The Finals Lyrics – J. Cole

The Finals Lyrics Meaning

[What kind of top dawg is you, you more a shih tzu… dismiss you]
Right off the bat, he’s clowning the other rapper by saying he acts like a “Top Dawg” (referring to the Top Dawg Entertainment label) but he’s really just a little dog—weak and not intimidating. Then he takes it further, saying the guy isn’t real, just a fake version of a rapper, like something made in a lab. His popularity isn’t about his actual talent, it’s just the label’s power behind him. Cole is saying, “I don’t need to talk about your money situation to tear you down,” because he’s about to do it lyrically. He brags that his shots aren’t just simple disses—they’re heavy, impactful, and hard to dodge. The guy tried to challenge someone better, so now he’s getting shut down.

[You all bark no bite… off a top roster]
Here, he’s calling him all talk and no action. The line about “hit dogs holler” means if someone reacts strongly to criticism, it’s probably because it hit a nerve. He says he’s already taken a few shots at this guy, and now it’s time to fully call him out and put a leash on him like a pet. Basically, he’s saying he could’ve kept quiet and let him fade, but now he’s exposing him. He’s even charging top dollar for the attention he’s giving. Then he predicts that this rapper’s about to be dropped from his label’s top tier—and Cole says he’ll be the reason that happens.

[And I’ma be the reason… should’ve been signed to me]
He keeps up the attack by saying his opponent is like a sick dog looking for a fight but doesn’t realize he’s up against a seasoned, skilled veteran. He tells him he’s messing with the wrong person and makes fun of how long he’s been signed but hasn’t had a major moment—except now, because Cole is mentioning him. Cole says nobody knows his music, not even one song. Even the song that people might know him for, “Crashout,” wasn’t even his own beat. He brags that whenever he (Joey/Cole) drops music, it hits, and that he’s helped this guy’s career more than his own team has. He even jokes that the dude would’ve been better off being signed under him. And then he throws a punch at TDE, saying maybe they should start “TDEast,” basically mocking how the label’s strength is only known because of names like Joey or Pro Era.

[Funny how they gotta use the Pro name… even let you in they house]
Now he’s going in on how the other side uses Joey/Pro Era’s name for promotion. Then he makes a harsh personal jab, implying they act like groupies around Kendrick (Dot), basically calling them out for lacking self-respect. He’s accusing them of being overly obsessed with fame and recognition, saying they’d do anything for attention—even if it means selling out or embarrassing themselves. Cole’s like, “You’re out here fighting for respect from people who wouldn’t even give you their phone number,” pointing out the sad reality of their one-sided loyalty. He’s calling out how desperation is being masked as ambition.

[I bet you ain’t even got his number… biggest shine of your whole life]
This part is brutal. He suggests the other guy doesn’t even have Kendrick’s number and is just thirsty for fame, pretending it’s hunger or passion. Cole says he should’ve stayed quiet and humble, but now it’s too late—he has to “son” him, meaning put him in his place like a father would a child. He goes on to say that this brief moment of attention will be the biggest thing in the guy’s career. And then he flexes his lyrical skills, saying he doesn’t just rap—he speaks straight to people’s souls. Basically, he’s telling him: you don’t want problems with me because I’m operating on a completely different level.

[You need me to buzz… just to be king]
Here, he says the guy needs him just to get noticed, but Cole is so far ahead that he’s “light years beyond Ray” (the guy he’s dissing, likely Ray Vaughn). He calls out how his fiancée was mentioned in an attempt to provoke him, and says clearly he’s not afraid to fight back. He uses a boxing metaphor, saying even great boxers like Gervonta Davis had to fight a few weak opponents on the way up—implying this dude is one of those weak opponents. Then he flips the “Sugar Ray” nickname and says this guy’s soft, even joking that there’s “sugar in his tank,” a slang phrase questioning masculinity. He finishes this section by calling him “Gay Vaughn,” still mocking his fighting style as weak and unthreatening.

[Keep punching up… just to see Ray bands]
He says this dude is punching up—going after someone out of his league—but his hits are soft. He ain’t even a middleman, he’s just a little guy in the game. The Rayman and Ray Liotta lines are layered wordplay, calling out that he’s no tough guy or made man in the rap world. Then he says he almost dissed his financial situation, but jokes that the guy might need glasses just to spot any “Ray bands” (a double meaning—Ray-Ban sunglasses and actual money).

[Go fetch a coffee… you was better off an intern]
He tells him to go run errands for his CEO because the label boss clearly owes him, implying he’s being used and underpaid. His mouth is running wild, but his bank account is empty. Cole says he’s active and smooth, something only he and Tupac would understand—highlighting his elite status. Then he gives a final warning: mess with fire, and you’re gonna get burned. He tells him straight up, he was better off being an intern or even a mascot than trying to be a rapper. That’s how little respect he has for the guy’s music.

[I been a beast… you a lil weird]
He wraps it up by reminding everyone he’s been a lyrical beast—just ask Kendrick. He brings up *Killuminati Part 2* and *The Ruler’s Back* to show the contrast in quality and impact between their work. And finally, he gives a bit of a nod to Kendrick, saying he respects him, but also thinks he’s kind of weird. Then he ends it with a reminder that if they want competition, he’s right here and ready.