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Amari Lyrics

by J. Cole

Lyricist: J. Cole

2 viewsPublished on Sep 24, 2026

Amari Lyrics

Bada-ba, bada-ba Bada-ba, da-da Off-Season Let's work, hey Plottin' my escape, this game rot a nigga's faith Got a couple Ms hidin' in the safe Imagination turned a Honda into Wraith I was doin' eighty on the interstate Tryna make it back before my class started Country nigga never seen a passport 'Til I popped off and got a bag for it Now I'm at the Garden sittin' half court Watchin' Jr. catch it off the backboard 'Ville nigga never seen nothing 'Cept a fucking triple beam jumping Good dope leave a fiend krumping Made it out, it gotta mean something Either you gon' hustle or that nigga Uncle Sam got yo' ass re-enlisting 2-6, murder scene pumping Better leave it tucked if you ain't dumping Pow, pow, nigga, he slumping Twelve comin', we ain't seen nothing Time change, niggas ain't rumbling no more Nah, what for? Hungry for more If you solo these vocals, listen close and you can hear grumbling Multi' and I'm still munching Big bag, never fear fumbling Want smoke? Nigga don't choke I'm a whole fuckin' nicotine company Dreamville the Army, not a Navy How could you ever try to play me? Kill 'em on a song, walk up out the booth, do the Westbrook rock-a-baby I never fall out with the bro Hate when your family turn into foe We had a penthouse on the road Interior decorated with the hoes Just like a multiple-choice getting chose My niggas like "Eenie, meenie, miney, moe" Scoop up a dime-piece like we homeless Then we gon' send 'em back pigeon-toed Out of the concrete was a rose and winters was cold Had to go over and stand by the stove We from the Southeast, niggas know This where the opps creep real slow Won't vote but they mob deep with the poles I punch the time sheet, not no more And now my assigned seat is the throne Plottin' my escape, this game rot a nigga's faith Got a couple Ms hidin' in the safe Imagination turned a Honda into Wraith I was doin' eighty on the interstate Tryna make it back before my class started Country nigga never seen a passport 'Til I popped off and got a bag for it Now I'm at the Garden sittin' half court Watchin' Jr. catch it off the backboard 'Ville nigga never seen nothing 'Cept a fucking triple beam jumping Good dope leave a fiend krumping Made it out, it gotta mean something Made it out, it gotta mean something Made it out, it gotta mean something Bada-ba, bada-ba, bada-ba, ah-ah

Meaning of Amari

“Amari,” a standout track from J. Cole’s *Forest Hills Drive*, is a complex and layered narrative exploring ambition, escape, and the corrosive effects of the pursuit of wealth within a hyper-violent, aspirational landscape. The song unfolds as a feverish internal monologue, revealing a character – “Amari” – consumed by a relentless desire for upward mobility and a life beyond his current circumstances. Driven by a potent blend of fantasy and grim reality, he meticulously plans an escape, fueled by both imagination (“Imagination turned a Honda into Wraith”) and the tangible allure of illicit success (“Got a couple Ms hidin' in the safe”). Cole masterfully utilizes vivid imagery – from driving at high speeds to observing basketball games – to establish Amari’s restless energy and his detachment from conventional life. The lyrics are saturated with references to street culture, drug dealing, and the stark contrast between aspiration and potential consequence (“Either you gon' hustle or that nigga Uncle Sam got yo' ass re-enlisting”). More than just a boastful recounting of success, “Amari” is a cautionary tale about the corruption of faith by material gain. The repeated motif of plotting an escape underscores a deep sense of unease and a recognition of the game’s inherent dangers. Cole subtly critiques the cycle of violence and exploitation that often accompanies ambition, while simultaneously acknowledging the seductive power of wealth and status. The song's raw energy, combined with Amari’s desperate attempts to carve out his own destiny – "Dreamville the Army, not a Navy" - ultimately paints a portrait of someone lost in a labyrinth of his own making, forever striving for something just beyond reach.

Tags:

j coletrap musicambitionhip hopescape plan

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