J Cole talks Kanye West, "Dumbing Down", Power Trip Double Meaning + More

www.hardknock.tv Four years after their first interview J Cole and Nick Huff Barili link up for their fourth in-depth interview. In part 4 J Cole talks Kanye West, "Dumbing Down", Power Trip Double Meaning + More.
On Kanye pushing boundaries: "I think there's no rules. You can say what you want," said Cole. "You know what I mean? Like you can say what you want whether you want to press people's buttons or whether that's how you really feel. That's your poetic license. Is to test people's boundaries. That's the only way we still know we have boundaries. If nobody says something that makes us go 'Wait a minute. I'm not fuckin with that. I'm not fuckin with him bringing Jesus on stage.' Well shit, you didn't know you had a boundary until he did it. You know what I mean? So, as an artist I respect him for pressing that button and making you react a certain way. You know what I mean? That's amazing."
On people having an issue with Kanye saying "I AM A GOD" but not tripping on rappers talking about Killing, Pimping, Etc. "Nobody has a problem with the nigga that caught 1,000 bodies on his record," he said. "Nobody's up in arms about that...But yet when somebody actually gets murdered. When niggas actually get murdered in Chicago or a police officer actually kills somebody, now you have a problem. So, you don't have a problem with the man that just told you he killed somebody on his record. Not that I care cause I listen to it too, but you right, it's funny the things we pick and choose to care about. Or you only care when the police officer kills a young, black male, but you don't even give a fuck when a young, black male kills a young, black male."
On Dumbing down: "I'm past that. You go through it though," said Cole. "Because when you're a student of the game and you study what works you see what works. And when we say 'dumbed down' I don't mean become dumb. Dumbed down is actually being smart. It's being smart. And I'll give you an example...He's [Kanye] writing lines that he knows are so simple for you. He's not trying to go over your head. He's putting it on a platter for you. He's setting you up. Jay Z is the same dude that used to rap like this 'badaddada.' Reasonable Doubt was the most intricate shit, but he learned 'Man, let me feed it to the people better.'"
There are four parts to this conversation. You can view all of them at hardknock.tv.
Make sure to subscribe to / hardknocktv to be the first to see our new videos including more with J Cole. You can also follow us at hardknocktv and @Hardknocktv @NickHuff on twitter.

[@DerekDwayne]

A lot of real shit in this interview, thats why I fuck with J.Cole

[@ghoto_777]

That's why he fucks jcole

[@rastaEronne]

J. Cole is definitely a poet.

[@jaime3949]

This guy smart. He's no doubt the best rapper right now in my opinion he's one step ahead of kendrick

[@jemarebanks8586]

+Shmurda 97 bruh he got his degree and shit. He is actually very smart guy could have become a lawyer.

[@Cooz.]

+jemar ebanks exactly. Cole has a degree and has the mindset of a scholar, Kendrick has that absolute street knowledge and power and influence. Both these cats are deadly

[@percytheone]

abradolf lincler j Cole has all of those things times 2

[@hardknocktv]

New Video: J Cole talks Kanye West, "Dumbing Down", Power Trip Double Meaning + More

[@SpretbotSyndicateMusic]

Check out my new song on my youtube page, i promise you won't be dissapointed!!!!

[@CenaGirlxx]

i could listen to this guy talk all day

[@chunky._monkey]

Not if I’m waiting to listen to his music

[@stephenmoore1606]

I'm a hardcore j cole fan, but I'm mad at myself for not seeing any of these double meanings

[@lamejor615]

Trust me, after all the times I listened to "Power Trip" I mad I didn't catch it either. It's such an amazing song!

[@jonathansantos4465]

Can y'all tell me the double meaning please -.- lol

[@Luey-E]

And just when I thought his songs couldn't be anymore interesting.

[@jailanrayvon434]

Still a fan ???

[@dominiqueyancey9828]

Cole just dropped some knowledge, the simplicty of complexity in lyrics to better deliver a message and people condractions of insanity or the abnormal. People choose to accept what they want to accept. Deep

[@readgrasstouchbooks]

"You ain't got the answer J. Cole! You ain't got the answers!"

[@wahhmann123]

sway blowing up for real

[@Dizzyfacts]

LMFAO to funny

[@lurenzo774]

hahahahaha

[@jdvsjboy]

I'm a poet and Ik J.Cole couldn't have said it any better man, he & kendrick are the next upcoming I swear. Kanye is still there as well

[@plsod701heldcaptivmusik]

didnt know we had a boundry until it was done...good interview,.

[@Juslegendfr]

Kinda dropped a gem right there

[@HSSLNG]

"Naw, thank you bruh, you got the best fucking interviews man" J. Cole's so great >:)

[@amercedez9919]

Best interviews for sure. Breakfast club doesn't take the interviews seriously & it's fresh to be enlightened!

[@brooklynbryant1792]

Exactly everything's like a joke to them and it's annoying lol

[@Allday6866]

I need more interviews like this from J. Cole!

[@christalcotton30]

That was very well put

[@jschmitz101]

Yeah, I saw that Stanley Kubrick documentary awhile back, and it is pretty amazing what he does with subliminal messages. It makes you think "Wow... Was that really right in front of me this whole time??"

[@FRANKSRYHMEBOOK]

he explains dumbing it down in a good way..

[@jerryq619]

fuck that no he didnt lol it took me a bit to understand what he meant. and im usually a person that can interpret some1s metaphors

[@GearzTVN]

Kendrick Lamar, Jiaer Lavon & J. Cole.. you're making nas and the rest of hip-hop VERY proud.

[@dashawnclarke860]

And hopsin.

[@trilldrill3586]

dashawn clarke Fuck outta here lmfaoooo Hopsin??? SON!!! ahahaha

[@firstnamelastname364]

And akala

[@mohameda7693]

+GearzTVN Jiaer Lavon, just listened to that dude. No substance, ain't really doing shit 4 hip hop.

[@donx2341]

Classic interview!

[@ballerj291]

premeditated murder is his best song to date!

[@nuttyelf21]

That's why I preach and push 'Born Sinner', Cole you're a fucking genius

[@igelbeatz]

LOOOOOOOOLL cole is sooooo high

[@Marvell7777]

Favorite rapper by far!

[@RashawMusic]

Respect spittin the truth

[@clapback9817]

dope interview.

[@JCOLE95COLEWORLD]

BEST RAPPER ALIVE FACTS ONLY

[@swagadoubles604]

Nobody Cole eyes: 👁 👁

[@Sprite1023622]

Deep shit.

[@aaronsanchez3061]

That boy blinged out haha

[@TheJimmyiverson]

Thank u man, you got the best fuckin interview..

[@RpBaSeBaLL28]

6:08 he's talking about " May the bitter man win " check it out song is a crazy mind fuck double meaning when u actually listen

[@angieguzman5973]

Well said.

[@T1Xerxes]

J Cole all day...

[@VivekRamadoss]

I could not agree more with J Cole's view on rappers dumbing down.

[@duuet5614]

yo whats that other song he was talking about where he was a feature

[@3039576202]

a genius..... just beautiful

[@SWAE24]

What's the intro beat? Fucking amazing.

[@giovannylugo7954]

First comment. I love J Cole! #ColeWorld

[@truthbeats]

Shout out to the Lou Reed commercial before this video

[@9999999999999010]

notice at 5:12 how he throws up the horns sign, i guess he's trying to subliminally tell people that "dumbing down" means selling out, if you know what i mean.

[@firstnamelastname364]

Go home you're drunk

[@aaa9332]

@@firstnamelastname364 🤣🤣

[@JUMO878]

you should interview Chamillionaire next

[@dancechaser]

this intro sounds so good

[@jonathansantos4465]

Can someone tell me the double meaning of lights please and power trip please.

[@andrik5754]

It’s been 7 years 😳 did u ever figure it out

[@unkown559]

What are the double meanings?

[@sarawoldegebriel3114]

what is the double meaning? please

[@aavaizraza5904]

+Sara Woldegebriel The double meaning is also his love for hip hop

[@13Quanie]

True Stuff....

[@crucified4lyfe]

8:03-05 im really becoming a fan

[@user-ug1bd6wf7h]

dude's very smart

[@ccrz77]

what song was he talking about when he said he was featured on a girls song? NO SLEEP?

[@jixu7146]

may the bitter man win

[@majestically.m.c]

janet jackson no sleep ft j.cole

[@user-dw9ub6di9p]

I knew it was no sleep lmao

[@jessixaxruz4976]

I thought it was may the bitter man win.... If it's no sleep then what's the double meaning?

[@FaceClef]

What song is he talking about? 6:08

[@uncalledfour]

Power Trip

[@RpBaSeBaLL28]

may the bitter man win

[@Cesar-bh5be]

Power trip and lights please have a double meaning?

[@tylercovington6938]

Aww poor baby sounded sick

[@alexhayworth]

he looks fkn exhausted

[@garnetbey7400]

Yo this cat looks like he's smoked out!!!!

[@janelle2cute29]

😂😂😂 no. 😒 he's just really intelligent

[@Adonis_naron]

+Janelle 2Cute Thank you😂😂

[@VennyIsTurbo]

Cole was different back then

[@ICANTHEARHER2222]

That is sooo true ! This is what people dont bother with old school music anymore or the actually good rappers. Its because they share the meaning in their perception, the fans may not understand because its ciphered, but mainstream music is clear to understand. His eyes are bulgy loool

[@9999999999999010]

He literally contradicts himself when talking about "dumbing down", but i think i know what he's trying to do! Any one has any thing to say about this point?

[@benjaaaaaaa23]

intro song?

[@carlosayala6192]

Crooked smile

[@tajaynunes3642]

I'm hot dog, catch up to me nigga (sounds like dumbing down to me). None the less I'm still a big j Cole fan

[@VIonGtube]

Look like he on the Yola lol

[@Arkhemz]

U DONT GOT THE ANSWERS SWAY!

[@nahzierjames3087]

Lol im laughing at your comment

[@billrolls5233]

Derrick Wade 😂😂 that was funny af

[@Just.Den98]

Lol did they like ambush this nigga caught him off guard or sum. He looked scared as hell in the beginning.

[@conwellkid]

Power trip double meaning is that its talking about the rap game as if its a woman

[@SirRockoRARE]

I am a god!

[@narz7573]

Hurry up with my damn massage :)

[@naphtalianmanner4257]

Whats the name of the Intro beat..anybody?

[@xR3apzz]

Crooked Smile

[@naphtalianmanner4257]

Okay Thanx I will check it out.

[@naphtalianmanner4257]

***** Pretty Much Do

[@deonnelson9780]

Hell naw

[@nelly6695]

May the bitter man win is a double meaning too

[@ThisIsThe306]

boss !

[@775roro]

He's new song is May The Bitter Man Win, it has a double meaning of a girl and the rap game the dude is kendrick lamar and it just tells how he cheated to get his 1st album Cole World out by making Work Out also how he cheated on a girl. Hope this helps somebody.

[@kylenadeau7464]

Double meaning for shining movie was the faked Apollo moon landing, that's what he was referring to, as well as the annihilation of the Native American race

[@higashibiltzer4217]

Haha he was about to say cheof keef "like those 'dumb rapper'"

[@patel681]

See you on Jan.14 my loveee :-*

[@bluemcdaniel99]

SWATteam How was it??

[@glenchrispin2143]

He through the illuminati when rapping Jay z ' s lyrics

[@arvinmaryami3824]

j cole.. look like he bout to cry

[@igelbeatz]

cole's on cloud 9 hahahahahah

[@stangnick]

Im a J.Cole fan, but l know i laugh cause i know he stoned lol he look scared tryin to comprehend the questions he is being asked. I be lookin the same way stoned

[@johnbanks5106]

I think J Cole missed the main point of Kanye calling himself God vs calling himself a nigga, but he makes great connections nonetheless.

[@deedaartistdeedacure8451]

REAAAAL DUDE FA SHO,LOGICAL< AND "REAL ARTIST" not to much care about MONEY OR being a rapper

[@kiddchyro241]

Im guessing power trips double meaning is the fame

[@jerryq619]

by dumbing it down he just means saying more with less

[@lurenzo774]

That too but he is also given us what he thinks we will understand, in a way we will understand it.

[@jerryq619]

lurenzo774 yea iknow but fer a lil while ididnt know wtf he was talkin about haha just threw that in there in case anybody else has trouble translating

[@lurenzo774]

Ok cool bro

[@ExtraDomus]

Sounds like they're on the bus studio

[@zinahkhan9134]

I met J. Cole in London the other day... humble ass dude! IG:@itsxena

[@brycebrizzy]

follow back bae @pancakesithlord

[@dannychivoboi7]

What theory is he talking about

[@kingeeceelox6163]

www.drummerman.net/shining/essays.html

[@LinBenzo]

Who thinks cole dumbed down?

[@musthemc]

VERY smart man

[@BryanGibbons]

You have to be pretty dense to not understand the double meaning of Power Trip and Lights.

[@kyraharvey2180]

I wonder what he would say to Kanye saying slavery was a choice.

[@user_8982]

2 years later Cole says the same thing as Kanye lol

[@Hidyo-Dhaqan]

IMO j cole raps about a certain girl N she is not his girl. he loved this girl in his young age. i dont want make my self look bad but i think she had a man already and i am betting the man is his friend. if u wanna check what i mean. listen to 1.dreams 2.power trip then 3. deja vu. just an opinion

[@theuniqueoneable]

said nur I know what you bro ... I thinking was deja vu connected to dreams and power trip ....lol that shit had me mind blown lol

[@Theonlyoneto]

In that order?

[@bryanbacaicua]

He looks like he's on something... not alcohol or weed either.

[@bryanbacaicua]

+bigpoppaswank u know him in person?

[@bryanbacaicua]

+Jared Hutchins lmao don't know where u from but where I'm from coke and alcohol go hand n hand... and he's gonna brag about doing coke? (which is now common in the rap industry)no he gonna blame it on alcohol... I'm just sayin the man's eyes are fixed open like he hit some peru.

[@bryanbacaicua]

+Jared Hutchins I watched plenty of his videos and interviews only this one does he look bug eyed lmao I'll bet everything I own that isn't just alcohol.

[@michelletinsley8438]

I liked it until you threw the kendrick diss in frfr

[@deonnelson9780]

What?

[@kinandrarodriguez280]

He looks sleepy as hell .

[@versatilethearcane]

you know he from the south...close your mouth cole lol

[@SicSwig]

first

[@tmoney0212]

First to suck a hairy mushroom tip...

[@ignaciooropeza119]

Kanye isn't shit cole wtf, I have all sorts of respect for cole but not Kanye

[@lordtitan.21]

Have you listened to False Prophets?

[@lordtitan.21]

Henrik Norinder Ok, first of all. Read when I commented. The one that isn't able to spell, isn't able to use proper grammar, and obviously is illiterate. I commented a week ago. The song was just released.

[@pmghawk3044]

Kanye is smarter than J. Cole.