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.
a p p l y i n g . p r e s s u r e
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, nigga (one two, one two, one)
The Off-Season (one two, one two, one two, one)
The Off-Season, nigga
We offing niggas (ayy, that's right)
The fuck you talkin' 'bout? (That's right, ayy)
Offing niggas (yeah, hey, yeah)
(Vocal up a little more, hey)
Uh, applying pressure
Started my grind where crime festers
And nines showing like they in they second trimesters (pregnant)
That's why when niggas throw a shot or two online
I pay no mind to their benign gestures (mm)
Nigga, please, I got my mind on much bigger things to say the least
My latest beat just sound like they was released by David East (what up East?)
Verses hit hard, never pitched hard or played the streets
These niggas' whips hard, behind closed doors, can't pay the lease (uh)
Ain't nothin' wrong with livin' check to check 'cause most have to (I understand that)
Instead of cappin', why don't you talk about being a broke rapper? (I don't understand that)
That's a perspective I respect because it's real
What it's like to be nice as fuck but got to stress to pay the bills
That was me in '08, seein' no cake
Not even on dates I celebrated my birth
Just did the mental math and calculated my worth
Shit crazy, didn't know I got more M's than a real Slim Shady video
(I'm the real Shady)
Big Boss, less Rick Ross, more like a wavy Hideo
Kojima, they tote steamers around the way we tippy-toe
'Round crack vials and cold-blooded killers, no reptiles
Just projectiles, from niggas salty you rockin' the fresher textiles
I seen best pals grow up and switch (I hate to see it)
Sometimes over a couple dollars, more often over a bitch (ah, I hate to see it)
I can cap and say that I never scratched my jealousy's itch
But thank God I conquered that 'cause if not I'd never be rich
Envy keep your pockets empty, so just focus on you
If you broke and clownin' a millionaire, the joke is on you
Money ain't everything, I never say that (never)
But niggas throw stones knowin' they sell soul to get wherever they at (come on, man)
Just know these verses is some shit they gon' forever playback, nigga (come on, nigga)
Hell yeah (ooh)
Fuck, you know what it is nigga
Don't even dare
Niggas try to act like they don't, bitch
That's why I gotta flex sometimes
'Cause niggas just try to act like you just not that motherfuckin' nigga, like
Like you just really don't do it how you do it
Like, niggas will really try to act like you don't do what you do
Nigga look you dead in your face
And really act like you don't do it to the level that you do it
That's why sometimes you gotta come through
And just do it at the level that you do it in front of every nigga face
So they know the difference between you, the real niggas
And the mothafuckin' fraudulent niggas, man
Don't never get it fucked up
If a nigga can't do it like you do it
Sometimes you gotta do it in front of his fuckin' face so he'll know forever
"Damn, that nigga did it how I always wanted to do it
And I'll never be able to do it like that"
Bitch it's a difference (ah)
(These are the same ones telling our people)
(That we are where we are because we're just not working hard enough)
(And that mentality is what we're up against today)
(But this is good to know because this time, when we march on the Capitol)
(You can go ahead and let 'em know before we get there)
(We're coming to get that check)
In this song, J. Cole is reflecting on his journey to success and the pressure he faced along the way. He talks about how he started from grinding where crime festers to achieving immense success in music. He disregards online shots thrown at him and focuses on the bigger things, such as his music, which he claims is hitting hard like those of rising artist David East. He acknowledges that being a broke rapper is a real perspective, and living check to check is not something to be ashamed of. He encourages people to focus on their own journey and not be envious of others, as envy will only keep them from progressing. He stresses the importance of hard work and perseverance to achieve success.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, applying pressure
I'm bringing my A-game and putting in the work to succeed
Started my grind where crime festers
I come from a rough background where crime is prevalent and have had to work hard to make it out
And nines showing like they in they second trimesters (pregnant)
Guns are common in my environment and people carry them around as if they are pregnant with them
That's why when niggas throw a shot or two online
When people try to insult me or attack me online, I don't let it bother me
I pay no mind to their benign gestures (mm)
I don't let their minor insults or actions affect me negatively
Nigga, please, I got my mind on much bigger things to say the least
I have bigger goals and aspirations than to engage in petty online arguments
My latest beat just sound like they was released by David East (what up East?)
My music is high-quality and sounds like it was produced by a well-known producer
Verses hit hard, never pitched hard or played the streets
My lyrics are impactful and resonate with people, but I've never had to sell drugs or engage in street violence to gain credibility
These niggas' whips hard, behind closed doors, can't pay the lease (uh)
Other rappers may have expensive cars, but they can't even afford them and are just pretending to be wealthy
Ain't nothin' wrong with livin' check to check 'cause most have to (I understand that)
It's okay to struggle financially and live paycheck to paycheck because that's the reality for many people
Instead of cappin', why don't you talk about being a broke rapper? (I don't understand that)
It's more authentic to rap about the struggle of being a broke artist than to pretend to be rich and successful
That's a perspective I respect because it's real
I have respect for artists who are honest about their financial struggles and don't pretend to be something they're not
What it's like to be nice as fuck but got to stress to pay the bills
It's difficult to be talented and hardworking but still have financial stress and struggle to make ends meet
That was me in '08, seein' no cake
I experienced financial struggle and uncertainty early in my career, with little money or success
Not even on dates I celebrated my birth
I couldn't even afford to celebrate my own birthday
Just did the mental math and calculated my worth
I focused on my own value and potential instead of dwelling on my financial struggles
Shit crazy, didn't know I got more M's than a real Slim Shady video
I've achieved great financial success, even more than what popular rappers like Eminem have earned
Big Boss, less Rick Ross, more like a wavy Hideo
I have a lot of power and influence in the music industry, like a successful video game producer, and have a unique style
Kojima, they tote steamers around the way we tippy-toe
Like the video game director Kojima, I have a dedicated fanbase who admire and respect my work
'Round crack vials and cold-blooded killers, no reptiles
I come from a dangerous environment and have seen many violent things, but my success is not due to illegal or immoral actions
Just projectiles, from niggas salty you rockin' the fresher textiles
Other rappers may be jealous of my success and try to throw verbal attacks at me, but they can't compete with my unique style
I seen best pals grow up and switch (I hate to see it)
I've seen close friends turn on each other for petty reasons, which is difficult to witness
Sometimes over a couple dollars, more often over a bitch (ah, I hate to see it)
Friendships can be ruined over money or women, which is frustrating and disappointing
I can cap and say that I never scratched my jealousy's itch
I've felt jealous of others' success at times, but I've learned to overcome those feelings and focus on my own journey
But thank God I conquered that 'cause if not I'd never be rich
If I had given in to jealousy and resentment towards others, I wouldn't have been able to achieve my own success
Envy keep your pockets empty, so just focus on you
Jealousy and envy can prevent you from achieving success, so it's important to focus on your own journey and not compare yourself to others
If you broke and clownin' a millionaire, the joke is on you
If you're poor and making fun of someone who's wealthy, you're just showing your own insecurity and lack of success
Money ain't everything, I never say that (never)
I recognize that money isn't everything and there are more important things in life than wealth
But niggas throw stones knowin' they sell soul to get wherever they at (come on, man)
Other rappers may criticize me or throw insults, but they have compromised their values and integrity to achieve their own success
Just know these verses is some shit they gon' forever playback, nigga (come on, nigga)
My lyrics are powerful and impactful, and will be remembered long after my career is over
If a nigga can't do it like you do it
If someone can't match your skills or success, they may try to tear you down or criticize you
Sometimes you gotta do it in front of his fuckin' face so he'll know forever
Sometimes you have to prove your own skills and success to those who doubt you or try to bring you down
"Damn, that nigga did it how I always wanted to do it
Others may admire and envy your success and skills
And I'll never be able to do it like that"
They may recognize that they can't match your talents or achievements
Bitch it's a difference (ah)
There's a significant difference between those who can achieve great success and those who can't
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jermaine Cole
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@t0reyj0yyy
When Cole said
Ain't nothin' wrong with livin' check to check 'cause most have to
Instead of cappin', why don’t you talk about being a broke rapper?
That's a perspective I respect because it’s real
What it's like to be nice as fuck but got to stress to pay the bills
That was me in '08, seein' no cake
I felt dat
@YoFonzz
Cole needs to make a video for EVERY SINGLE SONG on the Album 🔥
@hiphopgenerationmax3727
Search up Ryan J II “Rose Gold”
(Thank me later.
@irinenetiti5260
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h006-5wn_gI
@liluziisthegoat977
His music videos ain't even crossing 10 million views 😂😂😂😂
@alltimevideos69
https://youtu.be/BHzd2b6iDjo ... ..
@jordangialdo676
bruh
@UrbanNerdBeats
the . pressure . has . been . applied 🔥
@dontclick2671
https://youtu.be/vlrLAMXMJQg .
@rachelmuma1567
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h006-5wn_gI
@hiphopgenerationmax3727
Search up Ryan J II “Rose Gold”
(Thank me later-