Down Bad
by J. Cole (featuring Young Nudy)

Album: Revenge of the Dreamers III (2019)
Charted: 64
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Down Bad" is a posse cut featuring Dreamville artists J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, and Johnny Venus (of Earthgang). The quartet drop bars about their younger days when they were "down bad." Each recounts how they escaped their impoverished circumstances by means of rap music.

    The song also features a guest verse by Atlanta rapper Young Nudy. The track represents his first time working with each of the other four artists.
  • The beat comes courtesy of Plass. The Atlanta producer has also worked with the likes of Beyoncé ("Formation") and Kendrick Lamar ("HUMBLE.").
  • Plass' beat pays homage to "Rebel Without A Pause," the 1987 song by Public Enemy. Though it sounds similar, it is not a direct sample of the classic rap tune.
  • The song was recorded for the Dreamville artists compilation album Revenge of the Dreamers III. Recording sessions for the record took place in Atlanta for ten days from January 6, 2019.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.