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.
Poke It Out
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go, go, go, go, go
Listen (go, go)
(Let's go)
I just wanna see if you gon' lie or you gon' love me
I was gettin' broads way before I got the money, honey
Since I been a star, they don't love me
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out)
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out), yeah
Yeah, she got a little butt, so what?
Big bag, she can show enough
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out), yeah
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out), yeah
My regards to the broads that thought I was done
Pick a side, pick a side, I'm dyin' to jump
I been lettin' things slide, they tryin' too hard
'Cause I ain't left the city once, still travel abroad
Nigga, I'm back on my boss shit
The stick in the Honda Civic, we in the car service
I really just mind my business and pray that God sort 'em
Can't really be long winded
You talkin' short money, today we not cost cuttin'
Can you stick it out?
Told me she was quarantinin', brand new titties out
And it might be a couple weeks to make them bitches bounce
So I mean it when I be like, "What's the turn around?"
No, really, turn around, okay
I just wanna see if you gon' lie or you gon' love me
I was gettin' broads way before I got the money, honey
Since I been a star, they don't love me
The ceilin' got stars when the star got no ceilin'
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out)
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out), yeah
Yeah, she got a little butt, so what?
Big bag, she can show enough
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out), yeah
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out), yeah
Turn around I wanna see (I wanna see)
Do it look how it look on IG? (Mmm)
Bad from every angle, she got herself a trainer
I know that nigga can't help but take a little peek, uh
Cole World and Folarin co-starrin'
We both flexin', Bo Jacksons, bogartin'
These cap niggas that rap with piss poor jargon
My latest whip, my latest chick was both foreign
I know all my hoes miss me
I been the shit since I hit elementary
She know who run it, the one that keep it hunnid
To find a better nigga, you gon' have to live a century (century)
Evidently, the coach can't bench me
The franchise player, I don't know how to miss
And they can't buy a layup, I'm anti what they are
I can't take my eyes off your pants, I swear
Girl, you shinnin' like a damn Moncler
I'm thinking we should dip like the Cam'ron era
If you the big steppa, I'm the landmine here
That's the one they know they can't come near
I just wanna see if you gon' lie or you gon' love me
I was gettin' broads way before I got the money, honey
Since I been a star, they don't love me
The ceilin' got stars when the star got no ceilin'
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out)
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out), yeah
Yeah, she got a little butt, so what?
Big bag, she can show enough
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out), yeah
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out), yeah
Break it down, look
Poke it out, I wanna
See you play whether you
Meg Thee Stallion or like Coi Leray, okay
I just wanna see if you gon' lie or you gon' love me
I was gettin' broads way before I got the money, honey
Since I been a star, they don't love me
The ceilin' got stars in there, boy
Stop playin'
The lyrics of J. Cole's song "Poke It Out" depicts a man who is interested in a woman and wants to know whether she will lie or love him. He boasts about his experience with women before he even got money and fame. The artist also talks about how he is still unloved despite his success. The chorus of the song repeats the words "Stick it out" and "Poke it out" several times, which could be a reference to sexually suggestive dance moves. He then talks about how he is still the franchise player and can't miss his mark, but the other rappers can't buy a layup, suggesting that despite his success, he still faces challenges.
The song could be viewed as a commentary on the music industry and how the success and fame come with its own setbacks. The artist is trying to make sense of the fame and success that he is experiencing and how it is affecting his personal life. The lyrics have a deep meaning that could be interpreted in several different ways. The song's message is open to interpretation and is reflective of the listener's experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Go, go, go, go, go
Introducing the start of the song
Listen (go, go)
Invites listener to pay attention
(Let's go)
Words said to inspire action
I just wanna see if you gon' lie or you gon' love me
Wondering whether someone is sincere
I was gettin' broads way before I got the money, honey
Had female companions before becoming rich
Since I been a star, they don't love me
Not receiving affection since fame
The ceilin' got stars when the star got no ceilin'
Success has no limits, the sky's the limit.
Stick it out (stick it out), poke it out (poke it out)
Referring to a specific dance move involving the butt
Yeah, she got a little butt, so what?
Acknowledging that size doesn't matter
Big bag, she can show enough
Referring to the woman's expensive bag
My regards to the broads that thought I was done
Sending greetings to past female companions who may have thought he was finished
Pick a side, pick a side, I'm dyin' to jump
Asking for a decision as he is eager to act
I been lettin' things slide, they tryin' too hard
Letting things go but it's becoming obvious that some people are trying too hard
'Cause I ain't left the city once, still travel abroad
Despite traveling abroad, he has not left his hometown, maintaining his roots
The stick in the Honda Civic, we in the car service
Driving in a Honda Civic despite being wealthy, and just living life
I really just mind my business and pray that God sort 'em
Staying out of unnecessary drama and letting higher powers handle situations
Can you stick it out?
Asking someone to perform the dance move
Told me she was quarantinin', brand new titties out
Someone he knows got plastic surgery during quarantine and is showing off
And it might be a couple weeks to make them bitches bounce
Breasts might still be recovering from surgery and need time to regain full movement
So I mean it when I be like, "What's the turn around?"
Asking for a full view of the dance move
Turn around, okay
Asking the person to physically turn around to perform the move
Turn around I wanna see (I wanna see)
Requesting to see the dance move again
Do it look how it look on IG? (Mmm)
Asking whether the move looks the same in person as it does on social media
Bad from every angle, she got herself a trainer
The woman is in good shape and has a personal trainer
I know that nigga can't help but take a little peek, uh
The trainer is most likely checking the woman out as well
Cole World and Folarin co-starrin'
J. Cole and rapper Wale are on the track together
We both flexin', Bo Jacksons, bogartin'
Both rappers are flaunting their success and references the athlete Bo Jackson
These cap niggas that rap with piss poor jargon
Referring to other rappers that are inauthentic and have poor lyrics
My latest whip, my latest chick was both foreign
His most recent car and girlfriend are both from other countries
I know all my hoes miss me
All his past girlfriends are probably missing him
I been the shit since I hit elementary
He has always been confident and successful
She know who run it, the one that keep it hunnid
His current girlfriend knows he's the boss and always tells the truth
To find a better nigga, you gon' have to live a century (century)
It will take a very long time to find someone better
Evidently, the coach can't bench me
He's too valuable to be benched
The franchise player, I don't know how to miss
He's always on point
And they can't buy a layup, I'm anti what they are
Other people can't even make a simple shot, but he is against that type of behavior
I can't take my eyes off your pants, I swear
Talking to the woman he's dancing with, admiring her outfit
Girl, you shinnin' like a damn Moncler
Complimenting her for sparkling and shining like a Moncler brand jacket
I'm thinking we should dip like the Cam'ron era
Recalling the time when rapper Cam'ron was popular and nostalgic for that era
If you the big steppa, I'm the landmine here
Indicating that he's much more dangerous than the person he is addressing
That's the one they know they can't come near
Everyone knows not to mess with him because he's a force to be reckoned with.
Stop playin'
Finishing the song with a command to end the game
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Fraud, Jermaine H. Coleman, Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, Barry White, Kamaal Ibn Jonathan Davis Fareed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Mostacs
How to know Cole is a King, he's married with kids and he isn't caught with a woman in this song 👑
@tere898
Definitely noticed that too
@Ciaran_M
Yeah, he just with em on the offside 😂
@syeah1505
Nor any other video that I've seen. He respects his wife 👍
@Ciaran_M
@@syeah1505 💯 Cole that dude. For real.
@nikkih511
He used to. He always raps and talks about how he used to be on that (you can listen to his old raps and hear him speak about fucking other women) but he's grown and matured. A beautiful thing.
@thelightseeker94
If you remember Cole and Wale rapping in Denny's in 09 you can't help but be amazed at how far they came.
@kenonmitchell
A historic hip hop moment !!
@ImtooFuturistic
Cole used to sell his tapes outside of Walmart in Fayetteville. He asked my brother if he wanted to cop one and he said no.
@rman827
Facts he passed it to Cole and he wasnt prepared at the time man cray how they both evolved