Kevin's Heart
| "Kevin's Heart" | |
|---|---|
| Song by J. Cole | |
| from the album KOD | |
| Released | April 20, 2018 |
| Recorded | 2016-17 |
| Genre | Hip hop |
| Length | 3:20 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | T-Minus, Mark Pelli |
| Music video | |
| "Kevin's Heart" on YouTube | |
| Audio sample | |
"Kevin's Heart" | |
"Kevin's Heart" is a song by American rapper J. Cole, released on April 20, 2018, from his fifth studio album, KOD, and was produced by T-Minus and Mark Pelli,[1] making it the only track on the album not to be produced by Cole.
Lyrical interpretation
Vice said the song "considers the thinking behind a man's unfaithfulness. The fact that the song goes its entirety without the offender once blaming his spouse for his actions is a serious "whew" moment. Here, Cole frames temptation as a habit that needs kicking." Billboard mentioned that "the song tells the tale of fighting off the urge to cheat."[2][3]
Music video
On April 24, 2018, Cole released the music video for the song, "Kevin's Heart". The video features comedian Kevin Hart, and was directed by Cole and Scott Lazer.[4]
Critical reception
Pitchfork called the song a standout saying "Cole uses the pint-sized comedian's very public infidelities to reflect on the challenge of monogamy: "My phone be blowing up/Temptations on my line/I stare at the screen a while before I press decline." Cole is most effective when he keeps things personal rather than turning up his nose at the choices of others."[5]
Commercial performance
Upon its first week of release, "Kevin's Heart" debuted at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100.[6] On July 29, 2020, "Kevin's Heart" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales of one million units in the United States.[7]
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[17] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ "KOD by J. Cole on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- ^ Burney, Lawrence (April 23, 2018). "Your Opinions About J. Cole Are Probably Dumb". Vice. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ Augustin, Camille (April 24, 2018). "Kevin Hart Deals With Public Aftermath of His Infidelity in J. Cole's 'Kevin's Heart' Video". Billboard.
- ^ Parizot, Matthew (April 24, 2018). "J. Cole Recruits Kevin Hart For The Aptly-Titled "Kevin's Heart" Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
- ^ "J. Cole: KOD Album Review | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
- ^ Trust, Gary. "Drake Leads Billboard Hot 100, Ariana Grande Arrives at No. 3 & J. Cole Collects Record Three Debuts in Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. April 30, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 30, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ "J. Cole – Kevin's Heart". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
- ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 17, 27 april 2018". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
- ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
- ^ "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- ^ "American single certifications – J. Cole – Kevin's Heart". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
