J. Cole has many heartfelt tracks, but one song from his catalog still deeply resonates with him
While J. Cole has never been a stranger to tracks that touch the heart and make one think, there is one song in his entire catalog that still resonates with him today.
During the latest episode of his audio series Inevitable, the Dreamville rapper became teary while listening to “Can I Holla At Ya,” a song from his EP released in 2013, Truly Yours.
Inspired by Lauryn Hill’s “To Zion,” the track talks about how difficult things have been for Cole’s mom following the stepdad’s exit from the family and the heart-wrenching aftermath.
Cole just lost it while going through some of these sad lyrics. “Bro, that s- hit me crazy,” he revealed, his voice breaking.
The North Carolina native battled tears as he went on to speak about the song’s meaning, referring back to the horrible time he and his family spent back then.
“When I was writing that song, I was about to turn 27, I think. So he had left the family like eight years ago, and I saw my mom going to a real low point,” he recalled.
He picked out one particular lyric that got to him: “‘When you left, I watched that lady crumble.’ It’s like, ‘Oh shit. Damn,'” he said, stopping to get himself together.
“In the moment, I must have wanted that n-gga to feel that shit […] That’s why it’s hitting me ’cause I can hear the hurt.”
This honest moment gave fans a taste of the number of personal battles Cole has had to go through, as well as the emotional residue his music carries.