the black girl's features, you know what I'm saying?"
Reviewing the music video, Laura Dzubay of The Michigan Daily said, "The visuals used in the "MIDDLE CHILD" video are very evocative: Between the lit-up marching band, the covered dead bodies, the stuffed rappers' heads on the mantle and the woman at the end picking a Saran-wrapped head out of a sale freezer at the grocery store, it's almost hard to land on which theme (if any) might be the most significant. What does seem clear is that J. Cole is asserting his readiness to dominate the music scene no matter which direction it takes next." Writing for The Fader, Jordan Darville described the video as "a fun, symbolic, and provocative set of visuals."
J. Cole performed "MIDDLE CHILD" at the 2019 NBA All-Star Game halftime show on February 17, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
MIDDLE CHILD
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggas been counting me out
I'm counting my bullets
I'm loading my clips
I'm writing down names
I'm making a list
I'm checking it twice and I'm getting 'em hit
The fake ones is lit
The game is off balance
I'm back on my shit
The Bentley is dirty
My sneakers is dirty
But that's how I like it
You all on my dick
I'm all in my bag
This hard as it get
I do not snort powder
I might take a sip
I might hit the blunt
But I'm liable to trip
I ain't popping no pill
But you do as you wish
I roll with some fiends
I love 'em to death
That got a few mil'
But not all of them rich
What good is the bread if my niggas is broke?
What good is first class if my niggas can't sit?
That's my next mission
That's why I can't quit
Just like LeBron
Get my niggas more chips
Just put the Rollie right back on my wrist
This watch came from Drizzy
He gave me a gift
Back when the rap game was praying I'd diss
They act like two legends cannot coexist
But I'd never beef with a nigga for nothing
If I smoke a rapper
It's gon' be legit
It won't be for clout
It won't be for fame
It won't be 'cause my shit ain't selling the same
It won't be to sell you my latest lil' sneakers
It won't be 'cause some nigga slid in my lane
Everything grows
It's destined to change
I love you lil' niggas
I'm glad that you came
I hope that you scrape every dollar you can
I hope you know money won't erase the pain
To the OG's
I'm thanking you now
Was watching you when you was paving the ground
I copied your cadence
I mirrored your style
I studied the greats
I'm the greatest right now
Fuck if you feel me
You ain't got a choice
I ain't do no promo
Still made all that noise
This shit gon' be different
I set my intentions
I promise to slap all that hate out your voice
Niggas been counting me out
I'm counting my bullets
I'm loading my clips
I'm writing down names
I'm making a list
I'm checking it twice and I'm getting 'em hit
The real ones been dying
The fake ones is lit
The game is off balance
I'm back on my shit
The Bentley is dirty
My sneakers is dirty
But that's how I like it
You all on my dick
I just poured something in my cup
I've been wanting something I can feel
Promise I am never lettin' up
Money in your palm don't make you real
Foot is on they neck
I got 'em stuck
I'ma give 'em something they can feel
If it ain't 'bout the squad
Don't give a fuck
Pistol in your hand don't make you real
I'm dead in the middle of two generations
I'm little bro and big bro all at once
Just left the lab with young 21 Savage
I'm 'bout to go and meet Jigga for lunch
Had a long talk with the young nigga Kodak
Reminded me of young niggas from 'Ville
Straight out the projects
No faking, just honest
I wish that he had more guidance, for real
Too many niggas in cycle of jail
Spending they birthdays inside of a cell
We coming from a long bloodline of trauma
We raised by our mamas
Lord we gotta heal
We hurting our sisters
The babies as well
We killing our brothers
They poisoned the well
Distorted self image
We set up to fail
I'ma make sure that the real gon' prevail, nigga
I just poured something in my cup
I've been wanting something I can feel
Promise I am never lettin' up
Money in your palm don't make you real
Foot is on they neck
I got 'em stuck
I'ma give 'em something they can feel
If it ain't 'bout the squad
Don't give a fuck
Pistol in your hand don't make you real
(Money in your palm don't make you real)
(Pistol in your hand don't make you real)
(Money in your palm don't make you real)
In J. Cole's song "MIDDLE CHILD", the rapper navigates his position in the rap industry as being in between the older generation of rappers and the newer generation. He touches on various themes such as loyalty to his friends, staying true to himself, and commenting on the state of the music industry. The song begins with J. Cole saying, "N***as been counting me out, I'm counting my bullets" which shows that he is aware of the criticism he has faced in the past but is determined to keep going. J. Cole uses the metaphor of guns and ammunition to show that he is preparing for battle both in his career and in his personal life. He is taking note of all those who have been disloyal to him and he plans to retaliate. Later on in the song, he speaks about the importance of his squad and how he plans on helping them to become successful as well.
J. Cole touches on the idea that money and material possessions do not necessarily make someone "real". In the chorus, he repeats the lines "Money in your palm don't make you real, Pistol in your hand don't make you real" to show that true authenticity comes from within and cannot be bought or faked. Towards the end of the song, J. Cole focuses on the traumatic experiences that he and many others have gone through, such as growing up in poverty and being raised by single mothers. He also comments on the way society has set up certain communities to fail and the negative self-image that is often perpetuated. Overall, "MIDDLE CHILD" finds J. Cole navigating his place in the rap industry while also touching on personal and societal issues.
Line by Line Meaning
You good, T-Minus?
Are you okay, T-Minus?
Niggas been counting me out
People have been underestimating me
I'm counting my bullets
I'm preparing for battle
I'm loading my clips
I'm getting ready to confront my enemies
I'm writing down names
I'm keeping track of those who have wronged me
I'm making a list
I'm compiling a record of my grievances
I'm checking it twice and I'm getting 'em hit
I'm reviewing my list and taking action against those who deserve it
The real ones been dying
Authentic individuals have been perishing
The fake ones is lit
Inauthentic individuals are thriving
The game is off balance
The industry is imbalanced
I'm back on my shit
I'm reasserting myself
The Bentley is dirty
My luxury car is filthy
My sneakers is dirty
My sneakers are also dirty
But that's how I like it
But that's how I prefer it
You all on my dick
You're all obsessed with me
I'm all in my bag
I'm focused and fully immersed in my craft
This hard as it get
This is the most challenging it can be
I do not snort powder
I don't use drugs like cocaine
I might take a sip
I might have a drink
I might hit the blunt
I might smoke marijuana
But I'm liable to trip
But I could still make mistakes
I ain't popping no pill
I'm not taking any pills
But you do as you wish
But you can do what you want
I roll with some fiends
I associate with some passionate individuals
I love 'em to death
I care for them deeply
That got a few mil'
Who have achieved financial success
But not all of them rich
But not all of them are wealthy
What good is the bread if my niggas is broke?
What's the value of money if my friends are struggling?
What good is first class if my niggas can't sit?
What's the point of luxury if my friends can't enjoy it?
That's my next mission
That's my next goal
That's why I can't quit
That's why I won't give up
Just like LeBron
Similar to LeBron James
Get my niggas more chips
Help my friends achieve more success
Just put the Rollie right back on my wrist
Simply put my expensive Rolex watch back on my wrist
This watch came from Drizzy
This watch was given to me by Drake
He gave me a gift
He presented me with a gift
Back when the rap game was praying I'd diss
When the rap industry was expecting me to engage in beef
They act like two legends cannot coexist
People act like two great artists can't peacefully coexist
But I'd never beef with a nigga for nothing
But I would never start a conflict with someone for no reason
If I smoke a rapper
If I disprove a rapper's abilities
It's gon' be legit
It will be based on valid reasons
It won't be for clout
It won't be for attention
It won't be for fame
It won't be for popularity
It won't be 'cause my shit ain't selling the same
It won't be because my music isn't as successful
It won't be to sell you my latest lil' sneakers
It won't be to promote and sell my new sneakers
It won't be 'cause some nigga slid in my lane
It won't be because someone else copied my style
Everything grows
Everything evolves and changes
It's destined to change
It's meant to change
I love you lil' niggas
I care about the younger generation
I'm glad that you came
I'm happy that you're here
I hope that you scrape every dollar you can
I hope you make the most money possible
I hope you know money won't erase the pain
I hope you understand that money can't solve all problems
To the OG's
To the older generation
I'm thanking you now
I'm expressing my gratitude to you
Was watching you when you was paving the ground
I observed you when you were making significant progress
I copied your cadence
I imitated your flow
I mirrored your style
I emulated your style
I studied the greats
I learned from the legendary artists
I'm the greatest right now
I consider myself the best currently
Fuck if you feel me
I don't care if you agree
You ain't got a choice
You have no say in the matter
I ain't do no promo
I didn't do any promotion
Still made all that noise
Yet still garnered attention
This shit gon' be different
This situation is going to change
I set my intentions
I have clear goals
I promise to slap all that hate out your voice
I promise to eliminate all the negativity
I just poured something in my cup
I just poured a drink
I've been wanting something I can feel
I've been desiring something real
Promise I am never lettin' up
I promise I won't give up
Money in your palm don't make you real
Having money doesn't make you authentic
Foot is on they neck
I have control over them
I got 'em stuck
I have them trapped
I'ma give 'em something they can feel
I'm going to give them something authentic
If it ain't 'bout the squad
If it's not about the team
Don't give a fuck
I don't care
Pistol in your hand don't make you real
Holding a gun doesn't make you authentic
I'm dead in the middle of two generations
I'm caught between two different eras
I'm little bro and big bro all at once
I'm both the younger brother and the older brother simultaneously
Just left the lab with young 21 Savage
Just finished working in the studio with 21 Savage
I'm 'bout to go and meet Jigga for lunch
I'm about to go meet Jay-Z for a meal
Had a long talk with the young nigga Kodak
Had a deep conversation with Kodak Black
Reminded me of young niggas from 'Ville
Reminded me of young people from my hometown
Straight out the projects
From the low-income housing complexes
No faking, just honest
No pretending, just truth
I wish that he had more guidance, for real
I wish he had more mentorship and direction
Too many niggas in cycle of jail
Too many people trapped in the cycle of incarceration
Spending they birthdays inside of a cell
Spending their birthdays incarcerated
We coming from a long bloodline of trauma
We come from a lineage of deep suffering
We raised by our mamas
We were raised by single mothers
Lord we gotta heal
We need to recover and find healing
We hurting our sisters
We are causing harm to our sisters
The babies as well
And to the young children
We killing our brothers
We are killing our own brothers
They poisoned the well
Society has corrupted us
Distorted self image
We have an unhealthy perception of ourselves
We set up to fail
We are placed in situations where success is unlikely
I'ma make sure that the real gon' prevail, nigga
I will ensure that the authentic individuals will succeed
(Money in your palm don't make you real)
(Having money doesn't make you authentic)
(Pistol in your hand don't make you real)
(Holding a gun doesn't make you authentic)
(Money in your palm don't make you real)
(Having money doesn't make you authentic)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jermaine Cole, Tyler Matthew Carl Williams, Allan Felder, Norman Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gavnkollarsky5971
He’s a “middle child” because he isn’t new enough to relate to the new rappers but not old enough to relate to the older rappers. “Caught in the middle of two generations”🔥
@CosmoIsHim
Gavn Kollarsky your mentality just blew my mind, I never thought ab that shit
@mel3795
🤯😦
@rodrigofuentes5486
Thanks we didn't know Sherlock
@JoeThePandaa
It's not that he cant relate. Its that can relate to both sides. He loved old school hiphop growing up and after his feud with Lil Pump he gained a new appreciation for the upcoming generation of hiphop. "Just left the lab with young 21 Savage I'm bouta go meet Jigga for lunch." Is him showing this.
@leinadthims9710
No shit
@romeutorres8916
J.Cole is 34 which is crazy considering the average life expectancy of a goat is only 15 🐐🔥💯
@karensanchez6700
Romeu Torres this comment is so underrated 👏🏻👏🏻
@maxnelson8840
Romeu Torres cool
@jeebus9192
Cole aint the goat lol