MIDDLE CHILD

## Single by J. Cole

"**MIDDLE CHILD**" is a song by American rapper J. Cole. It was released as the lead single and sixteenth track from Dreamville's 2019 compilation album, *Revenge of the Dreamers III*, on January 23, 2019. The accompanying music video, directed by Mez, was uploaded to Cole's official YouTube channel on February 25, 2019.

## Personnel

Song
* Allan Felder – writer
* Chris Athens – mastering engineer
* Jermaine "J. Cole" Cole – lead artist, writer
* Joe LaPorta – mastering engineer
* Juro "Mez" Davis – mixer, recording engineer
* Norman Harris – writer
* Tim Glover – A&R
* Tyler "T-Minus" Williams – writer, producer

Video
* Candice Dragonas – executive producer
* Daniel Yaro – producer
* Greg Lang – production design
* Juro "Mez" Davis – director
* Roberta Spitz – editor
* Scott Lazer – creative direction
* Sing Howe Yam – cinematography

## Gallery

* Audio
* 2019 NBA All Star Halftime Performance

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro]

You good, T-Minus?

[Refrain]

N\*\*\*as been countin' me out

I’m countin' my bullets, I'm loadin’ my clips

I'm writin' down names, I'm makin' a list

I'm checkin' it twice and I'm gettin’ ’em hit

The real ones been dyin', 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

[Verse 1]

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 poppin' no pill, but you do as you wish

I roll with some fiends, I love 'em to death

I got a few mil' but not all of them rich

What good is the bread if my n\*\*\*as is broke?

What good is first class if my n\*\*\*as can't sit?

That's my next mission, that's why I can't quit

Just like LeBron, get my n\*\*\*as 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 prayin' I'd diss

They act like two legends cannot coexist

But I'd never beef with a n\*\*\*a for nothin'

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 sellin' the same

It won't be to sell you my latest lil' sneakers

It won't be 'cause some n\*\*\*a slid in my lane

Everything grows, it's destined to change

I love you lil' n\*\*\*as, 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 OGs, I'm thankin' you now

Was watchin' you when you was pavin' 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 year gon' be different, I set my intentions

I promise to slap all that hate out your voice

[Refrain]

N\*\*\*as been countin' me out

I'm countin' my bullets, I'm loadin' my clips

I'm writin' down names, I'm makin' a list

I'm checkin' it twice and I'm gettin' 'em hit

The real ones been dyin', 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

[Chorus]

I just poured somethin' in my cup

I've been wantin' somethin' 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 somethin' they can feel

If it ain't 'bout the squad, don't give a fuck

Pistol in your hand don't make you real

[Verse 2]

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 J\*\*\*a for lunch

Had a long talk with the young n\*\*\*a Kodak

Reminded me of young n\*\*\*as from 'Ville

Straight out the projects, no fakin', just honest

I wish that he had more guidance, for real

Too many n\*\*\*as 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, n\*\*\*a

[Chorus]

I just poured somethin' in my cup

I've been wantin' somethin' 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 somethin' they can feel

If it ain't 'bout the squad, don't give a fuck

Pistol in your hand don't make you real

[Outro]

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

## References

1. ↑ Ch, Devin (February 23, 2019). "J. Cole Set to Debut "Middle Child" Music Video on Monday". *HotNewHipHop*.