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.
Premeditated Murder
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Am I changing right before your eyes?
Becoming someone you don't recognize
As if I was disguised, I'm on that shit as if I was the Fly
I'm touchin' skies, no puffin' lie
Man these songs that I made in my bedroom and shit
Gon' finally give a nigga leg room and a whip
From a Civic to a Chevy must've died and went to heaven
You see I promise that I'd never change
But that was way before I made the dough and met the game
Say hello to Miss Thang, I forgot yo name, she yellow
And even white women want a nigga - Othello
I'm ballin' with nuggets, like fuck it I'm Carmello
Now the crib got much room -Portobello
She drop it low and then she bust moves for the fellow
I sit yo ass down like you was playin' a cello
See, you niggas hated and I levitated further
Knew I would kill the game, premeditated murder
So if it comes down, may the best man win
No sweat like a head band
[Chorus:]
Where I'm from, if you ever seen what I seen
You know it can't get no better for me
No it can't get no better for me
Where I'm from, if you ever seen what I seen
You know it can't get no better for me
No it can't get no better for me
[Verse 2:]
I'm a kill the game and invite witnesses
No death penalty, I'm givin' out life sentences
Like keep grindin' boy, your life can change in one year
And even when it's dark out, the sun is shining somewhere
Yeah, look here I pay dues
My own worst enemy so fuck it either way I can't lose
808's so my south niggas feel me
Light-skinned so the house niggas feel me
She catch me creepin' out your house she'll kill me
Is it worth it what's under that blouse?
My heart'll turn pitch black and cold if I split with my girl
If I could gift-wrap the globe, I would give you the world
But, do you love me like you used to?
Even though I ain't that nigga that you're used to
Remember back when I was broke, you would fix me
Do you prefer the broke me or the rich me
The broke me couldn't buy you meals, not even a value meal
And now I pay for everything, how you feel?
Mixed feelings 'cause now all the chicks feelin' him
You gotta adapt though never goin' back
[Chorus:]
Where I'm from, if you ever seen what I seen
You know it can't get no better for me
No it can't get no better for me
Where I'm from, if you ever seen what I seen
You know it can't get no better for me
No it can't get no better for me
I can't keep running away
I can't keep running away
I swear I'm coming back today
But if I'm wrong
And I ain't got what it takes
Then all dem people that was counting on me
Boy won't you climb down the mountain for me
In "Premeditated Murder," J. Cole raps about his transformation from a struggling artist to a successful one. He wonders if he is changing too much for his former friends and fans to recognize him. He recalls his days of making music in his bedroom and how it has lead him to have his own car and more space. Even though he promised he would never change, he has, and now he wonders if the people who knew him when he was broke still accept him now that he is financially successful. He also mentions his relationships and how it has changed since he has more money, questions how his girlfriend's affection for him has changed, and wonders if she prefers him broke or rich. He ends the song by acknowledging the pressure that comes with success and how he cannot keep running away from the people who are counting on him.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I changing right before your eyes?
Is my personality transforming to an extent that you can notice?
Becoming someone you don't recognize
Am I turning into a different person altogether?
As if I was disguised, I'm on that shit as if I was the Fly
I feel like I am on top of the world, like I am the Fly who could do anything.
I'm touchin' skies, no puffin' lie
I am achieving great success and reaching for the highest level.
Man these songs that I made in my bedroom and shit
These songs that I wrote alone in my bedroom are finally getting attention.
Gon' finally give a nigga leg room and a whip
I am now getting the space and resources to live a comfortable life.
From a Civic to a Chevy must've died and went to heaven
I am so successful that I can now afford better cars.
Like a passenger on 9/11 - please go find a reverend
I am experiencing something so extraordinary that I need a higher power to help me understand it.
You see I promise that I'd never change
I used to think that financial success wouldn't impact my personality.
But that was way before I made the dough and met the game
Before I became successful and entered the music industry.
Say hello to Miss Thang, I forgot yo name, she yellow
I am interested in women of all races and complexions.
And even white women want a nigga - Othello
Even white women are attracted to me, just like in the story of 'Othello'.
I'm ballin' with nuggets, like fuck it I'm Carmello
I am achieving great success and enjoying the fruits of my labor.
Now the crib got much room -Portobello
I am now living in a larger and better place.
She drop it low and then she bust moves for the fellow
This woman is dancing and seducing me.
I sit yo ass down like you was playin' a cello
I am making her sit down forcefully like one would a person playing a cello.
See, you niggas hated and I levitated further
My haters only motivated me to succeed further.
Knew I would kill the game, premeditated murder
I always knew I would be successful and dominate the music industry.
So if it comes down, may the best man win
In the end, the most deserving person should have the victory.
No sweat like a head band
I am confident and don't feel intimidated by the competition.
I'm a kill the game and invite witnesses
I am going to be so successful that everyone will see it first hand.
No death penalty, I'm givin' out life sentences
I am going to be so successful that everyone will remember it for the rest of their lives, as if they were given a life sentence.
Like keep grindin' boy, your life can change in one year
Success can come to anyone if they work hard enough for one year.
And even when it's dark out, the sun is shining somewhere
There is always hope and light, even when things seem bleak.
Yeah, look here I pay dues
I worked hard and made sacrifices to achieve my success.
My own worst enemy so fuck it either way I can't lose
I am the biggest obstacle in my own success, but I am so determined that nothing can stop me.
808's so my south niggas feel me
I am connecting with my southern audience through my use of 808's (a drum machine).
Light-skinned so the house niggas feel me
I am light-skinned and still can relate to people who are considered 'house niggas' (from the field slave/house slave dichotomy during slavery).
She catch me creepin' out your house she'll kill me
I am cheating on my girlfriend and I run the risk of getting caught and facing punishment.
Is it worth it what's under that blouse?
Is cheating on my girlfriend worth the temporary pleasure?
My heart'll turn pitch black and cold if I split with my girl
I would be devastated if I ever broke up with my girlfriend.
If I could gift-wrap the globe, I would give you the world
If I could do anything for my girlfriend, I would give her everything she wants.
But, do you love me like you used to?
I am afraid my girlfriend doesn't love me as much as she used to.
Even though I ain't that nigga that you're used to
I have changed since we started dating and I hope she still loves me for who I am now.
Remember back when I was broke, you would fix me
When I was struggling financially, my girlfriend would help me out.
Do you prefer the broke me or the rich me
I am wondering if my girlfriend loves me less now that I am financially successful.
The broke me couldn't buy you meals, not even a value meal
When I was broke, I couldn't even afford to take my girlfriend out for a cheap meal.
And now I pay for everything, how you feel?
Now that I am financially successful, I pay for everything. I wonder if my girlfriend resents me for it.
Mixed feelings 'cause now all the chicks feelin' him
I am conflicted about my newfound popularity with women.
You gotta adapt though never goin' back
I have to adjust to my success and I will never go back to my previous life.
I can't keep running away
I can't keep running away from my problems or responsibilities.
I swear I'm coming back today
I promise to face my problems and responsibilities today, instead of running away from them.
But if I'm wrong
But if I am unsuccessful in my attempts to face my problems and responsibilities,
And I ain't got what it takes
And I am not strong enough to handle my problems and responsibilities,
Then all dem people that was counting on me
Then all the people who believed in me and relied on me,
Boy won't you climb down the mountain for me
Will be disappointed and I will have let them down.
Contributed by Connor S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Christopher Brown
Moment of silence for the people's who didn't witness this era up close & personal.....Sad to say it but we'll never get this j cole again ever , thank god I witnessed the best of him already his vintage flow is undeniably timeless and YouTube is the closest thing we have to a time machine be grateful 💯🙏🏿
Jaciel Reyna
You ain’t lying .. listening to this made me walk thru memory lane
sserwadda Derrick
Promised I would never change but that was before I made the dough 😂
Isidro Brito Bruno
I remember being 12 listening to this going ro the rec to play basketball. Good times
Mike Atkinson
I feel that but you heard that joint "procrastination" he just dropped?(or gave away should I say.....) talking about not being as hungry and his music not being as good because he's not struggling anymore..... cmon now.. who's doing it like him? Till this day.
JDMFERIO718
Pure classic it just hits different yet still the same after 10+ years
Daniel Ferrer
“Keep grinding boy, your life can change in one year, and even when it’s dark out the sun is shining somewhere”
my senior quote class of 2023
Tonju Anik
You know its real when 10 years later you still can't take it off repeat.
sluggingbread
It's 2022 now, first listen in over a decade, my God I remember bumping this during isolated times to help me get through it. Wow what a great track, takes me way back.
Octave Schully
Dude me too some dark times