The Finals Lyrics by J. Cole is a new english song by J. Cole. The track is released on Joey Bada$$’s official YouTube channel, written and produced by J. Cole, and not tied to a specific album. The song offers a sharp, aggressive, and confrontational lyrical experience, filled with personal disses, layered metaphors, and battle-rap energy. As a standalone release, it makes a bold statement in the current hip-hop climate, blending lyrical mastery with direct shots at perceived rivals.
The lyrics of The Finals center around a combative showdown, where J. Cole calls out a fellow rapper—strongly suggested to be Ray Vaughn of TDE—with a barrage of personal and professional critiques. The track explores themes of authenticity, clout chasing, artistic credibility, and the politics within rap collectives. Cole positions himself as a veteran with real merit, contrasting that with his opponent’s reliance on affiliations and co-signs. The song brims with intensity and competitive spirit, serving both as a takedown and a reaffirmation of J. Cole’s lyrical dominance.
The Finals Details
| Song | The Finals |
|---|---|
| Artists | J. Cole |
| Written By | J. Cole |
| Produced By | J. Cole |
| Label | Joey Bada$$ |
| Language | English |
| Released Date | May 15, 2025 |
The Finals Lyrics
New York City, yo yo, stand up
I’m back
Look
Niggas is 6 nigga, Joey is one
[Verse]
What kind of top dawg is you, you more a shih tzu
You was cloned in a lab dog you artificial
You known for your label not because your art official
And I ain’t gotta talk about how broke you are to fix you
‘Cause when i send shots at you it’d be hard to miss you
Ain’t gotta load the magazine just to press this issue
In fact, these ain’t even shots they missiles
Tryna outclass the badass, so I gotta dismiss you
You all bark no bite but hit dogs gon’ holler
Caught a couple strays, now it’s time to put them on a collar
I let em rot while I charge them for top dollar
You the next nigga get dropped off a top roster
And I’ma be the reason, okay bet
You sick dog looking for beef with a seasoned vet
And you denied sick pups nigga you gon’ see
You barking up the wrong tree think you fucking with me
It’s about time Top let your ass off of the leash
Sound for 5 years yet your biggest moment for me
Can’t nobody named a single song you ever released
Even Crashout wasn’t your original beat
Every time Joey drop you see he eats
I did more for you than the whole of TDE
Its too bad nigga you should’ve been signed to me
Somebody tell Top we bouta start TDEast
Funny how they gotta use the Pro name for promo
On the low though I really think you niggas really is homo
The way you let Dot dick sit in your mouth
This that same dick licking i was talking about
You niggas will do anything for the clout
Crash out over niggas who won’t even let you in they house
I bet you ain’t even got his number
Its funny how the thirst is being disguised as hunger
Should have sat down been humble but now I gotta son ya
This lil ray of light will be the biggest shine of your whole life
I don’t just flow I talk to your soul on the mic
You don’t want smoke with me, please just give me a light
You need me to buzz I’m light years beyond Ray
Want me to engage so you mention my fiancé
Clearly I ain’t scared to get in the ring
I mean, even Javonte had to fight a couple bums just to be king
Fuck around leave me no choice to slave on
Sugar in your tank, but you ain’t no Sugar Ray Vaughn
Gay Vaughn, keep punching up with those pillow hands
You ain’t even the middle man you just a lil man
Fuck (?)
We throw hands like Rayman
You ain’t no Ray Liotta how much you made man
Said I woulda talked about your pocket
But aye man, you need a optician just to see Ray bands
Go fetch a coffee for your CEO
‘Cause judging by the numbers i can see he clearly see he owe
Your mouth running ’cause your pockets run on low
I’m active and I’m macking, yeah
And that’s something only me and Pac know
Play with fire and you gon’ get burned
Listen and learn kid, you was better off an intern
Better yet a mascot
I been a beast with these flows nigga you can ask Dot
Killuminati part 2, yeah that was my last shot
And it’s the difference between that and The Rulers Back, lets be clear
I salute you Kenny but I know you a lil wierd
You looking for some competition just know that I’ll be right here
Straight like that, slide nigga rap, live and direct
We backkk
New York City, you are now rapping
With Joey Badass, You gotta love it
The finals nigga
The Finals Lyrics Meaning
[Verse]
In the verse, J. Cole delivers an unrelenting stream of criticism aimed at a rapper he perceives as unoriginal, dependent on label backing, and overshadowed by his peers. Beginning with a biting metaphor comparing the rival to a Shih Tzu, he mocks the artist’s lack of authenticity, calling him “artificial” and manufactured. Cole dismantles his opponent’s credibility by pointing out that his recognition comes from his label rather than his own artistry. He frames his lyrical attack not as simple shots, but as “missiles,” elevating the intensity of the diss.
Cole makes reference to Joey Bada$$’s influence on the unnamed artist, suggesting that their biggest moment stemmed from Joey’s support, not their own merit. He criticizes the rival’s lack of solo hits and even undermines their association with the track “Crashout” by calling out its unoriginal beat. The narrative suggests Cole feels this artist has been unjustly elevated within TDE, and he mocks the idea of them being a real contender, even going so far as to propose forming a new collective, “TDEast.”
The verse becomes increasingly personal and incendiary as Cole ridicules the artist’s perceived obsession with Kendrick Lamar (“Dot”) and frames it as sycophantic. He accuses the rapper of compromising integrity for fame, hinting at desperation masked as ambition. Further references to figures like Sugar Ray, Ray Liotta, and Rayman deepen the insults through clever wordplay while reinforcing themes of inadequacy and inflated ego. Cole continues to dismantle his opponent’s persona by referencing weak finances, irrelevance in their own camp, and a lack of real-world success.
He frames himself as both a seasoned battler and a truth-teller, linking his work to past legacies like 2Pac and his own Killuminati series. In contrast, he calls his rival an intern or a mascot—someone tolerated but not respected in the industry. Cole ends the verse with a direct challenge, affirming that if Kendrick is seeking competition, Cole is ready and waiting, setting the tone for further confrontations in the rap hierarchy.
The Finals Official Video
FAQs
The "The Finals" song is sung by J. Cole.
The "The Finals" song by J. Cole lyrics was written by J. Cole.
The "The Finals" song by J. Cole was produced by J. Cole.
J. Cole released "The Finals" song on May 15, 2025.
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