MIDDLE CHILD by J. Cole Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Anthem of a Generation Caught in Transition

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for J. Cole's MIDDLE CHILD at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

You good, T-Minus?

Niggas been counting me out
I’m counting my bullets
I’m loading my clips
I’m writing down names
I’m making a list
I’m checking it twice and I’m getting ’em hit
The real ones been dying
The fake ones is lit
The game is off balance
I’m back on my shit
The Bentley is dirty
My sneakers is dirty
But that’s how I like it
You all on my dick

I’m all in my bag
This hard as it get
I do not snort powder
I might take a sip
I might hit the blunt
But I’m liable to trip
I ain’t popping no pill
But you do as you wish
I roll with some fiends
I love ’em to death
That got a few mil’
But not all of them rich
What good is the bread if my niggas is broke?
What good is first class if my niggas can’t sit?
That’s my next mission
That’s why I can’t quit
Just like LeBron
Get my niggas more chips
Just put the Rollie right back on my wrist
This watch came from Drizzy
He gave me a gift
Back when the rap game was praying I’d diss
They act like two legends cannot coexist
But I’d never beef with a nigga for nothing
If I smoke a rapper
It’s gon’ be legit
It won’t be for clout
It won’t be for fame
It won’t be ’cause my shit ain’t selling the same
It won’t be to sell you my latest lil’ sneakers
It won’t be ’cause some nigga slid in my lane
Everything grows
It’s destined to change
I love you lil’ niggas
I’m glad that you came
I hope that you scrape every dollar you can
I hope you know money won’t erase the pain
To the OG’s
I’m thanking you now
Was watching you when you was paving the ground
I copied your cadence
I mirrored your style
I studied the greats
I’m the greatest right now
Fuck if you feel me
You ain’t got a choice
I ain’t do no promo
Still made all that noise
This shit gon’ be different
I set my intentions
I promise to slap all that hate out your voice

Niggas been counting me out
I’m counting my bullets
I’m loading my clips
I’m writing down names
I’m making a list
I’m checking it twice and I’m getting ’em hit
The real ones been dying
The fake ones is lit
The game is off balance
I’m back on my shit
The Bentley is dirty
My sneakers is dirty
But that’s how I like it
You all on my dick

I just poured something in my cup
I’ve been wanting something I can feel
Promise I am never lettin’ up
Money in your palm don’t make you real
Foot is on they neck
I got ’em stuck
I’ma give ’em something they can feel
If it ain’t ’bout the squad
Don’t give a fuck
Pistol in your hand don’t make you real

I’m dead in the middle of two generations
I’m little bro and big bro all at once
Just left the lab with young 21 Savage
I’m ’bout to go and meet Jigga for lunch
Had a long talk with the young nigga Kodak
Reminded me of young niggas from ‘Ville
Straight out the projects
No faking, just honest
I wish that he had more guidance, for real
Too many niggas in cycle of jail
Spending they birthdays inside of a cell
We coming from a long bloodline of trauma
We raised by our mamas
Lord we gotta heal
We hurting our sisters
The babies as well
We killing our brothers
They poisoned the well
Distorted self image
We set up to fail
I’ma make sure that the real gon’ prevail, nigga

I just poured something in my cup
I’ve been wanting something I can feel
Promise I am never lettin’ up
Money in your palm don’t make you real
Foot is on they neck
I got ’em stuck
I’ma give ’em something they can feel
If it ain’t ’bout the squad
Don’t give a fuck
Pistol in your hand don’t make you real

(Money in your palm don’t make you real)
(Pistol in your hand don’t make you real)
(Money in your palm don’t make you real)

J. Cole’s ‘MIDDLE CHILD’ stands as a declarative moment in hip-hop, a track that’s both an introspective journey and a rallying cry, delivered with the North Carolina rapper’s signature finesse and raw honesty. At first, it seems to chronicle the artist’s own position in the rap pantheon, but as the layers peel back, ‘MIDDLE CHILD’ reveals itself as the connective tissue between eras, communities, and the very soul of hip-hop culture.

Peeking behind the curtain of bravado and beats, this chart-topping single transcends its surface-level bravura to articulate the struggles of generational dynamics and the constant battle between maintaining authenticity and succumbing to industry pressures. The precision of Cole’s observations is a reflection of his broader consciousness, one that evidences the depth of his lyricism and cements his place in the discourse of modern music.

The Plight of the ‘MIDDLE CHILD’: Generational Balance and Burden

Cole casts himself as the ‘MIDDLE CHILD’ of hip-hop, simultaneously bearing the wisdom of a veteran and the youthful energy of a newcomer. This duality isn’t just a personal crossroads for Cole but a wider commentary on the evolution of the genre. It’s a place of tension, caught between the reverence for the shoulders upon which he stands and the responsibility of fostering the newcomers under his wing.

The song’s lyrics touch deeply on his experiences collaborating with legends and rookies alike, instilling the message that one can honour the past while nurturing the future. From his sessions with 21 Savage to conversations with Jay-Z, Cole moves in a world where he is both student and teacher, caretaker of a culture he’s keen to propel forward.

Deconstructing the Materialism Myth: Beyond the Glitter

The hook ‘Money in your palm don’t make you real’ dispatches a powerful blow to the often superficial values in rap. Cole disrupts the status quo by advocating that substance and character eclipse material wealth and glamour—a sentiment that grounds ‘MIDDLE CHILD’ in humility despite its boisterous exterior. He champions authenticity over appearances, challenging his peers and listeners to reconsider the metrics by which we measure success and integrity in the industry.

In a genre where the flash often overshadows the foundation, Cole’s narrative stands defiant against the allure of superficiality. He stresses the importance of staying true to oneself and one’s roots—a principle that shines through his own career path and ethos.

Memorable Lines with a Message: A Breakdown of Cole’s Wordsmithing

Take the line, ‘What good is first class if my niggas can’t sit?’ Here, Cole extends the conversation beyond his success to the inclusivity of his entourage, and by extension, his community. It’s a display of loyalty and a critique of gatekeeping practices within the music scene and society at large. The implication is rich: success can’t be savored in isolation, and it rings hollow without shared prosperity among those who’ve walked the path with you.

The fusion of such poignant lyricism with the track’s undeniably head-nodding rhythm is what earns Cole the accolades of both purists and the mainstream. It’s his willingness to grapple with real issues through an accessible medium that distinguishes his work.

Finding Resilience in Vulnerability: The Hidden Depths of ‘MIDDLE CHILD’

Further into the track, Cole broaches darker terrains: ‘We coming from a long bloodline of trauma, we raised by our mamas, Lord we gotta heal.’ This introspection uncovers the pain points within communities of color – from familial to social strife – and acknowledges the resilience required to break cycles of suffering.

His call to healing is as much about personal redemption as it is about breaking chains of generational curses. By addressing these hard truths, Cole offers a hidden depth to ‘MIDDLE CHILD,’ transcending the notion of it being just another hit single. It becomes a vessel for catharsis and perhaps, change.

An Anthem for the Ages: ‘MIDDLE CHILD’s Cultural Impact

The power of ‘MIDDLE CHILD’ lies not just in its streaming numbers but in its ability to articulate a collective sentiment—one of being caught between legacies, struggles, and ultimately, hopes. Cole manages to string together a narrative that is as much a personal declaration as it is an anthem for a generation straddling the duality of acknowledgment and aspiration.

The song’s reception, critical acclaim, and continued relevance are testaments to its resonant impact. In J. Cole’s ‘MIDDLE CHILD,’ fans and critics alike find a voice that channels the zeitgeist, proving that music can still be a force for connection, reflection, and empowerment.