"Kevin's Heart" is a song by American rapper J. Cole, released on April 20, 2018 from his fifth

studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

, '' KOD''. It was written alongside producers T-Minus and Mark Pelli, making it the only track on the album not to be produced by Cole.

Lyrical interpretation

Vice A vice is a practice, behaviour, Habit (psychology), habit or item generally considered morally wrong in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a negative character trait, a defect, an infirmity, or a bad or unhe ...

'' 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."

Music video

On April 24, 2018, Cole released the music video for the song, "Kevin's Heart". The video features the song's namesake, American comedian

Kevin Hart Kevin Darnell Hart (born July 6, 1979) is an American comedian and actor. The accolades he has received include the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and nominations for two Grammy Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards. After winning se ...

, and was directed by Cole and Scott Lazer.

Critical reception

Pitchfork A pitchfork or hay fork is an agricultural tool used to pitch loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. It has a long handle and usually two to five thin tines designed to efficiently move such materials. The term is also applie ...

'' 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."

Commercial performance

Upon its first week of release, "Kevin's Heart" debuted at number eight on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100. On July 29, 2020, "Kevin's Heart" was certified

platinum Platinum is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a density, dense, malleable, ductility, ductile, highly unreactive, precious metal, precious, silverish-white transition metal. Its name origina ...

by the

Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...

(RIAA) for combined sales of one million units in the United States.

Charts

Certifications

References

{{authority control 2018 songs J. Cole songs Songs written by J. Cole Songs written by T-Minus (producer) Songs written by Mark "Pelli" Pellizzer Song recordings produced by T-Minus (record producer)