| "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 | ||||
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| 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.
Background
"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. In 2018, Cole revealed that the song was supposed to be on the tracklist of his upcoming sixth studio album The Fall Off.
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.
Controversy
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.
Responses
During an interview with Los Angeles' radio station Power 106, Lil Yachty responded by saying: "I don't listen to J. Cole I definitely listened to it 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. either me or Uzi. Honestly, I don't give a fuck." 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".
Lil Uzi Vert acknowledged the track on Twitter, responding: "Heard some beautiful shit today @JColeNC 🔥💯. 😈®️".
Charts
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100) | 93 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 57 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 29 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard) | 23 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA) | Gold | 500,000 |
|
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- 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. 3 December 2016. 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.
