Kevin's Heart

This article is about the song. For the comedian, see Kevin Hart.
"Kevin's Heart"
Song by J. Cole
from the album KOD
ReleasedApril 20, 2018
Recorded2017
GenreHip hop
Length3:20
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
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. It was written alongside producers T-Minus and Mark Pelli, making it the only track on the album not to be produced by Cole.[1]

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 the song's namesake, American 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

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 46
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 16
Ireland (IRMA)[10] 38
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[11] 28
Portugal (AFP)[12] 33
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[13] 8
US Billboard Hot 100[14] 8
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] 5

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[16] Platinum 70,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[17] Gold 5,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[18] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[19] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "KOD by J. Cole on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  2. ^ Burney, Lawrence (April 23, 2018). "Your Opinions About J. Cole Are Probably Dumb". Vice. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  3. ^ Augustin, Camille (April 24, 2018). "Kevin Hart Deals With Public Aftermath of His Infidelity in J. Cole's 'Kevin's Heart' Video". Billboard.
  4. ^ Parizot, Matthew (April 24, 2018). "J. Cole Recruits Kevin Hart For The Aptly-Titled "Kevin's Heart" Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  5. ^ "J. Cole: KOD Album Review | Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  8. ^ "J. Cole – Kevin's Heart". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  9. ^ "J Cole Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  10. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography J. Cole". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  11. ^ "J. Cole – Kevin's Heart". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  12. ^ "J. Cole – Kevin's Heart". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  13. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker – Vecka 17, 27 april 2018". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  14. ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  15. ^ "J Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  16. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  17. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – J. Cole – Kevin's Heart" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  18. ^ "British single certifications – J. Cole – Kevin's Heart". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  19. ^ "American single certifications – J. Cole – Kevin's Heart". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 26, 2023.