Lyric analysis - Role Model - J Cole
Introduction
The Lyrics within J Coles song portray deep meanings and messages that are personal to himself. The lyrics suggests the pain and suffering the J Cole has been through. We can see this during the introduction where he says "First things first: Rest in peace Uncle Phil". This shows that he has lost relatives that have meant a lot to him, and that he looked up to, hence the song Name Role Models. Straight away, we start to see conventions of the rap genre, as its introducing themes of struggle, which is displayed heavily in other rap songs. Also, this suggests that he lost the one person that was his inspiration, as he says in his lyrics "You the only father that I ever knew" and "I'mma be a better you" which at first, implies the lack of hope, but then revives hope back into the song when he says "I'mma be a better you". J Cole is portraying messages about hope, and how we can't live without it as it's our one inspiration to change our lives for the better.
Verse 1
In verse one, messages and values of fame is shown. The first message is shown through the lyric "I thought back, back to a better me before I was a B-list celebrity" This suggests that fame has corrupted part of J Cole, as he believes that he has become detached from reality.
Also, the lyric "No role models and I'm here right now" suggests that he has become successful on his own. This gives his viewers, who are part of the C2/DE demographic hope, as they may be in a similar situation, where they have no one to look up to and to take inspiration from. We can also input Richard Dyers theory from the lyrics. J Cole is constructed to represent the stereotypical C2/DE demographic, as his lyrics talk about struggle and lack of influence in his life. This suggests that he is constructed to represent "real people", so spectators can connect more with the artist, therefore gives them more revenue as spectators buy the artist songs/albums, and attend their concerts.
Verse 2
J Cole states one of the meanings behind this song, and it can be seen in this verse. J Cole states that materialistic "L.A. hoes" got that way because their only only role models were talentless reality tv stars. We can see that in the lyrics "I don't want no b**** from reality shows out-of-touch-with-reality-hoes" This suggests that people have unrealistic expectations of how they should be, and suggests that some people are corrupted by unrealistic images because of the role models they look up to.
My groups Interpretation
My group also had similar and different concepts of what the lyrics were implying for this song Role Models. Radjvinder stated that J Coles only role model was his uncle phil, who is no longer with him. She said that this means he has no Role Models, and the lyrics suggest that he is searching and trying to find his next role model. The others also mentioned similar concepts of the messages behind the song when having a group discussion on interpreting the songs lyrics.
Verse 1
In verse one, messages and values of fame is shown. The first message is shown through the lyric "I thought back, back to a better me before I was a B-list celebrity" This suggests that fame has corrupted part of J Cole, as he believes that he has become detached from reality.
Also, the lyric "No role models and I'm here right now" suggests that he has become successful on his own. This gives his viewers, who are part of the C2/DE demographic hope, as they may be in a similar situation, where they have no one to look up to and to take inspiration from. We can also input Richard Dyers theory from the lyrics. J Cole is constructed to represent the stereotypical C2/DE demographic, as his lyrics talk about struggle and lack of influence in his life. This suggests that he is constructed to represent "real people", so spectators can connect more with the artist, therefore gives them more revenue as spectators buy the artist songs/albums, and attend their concerts.
Verse 2
J Cole states one of the meanings behind this song, and it can be seen in this verse. J Cole states that materialistic "L.A. hoes" got that way because their only only role models were talentless reality tv stars. We can see that in the lyrics "I don't want no b**** from reality shows out-of-touch-with-reality-hoes" This suggests that people have unrealistic expectations of how they should be, and suggests that some people are corrupted by unrealistic images because of the role models they look up to.
My groups Interpretation
My group also had similar and different concepts of what the lyrics were implying for this song Role Models. Radjvinder stated that J Coles only role model was his uncle phil, who is no longer with him. She said that this means he has no Role Models, and the lyrics suggest that he is searching and trying to find his next role model. The others also mentioned similar concepts of the messages behind the song when having a group discussion on interpreting the songs lyrics.
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