It was the summer of 2021. Everybody was arguing about the "Big Three" in rap, but then J. Cole dropped The Off-Season. Specifically, the track "m y . l i f e" got a lot of the initial radio play, but the real ones—the people who actually listen to the message—kept circling back to a different song. We’re talking about the Lil Baby collaboration. When you look at pride is the devils lyrics, you aren't just looking at rhymes. You’re looking at a mirror. It's uncomfortable.
Cole has this way of making you feel like he’s sitting across from you at a kitchen table, calling you out for your own nonsense. This track isn't some preachy sermon from a mountaintop. It’s a confession. He’s basically saying that pride is the thing that kills every good thing we build, from relationships to bank accounts.
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The Raw Meaning Behind the Bars
The song starts with that distorted, pitched-up vocal. It feels frantic. Then Cole hits you with the central thesis: pride is a poison. He isn’t talking about the "I’m proud of my kids" kind of pride. He’s talking about the ego. That specific, nasty brand of pride that stops you from apologizing when you’re wrong. The kind that makes you spend money you don't have just to impress people you don't even like.
Honestly, the most striking part of the pride is the devils lyrics is how Cole connects pride to the literal downfall of the soul. He uses the religious metaphor not just for flair, but to show the gravity of the situation. "Pride is the devil," he repeats. It’s catchy, sure, but it’s a warning. He talks about how it can "lead to the end of your road." Think about how many celebrities or even people in your own life have crashed and burned simply because they couldn't put their ego aside. It happens every day.
People often overlook the technicality of the verse. He’s layering complex internal rhymes while discussing heavy topics like his own internal struggles with fame. He admits he’s not immune. That’s the key. If he acted like he was above it, the song would suck. Instead, he admits he’s fighting the same demons.
Lil Baby’s Verse: A Perspective Shift
When the news broke that Lil Baby was going to be on a J. Cole track, some people were skeptical. They shouldn't have been. Baby’s contribution to the pride is the devils lyrics is arguably one of the best guest verses of his entire career. He brings the street perspective to Cole’s more philosophical approach.
Baby talks about the transition from the "trenches" to the top of the charts. He mentions how pride in his neighborhood isn't just a feeling—it’s a survival mechanism that can also get you killed. He raps about how he’s "the one they call on" and the pressure that comes with that. He acknowledges that even with all the money, the pride remains the biggest hurdle. It’s a different kind of "devil" for him. It’s the pride that keeps you from leaving a dangerous situation because you don't want to look "soft."
The contrast works. Cole is the elder statesman looking back at his mistakes, and Baby is the guy currently navigating the height of his fame, trying not to let his ego ruin the bag. They meet in the middle to agree on one thing: pride is a liar.
Breaking Down the Symbolism
Check the line where Cole mentions being "too proud to beg." That’s a classic soul reference, but he twists it. In the context of the song, he's suggesting that being too proud to ask for help—or too proud to admit you're struggling—is a fast track to failure.
- The Devil Imagery: It represents the destructive impulse.
- The "Vanish" Motif: How quickly success disappears when ego takes over.
- The Financial Toll: Spending "money before you get it."
Why the Song Still Hits in 2026
You might wonder why we’re still talking about this years later. It’s because the internet has turned pride into a currency. Social media is basically a pride machine. We’re all constantly curating these lives that make us look better than we are. Pride is the devils lyrics predicted this weird cycle where we’d rather be "right" on Twitter than be happy in real life.
Cole’s verse touches on the idea that we’re all chasing "the glory" but the glory is empty. It’s a facade. When he says "I'm a believer," he isn't just talking about religion; he's talking about believing in the reality of these consequences. If you let your ego run the show, you lose the plot.
The production by T-Minus also plays a huge role. It has this driving, relentless bassline that feels like a heartbeat. It’s anxious. It matches the lyrical content perfectly. It sounds like someone running away from something—specifically, running away from their own flaws.
Practical Takeaways from the Lyrics
So, what do we actually do with this? It’s a song, but it’s also a blueprint for self-awareness.
First, look at the "comparison" trap Cole mentions. He talks about how we look at others and let that fuel our pride or our insecurity. Both are the same thing. They both come from the ego. If you find yourself checking someone else's stats—whether that’s their bank account or their followers—stop. That’s the "devil" Cole is talking about. It’s a distraction from your own growth.
Second, the song emphasizes the importance of vulnerability. Both rappers are surprisingly open about their fears. In a world that tells you to "grind" and "never show weakness," this song says the exact opposite. It says that pretending to be invincible is exactly what makes you vulnerable.
Lastly, understand the cost of "looking the part." Cole mentions how people go broke trying to look rich. This is a recurring theme in his music, but it’s never been more blunt than in this track. True success doesn't need a loud mouthpiece. If you have to tell everyone how great you are, you’re probably just being led by pride.
The most effective way to use these insights is to perform a regular "ego check." When you're about to make a big decision—especially a financial one or a confrontational one—ask yourself: "Am I doing this because it's right, or because my pride won't let me do anything else?"
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Avoid the trap of thinking you’ve "arrived." Cole, despite being one of the greatest to ever do it, still views himself as a student. That humility is what keeps him relevant while other rappers from his era have faded into the background. Stay curious, stay humble, and keep the ego in the passenger seat. It can be there, but it definitely shouldn't be driving the car.
To really get the most out of this, go back and listen to the track while reading the pride is the devils lyrics side-by-side. Pay attention to the subtle shifts in the beat when the lyrics get more personal. There’s a lot of depth in the mix that gets lost on a casual first listen. Focus on the internal rhyme schemes in Cole's second half—it’s a masterclass in songwriting that manages to stay "human" without being overly technical for the sake of it.