J. Cole, the talented rapper from Dreamville, recently achieved his first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with the track “First Person Shooter.” This collaboration with his good friend Drake propelled him to the top of the charts. However, in a rare appearance on Lil Yachty’s A Safe Place podcast, J. Cole revealed that part of him wishes this milestone didn’t come as an “alley-oop” from Drake.
Mixed Feelings about the No. 1 Spot
J. Cole expressed mixed feelings about his first No. 1 single. He confessed that if the song had reached No. 2 instead, it wouldn’t have bothered him. He even mentioned that he would have felt better if another track from the same album, “IDGAF” featuring Yeat, had secured the top spot. J. Cole acknowledged his gratitude for being a part of the No. 1 moment with Drake, comparing it to Michael Jackson, but he also wished to have achieved the feat on his own.
“I’d almost feel better not having my first No. 1 being off a Drake alley-oop, you know what I mean? I love Drake and I love that I’m a part of that moment with him with Michael Jackson. But it’s like, bruh, I’m grateful I’m a part of it, but if that other song would’ve went No. 1, n-gga, I’m still grateful I’m a part of it.”
The Role of Fans and Sales in Achieving No. 1
J. Cole attributed the success of “First Person Shooter” to the support of his and Drake’s dedicated fanbases. He mentioned that their fans still buy singles, which played a significant role in pushing the track to the top of the Hot 100. In its first week, the song sold 4,000 digital copies and accumulated 42.2 million streams and 4.3 million radio airplay audience impressions, according to Luminate data.
Drake’s Historic Billboard Accomplishment
Apart from giving J. Cole his first No. 1 single, “First Person Shooter” also solidified Drake’s position in music history. With this chart-topping track, Drake tied with the legendary Michael Jackson for the most No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. It became his 13th No. 1 hit, placing him behind only The Beatles (20), Mariah Carey (19), and Rihanna (14).
J. Cole’s Near Misses on the Hot 100
Although “First Person Shooter” marked J. Cole’s first No. 1 single, it wasn’t his first close encounter with the top spot. In 2021, his track “My Life” and his collaboration with Lil Durk, “All My Life,” both peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100. These near misses only fueled his desire to claim the coveted No. 1 position.
JID’s Opinion on “First Person Shooter”
JID, a fellow artist signed to J. Cole’s Dreamville label, shared his thoughts on “First Person Shooter.” In a recent interview, he expressed his unwavering support for J. Cole, claiming that he stole the show on the track. He mentioned his admiration for Drake but firmly declared J. Cole as the standout performer.
“I’ma go with J. Cole all day. It wasn’t even close. We love Drake though, but I don’t know.”
Ice Cube’s Recognition
J. Cole’s mention of Ice Cube’s 3-on-3 pro basketball league, BIG3, in “First Person Shooter” caught the attention of the N.W.A legend himself. Ice Cube took to social media to express his appreciation for the shoutout from J. Cole and Drake. He thanked them for the love they showed to BIG3 in their new song.
“Shoutout to @JColeNC for mentioning @thebig3 on his new song with @Drake called ‘First Person Shooter.’ Thanks for the love.”
J. Cole’s first No. 1 single, “First Person Shooter,” is a significant milestone in his career. While he has mixed feelings about achieving this feat through a collaboration with Drake, he remains grateful for the opportunity. The support of their dedicated fanbases and the track’s sales contributed to its success. As J. Cole continues his musical journey, fans eagerly await his future endeavors and the possibility of more chart-topping hits.
