Villematic
J. Cole Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴Hey, to the college kids no scholarships
Starting your semester
Unpacking your suitcases filling up your dresser
Enjoy it while you got it, after that it's God bless ya
Life is your professor, know that bitch is gon' test ya
I got some shit I'd like to get off my chest
I spill out my soul, I spit out my stress
And can I spit out my stress? It's the feeling in the air you bout to drop a real classic
He said Cole, "A lil' birdy told me on the low you got an Illmatic"
Nobody touching Nas nigga it's more like Villematic
These Fayettenam tales be paying off well
What story is my audio theater gon' tell
I know my debut will ship, but is it gon' sell?
I guess it's in God's hands
I make the type of pieces that make Jesus say God damn
That's for your non-believers
I'm the truth only time will teach ya
And fuck the haters probably never love they mommas neither
Old bitter-ass sit around in middle class homes
With computers on hating on the newest song
While you was browsing I was taking out them student loans
Trying to do this shit better than the niggas we grew up on
Name a fucking song I ain't threw up on
Talk is cheap, its like y'all grew up in a Jewish home
Pardon the stereotype
But y'all giving me mixed feelings like I married a white woman
One minute I'm overrated, next minute I'm the savior
You hate it before you played it, I already forgave ya
For bullshitting and that nigga Cole spitting that real
Wrote this line on a plane got flown straight from the Ville
To Miami, where the same time last year
I was broker than you, I just wanna make that clear
'Cause now I'm dealing with money I've never seen before
And R&B bitches want me, that was just dreams before
Now do I give into the temptation I'm facing
The thought of losing a good woman keep me from chasing
But I'm just a man, at time's the timing is wrong
Plus my dick is like a man with a mind of it's own
But I'm trying to be strong, remind myself she ain't about shit
These hoes the same, all that change is the outfit
Looking for cheese on some mouse shit
Suck a nigga, fuck a nigga, then go run they mouth quick
Rappers took a vacation I came over to house sit
You want change, this that between the seats in your couch shit
The fuck you thought, I lost it
All that flame on my name would get exhausted
Au contraire my nigga they all ears
Sit back, enjoy the ride it's finna be a long year, yeah
It's finna be a long year, yeah

I know you feel that, the tingle in your spine don't conceal that
Don't conceal that

This exactly what you thought
Somebody bought the real back

Overall Meaning

In "Villematic," J. Cole speaks to the struggles of being a college student without scholarships and the uncertainty of the future. He reminds college students to enjoy their time and prepare for the challenges and tests life will bring. J. Cole uses his music as an outlet to express his thoughts, feelings, and stress, allowing him to spill his soul and share it with his fans. In the next verse, J. Cole references Nas, one of his idols, and acknowledges he is not on the same level but instead has a unique sound, more like "Villematic."

J. Cole addresses the haters who criticize him for being overrated, but he forgives them and knows they are unaware of his true talent. He reflects on his journey from the Ville (Fayetteville, North Carolina) to Miami and the money and success he now enjoys. However, he also acknowledges the temptation he faces and his struggle to balance it with his morals and values. He talks about the fickle nature of women and the price he pays for his fame. J. Cole reminds everyone that he is still in charge, and all that flame they try to put on his name will never get extinguished.

"Villematic" showcases J. Cole's storytelling and introspection skills. He touches on different themes, including success, temptation, and the struggles of being an artist. The song is a fan favorite, and the lyrics resonate with many people, particularly those facing similar challenges.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey, to the college kids no scholarships
Addressing the college students who don't have scholarships

Starting your semester
Beginning another academic semester

Unpacking your suitcases filling up your dresser
Preparing for college life and settling in a new place

Enjoy it while you got it, after that it's God bless ya
Advising to cherish the present as the future is uncertain

Life is your professor, know that bitch is gon' test ya
Comparing life to a challenging professor who will test and teach you lessons

I got some shit I'd like to get off my chest
Finding an opportunity to express his suppressed feelings

I spill out my soul, I spit out my stress
Sharing the struggles and issues that trouble him

And can I spit out my stress?
Seeking permission to vent out his stress and worries

It's the feeling in the air you bout to drop a real classic
Sensing the anticipation and excitement around the release of his new album

He said Cole, "A lil' birdy told me on the low you got an Illmatic"
"He" tells J. Cole that a rumor is spreading that he has made an album as great as Illmatic

Nobody touching Nas nigga it's more like Villematic
Acknowledging the quality of Nas' Illmatic and stating that his new album could be comparable as Villematic

These Fayettenam tales be paying off well
Referring to his storytelling about Fayetteville which has been received positively

What story is my audio theater gon' tell
Wondering what kind of story he wants to tell through his music

I know my debut will ship, but is it gon' sell?
Confident that his album will be released, but unsure about its commercial success

I guess it's in God's hands
Accepting that the outcome of his success is beyond his control

I make the type of pieces that make Jesus say God damn
Believing he creates music that is so good it would impress even Jesus

That's for your non-believers
Targeting the skeptics and disbelievers of his music

I'm the truth only time will teach ya
Being confident that his music is truthful and will be appreciated with time

And fuck the haters probably never love they mommas neither
Expressing disregard towards the haters who may not even love their own mothers

Old bitter-ass sit around in middle class homes
Picturing the haters as bitter people who live in middle-class houses

With computers on hating on the newest song
Depicting the haters as obsessed with hating on new music online

While you was browsing I was taking out them student loans
While the haters were wasting time browsing, he was making efforts to fund his college education

Trying to do this shit better than the niggas we grew up on
Striving to create better art than his music inspirations

Name a fucking song I ain't threw up on
Being influenced by almost every song and artist, there is no song he hasn't been inspired by

Talk is cheap, its like y'all grew up in a Jewish home!
Talking less and doing more is the way to go instead of just talking and not getting anything done, comparing with a stereotype about Jewish people being cost-conscious

Pardon the stereotype
Excusing himself for making an offensive remark about a Jewish stereotype

But y'all giving me mixed feelings like I married a white woman
Feeling confused by mixed signals he is getting from his listeners, drawing a parallel to being surprised by marrying someone of another race

One minute I'm overrated, next minute I'm the savior
Being criticized for being overrated in one moment and then suddenly celebrated as a savior in the next

You hate it before you played it, I already forgave ya
Forgiving the people who criticize him and dislike his music before even giving it a chance

For bullshitting and that nigga Cole spitting that real
Conveying the appreciation of his real and honest style of music and recognizing that some people judged him too soon

Wrote this line on a plane got flown straight from the Ville
Writing a line while on a plane from Fayetteville to another city

To Miami, where the same time last year
Going to Miami at the same time he did the previous year

I was broker than you, I just wanna make that clear
Reminding the audience of how financially struggling he was last year

Cause now I'm dealing with money I've never seen before
Acknowledging that he is now making more money than he ever did before

And R&B bitches want me, that was just dreams before
Acknowledge the popularity he's gained among R&B female singers, a dream that he had once

Now do I give into the temptation I'm facing
Contemplating giving in to the temptation of fame and women

The thought of losing a good woman keep me from chasing
Realizing that losing his current woman would not be worth the temptation he is facing

But I'm just a man, at time's the timing is wrong
Acknowledging that he is human and that sometimes the timing is not right

Plus my dick is like a man with a mind of it's own
Admitting to having sexual desires independent of his mind and willpower

But I'm trying to be strong, remind myself she ain't about shit
Resolving to resist the temptation and reminding himself that the women he is pursuing are not worth it

These hoes the same, all that change is the outfit
Suggesting that the women he is interested in are all similar in character regardless of their outward appearance

Looking for cheese on some mouse shit
Picturing people as mice that are only looking for monetary gain

Suck a nigga, fuck a nigga, then go run they mouth quick
Warning that some men will cheat on women and then gloat about it to others

Rappers took a vacation I came over to house sit
Describing the hip-hop industry as being inactive at the moment and claiming he is needed to keep it alive

You want change, this that between the seats in your couch shit
Promising to give the listeners the change they want by producing music that will make them jump off their couches

The fuck you thought, I lost it
Showing his self-confidence and proving the people who thought he lost his touch wrong

All that flame on my name would get exhausted
No matter how many times people criticize him, eventually they will get tired of it

Au contraire my nigga they all ears
Conveying that the haters are in fact paying attention to him and subconsciously fond of him

Sit back, enjoy the ride it's finna be a long year, yeah
Telling the audience to relax and enjoy the journey ahead since it is going to be a long year

I know you feel that, the tingle in your spine don't conceal that
Sensing that the audience is excited about what he is saying and the emotion it is stirring in them

Don't conceal that
Encouraging the audience to embrace their emotions and feelings

This exactly what you thought
Delivering what the audience expected from him and his music

Somebody bought the real back
Bringing back the real music and style, and suggesting that he has ownership over it

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: William Roberts, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Kanye West, Roosevelt Harrell, Malik Yusef Jones, Mike Dean

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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