a p p l y i n g . p r e s s u r e
J. Cole Lyrics


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Yeah (yeah)
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)

Overall Meaning

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
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@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



All comments from YouTube:

@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

229 More Replies...

@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-

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