J. Cole is Speaking to All of Us, Not Just Her
It’s not an attack — it’s a call for all of us to reflect
In times like this, politicians, celebrities, and artists must speak with intention and grace when using their words. They have platforms with a large reach and their words— whether in a speech or song — can move people, for better or worse.
Recently, renowned artist J. Cole released a track titled “Snow on Tha Bluff” which has been receiving attention, partly because of J.Cole’s star power, but mostly because of controversy surrounding the lyrics.
Background on J.Cole
J. Cole is a grammy-nominated rapper with numerous accolades, attracting listeners with his honesty and sincerity both on and off the stage.
His humlility and “everyday person” demeanor has won the respect of many and made him on the most respected artists in the genre.
In 2018, he took a step back from the lights and cameras to walk to black households and neighborhoods, talking face-to-face about the struggles black communities face on a daily basis.
His drive for social justice has been apparent for many years, showing up in his music, philanthropy, and activism.
At the start of the year, his Dreamville organization, which he founded in 2013, has helped children in schools in a mission to create stronger education in disenfranchised areas.
In 2017, he visited San Quentin State Prison to speak with inmates, mentioning his concern for mass incarceration and the unfairness of the US legal system, both of which were central themes in his 2016 album, 4 Your Eyez Only.
He has focused his efforts on a larger scale, asking people to reflect and action intentionally, ideas he continued in his new track, “Snow on Tha Bluff”.
The Track
J. Cole starts off rapping that although he’s been involved in activism and social justice for many years, he’s still learning and there are people more intelligent when it comes to the matters at hand.
“My IQ is average, there’s a young lady out there, she way smarter than me”
He goes on to describe a woman’s social media presence during this time.
This person has been revealed to be “Noname”, a Chicagoan artist, producer, and poet who is active on Twitter in her mission to educate others on capitalism and politics, specifically the effect both have on black communities.
She’s voiced her frustration on Twitter of rappers being silent in the midst of protests across the world, calling out those who aren’t using their platforms for change.
She includes “top selling rappers” in the mix. Cole believed that she could be referring to him in that tweet.
That’s how this all got started.
J.Cole continues, rapping that he himself “ain’t no dummy to think” that’s [he’s] above criticism”, wanting to listen to her fully.
While he finds her statements valid, he raps that
“Something about the queen tone that’s botherin’ me”
This bar has raised eyebrows, leading to rage on on Twitter with many calling him a “misogynist”, believing that he’s silencing black women in a time when they need our support and blind to what is happening as he’s a celebrity.
This is not the case.
He is not speaking solely to the woman. He is speaking to all of us when we act with performative allyship on Instagram, put hashtags with no action, and see social justice as a trend rather than a continuous fight.
Despite being a celebrity, he has shown that actions have the most weight.
A couple weeks ago, he was protesting on the streets of his hometown, calling for justice in the George Floyd marches.
He did the same in 2014 for Michael Brown and Eric Garner.
He continues to speak, stating that
“Conveying you holier, come help get us up to speed”
Rather than standing at the top and thinking we know all the facts, we should be taking the time to come down and educate one another so that we’re all on the same page.
J. Cole elaborates on the situation of the country, saying that
“There’s a reason it took like two hundred years for our ancestors just to get freed. These shackles be lockin’ the mental way more than the physical”
He believes we must be conscious in the way we fight as the mental battle comes from how we use our words and educate those around us.
Being condescending or aggressive pushes potential allies away, making us more divided.
On top of it all, he finishes his verse with
“Maybe ’cause deep down I know I ain’t doing enough”
Despite protesting on the streets with the people, being an activist, and being involved in philanthropy, he feels that there is so much more he should be doing.
He is learning from those who challenge his perspectives and make him think bigger.
He put this track out to show that he is out here to learn from the people so that he can better educate and use his platform to make an even greater change.
My Perspective
Let me say one thing — music is subjective and appeals differently to people.
Our experiences, values, and thoughts on different matters make us perceive lyrics differently than it would to another.
There are certain lyrics people hone in on that others may not, solely because our minds process information differently.
When I listened to this song, I heard him addressing everyone as a general public.
The lady he refers to came in my mind for a second and went away. I thought he was using her to exemplify the everyday person.
He didn’t even say her name on the track. He has a young lady as a character and is speaking to all of us through her.
That’s why I felt that his words were directed towards me and that’s how I still take it.
The words became a lesson to be more self-aware so I can be constructive and patient with the people around me in the pursuit to create sustainable change.
J. Cole wanted to draw attention to the actions he’s seen where people are condescending, letting their ego take over, and leading with distrust rather than educative ability.
He was asking people to educate one another and be patient as if they were children.
It’s not just Noname’s responsibility. It’s everyone’s responsiblity to teach one another.
Of course, that only happens if people want to listen.
But give it a shot and if their mind’s somewhere else, move on.
The internet has shifted where we must provide overwhelming amounts of context before speaking our mind because the muted tone of text can be misconstrued as being righteous — only inviting war
It’s easy to look at the song on the surface level and leave the rest ignored. Listening to the song a few times made me reflect on myself and what I can do to continue helping the cause.
But I also realized that he and Noname are people who can feel overwhelmed and need a hand to stand taller in the fight for justice.
In such emotionally heightened times, it can be difficult to think about an action being anything other than right or wrong.
Thinking in absolutes creates dissonance, making us see each other as enemies when we’re all saying the same thing all this time.
That doesn’t help when the fight’s in front of us.
J. Cole wanted to provide a word of thoughtfulness and love when it comes to stepping into the storm and confronting injustice.
He had a lot to say after protesting on the streets and observing peoples’ response both online and in person.
The song was referring to the attitude of the general public who have good intentions but speak divisivly.
He’s coming from a place of support and is just asking for all of us to be self-aware.
He suggests that
“It’s more effective to treat people like children, understandin’ the time and love and patience that’s needed to grow”
Some people really want to to help in this fight but don’t know how.
Instead of yelling at them to “look it up” or that “they should already know”, we should educate them patiently. This is how we grow stronger as a people and in our cause.
If we approach this will callous aggression, they‘ll be so overwhelmed that they won’t even take a step to see how they can be part of the change.
This could distance them from the movement completely and that only creates divide that could’ve been avoided from one conversation.
The last words of the song are sung by another voice.
Can you walk with me? I hope we’ll find the reason why we often sob, go on, cry
Cole writes these words to describe the disheartening and painful nature of the repeated tragedies.
With each hit after another, it’s easy to lose faith in progress. It’s times like this when we need the most strength.
The only way to find it is to remember the support we have in each other, take action, and educate people with care.
Final Thoughts
J. Cole should’ve addressed another person if he wanted to speak his thoughts like this or at least add another perspective to build on the depth of his message.
I am taking the time to read other perspectives and think more fully of the situation.
While I agree on some points and disagree on others, I’m glad to listen and have my perspective be challenged.
Cole showed his appreciation for this as well.
He tweeted the day after releasing the song, stating that he stands by what he said but elaborates with additional points, asking everyone to follow Noname on Twitter.
He goes onto to say that he “loves and honors her as a leader in these times” and “appreciates her and others” who challenge his beliefs.
This track provides an opportunity for us all to reflect on what we are doing as collective people in this fight and how we’re doing it.
That’s how we fight with purpose and clarity.
That’s how we create change.
