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.
h u n g e r . o n . h i l l s i d e
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
God has a plan for you
And all you've got to do is believe, believe, believe
Yeah
This shit gon' get hard, keep your head strong
If I quit now, then I'm dead wrong
Fightin' off this hunger for hours
The money might fade, but respect don't
Still gon' be me when success gone
I don't speak the language of cowards
I walk through the flame like I'm Teflon
I sucked up the pain and I kept goin'
Whole world know my name, bitch, my rep strong
We sold out in less than a hour
These words I still sang like I'm slept on
I sin, so I can't cast the next stone
Unless it's baguettes 'round my neck bone
Inside of my frame lies a power
You can't get this game from no TED Talk
I wanna know if they understand me
I put it all on A, ain't no plan B
Hopin' all this weight ain't gon' drown me
Fucked around, got grey hairs already
Runnin' up the stairs on a tower
Runnin' up these Ms by the hour
If I drop a gem, money showers
When you get your taste, they get sour
This shit gon' get hard, keep your head strong
(Just keep your head strong)
The money might fade, but respect don't
(The ultimate price is regret now)
Still gon' be me when success gone
(Still gon' be me, ah-ah-ah)
Big stepper, nigga, don't get stepped on
Waitin' my turn like grains of sand inside a hourglass
Mainly concerned back in the day with how long I would last
Make a few thousand dollars stack with every hour passed
I catch you playin' inside my lane and I'ma foul your ass
Put the whole game on top my back, don't need no chiropract'
They callin' me young PWC, I got my power back
Ain't fuckin' around, beefin' with me gon' get you hollered at
Niggas can't see me one-on-one, that's word to Kyla Pratt
You hittin' them weights, congratulations 'cause you built somethin'
You takin' a lot of boxin' lessons, but you still pussy
I see right through you niggas just like 2Pac hologram
Ain't doin' Coachella, bookin' me gon' be a lot of Ms
I'm feelin' myself, I'm buildin' my wealth up 'til it's towerin'
I put my tongue all in my bitch, she get to hollerin'
I ain't doin' no dirt no more, I stopped creepin' six years ago
Fun fuckin' them hoes until you realize that you is the ho
This shit gon' get hard, keep your head strong
If I quit now then I'm dead wrong
Fightin' off this hunger for hours
Big stepper, nigga, don't get stepped on
The money might fade, but respect don't
Still gon' be me when success gone
I don't speak the language of cowards
I walk through the flame like I'm Teflon
Can't be afraid of sunlight
Spotlights when it glows
All the pain you hold
Makes you worth your weight in gold
Can't be afraid of sunlight
Spotlights when it glows
All the pain you hold
Makes you worth your weight in gold
God has a plan for you
And all you've got to do is believe, believe, be-
In this verse of "i n t e r l u d e," J. Cole begins by reassuring his listeners that God has a plan for them, and all they need to do is have faith. He then proceeds to address the challenges of life, acknowledging that things can get tough, but one must keep their head strong and never give up. Success might fade, but respect doesn't, and he emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself even when things are not going well.
He goes on to discuss his journey to success, the hard work, and the sacrifices he made to get to where he is. Cole talks about how fame has changed his life, attracting both good and bad attention, and he has learned to live with it. He then takes a jab at those who try to imitate him, asserting his superiority in the hip-hop game. He ends the verse by urging his listeners not to be afraid of the spotlight, to embrace the pain they carry, and use it to become the best versions of themselves.
J. Cole's "i n t e r l u d e" is the first single from his highly anticipated album, "The Off-Season," released on May 14, 2021.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright now, alright now
Let's calm down for a moment.
God has a plan for you
Believe that there is a divine plan set in motion for you.
And all you've got to do is believe, believe, believe
To receive divine intervention, believe with all your heart.
Yeah
Acknowledging the message shared, let's get into the details.
This shit gon' get hard, keep your head strong
The journey to success will present challenges; stay resolute.
If I quit now, then I'm dead wrong
Giving up on your dreams is a death sentence.
Fightin' off this hunger for hours
Working hard for hours to achieve your aspirations.
Big stepper, nigga, don't get stepped on
Elevate yourself, walk tall, and don't let anyone bring you down.
The money might fade, but respect don't
Monetary gains come and go, but maintaining respect throughout is crucial.
Still gon' be me when success gone
Maintain your authenticity regardless of the level of success.
I don't speak the language of cowards
I don't entertain fear or cowardice; I face my fears head-on.
I walk through the flame like I'm Teflon
I can withstand any adversity thrown my way.
I sucked up the pain and I kept goin'
I persevered through painful experiences.
Whole world know my name, bitch, my rep strong
I'm reaping the benefits of my hard work and my reputation precedes me.
We sold out in less than a hour
My events are in high demand and are sold out in a short time.
These words I still sang like I'm slept on
Even though some may underestimate me, I still deliver my message with passion.
I sin, so I can't cast the next stone
I am not perfect, so I cannot judge others.
Unless it's baguettes 'round my neck bone
Except, of course, it's jewelry on my neck that I can judge others for not having.
Inside of my frame lies a power
My inner strength is what drives me to success.
You can't get this game from no TED Talk
Experience is the best teacher, and no amount of advice from a TED Talk can replace it.
I wanna know if they understand me
I want to be sure that my message resonates with my fans.
I put it all on A, ain't no plan B
I have no backup plan; I'm fully committed to my dreams.
Hopin' all this weight ain't gon' drown me
I hope the burdens of success won't overwhelm me.
Fucked around, got grey hairs already
The hardships of this journey have aged me beyond my years.
Runnin' up the stairs on a tower
Climbing the ladder of success.
Runnin' up these Ms by the hour
Accumulating millions of dollars in a short amount of time.
If I drop a gem, money showers
Sharing my wisdom leads to financial success.
When you get your taste, they get sour
Others may become jealous when you achieve success and taste of the good life.
Waitin' my turn like grains of sand inside a hourglass
My time will come, and I am patiently awaiting it.
Mainly concerned back in the day with how long I would last
I used to worry about sustainability in the music industry.
Make a few thousand dollars stack with every hour passed
My hard work is paying off financially.
I catch you playin' inside my lane and I'ma foul your ass
If you try to imitate me, I will call you out on it.
Put the whole game on top my back, don't need no chiropract'
I carry the weight of the industry on my shoulders without any help.
They callin' me young PWC, I got my power back
I am regaining my power and influence in the industry.
Ain't fuckin' around, beefin' with me gon' get you hollered at
I am not interested in drama, but I will defend myself if necessary.
Niggas can't see me one-on-one, that's word to Kyla Pratt
No one can match me, that's a fact.
You hittin' them weights, congratulations 'cause you built somethin'
Working out and building your body is something to be proud of.
You takin' a lot of boxin' lessons, but you still pussy
You may be physically training, but you lack inner strength and bravery.
I see right through you niggas just like 2Pac hologram
I am not fooled by fake individuals.
Ain't doin' Coachella, bookin' me gon' be a lot of Ms
I am not performing at Coachella, but booking me for a gig will bring in a lot of money.
I'm feelin' myself, I'm buildin' my wealth up 'til it's towerin'
I am confident in myself and building my wealth until it becomes a towering accomplishment.
I put my tongue all in my bitch, she get to hollerin'
I please my partner sexually, and she moans loudly.
I ain't doin' no dirt no more, I stopped creepin' six years ago
I stopped engaging in illegal activities six years ago.
Fun fuckin' them hoes until you realize that you is the ho
Having casual sex may be fun but then you realize that you have become the object of desire.
Can't be afraid of sunlight
Don't be afraid of success and the attention it brings.
Spotlights when it glows
Embrace the attention when you reach the spotlight.
All the pain you hold
The previous hardships you have faced and overcome.
Makes you worth your weight in gold
Those hardships make you more valuable as a person.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Abbas Hamad, Jermaine Cole, Juniior Parker, Matthew Samuels, Michal Suski, Milos Angelov
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ryathesage
Official Lyrics 🔥🙏🏾🙌🏾
Alright now, alright now
God has a plan for you
And all you've got to do is believe, believe, believe
Yeah
This shit gon' get hard, keep your head strong
If I quit now, then I'm dead wrong
Fightin' off this hunger for hours
Big stepper, nigga, don't get stepped on
The money might fade, but respect don't
Still gon' be me when success gone
I don't speak the language of cowards
I walk through the flame like I'm Teflon
I sucked up the pain and I kept goin'
Whole world know my name, bitch, my rep strong
We sold out in less than a hour
These words I still sang like I'm slept on
I sin, so I can't cast the next stone
Unless it's baguettes 'round my neck bone
Inside of my frame lies a power
You can't get this game from no TED Talk
I wanna know if they understand me
I put it all on A, ain't no plan B
Hopin' all this weight ain't gon' drown me
Fucked around, got grey hairs already
Runnin' up the stairs on a tower
Runnin' up these Ms by the hour
If I drop a gem, money showers
When you get your taste, they get sour
This shit gon' get hard, keep your head strong
(Just keep your head strong)
The money might fade, but respect don't
(The ultimate price is regret now)
Still gon' be me when success gone
(Still gon' be me, ah-ah-ah)
Big stepper, nigga, don't get stepped on
Waitin' my turn like grains of sand inside a hourglass
Mainly concerned back in the day with how long I would last
Make a few thousand dollars stack with every hour passed
I catch you playin' inside my lane and I'ma foul your ass
Put the whole game on top my back, don't need no chiropract'
They callin' me young PWC, I got my power back
Ain't fuckin' around, beefin' with me gon' get you hollered at
Niggas can't see me one-on-one, that's word to Kyla Pratt
You hittin' them weights, congratulations 'cause you built somethin'
You takin' a lot of boxin' lessons, but you still pussy
I see right through you niggas just like 2Pac hologram
Ain't doin' Coachella, bookin' me gon' be a lot of Ms
I'm feelin' myself, I'm buildin' my wealth up 'til it's towerin'
I put my tongue all in my bitch, she get to hollerin'
I ain't doin' no dirt no more, I stopped creepin' six years ago
Fun fuckin' them hoes until you realize that you is the ho
This shit gon' get hard, keep your head strong
If I quit now then I'm dead wrong
Fightin' off this hunger for hours
Big stepper, nigga, don't get stepped on
The money might fade, but respect don't
Still gon' be me when success gone
I don't speak the language of cowards
I walk through the flame like I'm Teflon
Can't be afraid of sunlight
Spotlights when it glows
All the pain you hold
Makes you worth your weight in gold
Can't be afraid of sunlight
Spotlights when it glows
All the pain you hold
Makes you worth your weight in gold
God has a plan for you
And all you've got to do is believe, believe, be-
@ekrazy2238
"If I quit now then Im dead wrong" please never retire J Cole.
@famousvex8207
how an he think of that after his beautiful piece
@akonpopping3534
https://youtu.be/BHzd2b6iDjo ...
@bbraddles
@@akonpopping3534 damn bro shut up.
@desihaxor5690
the fall off is retirement album
@luv2wice
@@desihaxor5690 It's just a marketing trick to get people feel that his songs are limited
@samuelpickens8971
we not gone ignore Bas Vocals bro
@Desnes7
Omm, I didn't see the feature on initial listen. I'm like that sounds like bas...but its too good. He did that shit!
@rockyscarbrough9702
Truth. Bas always brings it
@solitary2
No. \never