The Middle Child
J. Cole Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You good, T-Minus?

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'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)

Overall Meaning

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
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Comments from YouTube:

@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

530 More Replies...

@ailo8625

True fact :
We can all agree that J. Cole never disappoints, his talent is pure and his voice is out of the world!!

@amankwahprince2877

@user-il2zp1uh2p

Yes we do. Cole is the 🐐

@BROKENNBOY-pq3qh

Fax man

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