Everybody Dies (song)
| "Everybody Dies" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by J. Cole | ||||
| Released | December 5, 2016 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 2:41 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | Jermaine Cole | |||
| Producer(s) | Cole | |||
| J. Cole singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Everybody Dies" on YouTube | ||||
"Everybody Dies" is a single by American rapper J. Cole, released on December 5, 2016 along with his single "False Prophets". The two songs were previously previewed on the documentary Eyez.[1]
Background[edit]
"Everybody Dies" was originally included on J. Cole's fourth studio album 4 Your Eyez Only. It was later omitted due to the song not fitting the album's concept.[2] In 2018, Cole revealed that the song was supposed to be on the tracklist of his upcoming sixth studio album The Fall Off.[3]
The song samples "Me Against the World" by 2Pac featuring Dramacydal, "Inside My Love" by Minnie Riperton, and "Theme From the Planets" by Dexter Wansel.[4]
Controversy[edit]
J. Cole took aim at rappers using "Lil" in their stage names on the track, specifically with the following lines: "Especially the amateur eight-week rappers, Lil' whatever / Just another short bus rapper." Most assumed that this was directed at Lil Yachty and Lil Uzi Vert.[5]
Responses[edit]
During an interview with Los Angeles' radio station Power 106, Lil Yachty responded by saying: "I don't listen to J. Cole [but] I definitely listened to it [and] people said he was talking about me. He said 'Lil.' I'm not little. My name has 'Lil' in it but there's a lot of 'Lil' rappers. [It's] either me or Uzi. Honestly, I don't give a fuck."[6] He also said that Cole's dissing may have been triggered by Yachty's early messages on Twitter trolling J. Cole, most notably "Fuck J. Cole".[7]
Lil Uzi Vert acknowledged the track on Twitter, responding: "Heard some beautiful shit today @JColeNC 🔥💯. 😈®️".[8]
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] | 93 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 57 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] | 29 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[12] | 23 |
Certifications[edit]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[13] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References[edit]
- ^ Bristout, Ralph (2016-12-02). "J. Cole delivers harsh truth and calls out "False Prophets" in new 'Eyez' preview". REVOLT. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- ^ Platon, Adelle (2016-12-21). "J. Cole's Manager & Dreamville President Ibrahim Hamad Talks '4 Your Eyez Only'". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- ^ Mitchell, Tracy (2018-05-16). "J. Cole Reveals "Everybody Dies" and "False Prophets" Were Supposed to Be on 'The Fall Off'". RESPECT. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- ^ "Wise Music Creative US - J. Cole Samples Minnie Riperton's "Inside My Love"". us.wisemusiccreative.com. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- ^ "Rappers' Responses to J. Cole's 'Everybody Dies' Continue to Roll In". BET.com. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- ^ Smith, Trevor (December 3, 2016). "Lil Yachty Isn't Fazed By J. Cole's Alleged "Everybody Dies" Diss". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- ^ Mench, Chris. "Lil Yachty Explains His Old Tweets Trolling J. Cole and Miley Cyrus". Complex. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- ^ "Lil Uzi Vert Slyly Acknowledges J. Cole Diss". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ "American single certifications – J. Cole – Everybody Dies". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
