“Ville Mentality” focuses on the perils of fame that Cole has experienced. … Read Full Bio ↴“Ville Mentality” focuses on the perils of fame that Cole has experienced. He reiterates his feelings about choosing an early retirement from the rap game.

Cole originally used the term “ville mentality” on his 2013 song “Can I Holla At Ya.” He also brought up the term “Fayetteville mentality” in his documentary 2014 Forest Hills Drive: Homecoming, describing it as the belief that opportunity was not present in his small town.

Ville Mentality
J. Cole Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How long can I survive with this mentality?
How long can I survive with this mentality?

Trials and tribulations
I'm facing in this age of information, I hate this shit
'Cause niggas hit my phone when they want some shit
Bitches hit my phone when they want some dick
Damn it, won't be long 'fore I disappear

Damn it, won't be long 'fore I disappear
Damn it, won't be long 'fore I disappear
Damn it, won't be long 'fore I disappear
You call it runnin', I call it escapin'
Start a new life in a foreign location
Similar to my niggas duckin' cases
Can't take the possible time that it faces

How long can I survive with this mentality?
How long can I survive with this mentality?

My dad, he died, he got shot, 'cause his friend set him up
And I didn't go to his funeral, and sometimes when I'm in my room
I get mad at my momma when she mean to me, and she say
And she say, clean up I say

Nigga play me, never
Give up my chain, never
Give up my pride, never
Show my pain, never
Dirt on my name, never
Dirt on my name, never
Dirt on my name, never
Dirt on my name, never
Nigga play me, never
Give up my chain, never
Give up my pride, never
Show 'em my pain, never
Dirt on my name, never
Dirt on my name, never
Dirt on my name, never
Dirt on my name, never

How long can I survive with this mentality?
How long can I survive with this mentality?

I get mad and I slam my door and go in my room,
And then, I get mad and I say, "I wish my dad was here"

Overall Meaning

In J. Cole's song Ville Mentality, he ponders about how long he can survive with his current mindset in a world that is constantly changing with the age of information. He expresses his frustration with the constant demands from people who only reach out to him when they want something, whether it's money or sex. Cole recognizes that he may not be able to sustain this lifestyle for too long, and he contemplates disappearing and starting over in a foreign place, similar to his friends who are running away from the law. He acknowledges that he can't afford to face the possible consequences of his actions, and his only option is to escape.

Cole's father's death also weighs heavily on his mind, and he feels guilty for not attending his funeral. He admits that he still gets angry at his mother when she is mean to him, but he keeps it to himself and hides in his room, wishing his father was still alive.

In the chorus, Cole repeats the question of how long he can survive with his current mentality, which appears to be one of mistrust and a constant need to protect himself from those who would harm him. He declares that he will never give up his pride or show his pain, and he will not let anyone soil his reputation.

Overall, the song portrays the struggles of living in a society where people are constantly trying to take advantage of you and the pressure to maintain a respectable image at all times.

Line by Line Meaning

Trials and tribulations I'm facing in this age of information, I hate this shit 'Cause niggas hit my phone when they want some shit Bitches hit my phone when they want some dick
Life is tough, especially in this modern age where information is everywhere. J. Cole is annoyed because he only hears from people when they want something from him (people wanting to borrow his money, etc.)

Damn it, won't be long 'fore I disappear Damn it, won't be long 'fore I disappear Damn it, won't be long 'fore I disappear Damn it, won't be long 'fore I disappear You call it runnin', I call it escapin' Start a new life in a foreign location Similar to my niggas duckin' cases Can't take the possible time that it faces
J. Cole is overwhelmed and wants to leave everything behind. The thought of moving to a new foreign land seems appealing, just like some of his friends who are on the run. They are evading getting caught by the law which could possibly lead them to serve time in jail.

My dad, he died, he got shot, 'cause his friend set him up And I didn't go to his funeral, and sometimes when I'm in my room I get mad at my momma when she mean to me, and she say And she say, clean up I say
J. Cole's dad was killed and he's still dealing with the trauma of it. He didn't attend the funeral which is weighing on him. Sometimes, when he's in his room, he gets angry after fights with his mother - and all she does is tell him to clean up his room.

Nigga play me, never Give up my chain, never Give up my pride, never Show my pain, never Dirt on my name, never Dirt on my name, never Dirt on my name, never Dirt on my name, never Nigga play me, never Give up my chain, never Give up my pride, never Show 'em my pain, never Dirt on my name, never Dirt on my name, never Dirt on my name, never Dirt on my name, never
J. Cole refuses to be taken advantage of or lose his sense of self. He will never reveal any vulnerability or let anyone besmirch his reputation.

How long can I survive with this mentality? How long can I survive with this mentality?
J. Cole is asking how long he can keep up with his current attitude before it starts to break him down.

I get mad and I slam my door and go in my room, And then, I get mad and I say, "I wish my dad was here"
J. Cole still misses his dad and feels angry whenever he thinks about him.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Missing Link Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTHONY PARRINO, JASMIN PENELOPE CHARLES, JERMAINE L. COLE, MARGAUX ALEXIS ROSELENA WHITNEY, RONALD EUGENE GILMORE, THEO CROKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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