Quotes and Lyrics by J. Cole

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

For what's money without happiness?
Or hard times without the people you love?
Though I'm not sure what's 'bout to happen next
I ask for strength from the Lord up above

It's beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success
Hear my words or listen to my signal of distress

Everything come back around full circle
Why do lies sound pleasant, but the truth hurtful?
Everybody gotta cry once in a while
But how long will it take 'fore you smile?

My n-ggas pick me up and we gon' light the city up as if the sun had the night shift

Goin' live but we not on the 'Gram
This the land of supply and demand
Where my young n-ggas choppin' up grams
And them choppers won't pry from they hands
Packin' lead like they got a exam

I got blood on my hands, I ain't gon' lie
I got mud on my shoes, I ain't gon' lie
I got real, real big plans, I ain't gon' lie
Got a whole lot to prove, I ain't gon' lie

Circumnavigate the globe as the cash grows
Get a nigga whacked like you get the grass mowed
I'm talkin' slick when I'm with the Big Slime
Could hit your bitch, you could never hit mine

Just put the Rollie right back on my wrist
This watch came from Drizzy, he gave me a gift
Back when the rap game was prayin' I'd diss
They act like two legends cannot coexist

Pray for Tekashi, they want him to rot
I picture him inside a cell on a cot
’Flectin' on how he made it to the top
Wondering if it was worth it or not

I must say, by your songs I'm unimpressed, hey
But I love to see a Black man get paid
And plus, you havin' fun and I respect that
But have you ever thought about your impact?
These white kids love that you don't give a fuck
'Cause that's exactly what's expected when your skin black

I heard one of 'em diss me, I'm surprised
I ain't trippin', listen good to my reply
Come here lil' man, let me talk with ya
See if I can paint for you the large picture

I feel like this: Whatever is in your path and in your heart, you need to do.

If I was to go to sleep before midnight, I would feel weird about myself, like I wasted a day. My most productive hours are between midnight and five.

My crew is foolless na we don't dance
All we do is stay two steps ahead
Make the hoes get loose like a noose neck instead
While these dudes beg for head

Ahead of my time, like I live my whole life backwards
I'm nothing like these hoe-like rappers
My whole life practice to be the one
What's it like to be Lebron
They calling you the saviour, so much pressure but you deal with it
The weight of the world on your shoulders, but you still lift it

Some n-ggas take they life for granted, wastin' time
Time is money my n-gga, I cannot waste a dime
Or a minute, too much business to handle to be sleepin'
Too much spinach to eat for n-ggas beefin'

Heaven knows I'm tryna hold on
So every night I pray and hope my life is prolonged
The journey seemed so long but hold up, don't take me up
I got big dreams nigga, yall can't wake me up

Cause life is hard mentally and everything is meant to be
Sometimes I ask myself if I was gone who will remember me?
It's hard to tell ah-well, sit back and sip this Hennessey
Now lately it's been hard to tell my friends part from my enemies

If you shoot for the stars, I guess you aiming at me

Baby you summertime fine, I'll let you get on top
I'll be the underline I'm-trynna get beside you like the number 9, dime
You fine as hell
I guess I met you for a reason only time could tell

Even through the joy I feel the pain
Even in the sun I feel the rain
Even when I'm high I feel the lows