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.
The Come Up
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm on the come up, chill nigga, don't run up,
A yellow nigga finna rise and shine like the sun up, (yea)
My mind on that paper, I ain't tryna wife a slut up,
I'm dying for this cake and I ain't tryna wipe a crumb up,
They ride with the gun up, kill you and light the blunt up, (uh)
Don't shed a tear, for a nigga might get done up,
But just say a prayer for a nigga might confront us,
You coming to the ville, you gotta get a license from us,
City on my back, I feel like I'm holding Big Pun up,
No pain, no gain, my nigga, I just numb up.
I blow brains, go bang a nigga if he jump up,
With no shame, don't blame a nigga if you shot up,
This is cocaine on flames, baking soda and water,
And if you feel that, then I guess I sell crack, get it?
Fall back, man, a nigga feeling crazy.
Shitting on niggas, like a nigga was still a baby, (uh)
Carolina nigga, shout out to the ville, it raised me,
So many hoes whipped, you woulda thought we still in slavery.
And niggas still sleeping, they feeling lazy, (uh)
A killa? maybe, you make me, I will (uh)
Cheat me on my scrilla, I'll send you to meet Dilla, (uh)
From them NC streets where beef they deliver,
And the clip is on 'E' cuz your chest got a filla.
A nigga like me just getting head like a pillow,
Bred like guerillas getting bread,
So long as my momma and my niggas getting fed,
Fuck what a niggas said, (man) I'm Fayettenam bombing,
Cause hatred is flattery, you bitch niggas is charming.
Who the fuck you harming? Boy y'all niggas is Charmin, (uh)
And I'm on it, waiting for a target.
You fucking with the best, like Common.
Ah shit, pardon a nigga for departin',
I'm just getting green like a yard or a garden.
A nigga finna blow, while you niggas is false alarmin.' (uh)
And just think though, I was raised on Ramen, (uh)
Chicken noodle soup, now I'm filet mignon.'
I promise my momma I was coming to make this money,
And I swear imma kill the nigga that try to take it from me.
Yeah
Thats real talk, nigga!
It's J.Cole, nigga, Therapist,
Whatever fuck you wanna call me, don't matter,
Make y'all niggas understand, man,
Yea!
Know y'all can't believe yourself right now,
Yo this nigga from the south, naw,
He can't spit, how the fuck is he so good?
Hahaha
Open your eyes, motherfucker,
Can't see?
Niggas on top! yup!
On top, yup, yup,
On top!
In his song "The Come Up," J. Cole is expressing his ambition and drive to make it big and succeed in the rap game. He is confident in his abilities and knows that he is on his way to making a name for himself. He is focused on making money and achieving his dreams, and he won't let anyone get in his way. The lyrics also touch on the violence and danger that can be present in the streets, and how people have to be careful and watch their backs.
Throughout the song, J. Cole uses vivid and powerful imagery to convey his message. He talks about rising and shining like the sun, holding up his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and using baking soda and water to create cocaine on flames. He also uses wordplay, such as saying he's on it waiting for a target like a comma and explaining that he was raised on Ramen and chicken noodle soup but now enjoys filet mignon.
Overall, "The Come Up" is a confident and ambitious song about J. Cole's journey to success and the challenges he faces along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Money coming soon, nigga..
I'm about to be successful and make a lot of money.
I'm on the come up, chill nigga, don't run up,
I'm trying to succeed and don't want any problems in the meantime.
A yellow nigga finna rise and shine like the sun up, (yea)
I'm going to make it big just like the sun rises every day.
My mind on that paper, I ain't tryna wife a slut up,
I'm focused on making money and not interested in settling down with just any woman.
I'm dying for this cake and I ain't tryna wipe a crumb up,
I'm willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to make as much money as possible.
They ride with the gun up, kill you and light the blunt up, (uh)
Some people are dangerous and willing to use violence, even while casually smoking weed.
Don't shed a tear, for a nigga might get done up,
Don't cry for someone who gets hurt or killed due to being involved in a dangerous life.
But just say a prayer for a nigga might confront us,
It would be better to pray for someone who is willing to confront dangerous people rather than just hide and cry.
Cuz his life is summed up, the medics wipe his lungs up,
Someone who dies violently may end up choked with blood, forcing the medics to clean their lungs out in a gruesome way.
You coming to the ville, you gotta get a license from us,
If you want to be successful like me in my hometown, you need to get approval and recognition from the people who know it best.
City on my back, I feel like I'm holding Big Pun up,
I feel the pressure to succeed and represent my city well, just like how Big Pun carried the Bronx on his back.
No pain, no gain, my nigga, I just numb up.
I have to tolerate difficulties and discomfort in order to make progress and become successful.
I blow brains, go bang a nigga if he jump up,
I'm not afraid to use violence to protect myself or my interests.
With no shame, don't blame a nigga if you shot up,
If someone tries to harm me, I won't feel guilty for retaliating and defending myself.
This is cocaine on flames, baking soda and water,
The hustle and process of making money is sometimes dangerous and intense, much like cooking up cocaine.
And if you feel that, then I guess I sell crack, get it?
If you can relate to my rough upbringing and desire for success, you'll understand what I have to do to make it happen.
Fall back, man, a nigga feeling crazy.
I get overwhelmed by my thoughts and ambitions sometimes and need space.
Shitting on niggas, like a nigga was still a baby, (uh)
I'm outdoing and outranking other people who might have had advantages and head starts early on in life.
Carolina nigga, shout out to the ville, it raised me,
I'm proud to be from North Carolina and thank my hometown for shaping me.
So many hoes whipped, you woulda thought we still in slavery.
There are still too many people being mistreated and used for sex in society, even though slavery is technically over.
And niggas still sleeping, they feeling lazy, (uh)
Some people are still asleep or unaware of the opportunities and potential around them, and aren't putting in the necessary work or effort.
A killa? maybe, you make me, I will (uh)
I'm not inherently violent, but I'll defend myself or take action if I need to.
Cheat me on my scrilla, I'll send you to meet Dilla, (uh)
If someone tries to cheat me or not pay me what I'm owed, I'll get revenge or take action like the late producer J Dilla did.
From them NC streets where beef they deliver,
There are dangerous and violent people in North Carolina who are willing to start conflicts and fights.
And the clip is on 'E' cuz your chest got a filla.
If someone provokes me, I'll have my gun ready to defend myself against them.
A nigga like me just getting head like a pillow,
I'm receiving oral sex regularly and easily, like a pillow supporting someone's head.
Bred like guerillas getting bread,
I come from a tough upbringing and was raised to be strong and determined.
So long as my momma and my niggas getting fed,
I want to be successful enough to take care of my family and friends financially.
Fuck what a niggas said, (man) I'm Fayettenam bombing,
I don't care what people say or think, I'm going to work hard and succeed in the same way that Fayetteville, North Carolina produces and trains soldiers and military personnel who are tough and determined.
Cause hatred is flattery, you bitch niggas is charming.
If people hate on me or try to bring me down, it's just because they are secretly impressed and inspired by my success and strength.
Who the fuck you harming? Boy y'all niggas is Charmin, (uh)
I don't see any reason to be afraid of or intimidated by other people who aren't as tough or motivated as me.
And I'm on it, waiting for a target.
I'm ready and waiting for someone to try and mess with me so I can defend myself.
You fucking with the best, like Common.
Don't mess with me or underestimate me because I'm one of the best and most skilled people around, like rapper Common.
Ah shit, pardon a nigga for departin',
I have to leave or end this song, I hope you understand.
I'm just getting green like a yard or a garden.
I'm in the process of making money and becoming successful, like a garden growing and producing plants.
A nigga finna blow, while you niggas is false alarmin.' (uh)
I'm about to become famous and extremely successful, while other people are doubting and underestimating me for no reason.
And just think though, I was raised on Ramen, (uh)
Despite my humble beginnings and lack of resources, I'm still going to become successful and make a lot of money.
Chicken noodle soup, now I'm filet mignon.'
I used to have basic and cheap meals, but now I can afford luxurious and expensive food like filet mignon.
I promise my momma I was coming to make this money,
I made a promise to my mother that I would become successful and make a lot of money.
And I swear imma kill the nigga that try to take it from me.
I'm willing to defend my wealth and success with violence if necessary, and don't want anyone to try and take it from me.
Yeah
Thats real talk, nigga!
Everything I just said is true and reflects my real feelings and experiences.
It's J.Cole, nigga, Therapist,
I'm introducing myself as J. Cole, a rapper and therapist who wants to help people with my music.
Whatever fuck you wanna call me, don't matter,
I don't care what you call me or how you label me, as long as you listen to my music.
Make y'all niggas understand, man,
I want to help my listeners understand and relate to my struggles and experiences, and inspire them to succeed as well.
Yea!
Know y'all can't believe yourself right now,
I know some people listening to me might be surprised or skeptical of my talent and success.
Yo this nigga from the south, naw,
He can't spit, how the fuck is he so good?
Hahaha
Some people might underestimate or dismiss me as a rapper because I'm from the South, but I know I'm skilled and impressive.
Open your eyes, motherfucker,
Can't see?
Niggas on top! yup!
On top, yup, yup,
On top!
Pay attention to me and my music, because I'm one of the best and most successful rappers around.
Contributed by Victoria P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Juan Torres
Wish this was in Apple Music
Adam Morrissey
J. Cole said in an interview that his goal was to get all of the mixtapes on Spotify and Apple Music.
A Restore
I remember this