Immortal (J. Cole song)

"Immortal"
Song by J. Cole
from the album 4 Your Eyez Only
Released	December 9, 2016
Recorded	2016
Genre	Hip hop
Length	3:20
Label	Dreamville Roc Nation Interscope
Songwriter(s)	Jermaine Cole
Producer(s)	Cardiak Frank Dukes

"Immortal" is a song by American rapper J. Cole, released on December 9, 2016 from his fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only.^[1]

Background

The song was recorded at the Sheltuh in North Carolina and Electric Lady Studios in New York City. The song was produced by Cardiak, Frank Dukes with additional production from J. Cole. "Immortal" also features background vocals from Kay Foxx.^[2]

Critical reception

The track was generally well-received from critics. Paul A. Thompson of Pitchfork compared the song to 2Pac saying Cole "comes to life on “Immortal,” which sounds as if someone played Cole an unheard 2Pac song from the Makaveli sessions and then dared him to recreate it from memory. The song’s narrator feeds baggies through a burglar bar, watches Bic lighters wave under spoons, wakes up early to hit the Bowflex. It’s details like that last one that set “Immortal” apart from so much of Cole’s early work: you can see the speaker bathed in the artificial light of 3 a.m. infomercials, figuring he needs to put some weight on."^[3]

Commercial performance

Upon its first week of release, "Immortal" debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100, which marks as one of his highest charting positions to date, and at number 6 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.^[4]

Charts

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[5]	57
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6]	12
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[7]	4
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[8]	98
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[9]	75
UK Singles (OCC)[10]	49
US Billboard Hot 100[11]	11
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12]	6

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[13]	Platinum	70,000^‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[14]	Silver	200,000^‡
United States (RIAA)[15]	Platinum	1,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "4 Your Eyez Only by J. Cole on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
2. "J. Cole - Immortal on Genius". Genius. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
3. Thompson, Paul A. (December 14, 2016). "J. Cole: 4 Your Eyez Only". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
4. "Hot 100 Chart Moves: Deja Vu for 'Deja Vu' & Maroon 5 Rules Radio, Tying Boyz II Men's Record".
5. "ARIA CHART WATCH #399". auspOp. December 17, 2016. Archived from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
6. "J. Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
7. "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 19, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
8. "J. Cole – Immortal". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
9. "J. Cole – Immortal". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
10. "J Cole: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
11. "J. Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
12. "J. Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
13. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
14. "British single certifications – J Cole – Immortal". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
15. "American single certifications – J. Cole – Immortal". Recording Industry Association of America.