The 28-year-old German-born rapper and songwriter known as J. Cole is one of the biggest names in music today. You can’t surf the web without running into a picture of the artist or seeing his name somewhere in the world of pop culture. And with good reason, J. Cole writes intricate raps with uplifting, positive, and empowering messages. It’s for that reason that Cole has helped a number of other artists, including those already established, with their work. Whether he’s a featured lyricist as he has been with the likes of Jay Z or working behind the scenes, Cole is significant.
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In 2011, Cole released his debut studio LP, Cole World: The Sideline Story. The record hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Since then he’s released five more LPs with another—The Fall Off—set for release in the future. While he doesn’t need to collab with anyone at this point, he still does, which is something his fans adore.
So, without further ado, here are three songs you likely didn’t know J. Cole wrote for other artists.
1. “Coming Home,” Diddy, featuring Skylar Grey
Written by Shawn Carter, Jermaine Cole, Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann
Originally begun by singer Skylar Grey (born Holly Brook Hafermann), “Coming Home” was intended for rapper T.I., who was just getting out of prison at the time. But when Diddy (aka Puff Daddy) heard the song, he wanted it. Puff and T.I. ended up trading Grey songs for their albums around the turn of 2010.
“This is actually crazy, said Grey on the website Genius. “I wrote ‘Coming Home’ for T.I. originally because he was getting out of prison, so it was originally written about that. But Puff wanted [the song] when he heard it and the song I had originally written for Puff, which is called ‘Castle Walls,’ ended up on T.I.’s album. So they swapped songs.”
In 2010, a demo of the song performed by Cole and Grey leaked on the internet. It’s a track that many artists were involved with, from Cole and Grey to Jay Z and Diddy. Of the song’s beat, Diddy told the Village Voice that it is one “that makes me feel like a white man in a basement in Atlanta.” The track landed on Diddy’s 2010 LP, Last Train to Paris.
The track references losing the Notorious B.I.G. and a number of classic tracks from folks like Smokey Robinson and Dionne Warwick.
I’m coming home
I’m coming home
Tell the world I’m coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits and they’ve forgiven my mistakes
I’m coming home, I’m coming home
Tell the world that I’m coming
I’m back where I belong, yeah I never felt so strong (yeah)
(I’m back baby)
I feel like there’s nothing that I can’t try
And if you with me put your hands high
If you ever lost a life before
(High, hands),
This one’s for you
(And if you with me put your hands high, hands, high)
And you, and you, and you, and you
(Your dreams are filled, you’re rapping with the best)
I’ll be home soon
2. “Mafia,” Travis Scott
Written by Jacques Webster II, Jermaine Cole, Matthew Samuels, Jahaan Sweet, iQue
Released in 2021 as part of a dual single, “Mafia” was written by Scott along with producers Boi-1da and Jahaan Sweet. Cole earned additional writing credits for his help in finishing the track and for providing vocals throughout the number. The song is about sex, work, and enjoying the good life.
Custom the things, custom the wings
I had to custom the vibes, custom the link up
Cover the back of the lab, front cover magazine
Cover your eyes, cuddle up, back of the V, yeah
Our chemistry, just like the trappers and fiends (ooh)
Our misery, really ain’t nothin’ to see
I gotta travel the V, I like to travel to heat (ooh)
Bring out a bag of the weed
3. “Hurt Feelings,” Mac Miller
Written by Malcolm McCormick, Jermaine Cole, Paul Williams, Devonte Hynes, Brion, Roger Nichols, O’Donel Levy
From the late Mac Miller’s 2018 LP, Swimming, “Hurt Feelings” helped the record debut at No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200. While the album dropped in August, Miller died just a month later, increasing the visibility of the record, bringing it from No. 71 back up to No. 6 on the chart in September. “Hurt Feelings” was one of three songs on the LP to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
I’m always sayin’ I won’t change but
I ain’t the same
Everything is different, I can’t complain
Don’t know what you missing
Shame on you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Shame on you
Everything is strange, that’s just a game
Everybody tripping, throwing it away
We was getting lifted, now we getting paid
Shame on you
Photo by Josh Brasted/FilmMagic
