On “m y . l i f e,” Cole recruits 21 Savage and Morray for a track on which they discuss the struggles of their respective come-ups and the benefits of their perseverance. They also speak on what their lives could have been like if they didn’t fight to make it out.

The instrumental of this track was first teased in Applying Pressure, the documentary for the album. Also in the short film, Cole and 21 Savage are seen having a discussion about the album, which can be considered foreshadowing his appearance on the record.

J. Cole has famously avoided features on his albums since 2014 Forest Hills Drive, turning it into a cultural phenomenon. This is notably the first of two tracks on The Off-Season that contain rapping from other artists, making them the first occurrences of a guest verse on a Cole solo album since 2013’s Born Sinner.