David Jeffries of AllMusic expressed a similar sentiment, writing that "Forbidden Fruit" is driven by its " Blue Note-inspired" backbeats. Erin Lowers of Exclaim! cited the song as one of the album's standout tracks, saying that it "embodies a silent confidence, paying homage to a legendary group while speaking on releasing an album the same day as Kanye West, bringing Born Sinner full-circle." Julia Leconte of Now praised Cole's sampling of "Mystic Brew" as done "exceptionally well" and named "Forbidden Fruit" the best track from Born Sinner. "Forbidden Fruit" received mixed reviews from critics. On August 1, 2013, the song impacted American mainstream urban radio. In June 2013, MTV reported that "Forbidden Fruit" would be released as the third single from Born Sinner. Cole brought out Kendrick Lamar to perform the song, along with the J. Release and promotion Īt the Jstop in Houston, Texas on the Dollar and a Dream concert tour, J. "Forbidden Fruit" contains lyrics referencing Born Sinner 's release date coinciding with that of Yeezus by American rapper Kanye West. Lamar does not rap a verse on the song he instead contributes vocals to its refrain. Īmerican rapper Kendrick Lamar is featured on "Forbidden Fruit", which is the only track on the standard edition of Born Sinner with a fellow rapper credited as a featured artist. And I was just like, "What if I could flip it?" So I just went and found the original sample. What if?" You know what I mean? Like, "What if I could just do it my way?" You know what I mean? It's such a classic and people are so afraid to touch classics. Cole was inspired to incorporate the Foster sample into "Forbidden Fruit" after hearing "Electric Relaxation", saying: The song's production is based around a looped sample of American jazz musician Ronnie Foster's "Mystic Brew", which was also famously sampled by hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest on their 1993 song " Electric Relaxation". It was recorded as a replacement for another song which Cole was forced to remove from the album's track listing after failing to obtain sample clearance from the estate of Jimi Hendrix. Cole for his second album, Born Sinner (2013). "Forbidden Fruit" was the last song recorded and produced by J. Cole performed "Forbidden Fruit" on his "Dollar and a Dream" tour. His weapon was already drawn when he got out the car.J. Now he didn't see any weapon drawn at him or anything like that, us going for no weapon.
So as he was running the officer was trying to get out of the car, and once he got out the car he pursued my friend-his weapon was drawn. My friend, he kept running, and he told me to keep running 'cause he feared for me, too. And we looked at him and he was shot and there was blood coming from him, and we took off running-Īs we took off running I ducked and hid for my life, 'cause I was fearing for my life, and I hid by the first car I saw. His weapon was drawn and he said, "I'll shoot you" or, "I'm going to shoot" and in the same moment, the first shot went off. And at no time the officer said that he was going to do anything until he pulled out his weapon. So now it was like the officer is pulling him inside the car and he's trying to pull away. That there ain't no gun they make that can kill my soulĪll we wan' do is take the chains off and And it don't take no x-ray to see right through my smileĪnd there ain't no drink out there that can numb my soulĪnd all we wan' do is take the chains offĪll we wan' do is break the chains off andĮvery time I step outside I see my niggas die?