Snow on tha Bluff (song)

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"Snow on the Bluff"
Single by J. Cole
ReleasedJune 16, 2020
GenrePolitical hip hop
Length3:55
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Wu10
  • Cole
J. Cole singles chronology
"Family and Loyalty"
(2019) 		"Snow on the Bluff"
(2020)

"Snow on tha Bluff" is a song by American rapper J. Cole. Named after the 2012 drama film of the same name, the track details the political climate in the US, including police brutality and race relations amid the George Floyd protests. Much of the song's attention has fallen on lyrics perceivably aimed at rapper and activist Noname, which caused controversy. The track received mixed reviews, with some praising Cole and others calling him out for seemingly criticizing Noname. It was released on June 16, 2020, marking J. Cole's first release of 2020.

Background

"Snow on tha Bluff" shares the same name as the 2011 drama film about real-life Atlanta-based drug dealer Curtis Snow. The film was shot documentary-style, leaving some — including the Atlanta Police Department — convinced it was real. On the track, J. Cole turns that concept of perceived reality on himself, questioning if he "ain't doing enough" in the Black Lives Matter movement.[1] The politically-charged track was released in the midst of the Black Lives Matter/George Floyd protests following the killing of George Floyd. On May 30, Cole protested police brutality in his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Days later, he shared his thoughts on the Minneapolis mayor and city council members voting to disband the Minneapolis Police Department by tweeting an article about the move, along with the caption: "Powerful powerful".[2] Produced with Wu10,[3] it is J. Cole's first release of 2020. In the time since Cole released his 2018 album, KOD, he teased a new album called The Fall Off. In 2019, he worked with his Dreamville label on the Grammy-nominated compilation album Revenge of the Dreamers III. At the end of 2019, he appeared on Gang Starr's first new song in 16 years. Prior to "Snow on tha Bluff"'s release, he announced the cancellation of his annual Dreamville Festival, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Composition and lyrics

"Snow on tha Bluff" is a "pensive, guitar-based backing" track.[5] A "poem-esque" cut,[6] it finds J. Cole delivering a nonstop verse about the political and racial unrest in America, notably the Black Lives Matter protests surrounding the murder of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.[7] He addresses racism, activism, organizing, social media, police brutality, as well as his celebrity status.[8] In the first verse, he makes claims directed at a "young lady", who, according to Cole, is alienating her people due to her "tone". He addresses a since-deleted[9] Black Lives Matter-related Twitter thread made by someone who's "mad at these murder police" among others, including being "mad at the celebrities, low key I be thinkin she talking bout me". This verse was attributed to and theorized to be about Chicago rapper Noname, an outspoken political activist on social media.[10] In late May 2020,[8] Noname had called out other artists, not by name, for not doing more in the discourse of violence against black people, tweeting "Poor black folks all over the country are putting their bodies on the line in protest for our collective safety and y'all favorite top-selling rappers not even willing to put a tweet up. nigga whole discographies be about black plight and they no where to be found".[8] Cole and Noname previously collaborated in 2015, on the song "Warm Enough" from Donnie Trumpet and The Social Experiment's Surf album.[9] J. Cole's verse drew controversy and polarizing reactions.[11][8] Noname indirectly responded to the song, tweeting "QUEEN TONE!!!!!!", referencing a lyric in the song,[12] but later deleted the tweet.[13] Cole eventually addressed the backlash in a series of tweets, defending his statements in the song. Although he did not directly acknowledge speculation that the song is about Noname, he did however encourage fans to follow her activism:

"[...] Meanwhile a nigga like me just be rapping. I haven't done a lot of reading and I don't feel well equipped as a leader in these times. But I do a lot of thinking. And I appreciate her and others like her because they challenge my beliefs and I feel that in these times that's important".[12]

In the song, Cole further references raising two children, and "respectfully" gives advice to activists: "I would say it's more effective to treat people like children. Understanding the time and love and patience that's needed to grow".[14] He questions whether he is adequate in his activism, and concludes with the "uplifting" lines: "Fill me up with wisdom and some courage/Plus endurance to survive, help mine thrive".[10]

Noname's response

Two days after the release of "Snow on tha Bluff", Noname released the "brief but vehement"[5] Madlib-produced "Song 33", in which she alluded to Cole writing about her when there's so much going on, rapping: "I guess the ego hurt now/It's time to go to work, wow, look at him go/He really 'bout to write about me when the world is in smokes? When there's people in trees? When George was beggin' for his mother sayin' he couldn't breathe? He thought to write about me?". The song also reflects on violence against black women, mainly the death of 19-year-old Black Lives Matter activist Oluwatoyin Salau. Cole acknowledged Noname's track shortly after its release, sharing a link to the song on Twitter. Many other attists defended Noname or spoke out against Cole,[7] including Ari Lennox, who's signed to Cole's Dreamville label, thanked Noname "for giving af about us constantly and endlessly", saying she appreciates "everything you [Noname] put out to the world".[8] Chance the Rapper, whom Noname collaborated with on Acid Rap, also criticized Cole, calling the song "not constructive", and said it "undermines all the work Noname has done".[15]

Critical reception

Lars Brandle of Billboard called the song a "lyrical dynamite", and further noted how Cole "flows on social injustice, hardship and life in the ghettos, his words pouring over a dreamy production".[3] Rolling Stone's Charles Holmes suggested that the backlash Cole received for criticizing rapper Noname was warranted, writing: "Across the four-minute song, Cole makes a litany of excuses. Despite going to college, he suggests, he's not as deep or intellectual as everyone thinks he is. Being rich is actually hard, because he feels guilty that he's not doing enough with his wealth. Then the kicker arrives at the song's climax: 'If I could make one more suggestion respectfully/I would say it's more effective to treat people like children'. At 35 years old, J. Cole is upset that a woman didn't expend enough energy and sympathy to teach and critique him as if he were a child".[13] In an article titled "Why Is J. Cole Coming for Noname?", Zoe Haylock of Vulture said "J. Cole's idea of being 'gentle' with Noname is spending the majority of 'Snow on Tha Bluff' making assumptions about her and excuses for himself. [...] Instead of just being up front about those insecurities, he spends over half of the song dragging an unnamed woman many assumed to be Noname".[16] GQ's Julian Kimblen said Cole's "big bro act" doesn't hold up on the song, noting how, in 2018, Cole took the "big bro" route before: "He had a sit-down with rapper Lil Pump in 2018 after the up-and-comer took offense to what he perceived to be criticism from his more traditional peer. 'Snow on Tha Bluff', however, is a case of that conservatism turning misogynistic. Under the guise of offering free game, it weaponizes male insecurity when there are literal lives at stake.[17] Calling the track "poorly timed", Lawrence Burney of The Fader said "Cole isn't a monster for admitting that he knows he can do more and that he actually isn't qualified [...], but releasing a song that takes passive-aggressive jabs at a woman in the middle of a racial struggle and during a week in which Black women's abuse and forced silence has been a pressing topic, he has shown at the very least that his ego has been prioritized over a fight that is much bigger than him".[18] In a negative review, Miakel Wood of The Los Angeles Times found the song to be "paternalistic and tin-eared" and said it falls short of the moment.[5] Conversely, Rap-Up said the "powerful four-minute track is a stream of consciousness from Cole".[19]

Cover art

The cover art and audio video features some of the song's lyrics, which appears were written on June 4, 2020, the date on the cover.[20]

Charts

Chart (2020) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[21] 59
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[22] 26

References

  1. ^ Kaye, Ben (June 16, 2020). "J. Cole Drops New Single "Snow on tha Bluff"". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  2. ^ Owoseje, Toyin (June 17, 2020). "J. Cole releases new single 'Snow on Tha Bluff'". CNN. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Brandle, Lars (June 17, 2020). "J. Cole Drops Incendiary New Track 'Snow on Tha Bluff': Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  4. ^ Evan, Minsker; Monroe, Jazz (June 17, 2020). "J. Cole Shares New Song "Snow on tha Bluff", Addresses Speculation It Targets Noname". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Wood, Mikael (June 19, 2020). "J. Cole's defensive, paternalistic, tin-eared new track falls short of the moment". LA Times. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  6. ^ Powel, Jon (June 16, 2020). "J. Cole returns with new single "Snow On Tha Bluff"". Revolt. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Johnson, Patrick (June 18, 2020). "Chance The Rapper, Earl Sweatshirt, Jean Grae and More Criticize J. Cole's "Snow On Tha Bluff"". Hypebeast. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d e Shifferaw, Abel (June 17, 2020). "Listen to J. Cole's New Song "Snow on tha Bluff"". Complex. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Cordero, Rosy (June 17, 2020). "J. Cole stands by controversial new song 'Snow On Tha Bluff:' 'Right or wrong, I can't say'". EW. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  10. ^ a b Legaspi, Althea (June 16, 2020). "J. Cole Discusses Black Lives Matter Discourse in 'Snow on Tha Bluff'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  11. ^ Ali, Rasha (June 17, 2020). "Noname responds to J. Cole's 'Snow on tha Bluff': 'I guess the ego hurt now'". USA Today. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  12. ^ a b Mench, Chris (June 17, 2020). "J. Cole Makes A Surprise Return With "Snow On Tha Bluff"". Genius. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Holmes, Charles (June 17, 2020). "J. Cole Walks Back His (Possible) Noname Tone Shame — But Still Wants Her to Teach Him". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 21, 2020. {{cite web}}: no-break space character in |title= at position 52 (help)
  14. ^ "Listen To J. Cole's Surprise New Song, "Snow On Tha Bluff"". Vibe. June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020. {{cite web}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  15. ^ Mench, Chris (June 18, 2020). "Noname's "Song 33" Addresses J. Cole & The Murders of Oluwatoyin Salau & George Floyd". Genius. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  16. ^ Haylock, Zoe (June 18, 2020). "Why Is J. Cole Coming for Noname?". Vulture. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  17. ^ Kimble, Julian (June 18, 2020). "J. Cole's "Snow on Tha Bluff" Misses the Moment". GQ. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  18. ^ Burney, Lawrence (June 18, 2020). "The Rap Report: J.Cole's poorly timed "Snow On Tha Bluff"". The Fader. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  19. ^ "J. Cole Returns with Powerful New Song 'Snow on Tha Bluff'". Rap-Up. June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  20. ^ Moreau, Joedan (June 16, 2020). "J. Cole Releases New Politically Charged Song 'Snow on Tha Bluff'". Variety. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  21. ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  22. ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
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