a m a r i
J. Cole Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bada-ba, bada-ba
Bada-ba, ah-ah
Off-season
Let's work, hey

Plottin' my escape, this game rot a nigga's faith
Got a couple M's hidin' in the safe
Imagination turned a Honda into Wraith
I was doin' eighty on the interstate
Tryna make it back before my class started
Country nigga never seen a passport
'Til I popped off and got a bag for it
Now I'm at the Garden sittin' half court
Watchin' Jr. catch it off the backboard
'Ville nigga never seen nothing
'Cept a fucking triple beam jumping
Good dope leave a fiend krumping
Made it out, it gotta mean something

Either you gon' hustle hard, or nigga, Uncle Sam got yo' ass re-enlisting
2-6, murder scene pumping
Better leave it tucked if ye' ain't dumping
Pow, pow, nigga, he slumping
Twelve comin', we ain't seen nothing
Time change, niggas ain't rumbling no more
Nah, what for? Hungry for more
If you solo these vocals, listen close and you can hear grumbling
Bow tie and I'm still munching
Big bag, never fear fumbling
Want smoke? Nigga don't choke
I'm a whole fuckin' nicotine company
Dreamville the Army, not a Navy
How could you ever try to play me?
Kill 'em on a song, walk up out the booth, do the Westbrook, rock-a-baby




I never fall out with the bro
Hate when your family turn into foe
We had a penthouse on the road
Interior decorated with the hoes
Just like a multiple-choice getting chose
My niggas like "Eenie, meenie, minee, moe"
Scoop up a dime-piece like we homeless
Then we gon' send 'em back pigeon-toed
Out of the concrete was a rose and winters was cold
Had to go over and stand by the stove
We from the Southeast, niggas know
This where the opps creep real slow
Won't vote but they mob deep with the poles
I punch the time sheet, not no more
'Cause now my assigned seat is a throne, right

Plottin' my escape, this game rot a nigga's faith
Got a couple M's hidin' in the safe
Imagination turned a Honda into Wraith
I was doin' eighty on the interstate
Tryna make it back before my class started
Country nigga never seen a passport
'Til I popped off and got a bag for it
Now I'm at the Garden sittin' half court
Watchin' Jr. catch it off the backboard
'Ville nigga never seen nothing
'Cept a fucking triple beam jumping
Good dope leave a fiend krumping
Made it out, it gotta mean something
Made it out, it gotta mean something
Made it out, it gotta mean something

Bada-ba, bada-ba
Bada-ba, ah-ah

Overall Meaning

J. Cole's song "a m a r i" is a reflection of his personal journey from a small town in North Carolina to becoming a successful rapper in the music industry. The lyrics express his gratitude for making it out of the struggles he faced in his past and his determination to continue working hard to achieve his goals. The opening lyrics, "Plottin' my escape, this game rot a nigga's faith," allude to the difficulties Cole faced in his past before making it in the industry. He mentions hiding away his wealth and transforming a Honda into a Wraith using his imagination. The line, "Tryna make it back before my class started, Country nigga never seen a passport," portrays how difficult Cole's life was before he became successful. Additionally, he mentions the people he has lost along the way in a reference to the "murder scene pumping."


The song is also about the changes that come with success. Cole reflects on how he has moved up in society, from sitting in the nosebleed section to sitting half-court at the Garden. He highlights the stereotypes people have of those from the Southeast, mentioning how the "opps" lurk there. The line, "Won't vote but they mob deep with the poles," illustrates the concept that people in power do not always represent or serve the people they govern. Cole also mentions how he values his friendships and the importance of keeping his family close.


The overall message of the song is one of inspiration and encouragement, and it is a reminder that one's past does not define their future. It is a call for people to keep pushing forward, working hard, and not giving up on their dreams despite any hardships they may face.


Line by Line Meaning

Plottin' my escape, this game rot a nigga's faith
J. Cole is strategizing his way out of the music industry because it's mentally and morally exhausting.


Got a couple M's hidin' in the safe
J. Cole has accumulated millions of dollars and saved them up in a secure location.


Imagination turned a Honda into Wraith
J. Cole has transformed his old car, a Honda, into a more luxurious Rolls-Royce Wraith through his creativity and success.


I was doin' eighty on the interstate
J. Cole was driving on the highway at 80 miles per hour, possibly trying to beat the clock and make it to class on time.


Tryna make it back before my class started
J. Cole was making an effort to be on time for his academic responsibilities.


Country nigga never seen a passport
J. Cole, being from a rural area, had never possessed a passport before.


'Til I popped off and got a bag for it
J. Cole's success in music allowed him to earn significant money and for the first time acquire a passport.


Now I'm at the Garden sittin' half court
J. Cole gets to enjoy his fame and success by sitting in prime seats at New York City's Madison Square Garden.


Watchin' Jr. catch it off the backboard
J. Cole is watching a basketball game where someone named Jr. catches a rebound off the backboard.


'Ville nigga never seen nothing
J. Cole, as someone from a small town nicknamed 'The Ville', has never witnessed much.


'Cept a fucking triple beam jumping
J. Cole is familiar with the sight of a triple beam scale used to weigh drugs like cocaine.


Good dope leave a fiend krumping
J. Cole acknowledges that high-quality drugs lead addicted individuals to dance or 'krump' uncontrollably.


Made it out, it gotta mean something
J. Cole recognizes the importance of his success; that it shouldn't have gone in vain.


Either you gon' hustle hard, or nigga, Uncle Sam got yo' ass re-enlisting
J. Cole tells listeners that if you don't work hard and earn money legally, the government will force you to join the military.


2-6, murder scene pumping
J. Cole is referring to a street in his hometown nicknamed '2-6' where violent crime and death occur frequently.


Better leave it tucked if ye' ain't dumping
J. Cole advises listeners that it's better to leave your weapon hidden if you're not willing to use it in a fight.


Pow, pow, nigga, he slumping
J. Cole is picturing a gunfight where someone gets shot and falls to the ground.


Twelve comin', we ain't seen nothing
J. Cole is warning people that the police will arrive soon (code 'twelve'), and things are about to get more serious.


Time change, niggas ain't rumbling no more
J. Cole observes that people don't fight as much as they used to in the past.


Hungry for more
J. Cole wants more success and prosperity in his life.


If you solo these vocals, listen close and you can hear grumbling
J. Cole's voice carries frustration and dissatisfaction with his experiences in the music industry; he's warning listeners to pay attention to that emotion.


Bow tie and I'm still munching
J. Cole is expressing that he's achieving great success while dressed well (bow tie), but still hungry for more.


Big bag, never fear fumbling
J. Cole always carries a lot of money but never worries about losing it or misplacing it.


Want smoke? Nigga don't choke
J. Cole asks if anyone wants a fight and tells them not to back out.


I'm a whole fuckin' nicotine company
J. Cole compares himself to a tobacco corporation, meaning he's wealthy and successful at selling his product, music.


Dreamville the Army, not a Navy
J. Cole's Dreamville record label is more of a militant organization that will fight for its success instead of a peaceful one.


How could you ever try to play me?
J. Cole is challenging anyone who doesn't take him seriously or thinks he's a pushover.


Kill 'em on a song, walk up out the booth, do the Westbrook, rock-a-baby
J. Cole boasts of his musical prowess, saying he can destroy anyone on a track and leave the recording studio like Russell Westbrook does on the basketball court, doing the 'rock-a-bye baby' move that mimics rocking a baby to sleep.


I never fall out with the bro
J. Cole has never experienced a falling out with one of his close friends.


Hate when your family turn into foe
J. Cole doesn't like it when family members become enemies by betraying trust.


We had a penthouse on the road
J. Cole and his crew lived luxuriously in a penthouse apartment while traveling.


Interior decorated with the hoes
J. Cole's living space was embellished with objects his female companions brought over.


Just like a multiple-choice getting chose
J. Cole draws a parallel between selecting a desirable answer on a test and choosing one of his many female admirers.


My niggas like 'Eenie, meenie, minee, moe'
J. Cole and his friends decide among themselves, in a playful manner, which female companions they want to bring home.


Scoop up a dime-piece like we homeless
J. Cole and his friends feel like taking someone home is so easy, it's like picking up a homeless person off the street.


Then we gon' send 'em back pigeon-toed
J. Cole and his friends plan to engage in sexual acts with the women they've chosen, potentially rendering them bow-legged or pigeon-toed.


Out of the concrete was a rose and winters was cold
J. Cole grew up in a concrete jungle of a city, but he found a bright spot that provided hope (a rose). However, life was still difficult for him and especially challenging during the winter.


Had to go over and stand by the stove
J. Cole had to stand by the heat source, indicating that he needed to ward off the cold weather.


We from the Southeast, niggas know
J. Cole asserts that those who come from the southeastern region of the United States understand him and his crew.


This where the opps creep real slow
J. Cole identifies the southeastern region as an area where people who want to harm and sabotage his success are present but move slowly.


Won't vote but they mob deep with the poles
J. Cole observes that people in the southeastern region are hesitant to vote but are quick to carry guns ('poles') in large numbers ('mob deep').


I punch the time sheet, not no more
J. Cole used to work a regular job and report his working hours on a time sheet, but he doesn't do so anymore because of his music career.


'Cause now my assigned seat is a throne, right
J. Cole's success in music has made him feel like he has his own throne, not just a regular seat. He's proud of his successes and all that he's achieved.


Bada-ba, bada-ba Bada-ba, ah-ah
These are ad-lib vocals that repeat throughout the song and have no distinct meaning.


Made it out, it gotta mean something Made it out, it gotta mean something Made it out, it gotta mean something
J. Cole repeats this line three times in succession to emphasize that his success has a greater purpose, and he must make it mean something significant.




Lyrics © Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: . Sucuki, Jermaine Lamarr Cole, Timothy Z. Mosley, Tyler Matthew Carl Williams

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@RelaxBuddy23

LYRICS 🔥 :-
[Intro]
Bada-ba, bada-ba
Bada-ba, da-da
Off-Season
Let's work, hey

[Chorus]
Plottin' my escape, this game rot a nigga's faith
Got a couple M's hidin' in the safe
Imagination turned a Honda into Wraith
I was doin' eighty on the interstate
Tryna make it back before my class started
Country nigga never seen a passport
'Til I popped off and got a bag for it
Now I'm at the Garden sittin' half court
Watchin' Jr. catch it off the backboard
'Ville nigga never seen nothing
'Cept a fucking triple beam jumping
Good dope leave a fiend krumping
Made it out, it gotta mean something

[Verse]
Either you gon' hustle or that nigga Uncle Sam got yo' ass re-enlisting
2-6, murder scene pumping
Better leave it tucked if you ain't dumping
Pow, pow, nigga, he slumping
Twelve comin', we ain't seen nothing
Time change, niggas ain't rumbling no more
Nah, what for? Hungry for more
If you solo these vocals, listen close and you can hear grumbling
Multi' and I'm still munching
Big bag, never fear fumbling
Want smoke? Nigga don't choke
I'm a whole fuckin' nicotine company
Dreamville the Army, not a Navy
How could you ever try to play me?
Kill 'em on a song, walk up out the booth, do the Westbrook rock-a-baby
I never fall out with the bro
Hate when your family turn into foe
We had a penthouse on the road
Interior decorated with the hoes
Just like a multiple-choice getting chose
My niggas like "Eenie, meenie, miney, moe"
Scoop up a dime-piece like we homeless
Then we gon' send 'em back pigeon-toed
Out of the concrete was a rose and winters was cold
Had to go over and stand by the stove
We from the Southeast, niggas know
This where the opps creep real slow
Won't vote but they mob deep with the poles
I punch the time sheet, not no more
And now my assigned seat is the throne
[Chorus]
Plottin' my escape, this game rot a nigga's faith
Got a couple M's hidin' in the safe
Imagination turned a Honda into Wraith
I was doin' eighty on the interstate
Tryna make it back before my class started
Country nigga never seen a passport
'Til I popped off and got a bag for it
Now I'm at the Garden sittin' half court
Watchin' Jr. catch it off the backboard
'Ville nigga never seen nothing
'Cept a fucking triple beam jumping
Good dope leave a fiend krumping
Made it out, it gotta mean something
Made it out, it gotta mean something
Made it out, it gotta mean something

[Outro]
Bada-ba, bada-ba, bada-ba, ah-ah

THANK ME LATER 🔥



All comments from YouTube:

@JFloatin

When the rapper and producer both do their parts

@nataliac5440

THISSSS!!!

@DrtyTreeHuggr

When they're the same person 😏

@nataliac5440

@@DrtyTreeHuggr righttt 😭

@realsexyteen3387

https://youtu.be/yRwK5hbOz-A

@derrickcarter3361

Timbaland help on this one

13 More Replies...

@ウルティアミルコビッチ

That “CO-O-O-OLD” at 1:30 gave me chills ❄️

@laggard7173

Every time

@ddraccoo

FR

@itzseff2101

BEST PART OF THE MF SONG NO 🧢🥶🐐🙏🏼

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