The Top 26 Songs By J. Cole

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It's January 28th, J. Cole's 41st birthday, a day after the drop of his "Birthday Blizzard" mixtape and just over 1 week away from the release of the The Fall Off (which some say might be his last album). Exciting times for us devoted Cole fans. Ahead of the momentous 2.6 moment, I have compiled a list of my Top 26 J. Cole songs, taking stock of his incredible career and exceptionally deep catalog. See below and let me know what I missed. As always: like, share, comment and most of all...Enjoy.

Lamont

Listen To The Full Top 26 Playlist on Apple Music HERE And Spotify HERE

The Top 10

10. Trae The Truth In Ibiza - Might Delete Later (2024) - Technically speaking, this is some of Cole's most complex and impressive rapping. He nails the triple time rhyme scheme, all while staying on message.

9. Pride Is The Devil - The Off-Season (2021) - There's waves of depth to Cole's soulful crooning here that's hard not to feel. But Lil Baby nearly steals the show.

8. Crooked Smile - Born Sinner (2013) - Corny? Maybe, but this uplifting, Tupac-inspired track about embracing ones flaws takes on new meaning when you know the backstory. 

7. Apparently - 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014) - A heartfelt tribute to moms everywhere and the sacrifices they make for their kids (with a little bit of free styling thrown in for good measure because he "couldn't resist"). - 

6. Power Trip - Born Sinner (2013) - On perhaps the catchiest pop song in his catalog (thanks to some serious vocal stylings from Miguel), Cole reflects on his own rags to richest good fortune during a night out partying, only to find himself of all things...falling in love.

5. Middle Child - Single (2019) - Cole getting older and getting better. Not much more to add here, this is just elite level emceeing. 

4. Rich N****z - Born Sinner (2013) - One of the reasons Cole fans are so loyal is because of his willingness to show vulnerability, portraying insights about deep insecurities that we all experience. "Rich N****z" is another example of him saying the quiet thing out loud.  

3. Grown Simba - The Warm Up (2011) - One of my earliest introductions to J. Cole and a glimpse into life on the streets of "Fayettenam", NC. Still in heavy rotation on my workout playlist to this day. 

2. 4 Your Eyez Only - 4 Your Eyez Only (2016) - A high-concept song to close out high-concept album. I should have, but somehow did not see the plot twist coming.

1. No Role Modelz - 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014) - Ironically, for a rapper often labeled as too wholesome for his own good, his biggest song is full of misogyny and trite famous rapper tropes. But the metaphors, double entendres, humor and iconic references here are too good to be denied. Like many others, he had me from the beginning with that indelible opening line..."First things first rest in peace Uncle Phil". 

The Rest Of The Top 26

She Knows - Born Sinner (2013)

Villematic - Friday Night Lights (2010)

Can I Live - The Warm Up (2011)

Change - 4 Your Eyez Only (2016)

Love Yourz - 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014)

Blow Up - Friday Night Lights (2010)

The Climb Back - The Off-Season (2021)

False Prophets - Single (2016)

Losing My Balance - The Warm Up (2011)

Lights Please - Cole World: The Sideline Story (2011)

January 28th - 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014)

Clouds - Single (2025)

Deja Vu - 4 Your Eyez Only (2016)

Trouble - Born Sinner (2013)

Can't Get Enough - Cole World: The Sideline Story (2011)

Kevin's Heart - KOD (2018)

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