And when they do, that there's a beautiful thing J. Cole – Intro (2014 Forest Hills Drive)
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Cole came from just a Dollar and A Dream. While there may be benefits associated with achieving your dreams, as Cole delves further into his career, he realizes that being free and happy are more important.
This is displayed in the music video when he chooses to ride a bike over a BMW.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
I've been livin' with that shit for like the past four days
I finally got a chance to slow down J. Cole – Note to Self
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Free to sing, free from bars
Free my dawgs, you're free to go J. Cole – Intro (2014 Forest Hills Drive)
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
Cole takes a page from Kanye’s book and sings rather than rapping—freeing himself from musical bars and his own “mental prison.”
“Bars” also refer to jail cells. A large portion of Cole’s friends are currently incarcerated—something he’s expressed before on “Crooked Smile”:
Hey officer man, we don’t want nobody gettin' killed
Just open up that cell, let my brother outta jail
I got money for the bail now, I’m well now
If you askin' will I tell now – ayy, hell nah
9,783