Here, J. Cole delivers a single continuous verse that speaks on a range of topics including capitalism, celebrity culture, police brutality, wealth inequality, and racism.
Cole addresses the first part of the track to Chicago rapper and poet Noname, an outspoken political activist who has frequently stated her opposition to capitalism and celebrity culture. The lines are likely Cole's response after NoName called out top selling rappers for their social media silence amidst the protests following the killing of George Floyd. Without ever actually namedropping her, he praises the "young lady" for her intelligence but adds her methods may be less effective because of her "queen tone."
Lambasted on social media for his criticism of Noname, Cole responded on Twitter: "I stand behind every word of the song that dropped last night," he began. "Right or wrong I can't say, but I can say it was honest." Cole went on to praise Noname as a leader, saying, "She has done and is doing the reading and the listening and the learning on the path that she truly believes is the correct one for our people." He concluded: "I appreciate her and others like her because they challenge my beliefs and I feel that in these times that's important. We may not agree with each other, but we gotta be gentle with each other."
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