Was the year 2020 a set back or a set up? Listening to J. Cole’s “a m a r i” from his recent project Off-Season, the Dreamville rapper seems to have caught his breath and is coming back even harder after the “Year of Vision.” In the single, he makes a few admissions that are too trill, such as never seeing a passport until his music career called for a trip overseas or standing in front of the kitchen stove to warm up — something a lot of people from impoverished backgrounds fully understand.
Cole takes some time out to serve up his ops with a few subtle reminders, as well. He raps, “Big bag, never fear fumbling | Want smoke? N—a don’t choke | I’m a whole f—-n’ nicotine company | Dreamville the Army, not a Navy | How could you ever try to play me?”
Speaking of the Army, Cole is a decorated artist with every single album of his — since his studio debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story — going platinum, which he points out in the visual. Yet, one can’t help but notice the visible, but ironically silent rebellion Cole has been spearheading over the years.
Watch “a m a r i” Below:
From his rejection of stereotypical rapper antics that usually consists of a concoction of valuable metals, BBL-induced arm candy, and reckless behavior, to his caveman from the hood persona, when he mentions that he’s “Plottin’ (his) escape” in “a m a r i” and concludes the visual with a quick message saying “Hold on to your inner child,” to say the least, although expected from what most deem a conscious rapper, it’s still perplexing and a bit offsetting.
Is J. Cole planning on leaving the music industry for good, or is “a m a r i” merely a song purposed for thanksgiving from escaping the streets? You never know with rappers, but one thing is for certain, when it comes to music Cole will bring the heat every time.
