Sometimes the best place to hide something is in the most obvious place. A prime example of that adage occurred during J. Cole’s 4 Your Eyez Only Tour stop in Anaheim, California last night (July 9) when the Dreamville founder revealed a gem for that particular crowd’s ears only regarding a hidden connection between two of his fan-favorite songs.

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At the end of his performance of “Forbidden Fruit” from his 2013 album Born Sinner, the North Carolina MC/producer extraordinaire told the crowd to pay close attention.

“Here’s what you didn’t know. Cali, just listen…,” he says in a video that captured the moment.

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As the song slows down, the fans’ ears pique while the record gradually spins backwards. As the BPMs of the record increases, it ultimately exposes an easter egg that the “Forbidden Fruit” beat is the same beat to his song “Neighbors” …only in reverse.

Letty of Genius caught the revelation.

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Both Cole creations, back-to-back:

2013’s “Forbidden Fruit”:

2016’s “Neighbors”:

On the subject of “flipping,” “Neighbors” makes light of Cole’s neighbors who believe that, based on his wealth and success, he must be selling dope. “Well motherf*cker, I am,” he adds, over a dope beat the genesis of which went under most radars.

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“Forbidden Fruit” was a co-production with Ron Gilmore.

#BonusBeat: In related news, a photo recently posted (by Dem Jointz) of J. Cole in the studio with Dr. Dre:

Cole and Dre’s labels are both distributed through Interscope Records.