J. Cole, Ab-Soul, and Daylyt: A Mismatched Collaboration
"Pi" stands out as one of the most controversial tracks on J. Cole's surprise release Might Delete Later, offering a strange mix of lyrical prowess, questionable collaborations, and jarringly offensive content. The title itself hints at the irrational nature of the song. While not directly referencing the mathematical concept, it suggests a sense of unpredictability and a lack of clear direction.
Disjointed Styles and a Soulful Backdrop
The track features a distinctive sample from Keb Mo's "Rainmaker," adding a soulful, almost melancholic backdrop that contrasts starkly with some of the song's lyrical content. J. Cole is joined by Ab-Soul and Daylyt, with each rapper showcasing their unique styles. Daylyt's verse, as expected, is filled with shock-value lines aimed at provoking a reaction. Ab-Soul's presence brings potential for deeper introspection but feels somewhat underutilized.
J. Cole: Technical Skill Marred by Transphobia
J. Cole's verse delivers a mix of social commentary, technical rap skill, and an unsparing diss aimed at an unnamed target. His commentary on violence and wasted potential offers moments of reflection, but these themes clash with his relentless lyrical attacks. He boasts of his own position in the hip-hop hierarchy, yet his focus on tearing down another artist undermines this assertion of dominance.
The Meaning Of Pi is overshadowed by J Cole
The most controversial element of "Pi" is Cole's blatantly transphobic lines. This targeted attack not only weaponizes trans identity as an insult but also creates harmful ripples that extend far beyond the intended diss within the rap community. These lines showcase a clear disregard for the marginalized and undercut any message of authenticity or social consciousness in the track.
A Disappointing and Problematic Track
Overall, "Pi" is a problematic and disjointed song. While moments of lyrical skill and interesting production choices shine through, the collaboration feels mismatched, and the transphobic content negates any artistic merit the track could potentially hold. The decision to include these offensive lines raises questions about J. Cole's intent, his responsibility as an influential artist, and the broader issues of harmful language and representation within hip-hop.
J Cole has presented himself as humble and open minded for so long but is this the closing chapter? Have we gotten the fall off early? From an otherwise great project and hell bar those lines a great song.
Listen to J Cole Pi Featuring Ab-Soul and Daylyt
Meaning Of J Cole Pi Lyrics Featuring Ab-Soul and Daylyt
The meaning of "Pi" by J. Cole featuring Ab-Soul and Daylyt is layered and contradictory. It begins with a sense of spiritual yearning mixed with a struggle against darker impulses. Both Daylyt and Ab-Soul acknowledge their flaws and question the world around them. There's a recurring theme about disguised reality, hinting at the possibility that the material world is an illusion. This search for deeper truth or meaning sets the stage for the track's exploration of complex personalities and motivations.
Power, Ego, and the Industry
Daylyt injects a heavy dose of ego and bravado, comparing himself to influential or even divine figures, a recurring tactic in battle rap. This posturing highlights the constant struggle for dominance and status within the rap scene. There are also references to the music industry and the potential trap of chasing wealth and fame, possibly hinting at a conflict between staying true to oneself and navigating commercial success.
Transition to Attack
The second verse acts as a transition, maintaining an aggressive energy that paves the way for J. Cole's more personal attack. The warning lines seem to signal an ongoing feud or rivalry with a specific target, showcasing the intensity and competitive nature of the rap industry.
Social Commentary and Contradictions
J. Cole begins with observations of violence and the wasted potential within struggling communities. Yet, this social awareness is quickly clouded by a vitriolic diss track mentality. He attacks another rapper, boasting about his own skill and impervious nature. While a certain level of bravado is expected within a diss track, Cole's words take a harmful turn with the transphobic attack against the identity of his target.
Toxic Masculinity and Artistic Hypocrisy
The transphobic lines are a blatant display of toxic masculinity, equating femininity with weakness and using trans identity as a tool to degrade his opponent. J. Cole also engages in violent, boastful imagery fixated on dominance and destruction. There's a jarring hypocrisy here, as he questions the authenticity of another rapper while resorting to the same tactics he criticizes.
A Complex and Problematic Track
"Pi" unveilslayers of contradiction within each artist. They grapple with internal struggles, a search for reality, and the temptations of power, yet some of these themes are buried under bravado, violence, and transphobic attacks. While rap battles thrive on aggression, ultimately, the harmful language negates any deeper message these artists are trying to convey.
J Cole Pi Lyrics Featuring Ab Soul and Daylyt
[Intro: Daylyt]
Know what I'm sayin'
Lights off, lights goin', know what I'm sayin'?
Haha, uh
So soulful, don't you agree?
I do, yeah
Is it a room full of, full of mirrors or a room full of Motown? I don't know
Shoutout to Zordon, if you know, you know
(She makes the rain fall from my eyes) Yo
Ayy
You know that I do belie— (Man)
[Verse 1: Daylyt & Ab-Soul]
The criteria for this tier is just a open pride
Hope and cries, but so can I
I drop the unprovoken crimes
Pray to the heaven, God, with no disguise
We roll the dice and hope the soul unties
Reap the fruit with no bow tie
Sensitive Pisces, still thuggin', baby, ain't 'fraid to cry
Skinny, biggy, lens is tinted, ain't got no lazy eye
Heart of gold, almost sold it in Saudi Arabia
Quill told me the clouds ain't real, God gotta paint the sky
So I'm a student of Sophia Stewart, the Matrix ain't a lie
Tainted Gods fall from the sky
Tie in inception
When you wake inside this dream, you a weapon
Step in the cypher, know the beef real
Your life at stake, ages with each meal
Real estate of mind, you need equity? Let the beat build
Poison in my cup, I need to refill
I feel it in my gut, you niggas meek still
I inherit the Earth
Like three wise men pulled up to cherish my birth
They placed me in a manger, wasn't that major at first
But what a mess I'll leave, I'm the savior at work
I ain't sayin' I'm Jesus
Got the job of the messiah, Ty and Joe, we block all devils
Get y'all shovels, can ya dig it?
We gon' riot if y'all pick it
Sign of danger, oh, we anger from my past, can't get past that
We the last batch and the cause installed, we got Black facts
Grow a spinal cord or backtrack
The homies call me Batman, I'm the African Ben Affleck
Publishin' some other shit, like is something up with ASCAP?
It's training day, don't get your ass capped
Givenchy snapback with the rindstones, you ain't never had that
Was at Saks Fifth with Doe, that's a double entendre
Everything I say is dope, is this a microphone or contra?
Bands in my pocket
See what they told Malcolm X to do with his hands?
That shit was out of pocket
Picked up shotguns that came in handy, wasn't no plan B
Kid gone, who can fuck with him? Knew them shots would muzzle him
Knew the blocks would puzzle him
Let' go stupid because of him
Shells fallin' like Nephilim
Gilgamesh, who can fuck with him? (Perfect)
[Verse 2: Daylyt & Ab-Soul]
Oh, y'all thought we was done wit' em? Huh
Y'all must be stupid, we finna go dumb on 'em
Just keep your ears open like Dumbo and them
Good luck to them, it's up for them
Piece of the pie edge, we gon' crumble 'em
Three fourteen on the guy head when we rumble 'em
Hahaha, on second thought, that's enough for them
Nah, you gotta chill, bro (Hahaha)
[Interlude]
She makes a tear fall from my eye
Ah, man, I wish it was the rain
You gotta reach out to them
She makes the rain fall from my eye
[Verse 3: J. Cole]
Uh, prayer hands for the land where they sprayin' pellets
And turning your mans to an angelic
Being and freeing him from this crammed, hellish hole
The weather's cold from jealous souls that fanned fellas
I danced as well as Chris Breezy when the bullets start strayin' careless
I won't let him Swiss cheese me, got plans that I can't fail at
Seen plenty bodies trembling, resembling Cam Reddish
So full of potential, but never given a real chance to develop
My head envelops the pen, these ain't fan letters I craft
His album dropped, it was trash
I litter it like I can't spell it
Is you a demon or is that demeanor for the 'Gram? Tell us
They plead the fifth, I'm seeing hints of a trans fella
In cancel culture's vicinity, he's no killer, trust me
Beneath his chosen identity, there is still a pussy, period
Blood spillin' monthly, rather weekly as a myriad of bodies drop
Where bricks get karate chopped to maximize the dojo, comprende
I wonder, will my friends make it past the pearly gates, so we could kick it
But based on what their sins say, probably not
Hit lick after lick like a lollipop
You niggas take a lie detect', the polygraph'll probably pop
You know my zone, I live here at the top
Right now, I'm home alone, Macaulay cot
I keep the shotty cocked in 'case somebody plot to rob me of this godly spot
Jermaine monstrous
Like that nigga off Jumanji, they know how he rock
All these bodies I done caught, I should probably stop
Nah, fuck that, I willingly venture into a den full of lions
On some kill or be sent to a funeral home facility
To test my ability with this thrilling agenda
But it's hard to meet my match when my raps ain't really that tender
Since birth, the kid knew his worth
Never wallowed in sorrow, the game he dispersed
In these verses, bring a gillie potential, a milli' from pencils
Never will my ability cripple
Now please, hold yo' L like you guardin' Philly's young center
Quick to leave a chick curved
It's only one of me, but bet it's like six hers
In my mobile device, you feel the motive in these quotables, right?
Cole is the nicest, but ain't shit about these vocals polite
Focusin' like bifocals while I'm walkin' on tightropes from a height
You folks'll only get this scope from a flight
How many "Verses Of The Year" this year is Cole gonna write? Uh
[Outro]
You know that I do believe, she
She makes a tear fall from my eye
Falling, I
You know that I do believe, she, I