Drake‘s recent For All the Dogs album spawned numerous hits, including one featuring J. Cole: “First Person Shooter.” This track notably secured J. Cole his first-ever Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper — though he suggests that it’s no biggie, as he said he’d “almost feel better” if the accomplishment wasn’t technically off of a Drake bop!
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J. Cole Says He Would’ve Been Fine With The Yeat Feature Securing The Top Spot
The North Carolina-bred rapper spoke on the matter during a sit-down with Lil Yachty for the A Safe Place podcast.
While chit-chatting, Lil Yachty brought up the song’s performance on the Hot 100, and J. Cole noted that he would’ve been fine with not hitting number one.
“If it would’ve went number 2, it wouldn’t have [mattered].”
He went on to share that he would’ve been “cool” with “the other song” — Drake’s hit with Yeat, “IDGAF” — taking the top spot. In fact, J. Cole added, “I [would] almost feel better not having my first number one be off a Drake alley-oop.”
The “No Role Modelz” artist laughingly reiterated his point to fans, assuring them that he was “grateful” for the experience. After all, he noted that he wasn’t at all pushing for people to listen or conscientiously trying to boost streaming numbers.
“I’m still grateful I’m a part of it. I wasn’t at home like, ‘Come on, y’all! Pick up the streams, man! We gotta beat this mother**ker Yeat!’ I wasn’t doing that.”
The Rapper Credits iTunes Sales For The Win: “I Don’t Know Who Still Buying Them B***hes”
Additionally, J. Cole spoke on how it wasn’t necessarily streaming numbers that led to the development.
Instead, he noted that his and Drake’s diehard fans’ commitment to purchasing the digital single (as opposed to only streaming it) helped the most.
“What got ‘First Person Shooter’ to number one was me and Drake fans still buy iTunes. Still buy singles.”
Humorously, he added, “I don’t know who still buying them b***hes, but, y’know, appreciate y’all!”
Catch a clip of J. Cole’s commentary below.
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