Welcome

J. Cole · The Warm Up

Im sipping liquor for the pain, pouring liquor for the slain

Nothing else can do the trick like hard liquor to the brain

Fall victim to the game, all this money we spent

In my mind trynna figure where these twenty G's went

Maybe I should slow it down, maybe take the pace slow

Second thought I think I need to speed it up and make more

Time to build, lego

In the Ville' laid low, counting days still waiting

on that shit I prayed for

Am I ungrateful? Want it all so quick

Feel a vibrate-hold up, I gotta call, old bitch

How she get my new shit? I swear this city too small

Type of chick wont take her shirt off cuz' her tities too small

I can give a damn girl, lift up that pretty blue bra

Now I'm in it deep, seeing just how pretty you are

And that kitty go hard

Lord, Im up in that, got that type of kitty cat that

make a nigga double back

Type of shit that make a nigga wanna fall in love with that

At the door with a towel on and nothing under that, saying "Welcome"



Verse 2



I let these words flow out, like water from a spout

Like rain from the clouds, rush the pain from the crowds

Cuz' these words go deep, from my soul when I speak

Then the flows hits the souls of all those that I reach

If I die before I wake, hope my songs live on

Will they miss me when Im gone?- And if so, for how long?

So much shit is on my brain, try hard to maintain

Sit and analyze my thought sometimes wonder if Im sane

Man, its hard to trust friends, when the paranoia blends with the marijuana

Wonder would this high ever end

Swear I never smoke again,

ya'll niggas blow the weed,

let me take another shot, Man this liquor is all I need

Just to put me in the zone, so far away from home

Nobody truly know me got me feeling so alone

They wonder what's on my mind, what's lingering in my dome

I tell em' aint nothing wrong, I deal with it on my own

I deal with it on my own.

Welcome

Welcome serves as the opening track on J. Cole's 2009 mixtape, The Warm Up, establishing the confident tone that would define his early career. Released during a period of rapid ascent for the North Carolina native, the recording showcases his signature blend of introspective lyricism and hard-hitting boom-bap production. As the lead single, it introduced listeners to Cole's ability to craft narratives that balance personal reflection with social commentary. The song remains a staple in discussions of his pre-major label work, highlighting his skill in storytelling and flow. Its placement at the start of the project signals the ambitious scope of the mixtape, setting the stage for the critical acclaim that would follow his subsequent studio albums.