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.
Rags To Riches
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First class flight use to ride the train
She a bad bitch she just want the fame
Don't roll me like dice life not a game
I came from rags to riches
I get the money I add the digits
I came up from nothing
Im lavish living
Ain't no stylist in it
Vvs diamonds got ice water on my chain
First class flight use to ride the train
She a bad bitch she just want the fame
Don't roll me like dice life not a game
I came from rags to riches
I get the money I add the digits
I came up from nothing
Im lavish living
When I walk in the store
Ain't no stylist in it
Vvs diamonds got ice water on my chain
First class flight use to ride the train
She a bad bitch she just want the fame
Don't roll me like dice life not a game
Put you through a lot
Sorry for the pain
I was growing up tryna make a change
I was in the streets going up the ranks
Put that on my soul now it's not the same
Use to umbrella walking in the rain
Use to ride the bus now I'm on a plane
Use to wanna smoke now I wanna drank
Way she snatch my soul I can't even think
I look up to God I'm giving him thanks
Christian Dior on my body
I like taking romantic trips to the bank
Riding round with the stars in the wraith
Don't run outta time
You run outta luck
I get to the bag I'm runnin it up
She all in my Dm say she wanna fuck
She all in my Dm she doing too much
I came so far to where I wanna be
I fuck her so good she don't wanna leave
Got her tip toeing now she wanna creep
Hit it from the back
Put her right to sleep
Riding round town sliding inna V
She ain't going home said her nigga cheap
In a Rolls-Royce double R the seats
It ain't summer time but I bring the heat
I came from rags to riches
I get the money I add the digits
I came up from nothing
Im lavish living
When I walk in the store
Ain't no stylist in it
Vvs diamonds got ice water on my chain
First class flight use to ride the train
She a bad bitch she just want the fame
Don't roll me like dice life not a game
I came from rags to riches
I get the money I add the digits
I came up from nothing
Im lavish living
When I walk in the store
Ain't no stylist in it
Vvs diamonds got ice water on my chain
First class flight use to ride the train
She a bad bitch she just want the fame
Don't roll me like dice life not a game
The opening lyrics to J. Cole's song Rags to Riches describe his newfound luxurious lifestyle, complete with VVS diamonds and first-class flights. The lyrics also reference a woman who is only interested in fame, and Cole's acknowledgement that life is not a game. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes Cole's journey from poverty to wealth, adding digits to his bank account and living a lavish lifestyle. The reference to no stylist in the store suggests that Cole is now so wealthy that he doesn't need someone to help him choose his clothing.
The verse that follows explores Cole's past and the struggles he faced. He apologizes for causing pain and explains that he was trying to make a change while ranking up in the streets. Despite his rough upbringing, Cole now looks up to God and gives thanks for his success. He describes his love for Christian Dior and romantic trips to the bank. The second half of the song features more references to wealth and luxury, including rides in a Rolls-Royce and expensive jewelry.
Overall, Rags to Riches is a celebration of J. Cole's success and a reminder of where he came from. The contrast between his past and present emphasizes his hard work and determination to achieve his dreams. The lyrics also explore the dark side of fame and wealth, warning listeners not to play games with their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Vvs diamonds got ice water on my chain
My jewelry is expensive and has a lot of shine
First class flight use to ride the train
I used to travel economically and now I travel in luxury
She a bad bitch she just want the fame
She's only interested in attention
Don't roll me like dice life not a game
Don't treat me like a game because life is serious
I came from rags to riches
I used to be poor, now I'm wealthy
I get the money I add the digits
I make money and put it in the bank
Im lavish living
I live an extravagant lifestyle
When I walk in the store Ain't no stylist in it
I don't need a stylist because I have style on my own
Put you through a lot Sorry for the pain
I'm sorry for any pain I've caused you
I was growing up tryna make a change
I was trying to better my life
I was in the streets going up the ranks
I was involved in the street lifestyle and climbing up the hierarchy
Put that on my soul now it's not the same
I swear on my life that things have changed
Use to umbrella walking in the rain
I used to not have the means to stay dry in the rain
Use to ride the bus now I'm on a plane
I used to have to take the bus and now I can afford to fly
Use to wanna smoke now I wanna drank
I used to prioritize smoking, now I prioritize drinking
Way she snatch my soul I can't even think
She has such an effect on me that I can't think straight
I look up to God I'm giving him thanks
I'm grateful to God
Christian Dior on my body
I'm wearing expensive designer clothing
I like taking romantic trips to the bank
I enjoy making a lot of money
Riding round with the stars in the wraith
I'm driving around with famous people in my luxury car
Don't run outta time You run outta luck
Time is precious, don't waste it
I get to the bag I'm runnin it up
I'm making a lot of money
She all in my Dm say she wanna fuck
She's messaging me online and wants to have sex
She all in my Dm she doing too much
She's being too forward and aggressive
I came so far to where I wanna be
I've worked hard to get where I am today
I fuck her so good she don't wanna leave
I'm good in bed and she wants to stay with me
Got her tip toeing now she wanna creep
I've made her excited and she wants to sneak around with me
Hit it from the back Put her right to sleep
Having sex with her from behind made her tired
Riding round town sliding inna V
Driving around in my luxury car
She ain't going home said her nigga cheap
She doesn't want to go back to her boyfriend because he isn't as financially successful as I am
In a Rolls-Royce double R the seats
I'm driving a very expensive car with luxurious seats
It ain't summer time but I bring the heat
I'm hot even when it's not summer
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Joquan Stokes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bokeem Blankenship
One of Cole's best pieces of work
Spencer Castrellon
Aged well
future hofer
I swear every J. Cole song I click on there is someone saying this lol
hopeknowledge
5 years later still true
Oscar Hernandez
The best bro the best
Lukhanyo Yona
Dope mixtape
JihadTheWizard
I know its kind of early in J.Cole career but he definitely has the Skill,the flow and the potential to become rap's G.O.A.T J.Cole spits nothing but raw music he has definitely resurrected Hip-Hop and he hasn't even hit his prime yet people continuously sleep on Cole but he's a force to be reckoned with
Filip Čalić
You a visionary
future hofer
he did it
Ghetto Network
You fucking called it man