J. Cole reached his peak early with “The Warm Up.”
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TOP 5 SONGS
Honorable Mention. Just To Get By
Add Cole to the list of rappers who have killed the “Just To Get By” beat.
Did you know that this iconic beat has been graced by heavyweights like Kanye West, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, and Mos Def? It’s the kind of production that pulls out the Super Saiyan in any rapper. That said, Cole absolutely went ham, cheese, and whatever condiment you prefer on this track. He fires off punchlines so sharp they’ll go over your head like a hijab, all while delivering an aggressive yet controlled flow. His lyrics strike a perfect balance between humility, boasting, and just having fun. Honestly, it feels like Cole enjoyed himself on this one—and it shows.
5. Dreams (Ft. Brandon Hines)
The girl J. Cole talks about in “Dreams” would’ve been canceled today.
I LOVED hearing J. Cole in his quirky bag in “Dreams.” I call it quirky because the track’s production has an unorthodox, jazzy vibe, while the chorus—sung by Brandon Hines—feels a bit out of place alongside Cole’s aggressive tone. Even so, I found it so damn cool how he presents himself as this slightly nerdy guy, nervously approaching the girl of his dreams.
If you like this song, I recommend you listen to “And He Gets The Girl” by Lupe Fiasco.
4. Water Break (Interlude)
This might be the best rap verse I’ve ever heard in my life.
Have you ever heard a rap song so thoroughly obliterated that you had to replay it multiple times just to process what you experienced? That’s exactly what “Water Break (Interlude)” felt like for me. Over a timeless Wu-Tang Clan beat, J. Cole raps like the rent’s been overdue for an entire year, delivering bar after bar with relentless intensity. What’s even crazier is how he blends sharp, hilarious punchlines, vivid storytelling, and the energy of someone vying for the title of the greatest rapper of all time—all within this freestyle. Absolutely wild.
3. Dead Presidents II
Ironically, J. Cole absolutely killed this track.
At the start of “Dead Presidents II,” J. Cole recalls someone telling him that his “Dead Presidents” track from The Come Up wasn’t good enough. Ironically, after revisiting that project, I have to admit—I agree. However, in “Dead Presidents II,” Cole goes absolutely nuclear. His flow is far more dynamic, his delivery packs an impressive punch, his lessons carry deeper meaning, and his rhyme schemes are razor-sharp. This track stands tall as one of Cole’s finest rap performances to date.
No one will say it, but I will: Cole laid down verses on this track better than Jay’s in the original.
2. Grown Simba
N***a, a grown Simba would gnaw your f**king head off.
If you followed early J. Cole, you’ll know he often referred to himself as Simba. In “Grown Simba,” he presents a more mature version of the character—one who’s old enough to drink and ready to dominate. Over soulful production that skillfully disrupts and complements his flow, the North Carolina rapper delivers bars about his unyielding pursuit of greatness, even without knowing exactly where it will lead. I love how he effortlessly switches between wavy and punchy flows, all while delivering a choppy chorus that’s incredibly fun to listen to.
1. Lights Please
I really believe “Lights Please” got J. Cole signed.
“Lights Please” falls under the conscious rap genre while incorporating elements of comedic genius. Rather than force-feeding the listener a moral lesson, Cole shares his own experience with a skeezer, aiming to resonate with and provoke agreement from his audience. The unique blend of storytelling, introspection, and comedic elements sets this song apart, earning it a well-deserved place in rap history.
I appreciate how J. Cole handles bucketheads.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
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RGM RATING
(A-) (90%)
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
