Few rappers this generation can match the credentials of J. Cole. In a decade’s time, the Fayetteville, North Carolina representative has garnered critical acclaim, stacked Billboard Top 40 hits, and reached the status as a top tier act who bucks the conventional music rollouts for moments that connect directly with his fans, not to mention collecting a handful of platinum plaques with little to no help, thus inspiring one of the better rap memes the internet has to offer.
From The Come Up to Cole World: The Sideline Story to KOD, Cole has shown a maturation through his music, and based on his latest release, he hasn’t plateaued, which means the best is yet to come.
Still, with five solo albums, three mixtapes, and a handful of other various projects under his belt, the 33-year-old star has pieced together a catalog of memorable performances. These are J. Cole’s best songs.
30. "Crooked Smile" (2013)
29. "'03 Adolescence" (2014)
Album: 2014 Forest Hills Drive
Producer: Willie B
J. Cole has employed a two-sided perspective approach on his most recent albums, with “03’ Adolescence” he impressively zooms in on a life before fame—before he even left Fayetteville—that details his fears and concerns of what the next phase in his life will be. It’s a vivid and relatable picture he contrasts to that of a friend who seemingly has it figured out. Then, Cole drops the bomb from the friend’s perspective: “Listen, you everything I wanna be that's why I fucks with you/So how you looking up to me when I look up to you?" —Edwin Ortiz