Notes
The First part of the track mentions a “young lady”, Cole is referring to political activist and
rapper, Noname, a rapper who called out a couple top selling artists for being silent during the
killing of George Floyd.
Background
Jermaine cole, famously known by his stage name J.cole, is an American rapper. Although he
was born to a white mother and an African American father, he identifies more with his African
American side of the family and claims to have never felt ‘white’.
J.cole has been an active speaker on most issues concerning the African American community.
“Breakdown”, a song part of his first album was based on personal, societal, and fictional issues.
The societal issues that he emphasizes upon is police brutality towards the African American
community, and how the stereotypes put upon the African American community reduces the
economic opportunities that the community receives.
Additionally, his song, “Neighbors”, inspired by one of the incidents that occurred to him
because of the stereotypes imposed on the African American society. His house, which he rented
to be used as his studio, in North Carolina, was raided by the SWAT team as his neighbours
thought he was selling or using narcotics. In the end, the SWAT team failed to find any narcotic
use or possession in the house. The song goes in detail as to how he felt being racially profiled
by his neighbours and how he lives in constant fear of being prosecuted.
Although, he has many songs that shine light upon many harmful stereotypes the African
American community faces, he has multiple songs that are meant to empower the African
American community, and to feel comfortable and love your skin colour.