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.
Window Pain
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When me and my mom was about to go to bed
All the doors was locked
Then when I had fell asleep
My mom had heard three gun shots
It was to my cousin, his name was Rod
The one that came to pick me up
He had been shot right through the face, right in the neck
I put my hand to the sky, I sing
Grateful for the blessings you bring
Thank you for the ones I love
Forgive me for the times I was
Down and confused, I know
What I reap is what I will sow
Once again I find myself
Back with you from my hell
All I ever wanted was to hear them bitches holler back
Get some money plus respect and now look, I got all of that
All I wanna do is see my granny on the other side
All I wanna do is kill the man that made my momma cry
All I wanna do is touch a platinum plaque and celebrate
All I wanna do is keep my niggas out the yellow tape
All I wanna do is see my granny on the other side
All I wanna do is kill the man that made my momma cry
Right now I'm starin' out the window of my Range and contemplating, am I sane?
Have I sacrificed for fame? My occuptation's on my brain
Thought that I could change it all if I had change
But the niggas that I came up with way back is still the same
I be tryna give 'em game like Santa did when Christmas came
They be listenin' but it's clear to me they did not hear a thing
It go in one ear and out the other like a bullet out the muzzle of a pistol shot
By brothers standin' point-blank range
Niggas bang in the Ville, I always thought that shit was strange
How you claim blood or cuz when that was just a LA thing?
I don't mean no disrespect towards your set, no, I'm just sayin'
That it seem like for acceptance niggas will do anything
Niggas will rep any gang, niggas will bust any head
Niggas will risk everything, point him out and then he dead
Shootin' up where his granny live, "blaow, blaow!", his granny duck
He don't give a fuck, he's on Henny and Xanny'd up
Blowin' Tammy up, bitch, when you gon' give them panties up?
He gon' plant a seed, but best believe he ain't man enough
Just because yo' dick can spray semen, it don't mean that you ready to let go of yo' childish ways
The results are deadly
Because that child will suffer and that's what can most affect me
The little girl I met this past summer said, "Don't forget me"
I won't forget you, how could I with all you went through?
A bullet hit yo' cousin in Temple while he was with you
And while you was talkin', I was tearin' up, where's the tissue?
If you was my sister then I would kiss you and tell you that
I'm sorry for the pain you had to live through
I know I'm blessed because yo' stress is realer than anything I done been through
I put my head to the sky, I sing
Grateful for the blessings you bring
Thank you for the ones I love
Forgive me for the times I was
Down and confused, I know
What I reap is what I will sow
Once again I find myself
Back with you from my hell
All I ever wanted was to hear them bitches holler back
Get some money plus respect and now look, I got all of that
All I wanna do is see my granny on the other side
All I wanna do is kill the man that made my momma cry
All I wanna do is touch a platinum plaque and celebrate
All I wanna do is keep my niggas out the yellow tape
All I wanna do is see my granny on the other side
All I wanna do is kill the man that made my momma cry
It's not that big
Well at least, um
God had saved him 'cause he still alive
So why do y'all think that bad stuff happen?
Like why can't the world just be all nice things?
Because God is tryna, um
Warn-warn us or teach us a lesson that we need to learn
Or He's tryna warn us of He's comin' back to, um, see us and take us home and redo the world
He's comin' back to, um, have us be His children and
For us to see Him for the first time so we can rejoice with Him and have our time
And after we do that, He's gonna restart the world
K.O.D
Choose wisely!
The lyrics to "Window Pain" by J. Cole narrate a tragic incident that happened when he was younger, where his cousin Rod was shot and killed right in front of him and his mother. The song's chorus sees J. Cole's reflection on his current state of mind and is being grateful for everything good in his life while acknowledging some missteps he has taken along the way. In the second verse, J. Cole talks about staring out of his Range Rover's window and contemplating his sanity and the sacrifices he has made to achieve fame. He then talks about how he tries to guide his friends and those he grew up with, but they do not listen to him. J. Cole goes on to mention the senseless violence and gang culture in the Ville, and how people will do anything for acceptance. The third verse is more introspective as J. Cole reflects on the consequences of childbearing as a way of ridding oneself of childish ways.
The song is a powerful reminder of the grim realities many people, especially those from inner-city neighborhoods, face daily. It highlights the trauma and violence that can happen to someone without warning and the effect it can have on the ones left behind. The chorus speaks about how someone should be grateful for the people and things in their life while trying not to make the same mistakes they have made before. The verses speak to the more significant issues that J. Cole has seen in his life, such as gang violence and the dangers of wanting to be accepted into a group. The last verse speaks of the lasting effects of having children as a way to hold onto youth and the consequences of the decisions we make.
Line by Line Meaning
One night
The story begins with an unfortunate event that took place one night.
When me and my mom was about to go to bed
J. Cole and his mother were about to go to bed when the incident occurred.
All the doors was locked
All doors were locked indicating the safety precautions they had taken.
Then when I had fell asleep
J. Cole fell asleep after the doors were locked and felt secure.
My mom had heard three gun shots
J. Cole's mother heard gunshots while he was sleeping.
It was to my cousin, his name was Rod
J. Cole's cousin, who goes by the name Rod, had gotten shot in the incident.
The one that came to pick me up
Rod was the one who had come to pick J. Cole up earlier.
He had been shot right through the face, right in the neck
Rod had suffered critical wounds including one to his face and neck.
And he got shot right in the stomach
Rod had also suffered a gunshot to his stomach.
I put my hand to the sky, I sing
J.Cole thanks God for the blessings he has received despite the unfortunate event.
Grateful for the blessings you bring
J.Cole thanks God for the blessings he has received despite the unfortunate event.
Thank you for the ones I love
J.Cole is thankful for the people he loves.
Forgive me for the times I was
J.Cole asks for forgiveness for his past mistakes.
Down and confused, I know
J.Cole acknowledges the times he was down and confused.
What I reap is what I will sow
J.Cole acknowledges the consequences of his actions.
Once again I find myself
J.Cole reflects upon his current state of mind.
Back with you from my hell
J.Cole feels as though he is coming back to God to help him through his tough times.
All I ever wanted was to hear them bitches holler back
J.Cole expresses his desire for recognition and success.
Get some money plus respect and now look, I got all of that
J.Cole has achieved the success he desired.
All I wanna do is see my granny on the other side
J.Cole wishes to see his grandmother in the afterlife.
All I wanna do is kill the man that made my momma cry
J.Cole has a desire for revenge against someone who hurt his mother.
All I wanna do is touch a platinum plaque and celebrate
J.Cole still has some goals he wishes to achieve.
All I wanna do is keep my niggas out the yellow tape
J.Cole wants to keep his companions safe and away from dangerous situations.
Right now I'm starin' out the window of my Range and contemplating, am I sane?
J.Cole is questioning his sanity amidst his success.
Have I sacrificed for fame? My occupation's on my brain
J.Cole is questioning whether his success was worth sacrificing other aspects of his life.
Thought that I could change it all if I had change
J.Cole thought that money could change everything in his life.
But the niggas that I came up with way back is still the same
The people that J.Cole grew up with still have the same struggles they used to.
I be tryna give 'em game like Santa did when Christmas came
J.Cole is trying to share his wisdom with his old companions.
They be listenin' but it's clear to me they did not hear a thing
J.Cole feels as though his companions are not truly listening to him.
It go in one ear and out the other like a bullet out the muzzle of a pistol shot
J.Cole's companions do not seem to take his advice to heart.
By brothers standin' point-blank range
J.Cole's friends are in dangerous environments.
Niggas bang in the Ville, I always thought that shit was strange
J.Cole finds it strange that people are so willing to join a gang.
How you claim blood or cuz when that was just a LA thing?
J.Cole questions the validity of gang culture in his hometown.
I don't mean no disrespect towards your set, no, I'm just sayin'
J.Cole wants to criticize the concept of gang culture without disrespecting those involved.
That it seem like for acceptance niggas will do anything
People are willing to do anything to be accepted, even if it means joining a dangerous gang.
Niggas will rep any gang, niggas will bust any head
People will do whatever it takes to prove their loyalty to a gang.
Niggas will risk everything, point him out and then he dead
People risk their lives for the sake of gang culture.
Shootin' up where his granny live, 'blaow, blaow!', his granny duck
Gang violence can have unpredictable and unintended victims, such as innocent grannies.
He don't give a fuck, he's on Henny and Xanny'd up
People who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol are more prone to engage in reckless behavior.
Blowin' Tammy up, bitch, when you gon' give them panties up?
J.Cole objects to the way some men objectify women.
He gon' plant a seed, but best believe he ain't man enough
Some men are not ready to be fathers, despite the fact that they can father a child.
Just because yo' dick can spray semen, it don't mean that you ready to let go of yo' childish ways
Being able to reproduce does not signify emotional maturity or responsibility.
The results are deadly
The consequences of reckless behavior can be life-altering and even fatal.
Because that child will suffer and that's what can most affect me
J.Cole is concerned about the suffering that can result from irresponsible behavior.
The little girl I met this past summer said, "Don't forget me"
J.Cole has met a young girl who left a lasting impression on him.
I won't forget you, how could I with all you went through?
J.Cole is committed to remembering the experiences of the young girl he met.
A bullet hit yo' cousin in Temple while he was with you
J.Cole reflects on the tragic event that took place while he was with his cousin.
And while you was talkin', I was tearin' up, where's the tissue?
J.Cole was moved to tears while thinking about the young girl's experiences.
If you was my sister then I would kiss you and tell you that
J.Cole wants to show affection and care towards the young girl he has met.
I'm sorry for the pain you had to live through
J.Cole empathizes with the pain the young girl has gone through.
I know I'm blessed because yo' stress is realer than anything I done been through
J.Cole realizes that the young girl has gone through more stress and pain than he has.
It's not that big
J.Cole feels small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Well at least, um
J.Cole tries to find positivity in the situation.
God had saved him 'cause he still alive
J.Cole attributes his cousin's survival to God.
So why do y'all think that bad stuff happen?
J.Cole questions why tragic events such as his cousin getting shot occur.
Like why can't the world just be all nice things?
J.Cole ponders a world without negativity and tragedy.
Because God is tryna, um
J.Cole believes there is a reason behind tragic events and God has a purpose for them.
Warn-warn us or teach us a lesson that we need to learn
J.Cole believes that bad events are meant to teach us a lesson or warn us of something.
Or He's tryna warn us of He's comin' back to, um, see us and take us home and redo the world
J.Cole proposes that God may be preparing to come back and start anew with the world.
He's comin' back to, um, have us be His children and
J.Cole believes that God will return to make everyone his children.
For us to see Him for the first time so we can rejoice with Him and have our time
J.Cole believes that when God returns, we will be able to see him and celebrate with him.
And after we do that, He's gonna restart the world
J.Cole believes that after God returns, the world will be restarted and made anew.
K.O.D
The song title that stands for "Kids on Drugs". J.Cole uses this as the title as he talks about the youth and the importance of guiding them in the right direction.
Choose wisely!
J.Cole encourages people to make good choices and avoid dangerous and reckless behavior.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jermaine Cole
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@celinegray8675
I just gotta say J Cole pulled me out of addiction with this album. He made me see what I was doing to myself. Thank you J Cole! Love you sm.
@ricardobrown8796
Facts
@kewlnerd9870
Amazing!!!!! ❤❤❤
@charlieharper6377
Will you give us a 1 year update? Did you relapse? I am asking because I was addicted then quit and then relapse and respect the process, now I’m just back at square one. It just feels like time is moving without me; stupid to say but that’s how I feel.
@fernandosalazar1531
Ohhh yeahhh totally that's totally what happened
@lizlo3960
@Charlie Harper you got this!
@Cinderling
This song is legendary. Definitely one of Coles best songs of all time
@brittanyfeinberg7559
One of my favorite songs of all time
@lilcamper0446
Niggaaaa
@leemartin2999
Faxxxxxxxts