When reading the title of this article, I'm sure a lot of you won't take it seriously. That's fine. If you do read it through, absorb these words. I know rap music gets a bad rep, and for good reason. There is a lot of dumb, meaningless rap music out there. This, however, is not that style of rap music. The stuff J. Cole says is very honest, and very real. I'll take a lot of different rap music to educate how I should live my life than a lot of the garbage that our politicians tell us on a daily basis. People think that rap music is poisoning the minds of youth or young adults in our country. I think preaching to hate, segregate, and disassociate ourselves from different types of people is much worse than this. If you have the time, give these songs a listen. You will not regret it.
Cole, if this article somehow gets to you, I would love to meet you someday.
1. "There's no such thing as a life that's better than yours."
"Love Yourz", "2014 Forest Hills Drive"
No such thing, no such thinggggg.
2. "We ain't picture perfect but we worth the picture still."
"Crooked Smile", "Born Sinner"
Even though nobody is perfect, that's what makes us perfect
3. "And girl I know it hurt, but if this world was perfect then we can make it work but, I doubt it."
"Lost Ones", "J. Cole: The Sideline Story"
Just gotta keep it real.
4. " The bigger we get the more likely egos collide, it's just physics please let's put our egos aside."
"January 28th", "2014 Forest Hills Drive"
Don't be your own worst enemy.
5. "I want a real love, dark skinned Aunt Viv love. That Jada and that Will love. That leave a toothbrush at your crib love, and you ain't gotta wonder whether that's your kid love."
"No Role Modelz", "2014 Forest Hills Drive"
Powerful line in a world that glamorizes sex and hookup culture.
6. "It's beauty in the struggle, ugliness in the success."
"Love Yourz", "2014 Forest Hills Drive"
Think about this line, let it sink in, and realize how honest it is.
7. "For what's money without happiness? Or hard times without the people you love?"
"Love Yourz", "2014 Forest Hills Drive"
Both these things, money and hard times, are not as great or on the contrary as bad as they seem to be.
8. "Love yourself, girl, or nobody will. Oh, you a woman? I don't know how you deal. With all the pressure to look impressive and go out in heels. I feel for ya. Killing yourself to find a man that'll kill for ya."
"Crooked Smile", "Born Sinner"
I'm sure many women feel like this. I promise all of you that men love you for who you are. Sad seeing the things a lot of women put themselves through just to try and get attention because they think they have to. Be yourself.
9. "Don't let the bridges you cross turn into bridges you burn, you're bound to miss a few turns."
"Revenge of the Dreamers", "Revenge of the Dreamers II"
Make sure you stay humble on your road to success. We all make a few mistakes, but make sure you absolve them.
10. "When my stories told, how will they tell it? Will they say I was a giver, or remember I was selfish? Will they say I was a sinner, or pretend I was a saint? Will I go down as a winner, what's the picture they gon' paint? Wouldn't say that I'm a quitter, that's one thing I know I ain't. Will they tarnish, will they taint?
"Farewell", "Friday Night Lights"
Carry yourself in a way that people will remember you for good, rather than bad. If anything, make sure you don't go down as a quitter.
11. "I'm tired of living with demons cuz they always inviting more."
"Love Yourz", "2014 Forest Hills Drive"
Rid yourself of your inner demons, no matter what it takes, or else it will be a never ending cycle.
12. "Think being broke was better."
"Love Yourz", "2014 Forest Hills Drive"
It goes to show how money isn't everything, coming from a very famous and rich person. Money doesn't last forever, so surround yourself with things that do. Love, friendships, and genuine happiness.
