Deja Vu

About this song

The song was recorded for Cole's previous album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, according to Dreamville president Ibrahim Hamad in an interview with Billboard. After its release, people pointed out that its beat sounded eerily similar to Bryson Tiller's 2015 hit "Exchange," which led to controversy. It was J. Cole's highest-charting song until "MIDDLE CHILD" in 2019.

What it's about

Cole raps from the perspective of his deceased friend James McMillan Jr., who imagines a conversation with a woman about the kind of men she is drawn to. He believes he could win her over if she would give a small-town guy from the streets a chance.

Summary written with AI, based on the song's page on Genius.

Fun facts

• Samples “Swing My Way by K.P. & Envyi”.
• Sampled in 2 other songs, like “Outta Place by SheLoveRj”.
• Written by Boi-1da, J. Cole, Javalyn Johnson, Mixzo, Velous and Vinylz.
• Produced by Boi-1da, J. Cole, Ron Gilmore, Velous and Vinylz.
• Recorded at The Sheltuh.