The Making Of J. Cole's "Kevin's Heart" With T-Minus | Deconstructed

J. Cole’s ‘KOD’ track “Kevin’s Heart” is one of the biggest hits of his career, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 with over 76 million Spotify streams to date. The song uses comedian Kevin Hart’s 2017 cheating scandal as starting point to compare drug addiction to infidelity. It’s produced by longtime Drake collaborator T-Minus, who is also known for his work with Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, and more. According to the Canadian producer, the beat was primarily made in 2016 with guitarist Mark Pellizzer of MAGIC!.
Read more on Genius: genius.com/a/t...
Read all the lyrics to J. Cole’s “Kevin’s Heart” on Genius: genius.com/J-c...
Watch the official music video for "Kevin's Heart": • J. Cole - Kevin's Heart
CREDITS:
Executive Producer: Felicia Kelley
Creative Director: Andrew Oppeneer
Producer: Ndeye Thioubou
Director: Justin Hogan
Shooter: James Defina
Shooter: Luis Ferra
Editor: Sam Balaban
Production Assistant: Dave Bohack
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[@benja303]

J Cole Kevins Heart: What I learned: -Live instruments can give you a richer feel than any vst ever will. Find muscians to create with you. -Try doing multiple hi hat lines - Retro colour is a cool FX plugin to check out. - Take your time with your sound selection, it will pay off. Producer T minus prides himself on sound selection. Says he is a doctor when it comes to this. Melody: - Emotional Live Guitar Jazz Chords - Fx with Plugin Retro Colour to give the guitar a synthy game Feel Bass: - RnB moogish Bassline from the Tal Uno - BwB 808 under Tal Uno Drums: - Trap Drums with Lofi ish snare - Sharper snare layered with clap - Typical trap Hi hat line 1 - Second trap hi hat line - Cool little congo perc Additonal Melodies: - Tal Uno and effectrixy synth for chorus sound with crystalizer from soundtoys on it. - Omnisphere whalish Pan flutey sound. Very cool.

[@dariohhh]

you forgot be original

[@InfiniteLeos]

dot to save

[@thepope9648]

ok? don’t copy what other ppl are doing. be creative

[@benja303]

@@dariohhh Lol... I was noting what he said in the video what do you mean be original? I wasn't writing ""how to make a beat" i writing how he made THIS beat. You guys are dumbasses lmao

[@apollospyrol7168]

@@thepope9648 technically you said it wrong necause starting out you copy until you become unique

[@genius]

thank you T-Minus

[@mikeseggio2351]

Beibs in the Trap next

[@1rename1]

Genius could you try and do VVS by Jazz Cartier next? That instrumental is insane

[@AresXIV414]

No stylist by french montana please!

[@labplaylist7807]

genius please deconstruct Taste by Tyga and D.A Doman !!

[@kidnogood2549]

I just dropped my first beat on Soundcloud, any response is apreciated. If you like it leave a follow and i´ll follow back, much love

[@BrokeBoi]

one of my faves off the album. Legendary

[@EscoEsco2x]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4a0h4KAi6aipNk

[@phoenix-element]

Yo check out my remake of Jcole's Kevin Heart kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH3IqJKKgLigp9k tell me what you think please like and share

[@kevinh9304]

bruh you got 808 likes

[@zxayj8377]

Hmm

[@papic03]

Yung L Drama gm

[@DatDaDatty]

i get the skirt when i want SKRTTTT

[@keondreoffdagoop2377]

Notice me

[@EZR725]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHuWoqeNhN9sqqc

[@jayxenter4087]

Nigga you are everywhere

[@saintswhodat8008]

Dat due to the money aroma

[@shiylon]

Fallin off

[@thekidnotsogreat6781]

Genius always choose the best people and the best songs . Plus J.Cole is the goat but besides that we gotta give genius some credit for the camera edits, it’s fire🔥

[@peedypxblo]

agreed wit everything u said til u called Cole the goat...

[@ifyouusedarkmodeimjohncena7189]

@@peedypxblo Then who Trippie redd lol

[@jeremyjamero199]

I noticed the camera edits too. Kind of aligning itself with the lo-fi nature of the track.

[@kid5042]

@@ifyouusedarkmodeimjohncena7189 NaS,Rakim, Lupe, Kane, Kool G, Pun, Biggie, Pac, Cormega, Big L, AZ, Andre 3k, Scarface..?

[@uriel4274]

peedy pxblo j cole is the goat

[@SmartRapperTV]

This goes HARD. I love these Deconstructed videos. I need something like this for my channel 😅

[@superxdabest3288]

Smart Rapper smart rapper *GANG!*

[@basia2330]

Your channel is straight clickbait

[@jd5726]

@@basia2330 stfu Rob is awesome

[@Leemusiq2190]

soundcloud.com/user-448487941/streak

[@cantfeelmyface333]

@@jd5726 nah

[@mathismarshall8242]

This track has a great vibe, it's one of my favorite tracks on the album!

[@jcast3126]

Mathis Marshall this song and kod

[@lukeforest1702]

Me too!!! I always thought it was a lofi rhodes of some sort

[@aaymanafzal2499]

my favorite

[@realfinesser7265]

Wanna collab? I use fl studio 20 Metro lego is my soundcloud name.

[@jd5726]

@@realfinesser7265 😂 what an ass name

[@velo9542]

This is so dope. Y’all have no idea how much these breakdowns inspire aspiring producers. Like we grind on the daily to hopefully be on some shit like this someday. I really want y’all to have a breakdown of Denzel Curry’s Taboo or any song from That album. 🙏🏼💯

[@donmamon9263]

Velocity Beats yes Honestly ta13oo is sooo good

[@velo9542]

CloutCocaine along with KOD, it has the potential to be album of the year. I haven’t stopped listening to it since it dropped. Not only is the writing amazing but the production is also. That’s why I really want a video

[@donmamon9263]

Velocity Beats it’s better than kod (imo)

[@loonmanding8628]

Facts

[@phoenix-element]

Yo check out my remake of Jcole's Kevin Heart kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH3IqJKKgLigp9k tell me what you think please like and share

[@Lukwiya]

J Cole needs to come on deconstructed aswell

[@animjock1571]

Finch He’s too big for that

[@dalonwilson1472]

FACTS !!!!

[@eliottbutler5111]

He has

[@bentleygomillion2022]

Eliott Butler no

[@mrssparkles1004]

@@animjock1571 so is murda beats but he still came on here

[@chinmaymandavgane]

Man Genius comping up the with behind the track videos, its so dope, you get to witness how it went down in person.

[@cptpicklejuice6753]

Chinmay Mandavgane where’s your aid buddy?

[@arnavbops1881]

he goes "its a really simple beat".... he's using whale sounds.

[@chadlategan2808]

Lol its a preset... most of the track is sampled based so it is quite straight forward.

[@YonasKBeatZ]

😂😂😂

[@majikcity419]

Real shit tho! Lmao I was thinking the same thing

[@kid5042]

Simple to him.

[@molassesdeathbed5531]

it's a very simple beat

[@zayvidshouse]

You can tell this guy is immensely talented. He was born to do this.

[@delaeazy8090]

I swear I can play that guitar loop over and over again and I still won’t get bored of that sound. 🔥 the way those drum patterns bounced of each other gave it that vibe. Best production song on the album.

[@ste6849]

What I love about deconstructed is you hear sounds you didn’t hear before and then when you go to the song you can hear them perfectly. Am I the only one ?

[@jorgemadrid645]

Hands down best song on K.O.D

[@anthony-rq9sx]

nah

[@nibblerino_]

COUNT IT UP COUNT IT UP COUNT IT

[@amaribrown3752]

Nah Window Pain

[@babygoat5221]

Window Pain, Once an Addict, then Kevin's Heart

[@ginovious]

Brackets may be my favorite😌

[@kari3263]

j cole is the preacher you never knew you needed cause I mean he be breaking down all he major problems in this world. I give props when it’s due and I give j cole allllll the props👏🏼👏🏼

[@unibeastbeats]

I love all these 80's retro sounds that are coming back in modern hip hop form

[@ggyomama]

Damn I can’t believe that synth is a guitar! Couldn’t figure out how they made that sound

[@jake-ogowanda259]

GusG Personal it is kinda hard to tell but its that gucci bitcrush that throws it off

[@Leemusiq2190]

soundcloud.com/user-448487941/streak

[@theo_m_YT]

Genuinely thought that that main melody was an electric Rhodes piano of some sort 😂. It’s amazing what mixing can do.

[@evan5746]

TheoMkheez yeah I love a that bit crusher

[@qruze9162]

J. Cole a G.O.A.T lets be real

[@chito9991]

RubyDaCherry ' yea these last two years or so he’s become a legend

[@writenotesful]

Negative, Kendrick better

[@JuiceWiliker]

Let’s be clear. Cole for sure the GOAT

[@dominic7114]

He's not even top 100 all time

[@JuiceWiliker]

d o m i n i c h hey man. Imma say this with all disrespect. Stop breathing.

[@FloorStylez]

Amazing producer. Dude has been on here a few times now. Stacking subtleties to create gold! Much respect. Melodically very strange but just works so well.

[@SebSosa]

He's been in the game for a long time too, I'm glad he's still relevant

[@seanstars6637]

So detailed. Really makes you appreciate the work producers put into their beats.

[@ElijahLoganmaztrpeac3official]

It's interesting I thought the loop was a bit more rhodes-y if that makes sense

[@jeremyjamero199]

Seriously did not think it was a jazz guitar.

[@neilthompson8027]

I knew it was guitar strings, but I thought he was consiously using the lo-fi filter from an SP 404 or 303 which imitates the 12 bit aliasing from the SP1200 sampler. A Rhodes sounds more like bells than strings.

[@zackchristensen7744]

sounds sooooo rhodes-y but it always tripped me up because you can make out the strumming

[@jbudge608]

Yeah shit just blew my mind

[@DEY-G]

Elijah Logan same

[@LexanderMiller]

What makes this song work so well is how Cole's voice sits on top of the track. The mic choice and mastering is fire, but what I think did it was how much space this dude left for the vocals.

[@CryptoWaveee]

T-minus a genius for sure

[@phoenix-element]

Yo check out my remake of Jcole's Kevin Heart kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH3IqJKKgLigp9k tell me what you think please like and share

[@ArshadChengadu]

On*

[@spooked2104]

@@phoenix-element 00 |||||

[@_CP30_]

The production on this is next level. Gotta respect the craft.

[@LeBeautiful]

T MINUS...I thought this guy disappeared since he used to collaborate with big name artists like Drake a LOONG time ago. Good to see a video on my favorite song on *K.O.D* 🙌🔊

[@Croviel]

LeBeautiful he had a genius video like a year ago

[@Liam-fs5fe]

He got songs on every Drake album i think

[@Brotherkai11]

You just disappeared that's all

[@jacobvasquez9634]

This is absolutely insane. Had no idea how incredible the process of making these beats are

[@KABCompany]

The editing and cinematography on this episode is top notch 🔥keep it up Genius/crew

[@realtsylent]

4:45 I was like ‘Damn, you can def tell this is some fl studio stock sound’ then the plugin at 5:00 just made it so much better

[@aaronc4512]

One of my favourite tracks this year🔥 that guitar loop makes me wanna hear an acoustic version now

[@IsaacTownerBeats]

Watching these always inspires me to keep creating more. Thank you for this series Genius.

[@ceetee110]

I'm honestly stoked to see T-Minus uses FL. I always feel this nagging feeling like "you've gotta switch to Ableton or Reason sooner or later", but I never actually feel like I want to. It's always nice to see accomplished producers still rocking with FL.

[@alltrxth]

I love the genius deconstructed series more than anything on KZbin. Thank you for this one. One of my favorite songs

[@theodorefredrick7058]

BEEN WAITIN TOO LONG FOR THIS SHITTTT 🔥🔥🔥🔥THANKS GENIUS!

[@adl0815]

Finally someone who actually shows the actual processing (what effects he uses). Thanks!

[@andiredd8605]

prettiest song on kod

[@Nico93106]

Love the deconstruct... The guy stepped out of the typical trap beat.. As he said at the end it has that trap feel with a soulful vibe. Perfect combination.

[@josephenang616]

This was so comforting to watch 😭😭😭

[@randybdot]

I clicked this video fast! Boi-1da and T-Minus are really the 🐐's. Cole killed this track on KOD. Kevin's Heart was a personal fav as well!

[@ricardogarcia9650]

Not gonna lie that guitar cord sounded like slide in the beginning

[@rhinestonecowboy_]

Lol, I thought that too

[@TheKnicks2012]

Editing was awesome in this video. Keep this series up

[@falloutskyy]

Now its time to get Cole himself

[@jaybolourin1828]

T minus really the goat producer. Drake, Kendrick, Cole, Lil Wayne, the list goes on for ever... this man created a ton of hits

[@catfishstick7221]

I really love genius and how they are focusing and giving credit to the artist it makes me happy also to see they are not focusing on just trap and more modern things but doing stuff like this is awesome. love u Genius

[@nokjutsu8834]

Glad to see someone come in with expanded knowledge and tools. Different plugins, mixing skills and more. Good stuff

[@andrewvictor8444]

4:43 thought about passionfruit flute for a moment

[@DaneIbsen]

I didn’t even realize the beat sounded like that and I love that song. Cole is just legendary man

[@krumparvanov8327]

"this track is very simple" *3 hihats, a lot of drums and a hundred effects*

[@fasho5390]

what we have right here is a producer who is so confident in their ability that they have no problem with sharing all the sounds, drums, plug-ins, and effects that they use in a track. you won't find many deconstructed videos like this one.

[@DiabolicKal646]

Finally a song worth being DECONSTRUCTED

[@Luke_Hydrosa]

Loved this song and the melody just sticks in your mind all day ,great collaboration between t-minus and cole

[@kouse777]

Genius give me a heart pleaseeee❤ Ps. Thank you all for the likes damn💕

[@kouse777]

Thank u genius💕💕

[@genius]

:)

[@BeautyMixxD]

I just saw j cole last Wednesday & Kevin's heart is my favorite off KOD 😭❤ THANK YOU FOR THIS IT WAS AMAZING 🔥

[@canismajorbeats]

Legend

[@DystinktBeats]

Love these series, and this one was super dope! T-Minus is a solid producer 🔥

[@DrAdnan]

Cool to see everything behind the scenes

[@owens.]

I love this song from KOD, especially the guitar.

[@Driekanter]

Please make a deconstructed of astrothunder by travis scott

[@theschooler1927]

Swear down g That song is 👌🏾

[@Itsyoung1717]

“The making of” videos are the best! Another great one!!! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@kenzodude7390]

"simple beat" **adds three different hi hats**

[@lukestar2218]

i saw this pop up in my notifications and I immediately clicked on it. favorite Genius series.

[@bouncekilla]

I think Genius like T minus

[@cptpicklejuice6753]

Albo Black well he’s a god

[@nonsogabriels9629]

Who doesn’t?

[@spooked2104]

Ludwig?

[@ItsMichaelCalvillo]

2:51 Those patches are mighty strong.

[@aKidNamedBrady]

I honestly would love if they extended the length of the series to go a bit more in depth.

[@danizm78]

thanks Genius please never stop making these making of videos they are very inspiring.

[@DaRotiboys]

How many likes can we get for Cole the 🐐???

[@joecosello2188]

Yo props to Genius for showcasing beat makers. Always been wanting to see this type of content.

[@gameboyAdvSpDSi]

excellent guitar chords

[@rahilbeatsoffical]

Another great video by Genius, thankful for the knowledge!

[@haiderh042]

First beat on genius that's complicated lol

[@GRAv111]

Redbone was complex

[@nagboinfi]

The jaden Smith beat was complicated, and Passion Fruit.

[@ianblackburn2645]

L

[@dariusxxo]

dark night dummo is easily the best episode

[@kaushalrao101]

Darius Johnson thats just cause C-note is lit lmao

[@ProdbyHEMIE]

Hands down my favorite video series on KZbin💯keep it coming Genius

[@one_man_community]

Yes, another good deconstruction. As well as Stay, Pursuit Of Happiness, Redbone.

[@anil_kiss]

We’ve been waiting.

[@cherrybdaone]

Now I'll be intentionally listening for the whale call 😫

[@mustafam5262]

One of the most fire series of videos on youtube

[@ZenZenZenZenZen]

can you please make deconstructed videos of Rum 151 or any other tracks produced by Christo (tichristo) in DiCaprio 2?

[@DaDudeBigB]

One of my favorite tracks off KOD. Glad they did a deconstructed of this beat!

[@diegovasquez8829]

I want PRBLMS from 6lack

[@JAY.SCRIBE]

whoever edits these Genius videos needs a raise.

[@rexbeatz_]

T-Minus the GOAT no cap

[@jjpavone3946]

Genius, can’t thank y’all enough for this. Been waiting on this for a minute. Y’all the 🐐

[@ohdamnhahabeats1346]

I'm going to be on here one day 🙏

[@AmalKAudio]

This channel is the best!!!!!

[@kobewan1]

She my #1 I don’t need nothing on the side..... (keep it going)

[@DeeTheGod]

No nigga

[@jovenaapo6247]

Said that i was done for good and don’t want no more lies

[@idklol9717]

Nah i'm good

[@ChannelTwentyTwo]

Nah nigga

[@hitsalldayeveryday]

But my phone be blowin up temptations on my line

[@8thLife]

Dope to see a behind the beat from one of Canada's greats! 🔥

[@aap9716]

Hands down my favorite album of the year

[@alexm1841]

Was driving home from work and there was a film crew round the corner from my house. Lost my shit when i saw the Kevins Heart video a couple weeks later and realized what had gone down.

[@guye94]

Hey Cole, I know you gonna be watching this my g 😂 Give me that Revenge of the Dreamers 3 👊🏾

[@srm5455]

This is actually my favorite track on the album. Producers are so under appreciated like holy shit

[@androidkharifatman]

Wish they did a Larry Fisherman beat before he passed , but good shit nonetheless 🔥🔥

[@erikkummerfield8701]

Khari Lawrence Diablo

[@erikkummerfield8701]

That would’ve been lit

[@ajayiayomide3068]

Creative work put into this track and the whole album, makes the music Cole make even more respected and appreciated. #coleworld 💯

[@ratbo]

Ok T-Minus we all know that it's the spinz 808, you don't have to hide it we still love you. (Technically from a BWB pack but it's from the vault which is essentially a greatest hits collection of sounds).

[@Carlos77589]

Thanks Genius for putting up another Classic from T MiNUS n J.Cole

[@Keezus.]

Honestly I got more respect for he’d producers than I have for these rappers. Aside for guys like cole, em, kendrick, Joyner, mick etc. basically the versatile lyrical guys. Guys like that I admire but being a producer takes so much talent maybe even more than rapping where as most of these rappers just pray they get a hit song then blow up while the producers have to either go to college and learn music theory or learn t themselves or from a mentor. Learn how other instruments blend together and on top of that learn what color is in music and incorporate it into the beats then after all of that find a way to stand out from other producers in the game and consistently produce

[@andrewkear8000]

You do know it takes years of crafting to master lyricism right?

[@Keezus.]

Andrew Kear that’s why I said I respect real rappers. These mumble rappers just sit in their moms house say words that rhyme and just blow up compared. I know there are real artist in the game game hats why I acknowledged them aka kendrick, cole, em, chance, Sean etc

[@SACHIV]

One of my favorite producers!! hands down! 💯👊🏽👌🏽

[@giorgis7373]

j cole is a synonym for best

[@heymiike]

When he said it's pretty simple, but actually the thinking and mind behind how to construct the beat using different sounds that make this beat "not simple" if that make sense. T-minus great producer.

[@vexaholic]

Can yall do Pyramids by frank ocean 😍

[@alicefayxxo]

Omg yesss that would be Marvelous 😍😍😍

[@bryant9809]

T-Minus one of my favorite producers and one of my favorite tracks on the album