Blow for Blow

With respect to connecting with J. Cole, Tee Grizzley told Complex:

It's crazy. When you talk about somebody processing how they work, J. Cole is somebody who the process means everything [to him]. Process mean everything, the energy mean everything. The vibe, if it ain't right, it's like "We can't do it." So it kind of took us a while because we had to find the right thing that was perfect for us to do. And once we found it, bro, I just knew it was the one, and I know that Cole is super talented, so I couldn't half-step when it came to how I performed on the song. So I gave it my all.

Pi'erre Bourne produced the beat under Cole's choice. Cole recorded his verse on his own and sent it to Grizzley, who did not change his own verse after hearing it.{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Jordan |title=Tee Grizzley on Going Bar-For-Bar With J. Cole, Working With Future, and His Upcoming Album 'Post Traumatic' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-rose/tee-grizzley-on-going-bar-for-bar-with-j-cole |website=Complex |access-date=8 October 2024 |date=September 30, 2024}}

Over production consisting of a synth loop and 808s,{{cite web |last1=Grant |first1=Shawn |title=Tee Grizzley Joins Forces With J. Cole On New Single And Video "Blow For Blow" |url=https://thesource.com/2024/10/02/tee-grizzley-joins-forces-with-j-cole-on-new-single-and-video-blow-for-blow-2/ |website=The Source |access-date=8 October 2024 |date=October 2, 2024}} the song begins with a verse from J. Cole, who first asserts that he is one of the best rappers of the generation and catches attention by his performances on features instead of ostentatious outfits ("Blow for blow, Cole flow just prestigious / Sweats and tees, no unnecessary accessories, the GOAT just from features / Proceed with throat-cut procedures").{{cite magazine |last1=Diaz |first1=Angel |title=Tee Grizzley & J. Cole Go 'Blow for Blow' in New Music Video: Watch |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/tee-grizzley-j-cole-blow-for-blow-video-1235787110/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=8 October 2024 |date=September 27, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Partridge |first1=Ken |title=Tee Grizzley Teams Up With J. Cole For New Song "Blow For Blow" |url=https://genius.com/a/tee-grizzley-teams-up-with-j-cole-for-new-song-blow-for-blow |website=Genius |access-date=8 October 2024 |date=September 27, 2024}} Later on, he likens himself to K-pop group BTS as regards his success, references media personality and former decathlete Caitlyn Jenner's gender transition (deadnaming her as well){{cite web |last1=Trapp |first1=Malcolm |title=J. Cole Adds Tee Grizzley's "Blow For Blow" To His Impressive Feature Run |url=https://www.rap-up.com/article/tee-grizzley-tags-j-cole-for-blow-for-blow |website=Rap-Up |access-date=8 October 2024 |date=September 27, 2024}} and uses a pun referencing rapper LL Cool J. In the chorus, Cole interpolates Mase's verse on the song "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems" by The Notorious B.I.G. ("Now, who hot? Who not? / Tell me, who flopped? Who sell out the tours?"). Tee Grizzley performs the second verse, in which he affirms superiority in the industry as well and asks his critics to consider his difficult life before judging him, narrating his background of growing up in an environment surrounded by drugs and violence, attending college, being incarcerated for armed robbery and subsequently releasing his hit song "First Day Out".

Elias Andrews of HotNewHipHop remarked that J. Cole's "wordplay is superb" and "He's got clever bars about LL Cool J", additionally writing "Tee Grizzley doesn't have the bars that Cole does, but he makes up for it with charisma. He sounds great over the chilled out beat. He also manages to drop some funny lines about the nastiness of his chain and his cars."{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Elias |title=J Cole Skates On Stellar New Tee Grizzley Single "Blow For Blow" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/846006-tee-grizzley-j-cole-blow-for-blow-stream |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=8 October 2024 |date=September 27, 2024}} Shawn Grant of The Source described Cole as "bodying the beat with raz0r-sharp rhymes" and commented Grizzley "delivers a showstopping series of bars".

The music video premiered alongside the single. Directed by Jerry Production, it sees Tee Grizzley and J. Cole rapping on a rooftop against the skyline of New York City.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Aaron |title=J. Cole Goes 'Blow For Blow' With Tee Grizzley As He Continues Latest Feature Hot Streak |url=https://uproxx.com/music/tee-grizzley-j-cole-blow-for-blow-video/ |website=Uproxx |access-date=8 October 2024 |date=September 27, 2024}} Grizzley also gives out hundred dollar bills to people in a neighborhood.

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{{Tee Grizzley}}

{{J. Cole}}

Category:2024 singles

Category:2024 songs

Category:Tee Grizzley songs

Category:J. Cole songs

Category:Songs written by J. Cole

Category:Songs written by Pi'erre Bourne

Category:Songs written by Bernard Edwards

Category:Songs written by Nile Rodgers

Category:Songs written by the Notorious B.I.G.

Category:Songs written by Sean Combs

Category:Songs written by Mase

Category:Songs written by Stevie J

Category:300 Entertainment singles