The career advice J Cole gave to Cardi B: “My heart is smiling”
J Cole and Cardi B might not be two artists you’d naturally put together, but the pair have had some wholesome interactions over the years. Both rappers are fans of each other’s craft and have constantly pushed each other to the next level, providing support whenever possible.
Before she was a seasoned rapper with numerous hits, the ‘Bodak Yellow‘ artist struggled to release her debut album, Invasion of Privacy, in 2018. With the world’s weight on her shoulders, Cardi couldn’t decide what tracks to include in her first body of work.
Speaking on The Breakfast Club in 2017, the Bronx rapper said, “Every single time I think, ‘I got all the 10 songs,’ I’m like, ‘Nah, I’m buggin’. These ain’t it.’ It’s just like, ‘Damn! I’m competing with myself. I’m competing with the goddamn number two record and stuff.’”
Cole came across her comments and offered some first-hand advice as someone who went through a similar situation with his debut album, Cole World: A Sideline Story, in 2011. “Cardi B I seen your breakfast club interview, loved it,” he wrote on Twitter (now known as X) at the time. “Don’t put all that pressure on your album. You already won. Just drop and repeat.”
Cardi was honoured to receive the kind words from Cole and replied, “Is this real :’) Son my heart is smiling – well who am I not to take J Cole advice.” Following his guidance, she released Invasion of Privacy in 2018, featuring Migos, Chance The Rapper, SZA, 21 Savage, YG, and others. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 255,000 units.
The album also won ‘Best Rap Album’ at the Grammy Awards in 2019, beating Mac Miller’s Swimming, Nipsey Hussle’s Victory Lap, Pusha T’s Daytona, and Travis Scott’s Astroworld. After the ceremony, Cole reflected on Cardi taking home the award, admitting he felt like a winner by seeing her onstage for her acceptance speech.
“I don’t never wanna be propped up by tearing somebody else down,” he wrote on Twitter. “Seeing Cardi B win a Grammy make me feel like I won. Same with Jay Rock and Anderson [Paak]. I feel for Travis [Scott] cuz he really deserved that acknowledgement as well, but his moment is way bigger than the awards could say.”
He added, “I went through a lot of heart break the first half of my career, maybe even longer, cuz deep down I needed that validation that I thought the awards could bring.” In response, Cardi said, “Thanks @realcoleworld and everybody that was in the category had amazing albums!”
Cardi has also given Cole his flowers in the past. When he released ‘Middle Child‘, a hit single on Dreamville’s Revenge of the Dreamers III compilation, she complimented the song by calling it “too spicy” on Twitter. Cole saw the praise and admitted, “This made my whole week to keep it a buck.” Although the two artists have never collaborated, their thriving relationship gives plenty of hope that they might in the future.