1985 (Intro to "The Fall Off")

Album: KOD (2018)
Charted: 20
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The final track on KOD is a single lengthy verse that also serves as the intro to Cole's next speculated album; The Fall Off. "1985" represents the year Cole was born and the song itself acts as a reflection of his life and how the new breed of rappers might label him as an "old head."

    And plus, you havin' fun and I respect that
    But have you ever thought about your impact?
    These white kids love that you don't give a f—k
    'Cause that's exactly what's expected when your skin black
    They wanna see you dab, they wanna see you pop a pill
    They wanna see you tatted from your face to your heels
    And somewhere deep down, f--k it, I gotta keep it real
    They wanna be black and think your song is how it feels


    Cole tries to warn the younger generation of tattooed rappers the effect their pill-popping lifestyle might have on their fans without coming across as judgmental.
  • Although Cole doesn't name any names during the searing outro track, many fans believe some of the bars are directed at Florida rappers Lil Pump and/or Smokepurpp, who have both tweeted negative things about the North Carolina MC in the past.
  • The song samples Kanye West's 2004 track "We Don't Care."
  • Speaking in an interview with Vulture, Cole said he was taking aim at what he sees as the cartoon version of hip-hop. "If you exclude the top three rappers in the game, the most popping rappers all are exaggerated versions of black stereotypes," he explained. "Extremely tatted up. Colorful hair. Flamboyant. Brand names. It's caricatures, and still the dominant representation of black people, on the most popular entertainment format for black people, period."

    The Dreamsville boss added that though the intended target was more general, those rappers who have responded must have seen truth in his words. "It's really a 'shoe fits' situation - several people can wear that shoe," he explained. "Why you yelling at your show? You must feel attacked in some kind of way, must feel offended, and if you feel offended, then that means something rings true, something struck a chord. That's cool with me. That's all I ever want to do."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.