No Role Modelz By J.Cole: Lyrics Meaning And Interpretation
Considered one of the modern great rap artists alongside Travis Scott and Drake is none other than J.Cole. Also known as Jermaine Lamarr Cole, he is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer who started his music journey in the town of Fayetteville.
J.Cole got tuned into rap music at 12 and learned the basics like rhyming from his cousin who visited Fayetteville for the summer. Later, he ventured deep into the music by listening to great Hip Hop artists like Tupac Shakur and Nas and picked up the skill of storytelling. As he was making progress in Hip Hop music, at the age of 15, he composed a decent number of rhymes but had no beats to place these rhymes. This triggered him to request his mother for a beat machine. With a bit of convincing, his mother agreed to buy one, and from then on he started creating rap songs.
Later, he shifted his base to New York and there he worked as a bill collector, but his passion for rap music didn’t stop. He created an entire CD of instrumentals and landed up at the “Roc the Mic Studio” which was spearheaded by one of the greatest Hip Hop artists – Jay-Z. After waiting hours at the studio, unfortunately, he couldn’t meet Jay-Z.
Soon after this incident, he released his first mixtape “The Come Up” in 2007. The mixtape received positive reviews. Subsequently, he got a call from Jay-Z who invited him to be a part of his new album “The Blueprint 3”. J.Cole featured in one of the songs on the album and the album went on to receive critical acclaim.
The success of the album catapulted his music career. Thereafter, he started collaborating with other hip hop artists like Drake, and Wiz Khalifa. He also embarked on college tours and performed his acts there. Plus, he released a mixtape collaborating with artists like Drake, Omen, and Wale.
Soon, he created his first studio album “Cole Story: The Other Side” and released the album in 2011. The album was an instant hit and claimed the top spot on the “Billboard 200” chart. He achieved this feat within the first week of the album’s release.
Next, he released another album titled “Born Sinner” collaborating with artists like Kendrick Lamar, TLC, and Miguel. The album went on to sell approximately 250000 copies in the first week of its release and also earned the coveted top spot on the Billboard chart.
The year 2014, saw him releasing one of his top albums – “2014 Forest Hills Drive”. While the album was not promoted with the same passion that other albums were promoted, the album found itself trending on most music charts. It became an instant hit despite no active promotion. One such track from the hit album is “No Role Modelz”.
“No Role Modelz” is one of the most popular tracks from the hit album. After its release, the track earned a decent number of accolades. It went on to serve as the longest-charting song in Spotify history. In addition to this, the track had an impressive position on the Billboard chart and even earned itself the prestigious “Platinum” certification from the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA).
Let us look at the No Role Modelz lyrics meaning.
What Does The Title Mean
“No Role Modelz” is one of the hit songs from the album “2014 Forest Hills Drive”. The song was written by J.Cole and was recorded with the collaboration of other artists.
The track throws light on J.Cole’s success to fame despite not having a role model. During childhood, kids follow a role model, be it their father, mother, or someone who helps them to shape their future. In the case of J.Cole, when growing up, he couldn’t find a role model who would help him to shape his music career. Hence, the title “No Role Modelz”
The song also conveys that J.Cole has realized the women with him are with him because he is famous and rich. The women don’t love him. Later, in the song, he desires true love.
Read on further to know more about No Role Modelz lyrics meaning.
No Role Modelz Lyrics Meaning
Verse 1 – What Does It Mean
“First things first rest in peace Uncle Phil
For real, you the only father that I ever knew
I get my bitch pregnant I’ma be a better you
Prophecies that I made way back in the Ville
Fulfilled, listen even back when we was broke my team ill
Martin Luther King would have been on Dreamville
Talk to a nigga”
In the verse, J.Cole is talking about some great people who he admired. When growing up, the only father figure he had was a fictional character, “Uncle Philp” from a popular TV series “The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air”. In the first line of the verse, he pays tribute to the person who played the character – Uncle Philip. He also promises to be a better father than “Uncle Philip” who was a decent dad in the show.
In the next few lines, he gives a reference to Martin Luther King. The ideology that Luther King had – breaking the race barriers, J.Cole’s record label “Dreamville” stands for the same ideology.
What Does Pre-Chorus Mean
“One time for my LA sisters
One time for my LA hoes
Lame niggas can’t tell the difference
One time for a nigga who knows”
In this pre-chorus, J.Cole talks about two kinds of women in LA. One, he refers to the reality TV stars. He considers these stars to be artificial and stick around with men who are rich. He doesn’t consider them role models. The second, he refers to Hollywood’s 90s actresses who he respects and calls sisters.
In the last few lines, he mentions that he could differentiate between these kinds of women and others couldn’t.
What Does Chorus Mean
“Don’t save her, she don’t wanna be saved
Don’t save her, she don’t wanna be saved
Don’t save her, she don’t wanna be saved
Don’t save her, she don’t wanna be saved”
In the chorus, J.Cole conveys that women who are artificial, shallow, and obsessed with money can’t be changed. Even if one tries changing them, they are not ready to change. So, it’s not worth it.
Verse 2 – What Does It Mean
“No role models and I’m here right now
No role models to speak of
Searchin’ through my memory, my memory
I couldn’t find one
Last night I was gettin’ my feet rubbed
By the baddest bitch, not Trina, but I swear to God
This bitch will make you call your girl up and tell her, “Hey, what’s good?
“Sorry I’m never comin’ home I’ma stay for good”
Then hang the phone up, and proceed to lay the wood
I came fast like 9-1-1 in white neighborhoods
Ain’t got no shame ’bout it
She think I’m spoiled and I’m rich ’cause I can have any bitch
I got defensive and said “Nah, I was the same without it”
But then I thought back, back to a better me
Before I was a B-list celebrity
Before I started callin’ bitches, “bitches” so heavily
Back when you could get a platinum plaque without no melody
You wasn’t sweatin’ me”
In the first few lines, J.Cole conveys that he had no role model during his childhood who could shape his future. He also says that he met a beautiful woman and was attracted to her.
In the next few lines, the girl tells Cole that he is rich, famous, and spoiled. He could have any girl and leave any girl at any point in time. Cole denies that fame has spoiled him. He says he has not changed.
Verse 3 – What Does It Mean
“I want a real love, dark skinned and Aunt Viv love
That Jada and that Will love
That leave a toothbrush at your crib love
And you ain’t gotta wonder whether that’s your kid love
Nigga I don’t want no bitch from reality shows
Out of touch with reality hoes
Out in Hollywood bringin’ back 5 or 6 hoes
Fuck ’em then we kick em‘ to the door
Nigga you know how it go
She deserved that, she a bird, it’s a bird trap
You think if I didn’t rap she would flirt back?
Takin’ off her skirt, let her wear my shirt before she leave
I’ma need my shirt back
Nigga you know how it go”
In the verse, he gives some examples. He talks about the character “Aunt Vivian” from the TV show “Fresh Prince OF Bel-Air”. The character was played by two ladies. He conveys that he is looking for a woman who is similar to the first lady who played the character of “Aunt Vivian”. He thinks that the woman is authentic and strong and desires a strong lady like her.
Cole also gives the reference to the power couple, Will Smith and Jada Smith, and wants a relationship like them for himself.
In the last few lines of the verse, he says that he is tired of LA reality actresses. They only look for money and are not true to love. He also mentions that if he was not famous, these women wouldn’t stick around with him.
What Does The Bridge Mean
“Fool me one time shame on you
Fool me twice, can’t put the blame on you
Fool me three times, fuck the peace signs
Load the chopper, let it rain on you
Fool me one time shame on you
Fool me twice, can’t put the blame on you
Fool me three times, fuck the peace signs
Load the chopper, let it rain on you”
In the bridge, Cole conveys that people who are looking to change shallow women are being fooled by them. In reality, they don’t want to change. Cole has had enough of this and wouldn’t get fooled again.
Verse 4 – What Does It Mean
“My only regret was too young for Lisa Bonet
My only regret was too young for Nia Long
Now all I’m left with is hoes from reality shows
Hand her a script the bitch probably couldn’t read along
My only regret was too young for Sade Adu
My only regret could never take Aaliyah home
Now all I’m left with is hoes up in Greystone
With the stale face cause they know it’s they song”
In this verse, Cole mentions a few popular women. He conveys that he would have loved to be associated with them but couldn’t because of their age. He also mentions that he is now only left with the shallow actresses from reality shows.
Conclusion
“No Role Modelz” lyrics meaning have been briefly explained in the article. The song throws light on J.Cole’s journey to success without any role model and also explains the different kind of women in LA.
