It’s hard to believe that it has been over a decade since J. Cole first hit the scene. His debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, was released in 2011 and introduced the world to one of the most talented rappers of our time. Since then, J. Cole has released five more albums and become one of the biggest names in hip-hop.
In honor of his tenth anniversary, we have compiled a list of the 25 best J. Cole songs 2022. These are some of his biggest hits as well as some lesser-known gems that deserve your attention!
- 1. Apparently
- 2. Love Yourz
- 3. Lights Please
- 4. Work Out
- 5. In the Morning
- 6. Power Trip
- 7. Lost Ones
- 8. No Role Modelz
- 9. Crooked Smile
- 10. Nobody's Perfect
- 11. Fire Squad
- 12. Let Nas Down
- 13. Power Trip
- 14. Return of Simba
- 15. I Get Up
- 16. Neighbors
- 17. She Knows
List of the Best J. Cole songs of All Time
1. Apparently
Apparently, the song is taken from J. Cole’s third album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive. The track is a reflection on J. Cole’s childhood and how far he’s come since then. The song was produced by Elite and featured additional vocals from VanJess.
Lyrically, the song is very personal and vulnerable. J.Cole opens up about his insecurities and struggles growing up. He also touches on the death of his father and how that impacted him. The song is one of J. Cole’s best because it is so relatable and honest.
2. Love Yourz
Love Yourz is a song off of J. Cole’s 2014 album, Forest Hills Drive. The track is all about self-love and appreciating what you have in life. It’s a very motivational and uplifting song that will remind you to cherish your loved ones and yourself.
J. Cole touches on some personal experiences in the song, but the overall message is one that everyone can relate to. The production is very minimalistic, which allows J. Cole’s lyrics to shine through.
This is definitely one of J. Cole’s best songs and it’s sure to put a smile on your face!
3. Lights Please
Lights Please is a track off of J. Cole’s debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story. The song is about a relationship on the rocks and the struggles that come with it. Despite the heavy subject matter, the beat is light and airy, giving the song a feeling of hope. Cole’s lyrics are introspective and honest, making Lights Please a stand-out track on an already strong album.
4. Work Out
This track is from J. Cole’s debut album, “Cole World: The Sideline Story.” It was the second single off the album, and it peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is an ode to Cole’s hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and the hard-working blue-collar people who live there. This is one of the hardest J Cole songs.
5. In the Morning
In the Morning is a song by J. Cole, released on his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story. The track features R&B singer-songwriter Melanie Fiona and is produced by Cole himself. It samples “Give Me a Kiss” by R&B group Jodeci.
How to Become a Songwriter for Beginners (Essential Guide)
The song is a slow and sensual R&B track about Cole wanting to spend the morning with his girl.
6. Power Trip
This song was the lead single off of J. Cole’s second album, Born Sinner. It allows R&B singer Miguel, and the two to complement each other perfectly. The song is about a toxic relationship, and how it can make you feel both happy and unhappy simultaneously. This is one of J. Cole’s best songs because it is so relatable and catchy.
15 Best Female R&B Singers of All Time
7. Lost Ones
J. Cole tells the story of a young couple facing an unplanned pregnancy. The girl wants to have an abortion and the boy wants her to keep the baby. J. Cole raps from the perspective of both the boy and the girl. The boy is trying to convince the girl to keep the baby, while the girl is trying to convince the boy that abortion is best for both of them.
8. No Role Modelz
“No Role Modelz” is a track off of J. Cole’s 2014 album, “Forest Hills Drive.” The song is a reflection on Cole’s upbringing and the lack of positive male role models in his life. The song was a commercial success, peaking at number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“No Role Modelz” is a powerful song that resonates with many people who grew up without a father figure in their lives. The song is a great example of Cole’s storytelling ability and his willingness to be vulnerable in his music.
9. Crooked Smile
Crooked Smile is a song by J. Cole, featuring singer-songwriter TLC. The song was released on April 28, 2013, as the second single from Cole’s second studio album, Born Sinner (2013). The song peaked at number 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The song samples “No Scrubs” by TLC. The song is about how society looks down on people with physical flaws, and how Cole wants to tell them that they’re beautiful regardless.
10. Nobody’s Perfect
From Cole’s 2011 album, “Cole World: The Sideline Story,” this track features one of the best rappers of all time, Missy Elliott. It’s a great example of Cole’s storytelling ability, as he details a failed relationship and how nobody is perfect. The track also features a classic Missy Elliott verse, making it one of the best songs on the album.
11. Fire Squad
This song is from J. Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive album and it’s a banger. It samples OutKast’s “Elevators (Me & You)” and is all about Cole coming up in the rap game. The lyrics are fire and the beat is catchy as hell. This is one of Cole’s best songs for sure.
12. Let Nas Down
This song is from J. Cole’s 2013 Born Sinner album, a heartfelt track. It’s about Cole feeling like he let Nas down when he first started working with him. The lyrics are really honest and the beat is beautiful. This is one of Cole’s best songs for sure.
13. Power Trip
Cole’s best songs are often the ones that come with a strong message, and “Power Trip” is no different. The track, which features Miguel, is an ode to Cole’s hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and the struggles that come with growing up in a poverty-ridden area. “Power Trip” is one of Cole’s best songs because it showcases his ability to tell a story through his music, and it’s a powerful track that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to make ends meet.
14. Return of Simba
Featuring a vintageChildish Gambino sample, “Return of Simba” is a fan favorite off of Cole’s latest album. The track is a smooth, feel-good song that finds Cole reflecting on his success and how he’s able to provide for his loved ones. It’s one of the many highlights from an album full of them.
15. I Get Up
This is one of Cole’s best tracks in my opinion. The production is great and the lyrics are very powerful. The chorus is especially moving, with Cole rapping about getting up and fighting despite the odds being against him. This is a great song for anyone who needs some motivation.
16. Neighbors
Cole tells a story of when the police raided his home after receiving complaints from the neighbors about his music being too loud. He reflects on how the officers had their guns drawn and how he was terrified in the moment. This song is a powerful commentary on race relations in America.
17. She Knows
J. Cole’s third album is largely seen as a return to form, and “She Knows” is one of its best tracks. Over a summery, soulful beat, Cole tells the story of a woman who’s been through enough heartache to be jaded but still has enough hope to believe in love again. It’s a complex portrait of a complicated person, and Cole brings it to life with his trademark storytelling.
Conclusion: Best of J Cole Songs
In the end, these are just some of J. Cole’s best songs. If you’re a fan of his music, be sure to check out the rest of his discography. You won’t be disappointed. Thanks for reading!
What are your favorite J. Cole songs? Let us know in the comments below!
Meanwhile, you can also check out 21 of the Best NBA Youngboy Songs of All Time.
Frequently Ask Questions
What is J. Cole’s best song ever?
This is a tough question to answer, as J. Cole has so many great songs. However, if we had to pick just one, it would be “Power Trip.” It’s a powerful track that showcases Cole’s ability to tell a story through his music, and it resonates with anyone who has ever struggled to make ends meet.
What is J. Cole’s number 1 song?
This is a difficult question to answer because J. Cole has so many great songs! However, we have compiled a list of 25 of the best J. Cole songs, including both his hits and hidden gems.
J. Cole’s music often tells stories about his own life experiences, which makes his songs relatable to many people.
What song made J. Cole famous?
“Work Out” was the first single off of Cole World: The Sideline Story and it peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Can’t Get Enough” featuring Trey Songz followed and did even better, reaching #11. But by the time “Power Trip” came out, J. Cole was a bonafide star. The single, which featured Miguel, went all the way to # two on the Hot 100.
What is J. Cole most known for?
J. Cole is best known for his song “Power Trip” featuring Miguel. The single went all the way to # two on the Billboard Hot 100.
What are some of J. Cole’s hits?
Some of J. Cole’s other hits include “Work Out”, “Can’t Get Enough” featuring Trey Songz, and “Power Trip” featuring Miguel.
What is J. Cole most known for?
His fantastic storytelling ability? His incredible ear for beats? His amazing rapping skills? All of the above? It’s hard to say, but one thing is for sure: the man knows how to make a hit song.
That’s all for the best J. Cole songs list. You can also check out 17 Best Foo Fighters Songs: A Rockin’ Playlist and 15 Best Young Dolph Songs (Famous & Iconic Songs).
