guest verses

J. Cole’s Guest Features 2023, Ranked

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After an impressive run of guest verses in 2022, J. Cole continued his reign as one of hip hop’s feature kings throughout 2023. Despite not releasing an album, he had a prolific year, appearing on tracks with a range of artists. This year in particular, he branched out to work with a wide variety of names, many of which for the very first time. Cole has shown that he can outshine almost anybody on a song. His latest run of guest verses this year built even more anticipation for his upcoming seventh studio album, The Fall Off, which he alluded to in his bars throughout the year. Today, we are ranking each of J. Cole’s guest features in 2023 from worst to best. Take a look at the list below.

Read More: J. Cole’s Albums, Ranked

10. Gucci Mane – “There I Go”

J. Cole has teamed up with some unlikely names before, but his feature on Gucci Mane’s “There I Go” was certainly unexpected. Over an instrumental produced by Mike Will Made-It, he sets the tone with a short verse, riding the beat with ease. The upbeat and non-serious nature of the track is not as lyrically competitive compared to J. Cole’s other guest verses. A fun highlight from Gucci Mane’s Breath of Fresh Air, “There I Go” ultimately ranks last in the scheme of J. Cole’s features from 2023. 

9. Bas – “Passport Bros”

“Passport Bros” is the latest track from frequent J. Cole collaborator and Dreamville signee, Bas. The two have an exciting history of collaborations, including “My N***a Just Made Bail” and “Night Job.” Bas’s latest J. Cole-featuring track, “Passport Bros” sees the two rapping over an amapiano-laced instrumental. Bas melodically raps two short verses and the song’s chorus while Cole spits a longer verse. He flexes his vacation destinations, including Barcelona, London, and Miami. While declaring himself and Bas as the “passport bros,” Cole clarifies that they “ain’t shelling out cash for hoes.” J. Cole’s most light-hearted feature of the year makes for a pleasant team-up between him and Bas. In addition to “Passport Bros,” the Dreamville signee’s upcoming album includes two other J. Cole features. We Only Talk About Real Shit When We’re Fucked Up drops this Friday, so we will see how Cole’s other verses stack up.

8. Burna Boy – “Thanks”

Appearing at the end of I Told Them…, Burna Boy and J. Cole express frustrations with criticisms that they receive as a result of fame. Burna asks, “Is this the motherfuckin’ thanks I get for makin’ my people proud every chance I get?” and reminds critics that he “gave you Afrofusion.” Cole expresses similar sentiments in his verse, rapping that he “fathered a couple styles” and that he is “forever cemented” in hip hop unlike many of his contemporaries. Lyrically, he both celebrates his success while separating himself from other rappers, likening himself and Burna Boy to “Shaq and Kobe.” Sitting at the top of their respective genres, Burna Boy and J. Cole share a mutual respect for one another on “Thanks.”

7. Summer Walker – “To Summer, From Cole” (Audio Hug)”

J. Cole opened Summer Walker’s Clear 2: Soft Life EP, writing a candid letter directly to the R&B songstress. He expresses his support and gratitude to Summer Walker, thanking her for wanting a verse from him and congratulating her on the birth of her twins. In his verse, Cole also admires her for how she balances motherhood, artistry, and fame. The laid-back delivery of the verse does not require intricate rhyme patterns or entendres but instead works as an act of kindness to an artist he respects. Extending his love to Walker’s peers like SZA and Ari Lennox, J. Cole feels that they “are holdin’ the crowns” for R&B and encourages them to reach out to him if necessary. Cole’s verse is a sweet act of reassurance, conveying that he is there for Summer Walker when she “needs some love.”

6. Nicki Minaj – “Let Me Calm Down”

A highlight from Nicki Minaj’s latest album, Pink Friday 2, “Let Me Calm Down” is the very first time that she and J. Cole have worked together. They both rap about their respective struggles within relationships. J. Cole specifically channels these experiences into life lessons. He raps, “So if you love her, then you gotta learn to play your part,” speaking to the importance of being a loyal partner. Cole also alludes to his “Jada and that Will love” lyric from “No Role Modelz” to depict how couples can overcome their turbulent moments. While not punchline-oriented, “Let Me Calm Down” is one of J. Cole’s more personal feature verses of 2023.

Read More: Nicki Minaj “Pink Friday 2” Review

5. Lil Durk – “All My Life”

This year, J. Cole joined Lil Durk on “All My Life,” an uplifting song with a children’s choir handling the hook. During his verse, which is noticeably longer than Durk’s, J. Cole effortlessly transitions between subjects. He raps about overcoming obstacles and making it out of the city with his “head on straight.” Cole also puts things in perspective, humbling people with the reminder that “this shit could be gone in an instant.” Additionally, he discusses the tragic deaths of rappers and considers thoughts of retirement as a result. In this excellent verse, he even makes time to flex his rap skills, rapping punchlines like “The shit I spit out is a cheat code like I’m facing a RICO / and how a n***a put a hit out.” A well-rounded guest feature, J. Cole showcases his lyrical ability while uplifting the next generation. 

4. J-Hope – “On The Street”

J. Cole and J-Hope of BTS were an unexpected match when they teamed up for “On The Street.” A motivational hip hop track, both he and Cole rap about overcoming challenges and personal struggles. J. Cole specifically steals the show with his verse, rapping about his journey to success, his belief in a higher power, and his commitment to the game. 

Much like his verse on “All My Life,” he ponders retirement, likening his relationship with rapping to a father’s role at his daughter’s wedding. “I’m deep in with this rappin’, it’s all a n***a know / I never did nothin’ better, it’s hard to let it go,” he raps. “But like a father watching his daughter/ Walk down the altar with tears in his eyes/ You gotta let her grow.” For now, J. Cole is not letting go of rapping any time soon. “I contemplate if I should wait to hand over the crown / And stick around for a bit longer, I got a strange type of hunger,” he declares. One of his many impressive verses this year, “On The Street” sees J. Cole speaking from a reflective frame of mind.

3. Drake – “First Person Shooter”

“First Person Shooter” was an instant favorite from Drake’s For All the Dogs. The fiery track is Drake and Cole’s first collaboration since “Jodeci Freestyle” and did not disappoint in the slightest. The two declare that they are as “big as the Super Bowl” and J. Cole raises the lyrical bar high. He weaves between flows, flexing his rapping skills while shouting out NBA YoungBoy and Kendrick Lamar. J. Cole declares himself as “the GOAT with the golden pen, the top toucher.” He also likens his relationship with Drake to the famous Spider-Man meme as they reach stadium status for their upcoming tour. “I’m namin’ the album The Fall Off, it’s pretty ironic ’cause it ain’t no fall off for me,” he raps, hinting at his next album while continuing his impeccable run of guest features in 2023.

2. Drake – “Evil Ways”

J. Cole also features on “Evil Ways,” one of his best verses of 2023 and an instant standout from Drake’s latest batch of bars. A mellow track compared to “First Person Shooter,” the two trade lyrics in spirited competition. While not a singular guest verse like his other 2023 features, J. Cole floats over the soulful instrumental, rapping some of his toughest bars of the year. He spits some of his best punchlines, including lines like, “My paper folded like when teachers don’t want classmates to see your grade.” 

Cole also brilliantly alludes to his and Drake’s upcoming tour with this clever bar: “Coke got they nose bleedin’ like the seats where you can’t see the stage / High up in arenas where they see their faves / AKA me and Drizzy Drake, we the wave.” J. Cole and Drake make a great team as they bring the best out of each other. However, it is Cole who specifically leads the charge on this track.

Read More: Drake “Scary Hours 3” Review

1. Lil Yachty – “The Secret Recipe”

J. Cole and Lil Yachty were an out-of-the-box duo this year on “The Secret Recipe,” a standalone track dedicated to showcasing their lyrical skills. Yachty puts his best foot forward in his verse, favoring a more traditional rap style compared to his usual auto-tuned melodies. His verse sets up J. Cole to spit a masterclass of a verse and easily his best feature of 2023. Beyond his skillful punchlines and entendres, what is most impressive about Cole’s performance is that he maintains a multi-syllabic rhyme scheme throughout the 2-minute verse. 

Hungry for bars, he boasts his impressive feature run that boosts streams of other artists while simultaneously outshining them. J. Cole likens his impact to Drake’s, rapping “I’m on your song, your streams goin’ up, not quite the Drake effect / But don’t complain, bitch, take what you get and cut the label check / My table set, I dine on your favorite, one verse’ll take his breath.” He also calls out performative social media activists, rappers who lie, and those who make empty threats. J. Cole’s in rare form on “The Secret Recipe.” He silences the competition while also uplifting younger artists like Lil Yachty. Cole closes his best jaw-dropping feature of 2023: “Signed, the greatest yet.” 

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Beyond OutKast: Andre 3000’s Successful Solo Ventures And Collaborations

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Andre 3000 is one of hip hop’s most famous geminis, recently celebrating his 48th birthday on May 29th. The hip-hop legend came up alongside Big Boi as one-half of Outkast. Together, they released six studio albums, spawning some of hip-hop’s most iconic records. Andre 3000’s career and legacy have been cemented by Outkast’s historic run but he has since moved on to other successful solo ventures and collaborations. He has had a prolific acting career, notably starring as Jimi Hendrix in the biopic, Jimi: All Is By My Side and the animated series, Class of 3000 on Cartoon Network. Nowadays, he can be seen in random locations playing the flute.

The closest thing to a solo album from André 3000 came in the form of the second disc on Outkast’s penultimate album, Speakerboxxx / The Love Below. The Love Below was handled entirely by Andre, including production. Still, Speakerboxxx / The Love Below was still billed as an Outkast album. Beyond Outkast, André 3000 has produced songs for other artists, including Killer Mike, Kelis, Gwen Stefani, and Kids See Ghosts. He even produced a song on Big Boi’s debut solo album. He also released a 2-song EP in 2018 dedicated to his mother. Since the last Outkast album in 2006, André 3000 has expressed that he has little desire to release a full-length album, though he tends to hop on songs from other artists and obliterate his verses. An André 3000 feature verse is rare but always a moment as he tends to outshine whoever he is on a song with.

The Top Collabs of Andre 3000’s Solo Career

This is a list of André 3000’s best solo collaborations, drawing from his work with other artists outside of Outkast. Although some of his recent contributions, such as Kanye West’s “30 Hours,” have been minimal, he’s continuously showcased his unique flare on songs in recent years, such as the remix of Chris Brown’s “Deuces.” Still, Andre 3000 has had some unexpected collabs throughout the years that showcase exactly why he’s a rare breed in hip-hop. Below is a ranking of his best guest appearances throughout the years outside of his work with Big Boi. Take a look at the list below.

11. Frank Ocean – “Pink Matter” (2012)

What makes “Pink Matter” such a special collaboration is that it goes beyond just a simple guest verse. Frank Ocean pours his heart out onto the song’s slow, melancholic instrumental. For his verse, André 3000 fits perfectly into the pockets of the production’s downbeat rhythm. His contributions aren’t limited to bars, though. He follows his short yet potent verse with a show-stealing guitar solo. Towards the end of the song, André also sings a soulful outro. Many of Andre 3000’s collabs throughout his solo career consist of a guest verse, which is rare on its own. He and Frank Ocean went above and beyond on this song.

10. Beyoncé – “Party” (2011)

Beyoncé’s “Party” is the ultimate summer block party song. The song heavily samples Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick’s “La Di Da Di.” Beyoncé’s vocals shimmer over the song’s glamorous instrumental before Kanye West strips back the production for André’s verse. He “sets the scene” within his first line and weaves between different flows in a short verse. He approaches the song in a calm and collected manner and seamlessly flows over the beat. 

9. Erykah Badu – “Hello” (2015)

André 3000 and Erykah Badu have a strong relationship, both as co-parents and as musical collaborators. “Hello” is a reflection of both of those relationships. The song interpolates “Hello It’s Me” by The Isley Brothers. It starts with a lush instrumental and André 3000 effortlessly floats over the simple chords with impressive rhyme patterns. He handles the song’s bridge, sings a second verse, and ends the song by singing the outro with Erykah Badu. The song is a highlight in Andre 3000’s solo career.

8. Drake – “The Real Her” (2011)

“The Real Her” is one of Drake’s best collaborations, featuring Lil Wayne and André 3000. In the beautifully moody song, Drake sings about falling in love with a stripper and wanting to know who she really is. Lil Wayne continues the same sentiment when rapping about how she stands out to him even though she has met other rappers. While the two rap about their feelings toward the girl, André focuses on the girl’s experiences. Though this thinking makes him feel attached, he does not give in to temptation.

7. Jeezy – “I Do” (2011)

Throughout his career, André 3000 has appeared on many all-star collaborations, many of which are on this list. No matter who is on the song, he manages to have the best verse, and “I Do” is a prime example of that. He joins Jeezy and JAY-Z for a song that gives “Int’l Players Anthem” vibes. Much like that UGK song, the song is extremely soulful and discusses marriage, although Jeezy and Jay marry the streets on “I Do.” André however, actually expresses his love for his woman.  

6. Kanye West – “Life of the Party” (2021)

This song is the most recent addition to André 3000’s best collaborations in his solo career. “Life of the Party” comes from a deluxe version of Kanye West’s Donda album and its soulful instrumental brings fans back into the “old Kanye.” Though Kanye spits one of his best verses in recent memory on the song, it is André 3000 who steals the show before Kanye even begins. He raps about the pain of missing his mother and what he would say to her as he pens his verse. 

5. Lil Wayne – “Interlude” (2011)

The intro, interlude, and outro of Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV album are essentially one long posse cut split into three songs. Each song features the same beat. Lil Wayne handles the intro by himself while the outro features Bun B, Nas, Shyne, and Busta Rhymes. “Interlude” is arguably the best out of the three as Tech N9ne spits his signature chopper flow, rapidly impressing with his complex rhyming. While only having 46 seconds to rap, André 3000 comes in with a relaxed verse and nicely contrasts Tech N9ne’s with his raps.

4. B.o.B – “Play the Guitar” (2011)

“Play the Guitar” is definitely playful. The funky instrumental allows B.o.B to showcase his animated flow, making for one of his greatest rapping performances. The song is fun on its own but André 3000 steals the show and makes the song his own. Some of the songs on this list are serious rap performances or vulnerable poetry-like verses. However, André is definitely enjoying himself on “Play the Guitar” as he slides across the beat. It makes for one of the most memorable verses of André 3000’s solo career. 

3. Anderson .Paak – “Come Home” (2019)

“Come Home” is already a compelling album intro on its own as Anderson .Paak provides his signature soul to the percussive production. The 2019 track features a rare contribution from André, who spits a dazzling verse that only he could write. The verse is a masterclass in rhyme schemes as he raps at double time with tongue-twisting bars. The verse is even more magnificent as he manages to squeeze in multiple double entendres that will have you doubling back.

2. T.I. – “Sorry” (2012)

T.I. once admitted that André 3000 outrapped him on “Sorry” and it is clear why. The song is one of T.I.’s best rap performances but Andre 3000 rapped one of his best verses in his post-Outkast career. He starts his verse rapping fast but slows it down after saying, “I don’t even like rapping fast but that’s how the world comes to me.” André incorporates his different flows and cadences throughout the verse, even harmonizing part of it. He ends his verse with a bang, rapping, “all some pussy n**** on the Internet can say is, ‘That verse ain’t good.’”

1. Rick Ross – “Sixteen” (2012)

Like the majority of the collaborations on this last, André 3000 manages to make another artist’s track his own when he hops on it. Rick Ross’s “Sixteen” sounds like it was specifically designed for André to do just that. The idea of the song is that 16 bars just is not enough for a rapper to get their point across, which is articulated in the chorus. On the song, André goes above and beyond, handling the song’s hook and bridge while also rapping a 2-minute verse and playing a guitar solo at the end. 

Rick Ross curates the song with a luxurious beat from J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, rapping a clean verse, and leaving everything else to André. Ross spits 32 bars while André raps a whopping 50, reflecting on his upbringing and how it got him to his current position. An André 3000 guest verse may be rare as he has not rapped much in his solo career, but verses like these are what make them such an event.

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Black Thought Verses: The Roots Icon’s Best Bars

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Black Thought is fresh off the release of Glorious Game, his latest collaborative album with American soul band El Michels Affair. The album is yet another quality release in his prolific career, which includes eleven studio albums with The Roots and his Streams of Thought series. He also has arguably the greatest freestyles in hip hop history and also released an album with Danger Mouse in 2022. With all the music he has shared throughout the years, Black Thought is also known for delivering some incredible guest verses. He is widely considered one of the best rappers, and his features are legendary. Black Thought’s best guest verses are known for their show-stealing bars, no matter who is on the track. 

This list looks at the best Black Thought features he has contributed throughout his career. Each verse is selected considering the quality of bars, flows, and delivery in comparison to the other rappers on the song. The songs are listed in chronological order. 

Big Pun – “Super Lyrical” (1998)

Black Thought is known for always having the best verse when he gets on a song. On Big Pun’s “Super Lyrical,” the debate on who has the best verse is closer than one might think. Throughout the song, Big Pun and Black Thought continue to out rap each other, much like “Brooklyn’s Finest,” where they continue to raise the bar throughout the song. Big Pun’s verse impresses with complex rhyme schemes, while Black Thought’s flow is more simplistic yet equally effective. The contrast between rhyme styles on this song makes for one of hip hop’s greatest collaborations. This song was also one of the early examples of when Black Thought’s guest verses would encourage other rappers to step their game up.

Ghostface Killah – “In Tha Park” (2010)

Ghostface Killah’s 2010 song “In Tha Park” is a nostalgic song about what made the origins of hip hop in New York so special. Ghostface kicks off the track by rapping about when he started falling in love with hip hop. He cites his first time seeing a DJ scratching with the MC rocking the crowd, along with the fashion. Black Thought continues with this concept, but his verse centers around the early days of hip hop’s scene in Philadelphia. His verse is also noticeably more energetic, with a flow that matches the ruggedness of the beat’s distorted guitar loop. He makes specific references to different parts of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, putting his unique spin on the song, matching Ghostface’s verse.

Talib Kweli – “Art Imitates Life” (2013)

The best Black Thought guest verses usually start at the end of a song, saving the best verse for last. However, he starts things off on “Art Imitates Life,” setting the bar extremely high for the verses from Talib Kweli and Rah Digga. What makes this song so unique is how unorthodox the beat is. Despite how off-kilter the instrumental may be, all three rappers deliver incredible verses. His flow and ability to cut through the beat effortlessly set Black Thought’s verse apart from the rest.

Statik Selektah – “Bird’s Eye View” (2013)

“Bird’s Eye View” is one of Black Thought’s most legendary guest verses. Raekwon and Joey Bada$$ set the bar high with phenomenal verses over a soulful beat produced by Statik Selektah. Even with those great verses, Black Thought completely eclipses them by rapping for two minutes straight. His rhyming on the song is incredible, and he spits quotable bars, such as when he raps, “My sonogram was an image of a gun in the womb / That was soon to be doper than heroin in a spoon.” The verse is even more impressive when you learn that he did it in one take.  

Statik Selektah – “The Imperial” (2015)

Much like “Bird’s Eye View,” Statik Selektah allows Black Thought the majority of the song to showcase his lyrical skills on “The Imperial.” Action Bronson and Royce Da 5’9” deliver fantastic verses, lending their unique styles to the song. Much like Raekwon and Joey Bada$$ on “Bird’s Eye View,” it is very difficult to out-rap Action and Royce on a song. However, it is not for Black Thought as he raps for nearly three minutes, resulting in an earth-shattering verse that came close to the same acclaim as his Funk Flex freestyle. He raps at the highest level on this song with complex rhyme schemes and killer one-liners. 

Freddie Gibbs – “Extradite” (2015)

Rappers have struggled to keep up with one Black Thought verse, but Freddie Gibbs does a pretty good job keeping up on “Extradite.” It takes from “Nautilus,” Bob James’s 1974 song, one of the most sampled tracks in hip hop history. Freddie Gibbs is on point the entire time and can keep up with Black Thought most of the song. The amazing thing about the collaboration is that the beat goes through many different phases throughout. Black Thought spits two killer verses and can match Freddie’s tough rapping style with his clean, concise delivery.

PRhyme – “Wishin’ II” (2015)

Much like “Extradite,” the beat on PRhyme’s “Wishin” changes throughout the song, forcing the rappers to keep up with the instrumental. The original version featured Common and was already impressive enough. “Wishin’ II” takes things to another level as Black Thought kicks one of his best verses. He starts over the slower portion of the beat with the same conviction as when it speeds up. He gets into his groove when the production speeds up. As mentioned, it is tough to out-rap Royce Da 5’9”, but Black Thought set the bar too high on this song. 

Roc Marciano – “Diamond Cutters” (2018)

During this later part of his career, Black Thought rapped over more experimental beats. These new and refreshing stylistic choices have helped him push musical boundaries. His appearance on Roc Marciano’s “Diamond Cutters” is a prime example of how unique production choices helped Black Thought approach songs differently. His sharp delivery and impressive rhyme schemes cut through the eerie flute sound in the beat. It contrasts well with Roc’s off-kilter flow. 

Benny The Butcher – “Crowns For Kings” (2019)

“Crowns For Kings” starts with one of Benny The Butcher’s best verses ever. He raps about his humble beginnings over the triumphant horns in the beat. It was a magnificent way to start a song and an EP. Black Thought’s verse, on the other hand, is last for a good reason. Not only is it one of his best guest verses, but it’s the best verse on Benny’s EP. Black Thought matches Benny’s content in his bars as he paints a picture of being a kid surrounded by poverty and turning it into a success story. He raps, “We was crooks, tryna cop more rides than Great Adventure / Any image we took, not a father was in the picture.” It is easily one of the best Black Thought verses.

Eminem – “Yah Yah” (2020)

Like “In Tha Park,” Eminem’s “Yah Yah” is a song that pays homage to the earlier eras of hip hop. The song is chaotic, consisting of a bombastic instrumental with energetic verses from Eminem, Royce Da 5’9”, and Black Thought. Black Thought sticks to the topics, referencing Slick Rick and J Dilla. He keeps listeners on their toes, constantly switching his rhyme schemes and keeping up with the rapid tempo of the beat.

Overall, Black Thought tends to have the best guest verse when he hops on a track. He has spit so many legendary guest verses that it is difficult to narrow the list down to ten. In addition to his latest release, Black Thought also recently announced two new albums.

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Joe Budden Addresses $250K Jay-Z Verse Rumor

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Joe Budden recently addressed rumors that Jay-Z was down to remix one of his tracks with a verse… if he forked over $250K. Moreover, that’s an insane amount even by today’s feature standards, but the podcaster couldn’t confirm or deny that that was the amount. Furthermore, he addressed such rumors on the Drink Champs podcast on Revolt TV, after hosts DJ EFN and N.O.R.E. pressed him about it. While he spoke about trying to get Hov to remix his hit “Pump It Up” from 2003, he confirmed reports that the New York legend was down to do so. However, Budden hesitated on the details.

“That’s the rumor. That’s a rumor,” the former Everyday Struggle host stated. “I didn’t personally ask him. I couldn’t personally speak to him,” he said before stating that A&R Skane reached out to Jay in his stead. At the time I’m not ranting anywhere. I just don’t know how to receive that. I just know that I don’t have 250 grand, I think Webb put the battery in my back. [He said], ‘You gon’ let him do that? Nah, you gotta get to the studio right now!’ I don’t think that was a big number, I think that was his number. ‘That’s my number to rap on this new artist’s remix.’ It was just big in my world, but it wasn’t a big number.

Jay-Z May Or May Not Have Wanted $250K For A Verse, Says Joe Budden

Their conversation about the rumored “Pump It Up” price begins around the 5-minute mark.

“Listen, I’m super young in that moment,” the 42-year-old continued. “I wasn’t in the studio when [Skane] had the conversation. I knew that they had some type of relationship. It was a Just Blaze beat, and I was green behind the ears. I just thought that it would get done. I didn’t know anything about the business and how things like that are supposed to go. That was par the course… It was big to me because it was unattainable… but the blessing was that he gave a number.”

Moreover, these comments come after the “Big Pimpin’” star’s comments about not charging often for features. Furthermore, he said “it’s actually always been mostly relationships” to Kevin Heart on his Hart to Heart series last year. “Sometimes it’s talent and sometimes someone asks me to be on something. Pretty much every song that I’m on I’m asked to be on. I don’t ask people to be on their songs. I never charge.” Regardless of your take, come back to HNHH for the latest news and updates on Joe Budden and Jay-Z.

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