Apparently by J. Cole Lyrics Meaning – A Deep Dive into Self-Reflection and Redemption
Lyrics
Oh why na-da-da-da
I keep my head high
I got my wings to carry me
I don’t know freedom
I want my dreams to rescue me
I keep my faith strong
I ask the Lord to follow me
I’ve been unfaithful
I don’t know why you call on me
This is my canvas
I’ma paint it how I want it baby, oh I
This is my canvas
I’ma paint it, paint it, paint it, how I want it nigga
Fuck you cause there
There is no right or wrong
Only a song
I like to write alone
Be in my zone
Think back to Forest Hills, no perfect home
But the only thing like home I’ve ever known
Until they snatched it from my mama
And foreclosed her on the loan
I’m so sorry that I left you there to deal with that alone
I was up in New York City chasin’ panties gettin’ dome
Had no clue what you was goin’ through
How could you be so strong?
And how could I be so selfish, I know I can be so selfish
I could tell by how I treat you with my girl
Damn she so selfless, but she put up with my way
Because she loves me like you do
And though it do not always show I love her just like I love you
And I need to treat you better
Wish you could live forever, so we could spend more time together
I keep my head high
I got my wings to carry me
I don’t know freedom
I want my dreams to rescue me
I keep my faith strong
I ask the Lord to follow me
I’ve been unfaithful
I don’t know why you call on me
Apparently, you believe in me, you believe in me
Apparently, you believe in me and I thank you for it
Another day another rhyme ho
Another day another time zone
Today I woke up feelin’ horny so it’s only right
I got two bitches playin’ on my trumbone
Keep up, never sure where the words would take me
Niggas eat em up, and regurgitate me
Shit trump tight never slurred or lazy
Give em’ words and the urge to raise me
Nigga please
Best friends really make great for enemies
My watch came niggas can’t wait for one of these
I see you nigga, this ain’t no Rolex, it’s a AP nigga
I’m hot dog, catch up to me nigga
Uh, couldn’t resist
Aim for the stars and I shit in the mist
But I was ridin’ on fumes so I stopped by the moon
Now I’m sittin’ on the hood of this bitch
Like thanks for the view
Waitin’ on thanks from a few cause without me you wouldn’t exist
You know that shit gave you the blueprint don’t forget
Cole is your phone on zero percent
Going off, now niggas showin’ off
Niggas swear they hard but they flowin’ soft
I’m taking off like boing on a big ass Boeing
Gettin’ head like a coin toss
Too easy
I keep my head high
I got my wings to carry me
I don’t know freedom
I want my dreams to rescue me
I keep my faith strong
I ask the lord to follow me
I’ve been unfaithful
I don’t know why you call on me
Apparently, you believe in me, you believe in me
Apparently, you believe in me and I thank you for it
J. Cole’s ‘Apparently’ is not just a song; it’s a confession booth of rhythm and rhymes, a personal diary entry set to a melody that resonates with anyone in the throes of introspection and growth. Underneath the deceptively simple surface, ‘Apparently’ unspools the threads of self-awareness, regret, and aspiration, weaving a tapestry of human experience that is as intricate as it is relatable.
This track from Cole’s album ‘2014 Forest Hills Drive’ is a masterful blend of storytelling and soul-searching, delivered with the North Carolina rapper’s signature honesty and lyrical prowess. The song oscillates between bravado and vulnerability, mapping the contours of J. Cole’s inner landscape, where he confronts his past, cherishes his present, and paints his future.
The Canvas of Life: J. Cole’s Artistic Declaration
When J. Cole refers to his life as a canvas, he encapsulates the autonomy and subjective nature of our personal narratives. ‘Apparently’ signals his intent to take ownership of his story and the artist’s resolve to portray it without censorship. This symbolic canvas represents the potential of life, the decisions we make, and the unapologetic expression of individuality.
‘This is my canvas; I’ma paint it how I want it’—serving as a mantra, these lines highlight that our actions, for better or worse, stem from our own will. Cole’s assertion that there’s no right or wrong, only a song, is a powerful reminder of the uniquely personal ways we navigate our existence, creating something meaningful in a world that may often seem senseless.
Home and Heartache: A Personal Struggle with Fame
J. Cole’s reflective journey through ‘Apparently’ stops by the old neighborhood—2014 Forest Hills Drive, a symbol of a simpler time before fame’s complexities took hold. As he acknowledges the pain of losing his childhood home to foreclosure, Cole also touches a guilty nerve for being physically absent during his mother’s ordeal, a soulful admission of regret.
There’s a palatable sense of remorse as Cole critiques his younger self, distracted by the superficial perks of stardom while his foundation crumbled. This confessional mode speaks volumes about growth, the hindsight that illuminates our previously overlooked faults, and the love for one’s origins that endures through trials and transformations.
The Echoes of Female Fortitude: An Ode to the Women in Cole’s Life
The force of the women in Cole’s life looms large in ‘Apparently.’ His mother’s resilience despite his own perceived selfishness becomes a beacon of strength, informing his understanding of love and commitment. He extends this respect to his partner, whose love he equates to his mother’s—selfless and enduring.
This connection lays bare the young artist’s realizations about the nature of love and the debts owed to the caregivers in one’s life. It serves as a resolution to honor their unwavering support, as the man on the microphone pledges to ‘treat you better’ and expresses a yearning to immortalize their presence and cherish every moment.
The Fragile Cult of Celebrity: Decoding the Vanity
Cole isn’t shy to peel back the glamorous facade of celebrity life, exposing a fragile core. ‘Another day another rhyme ho, another day another time zone’ reflects the transient and often empty cycle of fame. Even as the rapper flaunts triumphs and spills bravado, the song reveals these as fleeting pleasures in the light of true human connection and self-awareness.
With ‘Apparently,’ Cole offers criticism dressed in humor, noting the superficial victories and the ‘blueprints’ he’s given to others—perhaps a nod to his influence and the often-thankless role artists play in shaping culture. The rapper grounds himself, acknowledging the absurdities of fame that he navigates daily.
A Soul Soaring Above Doubts: The Song’s Hidden Message of Hope
Amidst the admissions of infidelity and calls for forgiveness, ‘Apparently’ harbors a quiet but powerful testament to hope and faith. The recurring refrain of keeping his head high and having wings to carry him serves as a metaphor for rising above life’s challenges and finding freedom in one’s dreams and ambitions.
As Cole asks the Lord to follow him, demonstrating his spiritual grounding, he reveals the crux of the song—a plea for redemption, an acknowledgment of past wrongs, and a commitment to personal betterment. It’s a prayer set to a beat, a beckoning towards a better self, buoyed by the belief that loved ones continue to have in him.
