“my.life” is the third track on J. Cole’s 2021 album ‘The Off-Season.’ The track features vocals by 21 Savage and Morray, only one of the two tracks on the album to contain guest artists. In the song, all artists sing about the struggles they had to endure to get to where they are today.
J. Cole announced his sixth studio album ‘The Off-Season‘ out of the blue as intended. The rapper only released an interlude from the album before the album release on May 14, 2021. This is J. Cole’s follow-up album to his 2018 project ‘KOD.’ Announcing the album, J. Cole said, the new album was years in the making.
On “my.life,” J. Cole talks about the potential follow-up to ‘The Off-Season,’ titled ‘The Fall Off.’ Some speculate that this could be his final album before retirement.
Listen to “my.life” by J. Cole Ft. 21 Savage & Morray
“my.life” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
Verse 1
J. Cole kicks off the song. He starts off strong saying that he is climbing up the rich staircase of life. It also alludes to the fact that rich people usually have an easier life. However, J. Cole started from the bottom of the staircase, and he is almost at the top now.
It wasn’t always this way for Cole. He says he minded his own business all throughout his life just to save himself from being shot on the streets. He also quotes Isaiah 54:17 with a similar message: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.”
After The Fall Off, I promise I’m comin’ to sellin’ out Wrigley’s
‘The Fall Off’ is likely going to be the title of J. Cole’s next album and rumored to be his last, too. In this line, J. Cole might be saying that after seven studio albums his net worth is so high as the $23 billion price tag for which Wrigley’s was acquired by Mars Incorporated. Or, Cole could be hinting that he is shifting his careers altogether.
Next, J. Cole sings about how his entire family came from poverty. They were not the type to hustle on the streets as well. So, they were always hungry. Hustling around street corners, especially dealing drugs and making tons of money, did look like a wonderful prospect when you are hungry. It took a lot of patience not to fall into that trap and risk your life itself for Cole and his family.
J. Cole had a vision. A vision that one day he would be at the top of the world. One day he would be desired like how girls desire Fenty fashion brand founded by Rihanna.
Verse 2
In the second verse by 21 Savage, the rapper follows through after J. Cole. However, he starts with a homage to his best friend Johnny, who was shot and murdered in 2019. 21 Savage himself was shot six times and survived.
21 Savage is done with his past where he made several mistakes in life. The above shooting itself was a result of a drug deal gone wrong. While he has cleaned up his act now, being a multi-million-selling rapper, he hopes that the shadows of his past won’t come to haunt him in the future.
21 Savage also directs some blame at his father saying that he failed him. At the age of 7, 21 Savage’s parents split and he lived with his mother thereafter. So, in the song, he nods to his mother for protecting him and guiding him to become who he is today.
Fast forward to the present, 21 Savage is living the life of his dreams. He, too, came from nothing as J. Cole did. So, Savage is very careful about his circle and the people with who he surrounds himself. He knows everyone wants a piece of him for their personal gains.
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Check out the complete lyrics on Genius.