No Role Modelz Lyrics – J. Cole

No Role Modelz Lyrics Meaning

[Verse 1]
Cole starts off by paying respect to Uncle Phil, a fictional TV dad who meant a lot to him growing up. He didn’t have a real father figure, so Uncle Phil became that role model through the screen. He promises that if he ever becomes a father, he’ll be a better dad than the one he had. He looks back at his early dreams in his hometown, Fayetteville (“the Ville”), and says he’s made those dreams come true. Even when he and his team were struggling financially, they were still skilled and hungry for success. He ends by saying their ambition and message were so powerful that someone as legendary as Martin Luther King would’ve supported their movement if he were around.

[Pre-Chorus]
He’s giving love to the women from L.A.—both the genuine and not-so-genuine ones. But he points out that some guys can’t tell who’s real and who’s not. Then he salutes the ones who *can* tell, the ones who really get it.

[Chorus]
He keeps repeating that you shouldn’t try to “save” a woman who doesn’t want to be saved. It’s not about judging her—it’s about realizing that if someone is set in their ways and doesn’t want change, no matter what you do, you can’t force it. You’ll just waste your time.

[Verse 2]
J. Cole reflects on how he had no solid figures to look up to when he was growing up. He digs through his memories trying to find someone worth modeling himself after, but he comes up empty. Then he jumps to a story about the night before, when he was with a woman so attractive and tempting that he jokes she could make a man leave his relationship for her. He describes the moment in a cocky and s*xual way, showing how easily people can give in to lust. She assumes he’s spoiled by fame, that he only acts like this because he has money and options. Cole tries to argue otherwise, saying he was always this way. But when he thinks back, he realizes he wasn’t always like this. There was a time before the fame—before he became a “B-list celebrity”—when he was more humble, more respectful, and didn’t throw around the word “b!tch” so loosely. He also mentions how the music game has changed; back then you could succeed off talent, now people need gimmicks. And during those early days, nobody really paid attention to him—but now that he’s big, everyone wants to be around.

[Pre-Chorus]
Once again, he gives a shout-out to L.A. women, separating the real from the fake. It’s a nod to the fact that in a world full of image and pretense, it takes awareness to tell who’s genuine.

[Chorus]
He repeats that trying to save someone who doesn’t want to be saved is pointless. Some people are stuck in their ways, and you can’t force them to grow if they’re not ready. That effort just burns you out.

[Verse 3]
Here, Cole talks about craving a deeper, more genuine love—the kind you don’t find much in today’s flashy dating scene. He wants a relationship like the one Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil had, or like Jada and Will (at least the version the public believed in). He’s talking about long-lasting love that feels secure and real—where you can leave your stuff at their place and not worry. He then contrasts that with what he’s seeing now: women from reality shows who are out of touch with real life, always surrounded by other shallow people. He and his friends just hook up with them and move on, because there’s no real connection. He admits it’s a routine—he knows they’re only into him because he’s famous. And even when it seems intimate, like her wearing his shirt, there’s still emotional distance. He just takes the shirt back like it meant nothing. It’s all surface-level.

[Pre-Chorus]
He again praises the ones who can see past the surface. In a city full of people chasing fame and clout, being able to tell the difference between real and fake is rare—and valuable.

[Chorus]
Again, he repeats the point about not trying to change someone who doesn’t want change. He’s driving the message home: you can’t play the hero for someone who doesn’t even think they need saving.

[Interlude: George W. Bush]
This part plays a clip of former President Bush fumbling a saying about being fooled. It’s kind of funny, but also makes a point—if you let someone trick you once, fine. But if it keeps happening, and you don’t learn, then that’s on you. Eventually, you have to wise up.

[Bridge]
J. Cole takes that idea and makes it personal and intense. He says, first time you get betrayed, it’s the other person’s fault. Second time, okay, maybe you share the blame. But the third time? Forget peace. Now he’s done being played, and he’s ready to strike back. It’s like he’s saying there’s only so much forgiveness he’s willing to give before he starts fighting back—figuratively or literally. It’s about setting a boundary and taking control.

[Verse 4]
Here, Cole reflects on his past “what ifs.” He jokes that he regrets being too young to ever date classy, intelligent women like Lisa Bonet or Nia Long. Instead, he’s surrounded by women from reality shows who don’t have the same depth or talent. He even doubts whether some could read a script if he handed them one. He brings up Sade and Aaliyah—two legendary, graceful women—and says he missed his chance to ever be with someone like them. Now he’s stuck in a scene full of shallow party girls in clubs like Greystone, and they’re just standing around, lifeless, because deep down they know he’s calling them out in the song.

[Pre-Chorus]
He repeats that the woman is shallow emotionally—there’s not much there personality-wise—but the physical attraction is still strong. It’s a strange contrast between emotional emptiness and s*xual intensity. It shows the emptiness behind some of the relationships he finds himself in.

[Chorus]
The chorus comes back one last time, repeating over and over. It’s like a mantra. You can’t rescue someone who isn’t ready to change. No matter how much you care or want to help, if they’re not willing, it’s not going to happen. He’s learned the hard way that sometimes it’s better to just walk away.