A lot of people have been waiting for these rap legends to jump on a track, and 2021 has delivered. After the first-ever Eminem x Nas collaboration, comes the first ever J. Cole and Joyner Lucas collaboration, titled “Your Heart.” The song is full of chaotic energy about a devastating relationship, it’s perfect!
“Your Heart” is written by Joyner Lucas and J. Cole for Joyner’s upcoming third studio album. The song was released on September 24, 2021, along with a music video starring both artists.
“Your Heart” is about Joyner Lucas doing dirty by his long-term partner and reaping the actions of his consequences. The girl has had it with this relationship and has cheated on him. Joyner cannot believe what is happening and J. Cole is there to shed some perspective on the situation. Cole asks Joyner what did he expect from her. Joyner took her heart and broke it to pieces, slowly, every day, for years.
The music video shows Joyner’s ex going absolutely ham on everything Joyner owns, from his shoes to clothes to furniture to electronics and even setting fire to his car. But she makes sure to pack all her gold jewelry. However, according to the lyrics, Joyner is to be blamed here for years of mistreating this girl.
Watch “Your Heart” Music Video by Joyner Lucas & J. Cole
Joyner Lucas “Your Heart” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
Chorus-1
In the hook of the song, Joyner Lucas brings out all the complaints he got from his girl when their fights broke out. She said that he broke her heart, did her dirty, left her scarred, and it was just wrong what he did to her. Joyner is baffled.
Joyner says that he did not hide anything from her from the start. She knew he was a dog and a playboy. She knew he was just here for a good time and not a long time. Or he thought she knew. But somehow their relationship dragged on just too long.
Verse 1
In the first verse of the song, Joyner shines some light on this situation. He and this girl have been going at it for quite some time. Maybe he never really got serious about this ‘relationship,’ but she did. Maybe it was only supposed to be a string of one-night-stands that eventually turned into months or years of one-night-stands.
We been rockin’ with each other for so long, yeah (Yeah)
Maybe that’s why it’s been harder to move on, yeah (Yeah)
Joyner tries to justify this chaotic breakup. He says that she changed over time too. Lately, they never seemed to get along. They had constant fights and her friends and family blamed everything on him too.
The relationship soon became as toxic as it can be. She started to hate everything about him. Just hearing Joyner’s name sent her into a rage that led to a drinking session that led to mistakes.
The lyrics suggest that this girl has missed out a lot during her youth by being with Joyner. Maybe he is her first lover. So, every time she gets drunk, she wants to try everything she missed out on — including sleeping around.
She wants! But she does not. She is not about that life. Instead, she takes out her frustration on everything Joyner owns.
Verse 2
J. Cole appears to add another perspective to the song. Usually, a buddy would have Joyner’s back. But this time, Cole is here to enlighten Joyner on the events that transpired.
You run your b*tch through the mud, you deserve that
Ouch! J. Cole does not hold back. Cole simply says that Joyner has no right to be sad at her breaking up, destroying his property, and leaving him behind. He simply had it coming. Joyner saw this coming too.
J. Cole reminds Joyner that he was creeping around sliding with other girls while he was still with this girl. Did he expect her not to notice? Did he expect her not to do the same? Cole says there were guys creeping in her social media DMs every morning and night.
What goes around comes around, I know you heard that
Despite his best efforts, Joyner Lucas could not hide his playa lifestyle from this girl. All of his friends knew, and it was only a matter of time she got to know. Specifically, when there were girls on Joyner’s social media commenting wink emojis and what not!
And you too proud to see that you hold the blame
J. Cole outrights calls this breakup Joyner’s fault. A good friend is blunt and honest. Cole does not try to sugarcoat the situation saying that she was to blame for not sticking around while he was wilding around. Cole lays out the truth as it is. Karma is the name of the game.
From all that playin’, n*gga, we too old for games (Yeah), man
Lastly, J. Cole says that they are too old for these games now. Joyner played around and had his fun until this girl decided to leave. He thought that is what he wanted, but he is hurt now. So, even though he was playing around, he had a soft spot for the partner-in-crime life. Cole says it just might be time to settle down, let the youngsters carry on the plays.
Chorus-2
In the final hook of the song, J. Cole comes back for round 2.
He reminds Joyner that she was young and pure when Joyner started dating her. This is why she believes she missed out a lot in life during the years she wasted with Joyner. Cole knows Joyner maybe wanted to keep her around forever — his safety net. But life does not work that way.
You could’ve spoiled her, ay, but you starved her, yeah, yeah
Joyner could have treated her like a queen — feed her with love and affection. But he starved her. Anybody in hunger would do anything to feed themselves. So did she, too. Now she is with big stars getting fed.
“Your Heart” is the perfect amount of chaotic energy and a perfectly balanced banter of life between Joyner Lucas and J. Cole. If both artists took a similar stand, the song would have been very unbalanced. However, this song and the music video, deliver on all ends.
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Check out the complete lyrics on Genius.