It was 2021. The world was still shaking off a collective fever dream, and J. Cole decided to drop The Off-Season. Track nine starts with this skittering, anxious beat produced by T-Minus. Then Cole comes in. He isn't bragging about his double-platinum-with-no-features run or his jump shot. Instead, he sounds like he’s staring into a mirror and doesn't necessarily like what's looking back. pride is the devil j cole became an instant standout because it didn't just feel like a song; it felt like a confession.
Pride ruins everything.
That’s the core thesis. It isn't just about being arrogant at a party. It’s about how that internal ego—that "devil"—prevents us from saying "I'm sorry," from asking for help, or from admitting we’re terrified of losing. Cole digs into how this specific sin manifests in the hood, in the music industry, and in the quiet moments of a man's life.
The Anatomy of a Modern Sin
Most rappers use their platform to project invincibility. It's the industry standard. You have to be the toughest, the richest, and the most unbothered. But on "m y . l i f e" and especially on "p r i d e . i s . t h e . d e v i l," Cole flips the script. He talks about how pride is actually a weakness disguised as strength.
Think about the lyrics for a second. He mentions how pride can "be the reason why you die." That isn't hyperbole. In many communities, a perceived slight or a "disrespectful" look can lead to genuine violence because neither party wants to be the one to back down. That is pride. It's a heavy, dangerous weight. Cole’s delivery is breathless, almost like he’s trying to outrun the very thoughts he’s describing.
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Lil Baby’s feature on the track was actually a surprise to a lot of people. At the time, Baby was the hottest name in the game. You’d expect him to come in with a verse about jewelry and cars. Instead, he matched Cole’s energy perfectly. He talked about his own struggles with ego and the pressure of his newfound status. It was a rare moment of two generations of hip-hop elite being completely transparent about their mental state.
Why This Track Resonated Beyond the Billboard Charts
Music usually fits into boxes. You have your "club bangers," your "conscious rap," and your "lo-fi study beats." This song blurred the lines. It had a rhythm that worked for the car, but the lyrics forced you to turn the volume up and actually listen.
Honestly, pride is the devil j cole works because it’s relatable to anyone who has ever sabotaged a relationship because they were too stubborn to admit they were wrong. It’s the "devil" that tells you that vulnerability is a mistake.
- The Production Choice: T-Minus used a guitar sample that feels frantic. It creates this underlying sense of urgency.
- The Bridge: When Cole repeats "Pride is the devil," it sounds like a mantra. Like he’s trying to exorcise a demon in real-time.
- The Lil Baby Factor: His flow is melodic but carries a weight that proved he could do more than just "trap" music. He proved he belonged in the conversation of the greats.
The Real-World Impact of the Lyrics
We often talk about "toxic masculinity" in academic terms, but Cole describes it in street terms. He talks about the "pride" of not wanting to look "broke" or "weak." This leads to bad financial decisions, broken homes, and endless cycles of "keeping it real" until there’s nothing left.
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I remember reading a thread on Reddit shortly after the album dropped where fans were discussing how this specific track made them reach out to estranged family members. That’s the power of the song. It isn't just entertainment. It’s a mirror.
Cole has always been a student of the human condition. From 2014 Forest Hills Drive to 4 Your Eyez Only, he’s tracked the evolution of the Black male experience in America. But with this song, he narrowed the focus to a single, poisonous emotion.
Dealing With the "Devil" in Your Own Life
If you’re listening to this track and it’s hitting a nerve, it’s probably because you’re recognizing that "devil" in your own head. It's that voice telling you that you're too good for a certain job, or that you shouldn't have to apologize to your partner.
What can we actually do with this information?
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- Audit your reactions. Next time you feel "disrespected" or angry, ask yourself: is this a real threat, or is it just my pride being bruised?
- Practice intentional vulnerability. It sounds cheesy, but admitting when you don't know something is the fastest way to kill the "devil" of pride.
- Listen to the full album. The Off-Season is structured to show a journey. "pride is the devil" is a pivotal moment in that arc where the bravado of the earlier tracks falls away to reveal the human underneath.
The song ends with a transition that leads directly into "l e t . g o . m y . h a n d," where Cole discusses his literal fight with Diddy at an afterparty. It’s a perfect example of his pride getting the better of him, and his subsequent growth as he reflects on it years later. He isn't preaching from a mountaintop; he's down in the dirt with us, trying to figure it out.
Pride is a lonely emotion. It isolates you. By naming it and calling it a "devil," J. Cole gave his audience a vocabulary to fight back against their own ego. It remains one of the most important entries in his discography because it prioritizes truth over "vibe."
To really understand the weight of this track, sit with the lyrics of the second verse again. Notice how Cole connects the internal struggle of the soul to the external struggle of the streets. It's all connected. The ego that makes a rapper claim he's the GOAT is the same ego that makes a kid on the corner feel like he has to carry a gun to be respected. It’s all the same devil.
Next Steps for the Listener:
Revisit the music video for this track. Watch how the visual metaphors—like the literal devil hovering over various scenarios—reinforce the lyrical content. Then, take a moment to identify one area in your life where being "right" has become more important than being happy. Let that go.