95 South (song)
"95 South" | |
---|---|
Song by J. Cole | |
from the album The Off-Season | |
Length | 3:16 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) | Jermaine Cole |
Producer(s) |
|
Audio video | |
"95 South" on YouTube |
"95 South" (stylized as "9 5 . s o u t h") is a song written and performed by American rapper J. Cole. It is the opening track of his sixth studio album, The Off-Season, released on May 14, 2021.[1] The song features vocals by American rappers Cam'ron and Lil Jon, the former of which provides narration throughout the song.[2] It was produced by Coleman and Boi-1da.
Composition
"95 South" samples Jay-Z's "U Don't Know" (2001), a song featured on The Blueprint,[3] as well as Bobby Byrd's "I'm Not to Blame" (1970).[4] The title is a nod to Interstate 95, which ranges from New York City to Cole's home town Fayetteville. The lyrical content sees the rapper boasting his success, saying how he achieved multiplatinum records since the beginning of his career. He furthermore alluded to other rappers barely doing numbers despite releasing "thirty-song albums". Popular references include the Super Mario Bros. and the doughnut company Krispy Kreme, among others.[5]
Critical reception
Charts
Chart (2021) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[11] | 22 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] | 13 |
Global 200 (Billboard)[13] | 11 |
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[14] | 5 |
Portugal (AFP)[15] | 33 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[16] | 94 |
10 | |
US Billboard Hot 100[18] | 8 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[19] | 6 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[20] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- NME. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ A., Aron (May 15, 2021). "J. Cole Takes It From South Carolina To NYC On "95.south"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ 92Q. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- Complex. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole '95 South' lyrics meaning explained". Capital Xtra. May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ Yu, Brandon (May 14, 2021). "J. Cole Is Very Much on His Game in 'The Off-Season': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew (May 14, 2021). "5 Takeaways From J. Cole's New Album The Off-Season". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ Lamarre, Carl (May 14, 2021). "Eight Takeaways From J. Cole's New Album 'The Off-Season'". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ DeLawrence, Jacob (May 14, 2021). "J. Cole, Rap's Middle Child, Comes of Age on The Off-Season". Consequence. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ Hawthorne, Sade (May 14, 2021). "J. Cole - The Off-Season - Clash Magazine". Clash.
An album that touches astronomical heights...
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole – 95 South". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
- ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 20". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – J. COLE – 9 5 . s o u t h". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 26, 2023.