Interlude (J. Cole song)
"Interlude" | |
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Promotional single by J. Cole | |
from the album The Off-Season | |
Released | May 7, 2021 |
Length | 2:11 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) |
|
Producer(s) |
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Audio video | |
"Interlude" on YouTube |
"Interlude" (stylized as "i n t e r l u d e"[1]) is a song by American rapper J. Cole, released on May 7, 2021, as a promotional single from his sixth studio album, The Off-Season. A brief track, it consists of a single verse as J. Cole reflects on his come-up and status in the rap game. "Interlude" marked the first time Cole released a single prior to a studio album since 2013's "Power Trip" off Born Sinner.
Background and composition
The song was announced by Cole via social media less than 11 hours before its release. Cole also shared that he did not initially plan on releasing a song before the album.[2] It marked the first time in eight years that he released a single before an album.[3]
During the just under two minute track, J. Cole raps over a soul sample, heavy drums,[3] and his "signature" fast-paced hi-hats[4] delivering melodic,[4][5] "compact" rhymes about his state of mind, including, as noted by Billboard's Jason Lipshutz, the rap landscape, religion, personal pain and gun violence.[1] He also boasts about his streaming numbers: "Cole World, niggas knowin' what it is / Just in case they don't, I show 'em what it is / In summer, I do real numbers / Couldn't dare touch it if they sold a double disc".[6] Cole further pays homage to two late rappers, Pimp C and Nipsey Hussle, mentioning how they both died around the same age as Jesus (age 33-36), before rapping about being at his lowest and now rising to the top of his game.[6][7] He also touches
on gun violence.
Critical reception
"Interlude" was very well received by music critics upon release.
Commercial performance
In the United States, the song debuted with 8.5 million on-demand audio streams in its first day.[16] Following its first complete tracking week, the song debuted at number eight on both the Global 200 chart and the Billboard Hot 100 chart, earning Cole his first top ten entry on the former, and his sixth top ten entry on the latter.[17]
Charts
Chart (2021) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[18] | 20 |
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[19] | 19 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] | 16 |
Global 200 (Billboard)[21] | 8 |
Ireland (IRMA)[22] | 18 |
Lithuania (AGATA)[23] | 24 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[24] | 60 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[25] | 7 |
Portugal (AFP)[26] | 17 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[27] | 69 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] | 56 |
25 | |
9 | |
US Billboard Hot 100[31] | 8 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[32] | 5 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[33] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[34] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (May 7, 2021). "First Stream: New Music From Coldplay, J. Cole, P!nk and More". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Complex. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c Okon, Wongo (May 7, 2021). "J. Cole Is As Confident As Ever On His Soulful 'Interlude' Ahead Of 'The Off-Season". Uproxx. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c Morais, Bella (May 7, 2021). "Mic Drop: It's Friday...You Know, the Freakin' Weekend". The Root. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ W, Courtney (May 7, 2021). "Listen To J. Cole's Brand-New Offering "Interlude"". GRM Daily. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "J. Cole Returns with New Song 'interlude'". Rap-Up. May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Eustice, Kyle (May 6, 2021). "J. Cole Drops 'The Off-Season' Single 'Interlude'". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Jennifer, McClellan (May 7, 2021). "J. Cole, Miranda Lambert, Bebe Rexha release new music". USA Today. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew (May 7, 2021). "J Cole shares new song "i n t e r l u d e," new album 'The Off-Season' out next week". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ a b D.L., Chandler (May 7, 2021). "Simba Back: J. Cole Releases "Interlude" Track From 'The Off-Season' & Twitter Talks It Up". Hip Hop Wired. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Caraan, Sophie (May 7, 2021). "J. Cole Drops First 'The Off-Season' Single "i n t e r l u d e"". Hypebeast. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Curto, Justin (May 7, 2021). "J. Cole Gives a Taste of The Off-Season on 'i n t e r l u d e'". Vulture. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Woods, Aleia (May 7, 2021). "J. Cole Releases New Song 'Interlude'". XXL. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Marie, Erika (May 7, 2021). "J. Cole Rolls Out "The Off-Season" With Fire "Interlude" Single". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ Jefferson, Devon (May 6, 2021). "New Music Friday — New Singles From J. Cole, Saweetie, Russ + More". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- Hits Daily Double. May 8, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ "Silk Sonic – Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak – Returns to No. 1 on Hot 100 With 'Leave the Door Open'". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
- ^ "J. Cole – Interlude". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- Ultratip. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ^ "2021 20-os SAVAITĖS (gegužės 14-20 d.) SINGLŲ TOP100" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. May 21, 2021. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole – Interlude" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole – Interlude". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole – Interlude". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole – Interlude". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ "Oct 2023 Single Accreds" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – J. Cole – I n t e r l u d e". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 26, 2023.