PSYCHOTHERAPIST REACTS to J. Cole- 4 Your Eyez Only

[@mehiforgot]

The song is about the life of Cole's childhood friend, James McMillan Jr., who was killed at the age of 22. J. Cole wrote it for Nina, James McMillan Jr.'s daughter, to play to her when she's grown up and talk about her father's life along with his very rough childhood, struggles and a dangerous lifestyle that led to his life being taken. Both J. Cole and James want her to live a path different from her dad's as they don't want her to go through the same things James did. James was a real one, not for his life of crimes, violence and sex, but because he loved his daughter and was so proud to be her father.

[@AndSey25]

Accurate explanation

[@RoninDriftRc]

This 🥹

[@lmauriceg92]

Story real but the name was change to James just for privacy reason

[@robace.holmes]

💯❤️‍🩹

[@sandisonzimande220]

facts

[@187prophet]

ayooo 🤣🤣 i couldn’t stop laughing after he listened to 7 minutes of J cole and goes “but who’s jermaine?” 😭😭💀

[@jankoskai]

my dog

[@joerobinnettebiden4723]

😂😂

[@jamesmetoyer3565]

I appreciate him listening to this song but, if your going to do a video please learn about the artist first…..

[@orxchi3853]

@@jamesmetoyer3565idk I think it’s kind of his charm. Old white dude learning the culture

[@tbrady1650]

@@jamesmetoyer3565man everyone has to start somewhere. He is learning about the artist through his art. He is trying to understand why so many people appreciate and resonate with the artist, which is a damn good place to start.

[@purpleyeti7440]

first time i listened to this album i had my headphones on in the back of my high school spanish class and i’ll never forget nearly tearing up to this song and for whom the bell tolls. truly one of my favorite albums

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

What a story!😊👍

[@RuinnTheGreat]

yes man! and he should listen to who the bel tolls next that one is great aswell

[@GirthyHog]

bro how tf do you have a pfp in your username

[@RuinnTheGreat]

@@GirthyHog man is a saharapakriba

[@dexxterthatguyy8180]

I was on the bus tearing up from this one song I went to the App Store and bought the album when I was on the bus

[@cubanlink_james]

I respect this man to the highest. This man is invited to then bbq. Protect this man at all cost. But you asked “ who’s Jermaine?” Never do that again. 😂💯‼️

[@juliorivera9111]

Whos Jermaine killed me

[@nouradinesheck5621]

😭😭😭

[@Scrotscrot4-13]

Jermaine………..COLE!!??!!??!

[@Yinkv]

@@Scrotscrot4-13 i knew someone already beat me to it😂

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

I won’t ask but I need to know😳😳😳

[@dsrree]

We definitely need more J Cole on here.

[@RuinnTheGreat]

faxx

[@waelhalabi6407]

Hey Tom! Love the vid. Just a quick explanation on this track. This is the last song on the album 4 Your Eyez Only. The album tell the story about a man who was brought up in a violent environment, dad was killed, and started a life of crime. He has a daughter at 19 and loved her so much. Each track of the album tells a story about a certain phase in his life leading up to this outro. In the first part of the track this man is talking to his daughter, describing his life, and telling her that if she ever hears this he would be dead. All the details you caught on to perfectly. The second oart of the track is J. Cole (Jermaine) talking to his friend’s daughter. The man in the first oart is J Cole’s friend and told him that if he dies Cole has to give his daughter the tape. So J Cole talks to his daughter and tells her that her father is a loving man and ends it up as you heard. I hope this puts things into perspective. Its a really well written and executed album, so try to give it a listen in order and it will give you a clear explanation of this track. Keep up the great work i love your content.

[@koalaman5673]

“Quick explanation”

[@oddnoir8592]

We really need more JCole here. Fun fact, at a young stage of his career his alias was "the therapist". Great video and reaction! Can we get a reaction for "Lost ones"?

[@X_PaimoN_x]

Omg finally. I been waiting for this song to get played. Thank you. Cole has so many songs that you could react too. Would love to hear your opinion on Friends by J. Cole

[@TheAdonisMemes]

Song is amazing and so insightful

[@atav220]

friends is such a good song

[@ChrisOmarVisuals]

facts he needs one for KOD

[@Icntstfu]

I was thinking the same !!

[@LensOfSin]

Sheesh. Friend might b top 10 track from him.

[@jahaevah]

What I love most about this song is it vividly explains the cycle of ignorance and corruption locking away the young and misguided and when they have a moment of clarity of what really matters it’s too late the system deems them as unworthy of being members of society leaving them in a cycle of poverty

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Yep!😊👍

[@mahrimartin3629]

Beautifully worded Sadly it’s so true

[@mashilo._molebale]

this song is a perceived from the perspective of one J.Cole's close friends that ended up being caught in a life of crime but he wanted to provide for his daughter and start a family. this friend was unfortunately killed hence him writing a letter for Jermaine(J.Cole) from his friend(James) so his daughter can understand why things happen the way they happen to him The last verse where he says "although that means that I would never be brought into this world cause my daddy was so thrilled when he found him a white girl" is him talking about himself and how he would never be born if segregation still existed because his deceased father (black)found his mother (white) and that's how Jermaine was born

[@bcdefg981]

Jalapeno Coleslaw's dad is still alive, he's in the 4 your eyez doco and was at dreamville festival this year

[@bcdefg981]

And the names James McMillan jnr and Nina are made up. He didn't use his friends real name on change 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@hudsongraham9073]

@@bcdefg981 james mcmillan is the alias he uses in change and is the story he tells thru this whole album. also references in ‘03 adolescence. also i presume they mean that “james’” father is dead. i believe j cole has referenced that his family is light skinned since a grand mother of his was raped when slavery was still around

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Thank you for this😊👍

[@009-grp]

@@bcdefg981 How many paragraphs you gonna make, cuz no one gives a fuck

[@candicealphin5746]

Proud of this man. He puts a great image to the young ones here in the ville

[@MoTom_1]

Just because you reacted to this, you gained one new subscriber. I don't know if this is a mental issue, but every now and then I turn this joint on and fall back and chill. Just a feeling.

[@vylanradio]

This song literally got me through the rain and pain! Nowadays I can’t even play it Cole like that cause of the emotional chord he strikes ! No kizzy

[@hoodrock44]

Same here. I was in a rough spot when this album dropped. Just got finished with 2 felonies and this song specifically helped me a lot

[@tbsLuke]

​@@hoodrock44 🤨

[@NotOmni]

Oh wow, i didn’t see this one coming. This is one of my favorite songs of all time.

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Glad you like it😊👍

[@zachzabala]

Just got done with therapy Tom! And let me say! I love your insight! I include your name and Channel in my therapy sessions! And my therapist definitely agrees with the advice you give me! Keep being yourself Tom! Your one in a million!

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Thanks so much Zach! Keep it up, you’re on the right track!!😊😊

[@lewsgolffishclub]

You were feelin this one!! No one paints pictures w/ words like Cole!

[@jonnaeriksson1996]

4 Your Eyez Only serves as a message to both J. Cole's newborn little boy and Nina the daughter of a deceased childhood friend James McMillian, Jr.

[@justinchiles9393]

This song gave me so much perspective on my own father and honestly say it allowed up to have a relationship again after almost 15 years.

[@chelseaa2769]

Wow that's beautiful God bless you bro

[@Zuentax]

That is all that matters him loving you.. that is some real nigga shit (n)ever (i)gnorance (g)etting (g)oals (a)ccomplished, stay strong king💪🏾🦾

[@deaconspeaks7531]

I'm a psychology grad and big time J. cole fan. This is amazing!....Can you please do "The Climb Back" - J. Cole !🔥🔥

[@superiorlakeshow6302]

Yes please!!!

[@MF22525]

Please!

[@deaconspeaks7531]

@@MF22525 I've been pushing this request non stop lol🤷🏽‍♂

[@brunoz6728]

gives me goosebumps every time i listen. the best emotional rap song of all time.

[@TheNewAkil]

The first part of the song he was talking in the place of his friend who did die. He was telling his friends story through this song about his life and daughter. Then the last part of the song he was speaking through his own viewpoints. J Cole is Jermaine Cole. That’s why the point of view changed and you were confused. You should re-listen with this new information on your own time, it makes everything much more clear.

[@Justjustin7]

also this song is about his childhood friend who died at 22. cole goes back and fourth writing/rapping as himself (j cole) and then as his friend. hope that clears things up

[@BigDauntless]

This song was about a friend of J. Cole who passed away some time ago before the releasing of the album. A big chunk of the 4 Your Eyez Only album was was from his friends perspective or dedicated to him and the last song on the album (sharing the same name as the album) was a message from his friend passed on to J. Cole to pass it along to the friends daughter when she gets old enough to understand. Like his last message to his daughter

[@mykeporras2732]

thank you for listening to my request 🤞

[@haleighc1]

Great request!

[@christianvillasenor1831]

We need more J.Cole on the channel

[@erikkallner7417]

The songs about his childhood friend but the last verse is him talking about himself to his friends daughter the whole songs for her and basically about how even tho her father died and was involved in the streets and drugs etc that he was a amazing person and real not bc of his street and gang ties but simply because he loved his daughter and she was the thing he was the most proud of in his life so the songs literally just him speaking through his dead friends perspective telling his daughter letting her know all this now that she's old enough to understand it fully

[@davidbarroso6586]

The storie is about james, jermaine is cole The last verse is a letter that james let to j.cole. asking him to tell his storie to his daughter because he knew he was gonna die. They were childhood friends

[@TheSosamarco93]

Great video! Theres a song from J. COLE called 3 wishes. Great song that not many know about. Very deep and heavy message

[@JonSnow-fj1wc]

Such a great reaction. This is one of the best songs in the history of hip hop IMO. Can’t listen to it without crying for personal reasons. But your video made me feel like we all have a chance, keep up the good work

[@LeonExile05]

It doesn’t get enough recognition. This is on Tupac or Eminem’s level for emotional impact. It’s personal for me, too. This track perfectly portrays what happens on a regular basis in areas stricken with poverty and those who have to grow up there. Where life is difficult and a person has to do what they have to do to live… Not everyone gets to escape, some people just get taken. It’s not fair and it never will be. Having my own daughter makes it even more sad, that it happened to someone I needed and then I had to witness what was left over. I hope it drives you to make some sort of change- and for me too. Stay strong! ✊🏼

[@nicolecourtney8688]

Listened to 5 videos of yours so far and I can't say enough about your content. A1

[@SwatBeatsOfficial]

This has to be in the top 10 of all time hip hop songs.

[@drewdukkha]

Top 3

[@LeonExile05]

This song is on the level of Changes and Dear Mama, a masterpiece and in this time. I wish it got more recognition, this song brings change and can bring life back to those cradling towards the grave.

[@damiancampbell5892]

As someone who likes to breakdown songs bar for bar, I love this and excited to dig into your channel

[@chelseaa2769]

J cole is my favorite artist because his words paint world's. I can truly envision all his lyrics and relate whether I've been through it or not

[@christopherflores8601]

I hate how much this song reminds me of my life but I love how he's music can resonate with anybody

[@jae_d.e]

Loved this reaction and subscribed! Huge fan of Cole, I'm about to watch all the other Cole reactions you've done! 😂😂 thank you sir

[@liltczoom6741]

7:30 “my eyes had a gleam once” all of our innocence gets completely evaporated when you hit 14-19 and you join the “real world” hate it

[@caseydavies3932]

Every time I hear this song it breaks me because I was raised in a bad place and my daddy died when I was 14.. I’m 25 now And cry like it was yesterday .. my dad was the best man I ever met and loved the shit out of his children 💔 I’m so sorry for everyone who goes thru this, as I have❤️

[@jesusisking9744]

You’re very strong

[@BurakYa]

Jermaine describes a vivid memory within this verse about his last conversation with James before he died at the age of 22, when he tells him about how he wasn’t given enough time to make his amends but praises his only daughter as his greatest accomplishment. This line is the start of the conversation between the two on the phone, just before James opens up to Jermaine about his life and feelings.

[@WiseProtector]

Brother all i can say is you’re a legend.

[@kalebpatterson4823]

reaction therapy this isn’t J.cole speaking his story it’s one of his really good friends who had a daughter and wrote that for her and gave it to J.cole so he could write it for his daughter. one reason why i will forever fw cole world! ride or die he’s the top artist and lyricist of the Gen.

[@_lady_bugz_]

🙌🏼I Love J Cole! He is an amazing storyteller. Love watching you vibe to him. 💐💐

[@_lady_bugz_]

And surely the comments have already answered most of your questions. 💐

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Thanks so much lady bugz😊👍

[@MrEpalmer1]

Jermaine is jermaine cole j.cole The 1st 3 verses was from the perspective of a friend writing a letter to his daughter. The 4th verse starts off showing that the record was goven to j.cole to deliver the message to his daughter, then it goes into j.cole reading letter to his daughter

[@MrGaMeR2317]

It’s about his childhood friend. If you want another story about him you can listen to “0’3 Adolescence” and to “Change”

[@lancev6886]

I was about to say the same, true fan 😎

[@wavyyrome7611]

A song that changed my way of thinking and made me focus on my path to success

[@gotmoney448]

You need to do this whole album, each song in order

[@egyptian_noob]

Hell yeah i’ve been waiting for this one

[@JarisMusic]

You're at 181K as of this moment. Down the line a few months, I see you at 200K! That is, if you keep doing these! Love it!

[@roccocomacher]

first time hearing the song - i feel like this song gives life. I am amazed how precise life can be abstracted - almost religiously

[@A1G_77]

if you notice the flow of this song as well it has a 2pac flow... remember "all eyes all me " by 2pac 10:26

[@1zzy_713]

FINALLY some j cole yessir

[@nishonwilson2918]

j.cole is one of if not the greatest rapper we have ever seen. if you really listen to his music he speaks for the people he is the greatest rapper ever. he is rap

[@tobi807]

This is so beautiful, thanks for reacting

[@bailey7491]

This song is based on his friend growing up he told Cole to write a song as a message for his daughter the last verse is in j coles perspective. But the first couple are of his friend

[@andrewmowen2925]

Thank you for shining a light into a psychs mind!

[@andrewmowen2925]

Not saying you are all the same b/c I have already learned you are all different.

[@tinkmarie1089]

This is the sound track to my life i love seeing reactions to it

[@saintavii]

"Who's Jermaine though?" That part took me out😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣 we still appreciate you though unc

[@tylermcgee3843]

Jermaine is J cole. Alot of his music is from the perspective of someone who grew up in this kind of environment and saw these things first hand. He can shed light on the culture without glorifying harmful things like most rappers today.

[@CIOZIO]

I listened to that songs a lot of times. I listened to it like someone was telling a story. And I didn’t get the point at first but when I listen to it more times you soon get a clear realisation of life and love.

[@JohnLawYouTube]

It's about his friend, a letter to his friends daughter.. very emotional.. powerful lyrics.. Listen to "Apparently" by J Cole, it's about his mom... I love it so much...

[@joelsule8224]

Your perspective on these songs help me get through alot thank you you much appreciated

[@JustQuiel]

In this generation where violence and crime are glorified, especially amongst the black community, its hard to make music like this and it to make the impact that it has the potential it can have. We need more music that highlights these things. More music that children and young men and women can hear, and possibly inspire them to take a different route other than the image thats projected onto them. We are musicians have a power to invoke change and open dialogue. If we're using that power to contribute to our own destruction how do we expect our youth to grow up and aspire to be anything different

[@ReactionTherapyOfficial]

Well said😊

[@Thatoptimisticgboy]

Everytime he says "yep" I think he's about to bust a flow

[@TheiBeastyy]

Awsome. More J Cole. Beautiful song on Society.

[@onlyweardesigner223]

this song always makes me cry. the only song that has ever done so

[@Pryeclipse]

His best song

[@Youtubin101]

Thanx for enjoying this song as much as I do. Cole is my all time favorite musician. I don’t call many rappers musicians these days. People tell me he is boring and they cant relate because they like partying and going out and stuff so they cant relate. Then I ask if they can relate to being a millionaire rapper living luxurious or being a gangster waving guns around and using drugs and they say no. I ask “can you relate to struggle and ever been financially unstable and unsure of yourself”…. Answer is always yes. They say some of his music is depressing but in my opinion and experience its an anti depressant.

[@begonz5276]

The first part of the song is about a childhood friend from the friends point of view. The second part is J.Cole (jermaine) talking to the daughter (Nina) about a her father.

[@Zmargo702]

The first half of the song is from the perspective of James. Halfway through, when its the phone call verse, we switch over to Jermaines perspective for the rest of the song.

[@natethomas9981]

This is what I needed

[@jesusreyes8]

You got to see his documentary of him making this album in the studio. Amazing!

[@remedy_4014]

“Rise above” by j.cole is also really good

[@jj_so_wavyy8837]

My favorite J Cole song ❤️

[@andrewmowen2925]

Thats what is reall b/c of it all my dad loved me. He may have had his issues but it just explains me more today when I look back to how he was.

[@KzB94]

Recently seen him Live and it was an amazing experience, he's an amazing person glad you reacted to more of him

[@luckyent1299]

This was dope. He as talking about his friend that was murdered.

[@samsamukange4276]

"Who's Jermaine though?"🤣🤣🤣...

[@dbotanist2079]

I like your take on Cole really can see you enjoy the music 🎶 if you like this then you’d definitely enjoy coles early days his bars are so crazy !

[@Yo5_Music]

It’s not about him it’s his friend

[@tysonchase2917]

Jermaine is J.Coles first name that’s what the J stands for

[@osoproblematic]

honestly, this entire album could be dissected like this, KOD also, definitely checking out more from this channel

[@PtylerBeats]

People have probably already said this, but the first three verses are from the perspective of his friend who died and left behind a daughter. And the last verse is J Cole actually speaking to her directly. Also, based on the hair length, I’m pretty sure that picture on the cover was taken in the 2015-2017 range. I could be wrong of course, but he’s been slowly growing his hair out since 2012 or so. And that hair length is accurate to that time period. He is known to visit his hometown and stay in contact with old friends. So even though it’s a modern pic, I doubt it was “staged.”

[@daniel70738]

THATS WHY YOU ARE THE GOATTT!!!!!!!! THE GOATTTTTTTTTTTTTT

[@Itskluzo]

J. Cole "Dreams" is the most intense J Cole song he's got. Gotta listen to it

[@MacscarfaceTV]

The Image of the album is him meeting with the family and his daughter is somewhere just not in the picture of the cover but in the backside of a vinyl or cd

[@DoubleJLiveIssaVibe]

First time I heard this I was just like omg. Had thugs cryin listenin to it true 🐐

[@rubenfranco2807]

You should check out lost ones by J. Cole

[@ajones1057]

Can you please do J Cole - Change. Through out this whole album he’s talking from he’s lost friends perspective and Change really captures that idea perfectly

[@johnmarvine]

This song is like an explanation of change, a song on the album, that talks about his friend being shot up. Maybe if you do the analysis the song the story would add up!

[@bbop2200]

Love the reaction but it got me choke on my coffee when he asked 'who's Jermaine?' 😅

[@LouisianaNiiji]

Me too😂

[@cyberbully3704]

Great reaction as always Tom! Check out the song “Malcolm” by G Herbo! It’s about a young man growing up on Chicago’s dangerous south side, it’s a masterfully told story. I’d love to see you break it down for us!

[@lepauljack431]

He was feeling the bars hard!

[@pnuuh7974]

Hey Tom, I’d recommend J Cole- Friends. It really goes in-depth about what past generations and our current generation deals with on a daily basis. Good video as always man!

[@mashilo._molebale]

oh I like this and brackets, basically the whole kod album

[@Pryeclipse]

I LOVE FRIENDS

[@andrewmowen2925]

Inspite of your past you can always have a better future. Can't have said it better myself doc. Good stuff to live by!

[@raveytzib2055]

More from J. Cole please from his latest album

[@travismorris8910]

I didn't know I could cry listening to rap song...until I heard this

[@andrewmowen2925]

Great reaction therapy doc! Much love as always! I've got to say that even tho my dad beat me some days, put me in police choke holds, and has even hunted me through the woods shooting at me that I'm still glad I had him in my life. We still had our good times and teachable moments. When he passed away when I was 18 I felt like my world was torn apart. Even the bad can be teachable moments; you just have to train your mind to pick up on what you should do in life.

[@candicealphin5746]

It's the life around here, where he's from. We've lost 35 people in just this county this year

[@donatobianco8226]

Wow didn’t know Fayetteville was that bad

[@whacksta]

You need to hear GZA-Fame. I know your brain can comprehend how complex his rhyme scheme is on this joint.

[@MrNickles29]

one of the greatest storyline songs tbh

[@DreamHHS]

This song is written for and about one of his close friends who passed.