It’s quite interesting how a simple sample can complement and sometimes enhance lyrics. One thing I like about J. Cole is the diversity of samples in his music. I was even more excited when I came across such an introspective track, both lyrically and musically. The core of J. Cole’s message is supported by the song “Balancê” as sung by Sara Tavares. (It’s not really a feature per se but we must give Ms. Tavares her credit). The word “balancê” has many different meanings in the native Portugese, Angolan, and Cape Verdean slang. But Tavares has said,
“For me the song, ‘Balancê’ is also about balancing yourself, between sadness and joy; day and night; salt and sugar. It’s about balancing emotions. You are always walking a thin line and you have to keep your balance. You have to dance with that line in order to keep standing. If you stay too rigid, you will fall.” (Source: Rock Paper Scissors)
To the same tune, J. Cole writes about his view of everyday life in a different part of the world. And as he progresses in his writing, he turns the microscope on himself. We often look at other’s lives and forget to examine our own.
No matter which of these you listen to, the calmness of the track solidified by Tavares’ humming and guitar playing causes you to sit for a moment and think about the state of your environment and your life. For the year 2013, try to be more aware and maintain balance in your lives.
—-
Losing My Balance by J. Cole feat. Sara Tavares
Miss High Profile, I caught you shopping on Canal
I guess it makes sense, it seems phony as your style
Your hair and your nails just as phony as your smile
Fake eyelashes, you drew your eyebrows
And make a brotha ask, “Do you pride yo’self?”
Your makeup like a mask tryna hide yo’self
It seems on the outside you thinkin you da s**t
But it’s the soul that’s inside that you ain’t even knew exist
So you so outta touch that the world mistreat you
Rich n****s f**k you and broke n****s beat you
Hope that this’ll greet you when you understand
That your value ain’t determined by another man
Cuz right now you let them brothas get the upper hand
And you just tell ‘em “go deep” like Cunningham
And you just let ‘em OD like Len Bias
And that p***y so good, he let his friends try it
Losing your balance
Girl you losing your balance
Don’t slip, don’t fall
Just get a grip my n***a and hold on
Don’t lose your balance
I look around at my city, this is Sinville
That boy 11 years old and can inhale
Sometimes I ride around wonderin’ if we in hell
And why do cops love to throw a n***a in jail
I’m bout to lose it - I just had another friend killed
over some bulls**t, this cycle’s like a windmill
I had a convo with my soul, I asked it “When will this s**t change?”
It said, “Boy, just use them pen skills.”
And so I write this for my n****s on the corner
Love you cuz you my brothas so I feel I gotta warn ya
This s**t ain’t set up for a young brotha to advance
On that note, you n****s playing right into they hands, damn!
Betta get yourself some goals, you n****s betta dream
I know the hood raised you, but it’s bigger, better things
And for those that passed I need a moment of silence (shh!)
And don’t be losing your balance
My n***a, don’t be losing your balance
So don’t slip, don’t fall
Just get a grip my n***a and hold on
Don’t lose your balance
I gotta thing for this little mama, she do it to me
Plus her brain is for real, I’mma sucka for love I guess
Won’t catch her up in the club cuz she ain’t into that
Kinda chick that rather rent a flick and get intimate
Say she never f**k with thug n****s, only gentlemen
And yeah that a** is fat but what’s better is her intellect
Other men’ll sweat her when we walk past
Can’t even blame ‘em, did the same when I saw the a**
matched with a thin waist, brown with a slim face
Loved the conversation and her kicks was like a sensei
Now she got me chillin’ with her all around the clock
My homies beefin’ cuz I never come around a lot
Keep on tellin’ me I changed and things ain’t the same
And ever since she came around I never wanna hang
They tell me that it’s foul how a chick’ll make me switch
But man I can’t help it dawg, her mind got me whipped
I think I’m losing my balance
She got me losing my balance
But I won’t slip, I won’t fall
Just get a grip and hold on
Losing my balance
—-
Written & transcribed by Kay.DS
