J. Cole dropped his first 2019 single, “MIDDLE CHILD,” in late January. Now, the T-Minus-produced track has a music video. The clip is directed by Mez, and features Cole performing the track while backed by a marching band before going off-roading in an SUV, riding through a grocery store on a shopping cart, and celebrating an auto racing win.
On “MIDDLE CHILD,” Cole explores his place between the old and new generations of hip-hop:
I’m dead in the middle of two generations
I’m little bro and big bro all at once
Just left the lab with young 21 Savage
I’m ‘bout to go and meet Jigga for lunch
Cole co-produced “MIDDLE CHILD,” which is built around a brass sample from “Wake Up to Me” by ‘70s Philadelphia trio First Choice. It’s the Dreamville boss’ highest-charting Billboard Hot 100 hit to date, peaking at No. 4.
T-Minus broke how the song was made on an episode of Genius' series Deconstructed, which you can watch below:
Cole has teased a busy 2019. In addition to announcing the Revenge of the Dreamers III compilation in early January, the North Carolina MC has hinted at multiple solo projects, including The Off Season and more music from his alter ego kiLL edward.
Watch the video above, and read all the lyrics to J. Cole’s “MIDDLE CHILD” on Genius now.
