J. Cole – “Dollar And A Dream III” [Audio, Lyrics]

Throwback to J. Cole’s “Dollar And A Dream III” song produced by The University, J. Cole, Ron Gilmore & Canei Finch.

J. Cole Dollar And A Dream Iii

It’s hard to imagine a time where J. Cole was a rookie in the rap game, with the words “buzzing” still associated with his moniker. And yet, ten years ago when he released his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story, he was still looking to make a welcome first impression. Given that much of Cole’s appeal was (and remains) his lyricism, it’s no surprise that the Dreamville rapper opted to kick things off with an impactful opening statement.

At nearly five minutes, “Dollar And A Dream III” feels like a fitting way to start a major label debut, setting a tone that bars can and should be expected. Scored by a majestic instrumental reminiscent of The Legend Of Zelda, Cole spits the lore of a legend in the making. Where older artists tend to benefit from hindsight and introspection, the Cole of ten years prior rapped with a notable hunger, a drive to rise above and truly seize the opportunity at hand.

J. Cole – Dollar And A Dream III (prod. The University, J. Cole, Ron Gilmore & Canei Finch)

Lyrics

[Intro]
Yeah, hey, Cole world

[Hook]
Hey, I gotta dollar and a dream, that’s all a nigga got
So if it’s ’bout that cream, then I’m all up in the spot
I got a dollar and a dream, just a dollar and a dream

[Verse 1]
Cole, walk with a nigga, I give you my pain
So much on my mind, I wonder how it fit in my brain
Scattered thoughts, dark secrets lead me to a blacker heart
Life can’t get any worse, Stevie with his glasses off
‘Cause I still don’t see hope, lookin’ for a quick fix
When everyone I see is broke, get lost in weed smoke
Knowin’ it make it worse, thoughts roam uncontrollably
Barely trustin’ niggas, over a decade they been knowin’ me
Shit, life at the bottom, nobody but God got em’
They say he wouldn’t leave me, yet I’m fallin’ like it’s Autumn
Tell me, what do you do just when you’re on your last dollar
And the stress of this mess you in can make your ass holla?
Do you fold, grow bitter and grow cold?
No longer fightin’, now the only thing you grow is old
Or do you flip that fuckin’ dollar to a dream?
Whether a scholar or a fiend, watch a pawn become a king
Cole!

[Pre-Hook]
Young nigga with his jeans low
Nice guy, just got a mean flow
Never seen rich but he’s seen poor
Mr. Dollar and a Dream in case she know

[Hook]
That’s all a nigga got
So if it’s ’bout that cream, then I’m all up in the spot
I got a dollar and a dream, just a dollar and a dream

[Verse 2]
Yeah, armed and ready, you niggas strung out, you spaghetti
Ya paper, confetti, small time, y’all on one, I’m on mine
You logged off ’cause I’m online, small talk from small minds
I wanna buy the mall but there ain’t shit in this small town
This where I get my dough
My niggas make sure the money right and then I rip the show
I run the town they tried to call me underground
I spun around like, you wish
Homie my backpack Louis, now watch just how I do this
I got the nerds rappin’ hard shit, dummies rappin’ smart shit
Mozart meets Humphrey Bogart with this from the heart shit
Play your part, life is but a dream for me
I get a flash of nightmares when niggas scheme on me
It’s hard to see my enemies, who infiltrated my team
I take a step back and notice that things ain’t what they seem
That’s when a nigga refocus, yeah I turn on them high beams
I got that red dot waitin’, I’m wastin’ your whole regime
I wish a nigga would, boy you can’t out-smart me
I let you feel like you the shit, but boy you can’t out-fart me
Ya never have it, I know you want what I got
But nigga you ain’t me, but you are what I’m not
And that’s a phony ass, lonely ass, Cole is what you know me as
But we far from homies, if you know my mama, you know me
If ya don’t then well I’m sorry, you should get to know Kay
Man she been workin’ too hard, I should send her a bouquet
My goal this year is a real one, gonna stack a million
And as soon as I do, Mama that 9 to 5 is through
And I know I ain’t been callin’, but I’m thinkin’ ’bout you
And all the shit that you been through
My girl and then my brother too
‘Cause this life gets hard on this road, yeah it’s true
I don’t never tell you how much I be stressin’, but I do
But I suck it up for who? My fans and my mans
Who probably never ever had this type of lifestyle in they plans
Hoppin’ in and out of vans, on the buses, on the planes
Gettin’ brain from a bitch and thinkin’ “Goddamn, what’s her name?”
Sometimes I just shake my head and tell myself this is a shame
And then my other side kick in like, “Bitch, don’t be so fuckin’ lame”
Dang, what a life, another day, another night
At times this shit is all blurry, pray and hope that God heard me
Just for those prayin’ for me, man I know that y’all worry
But I ain’t never failed and you can bet I never will
Cole!

[Pre-Hook]
Young nigga with his jeans low
Nice guy, just got a mean flow
Never seen rich but he’s seen poor
Mr. Dollar and a dream in case she ain’t know

[Hook]
Hey, I gotta dollar and a dream, that’s all a nigga got
So if it’s ’bout that cream, then I’m all up in the spot
I got a dollar and a dream, just a dollar and a dream

[Outro]
Hey, ’cause nigga that’s life, and trust me I’m livin’
Look what a nigga made out the shit that I was given
Look what a nigga made out
Look what a nigga made out
Got a dollar and a dream
Three