Released: 2021
Label: Dreamville, Inc., Under exclusive license to Roc Nation Records
Featuring: 21 Savage, Morray, Bas, Lil Baby, 6LACK
In the realm of modern hip-hop, J. Cole is a titan, walking his own path with a pen that bleeds raw honesty and an ear for beats that bridge the past with the future. His sixth studio album, ‘The Off-Season’, strengthens his claim to the throne, offering a dynamic catalogue of tracks that are both a testament to his journey and an exploration of universal themes of struggle, triumph, and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams. Some of the gems in this album include the bombastic ‘9 5 . s o u t h’, ‘m y . l i f e’ featuring 21 Savage & Morray, and the deeply introspective ‘p r i d e . i s . t h e . d e v i l’ with Lil Baby. This album is also a reverberating showcase of J. Cole’s collaboration with artists like Bas and 6LACK, reiterating his ability to create resonating synergies with different artists while staying true to his own sound. This hip-hop offering, released in 2021 under Dreamville, Inc. and Roc Nation Records, isn’t just an album; it’s a musical odyssey. So let’s get into it. From track to track, here we are breaking down the album ‘The Off-Season’ by J. Cole.
1 9 5 . s o u t h
Catapulting listeners into ‘The Off-Season’ with bombastic confidence and a nod to hip-hop’s rich tapestry, intertwining J. Cole’s razor-sharp lyricism with a roll call of influences and contemporaries. From the get-go, Cole asserts dominance, reminding naysayers of his commercial success and longevity in a game that has seen many come and go, “Nigga, Cole been goin’ plat’ since back when CDs was around.” Reflective yet braggadocious, Cole travels through memories of ducking bullets and witnessing violence, juxtaposing these with his unstoppable rise, “This shit too easy for me now.” The track is a testament to survival, resilience, and unequivocal talent—Cole stakes his claim, not just as a player but as a king in the game, seamlessly blending tales of past struggles with the triumphs of his career.
2 a m a r i
Cole vividly narrates his ascent from humble beginnings to hip-hop stardom, encapsulating the essence of grinding and the dream of a better life. With lines like “Imagination turned a Honda into Wraith,” he paints a picture of transformation through sheer will and the fruits of hard labor. Cole’s journey from an unassuming country nigga who had never seen a passport to sitting courtside at the Garden is not just personal growth but a beacon of hope for those in the trenches. His reflective mantra, “Made it out, it gotta mean something,” serves as both a celebration of success and a reminder of where he comes from, ensuring his roots remain a cornerstone of his identity. This track isn’t just a victory lap; it’s a testament to resilience, a narrative that insists on finding significance in survival and success.
3 m y . l i f e
Features: 21 Savage, Morray
Alongside 21 Savage and Morray, delivers a gut-wrenching narrative of resilience, ambition, and the haunting realities of their upbringing. Through vivid storytelling, they touch on themes of overcoming adversity, loyalty, and the perpetual quest for betterment amidst the backdrop of violence and loss. 21 Savage’s verse, reflective and deeply personal, stands out with its hard-hitting lines, particularly, “I got some partners who left this Earth / Maybe the pain made a better me.” This line encapsulates the transformative power of grief and the complex journey of finding strength in sorrow, underscoring the song’s introspective core. Their tales of survival and growth resonate, making “m y . l i f e” a poignant anthem of hope and defiance.
4 a p p l y i n g . p r e s s u r e
J. Cole flips the script on the typical braggadocio, diving deep into the real grind and the mental weight of making it. He talks about starting from the bottom, where the hustle was more than just a pursuit—it was survival, “Started my grind with crime festers / And nines showing like they in they second trimesters.” Cole doesn’t shy away from laying bare the struggles, even as he critiques those who flaunt a façade of success without acknowledging the sweat and tears it took to get there. He spits truth about envy and the destructiveness of comparing one’s path to another’s, delivering a knockout line that underscores the entire track’s ethos, “If you broke and clowning a millionaire, the joke is on you.” It’s a powerful reminder of authenticity, resilience, and the fact that real success is about overcoming one’s internal battles as much as external ones.
5 p u n c h i n ‘ . t h e . c l o c k
Cole’s “p u n c h i n ‘ . t h e . c l o c k” is a visceral narrative of striving against the odds, punctuated by the harsh realities of violence and the pursuit of success amidst adversity. “Paid off collections from recollections of calamity,” he raps, encapsulating the journey from hardship to prosperity, yet shadowed by the trials that shape one’s resilience. Cole interweaves personal anecdotes of violence and survival, mirroring societal issues, with reflections on prosperity and the isolating nature of success, articulating a profound, gritty commentary on the duality of achieving one’s dreams while navigating the perils of the environment that molded them.
6 1 0 0 . m i l ‘
Features: Bas
With the seamless addition of Bas, lays down a track that’s a testament to relentless perseverance and the quest for mastery, irrespective of one’s accolades. The hook, “One hundred mil’ and I’m still on the grind,” resonates as a mantra for undying dedication to the craft, dismissing the notion that success is a finish line. What’s compelling is Cole’s raw honesty about his journey, progress, and the genuine struggles that come with staying authentic in an industry often criticized for superficial success. A standout line, “Never peddled rock, never said a lot, only what need to be said,” serves as a powerful reminder of Cole’s ethos – a career built on substance over spectacle, a rarity in the fast-paced, often ephemeral nature of hip-hop fame.
7 p r i d e . i s . t h e . d e v i l
Features: Lil Baby
Featuring Lil Baby, delivers a poignant examination of how pride can be both a driving force and a destructive power. The track weaves personal introspection with broader social commentary, critiquing how pride can lead to one’s downfall, mask poverty with false bravado, and create rifts in familial relationships. A standout line, “Pride hide the pain of growing up inhaling poverty,” encapsulates the song’s essence, revealing the complex interplay between pride, vulnerability, and survival. The collaboration with Lil Baby adds another layer of depth, illustrating the varied ways pride impacts individual paths and choices.
8 l e t . g o . m y . h a n d
Features: Bas, 6LACK
Alongside Bas and 6LACK, delivers a reflective and deeply personal narrative. Digging into the complexities of growth, masculinity, and vulnerability, Cole confronts his fears and the pressures of living up to a hardened persona, while simultaneously acknowledging his role as a father guiding his son through similar terrains. A standout hard-hitting line, “Today my son said, ‘Dad, let go my hand’ Reminded me one day he’s gonna be his own man,” encapsulates the song’s emotional core, highlighting the delicate balance of holding on and letting go. This track stands out for its candid exploration of introspection and the journey towards self-acceptance and resilience against life’s trials.
9 i n t e r l u d e
Cole weaves a tapestry of lived experience, resilience, and poignant reflection on mortality and success. He casts a spotlight on the duality of life’s trajectory — how it can skyrocket or plummet, yet emphasizes his readiness for either outcome. A standout line, “Summertime bring the coldest winter breeze / Hella blues like the Rollin’ 60s / Christ went to Heaven age 33 / And so did Pimp C, and so did Nipsey,” draws a vivid parallel between the life of Christ, notable figures in hip-hop, and the cyclical nature of struggle and triumph, underscoring the fragility of life and the impact of loss within the community. This narrative, juxtaposed with Cole’s assertion of survival and growth amidst adversity, encapsulates the song’s thematic essence, making it a compelling glimpse into the collective experience of resilience in the face of hardship.
10 t h e . c l i m b . b a c k
Diving in deep, mixing personal reflection with piercing social commentary, encapsulating the struggle and resilience rooted in the hustle. Cole questions the allure of fame versus growth, the pain of loss, and the cyclic nature of life and death, all while keeping a grip on hope amidst despair. A notable line, “Why do lies sound pleasant but the truth hurtful?” captures the essence of his introspection, challenging listeners to confront uncomfortable truths. Cole’s lyrics navigate through the complexities of human emotions and societal pressures, ultimately serving as a testament to overcoming adversity and the relentless pursuit of elevation.
11 c l o s e
Cole, the narrative dives deep into the harrowing tale of friendship lost to the streets and substance abuse. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of two paths diverging – one towards success and the other towards self-destruction. Cole reflects on the heartbreaking transformation of a close friend into a ghost of his former self, lost in the haze of addiction. A standout line, “Gotta be patient and trust in God, He the coach,” encapsulates the song’s essence of hope amidst despair. The track is a poignant reminder of the thin line between making it out and getting caught up, emphasizing the importance of staying true to one’s dreams in the face of temptation and loss.
12 h u n g e r . o n . h i l l s i d e
Features: Bas
J. Cole and Bas weave a narrative of resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of greatness amidst adversity. The track layers introspective lyrics over a lush backdrop, underscoring the duo’s journey through the trials and tribulations of success and the music industry. J. Cole’s rugged determination shines as he raps, “Shit gon’ get hard, keep your head strong / If I quit now, then I’m dead wrong / Fighting off this hunger for hours.” This line encapsulates the song’s essence, highlighting the struggle and the unwavering resolve to overcome it, marking the track as an anthem for perseverance and grit.
