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J. Cole Brings Bars Back to the Barclays Center: Concert Review

By Jordan Rose

Jordan Rose

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One of the most endearing attributes of J. Cole ’s career has always been his transparency. For over a decade, the Carolina rapper has amassed a legion of followers and a seat in the pantheon of hip-hop because he makes listeners feel like they know him through his music and his common-man lifestyle. This familiarity creates a sense of kinship within his fanbase, and as 19,000 filed into Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Saturday night (Oct. 1) for his sold-out Off-Season tour, it felt like a family reunion. Kicking off in Miami — with the help of special guests Drake and Future — the trek marks J. Cole’s return to live performing since his KOD Tour back in 2018. 21 Savage and burgeoning rapper Morray also join the Dreamville artist along with comedian and social media star Druski.

Raised in the same North Carolina hometown as Cole, Morray exploded on the rap scene this past year with his viral track “Quicksand,” and instantly engaged the crowd with his contagious energy, fun-loving spirit, and impressive vocal chops (worth noting: he Morray didn’t use a backtrack for any of his songs). His set was the perfect prelude for the high-level performing that the night would have in store, with 21 Savage following shortly after and performing fan-favorite songs like “10 Freaky Girls,” “X,” and “Knife Talk,” all while dressed in a metallic silver jumpsuit that matched the shining dagger that was erected at center stage. After 21’s set concluded and Druski delivered a hilarious MC routine, the crowd was primed and ready for the man of the hour to emerge.

Staying true to the basketball theme present throughout the album, Cole peeled back the curtain yet again as we follow him from his green room to the stage like a star player taking to the court while he spits his song “Punchin’ The Clock” shrouded by darkness. Then, borrowing the 90s era Chicago Bulls’ intro music, a video montage of Cole’s highlights from his Rwandan professional basketball debut played before the curtain dropped. Wearing a Dreamville jersey in a throwback New Jersey Nets colorway, J. Cole was welcomed with deafening applause as he stood in front of an inclined basketball court and giant, flaming hoop that paid homage to the album’s cover art.

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No such thing as a 𝖓𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 better than 𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖘…🎶🔥 @JColeNC pic.twitter.com/XErdJzvWFB — Barclays Center (@barclayscenter) October 3, 2021

The theme of the night was bars. After performing “95 South,” Cole took a moment to talk about how he wanted to really rap for the Brooklyn audience, especially considering New York City is where hip-hop originated. “I didn’t want to run from the bars, I wanted y’all to hear the bars in a location where n–s be scared to give the bars, and I’ll tell you why,” he explained from the stage. “When you come on tour, there be a lot of pressure. N–s want to hear the hits, and we got those too. But if it’s cool with y’all, and this is New York City, the birthplace of the bars, is it cool if I give y’all some bars on this show?” And Cole did just that, immediately breaking into “Applying Pressure” as the crowd roared and the hoop behind him burst into flames yet again.

As the show progressed, Cole jumped back and forth between the high wattage verbiage of “The Off-Season” and staples in his catalog like “Power Trip,” “Can’t Get Enough,” and “Mr. Nice Watch,” all backed by a stellar live band and vocalists. The quality of the show mirrored the energy of “The Off-Season,” his sixth studio album, with Cole delivering every line with precision and a tactical efficiency, while still creating intimate moments that harkened back to the days of his Dollar and a Dream tour nearly a decade prior. There was even a special moment when the rapper performed a deep cut from his “Friday Night Lights” mixtape, “Back To The Topic Freestyle,” a song he said only eight or nine people might know. Cole also tapped fellow Dreamville artist Bas to perform his new single “The Jackie” and “Down Bad” off the imprints compilation album “Revenge of the Dreamers 3.”

Before performing the emotional “Let Go My Hand,” Cole shared another moment of unvarnished honesty with those in attendance, saying he never wants to reach a point in his career where he doesn’t feel comfortable performing songs that mean a lot to him. “I don’t want to run away from the fear of giving y’all some shit that’s really from my heart,” he said. “I don’t want to run away from that feeling.” That feeling was shared by thousands who hummed for him when his voice began to crack. He would later close his set by performing his multi-platinum song “Middle Child.”

J. Cole’s Brooklyn stop for his Off-Season proved that his bars are still alive and well, if that was even still in question. It’s only right that such a lyrical showing happened in the Barclays Center, where the colossal shadows of Jay-Z and Biggie Smalls’ honorary jerseys hang in the rafters. As concert-goers exited the Barclays Center, one could still hear Cole’s lyrics being murmured by fans making their way home — the true meaning of resonance.

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J. Cole Plots 2021 Tour In Support of ‘The Off-Season’

By Jon Blistein

Jon Blistein

J. Cole has announced a U.S. tour in support of his new album, The Off-Season .

The 17-date trek will launch September 24th at the FTX Arena in Miami and wrap October 21st at the Forum in Los Angeles. 21 Savage will provide support throughout the tour (save a September 27th gig in Atlanta), as will Morray.

Tickets for all shows will go on sale June 25th at 10 a.m. local time via J. Cole’s Dreamville website and on VividSeats .

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J. Cole released The Off-Season in May, and the album debuted at Number One on the Rolling Stone Top 200 Albums chart (that same week, he also topped the Artists 500 chart for the first time, while songs from the album occupied eight of the Top 10 spots on the Top 100 Songs chart). The Off-Season marks J. Cole’s sixth studio effort and follows his 2018 album, KOD , as well as the 2019 Dreamville Records compilation, Revenge of the Dreamers III .

Prior to releasing The Off-Season , J. Cole shared a short documentary, Applying Pressure , which offered additional insight into his mindset as he made the new album. He also took a stab at professional basketball , playing a few games for the Rwanda Patriots of the Basketball Africa League.

J. Cole Tour Dates

September 24 – Miami, FL @ FTX Arena September 25 – Orlando, FL @ Amway Center September 27 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena (without 21 Savage) September 28 – Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum Complex September 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center October 1 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden October 2 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center October 4 – Washington DC @ Capital One Arena October 5 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena October 7 – Chicago, IL @ United Center October 10 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center October 11 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Arena October 14 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena October 16 – Las Vegas @ MGM Grand Garden Arena October 17 – Phoenix, AZ @ Phoenix Suns Arena October 20 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena October 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum

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J. Cole is a rapper and producer who signed on with Jay Z's Roc Nation in 2009 and has produced for artists like Kendrick Lamar and Janet Jackson.

Who Is J. Cole?

Jermaine Lamarr Cole was born on January 28, 1985, at a U.S. Army base in Frankfurt, then in West Germany. His father, an African American soldier, left his mother, a white German postal worker, when Cole was a baby. She moved with him and his older brother, Zach, to Fayetteville, North Carolina, where the family lived in trailer parks as she struggled to make ends meet.

His mom eventually remarried — Cole's stepfather was also in the Army — and the family relocated to a nicer home. However, the marriage crumbled and the family lost the house as Cole was about to leave for college. His stepfather had become abusive, particularly toward Zach; after the marriage ended, Cole's mother became addicted to crack under the influence of a new boyfriend.

It was in Fayetteville that Cole's passion for music found an early outlet when he joined the Terry Sanford Orchestra as a violinist. He also began to teach himself rapping and production, rapping first as Blaza, then as Therapist — “We used to look through the dictionary for rap names,” he recalled later — before hooking up with a local group called Bomm Sheltuh.

He held down a number of part-time jobs as a teenager while he honed his production skills, including a stint at an ice hockey rink where he had to dress up as a kangaroo mascot. After graduating from high school, Cole moved to New York and attended St John’s University, graduating magna cum laude in 2007 with a degree in communications.

Getting Signed to Roc Nation

His debut mixtape, The Come Up , also came out in 2007. It was largely self-produced, but also saw him rapping over beats from Kanye West , Large Professor and Just Blaze. A track called "Lights Please" from his second mixtape, The Warm Up (2009), came to the attention of the producer and music exec Mark Pitts, who played it to Jay Z. Ironically, Cole had attempted to give Jay Z a copy himself, after waiting outside a studio to meet his idol for three hours — only to be rebuffed with the line “Man, I don't want that shit.” But Pitts had Jay Z's ear, and the mogul was impressed with what he heard. Cole signed to Roc Nation and started to appear as a guest on tracks by Wale, Jay Z and Talib Kweli.

A third mixtape in 2010, Friday Night Lights , consisted of songs rejected from Cole’s debut studio album. That album, Cole World: The Sideline Story , finally saw the light of day in 2011 and would go on to be certified platinum. Critics hailed a promising artist, with the L.A. Times praising the “satisfying confidence” of his rhymes and the “slickly inventive beats.”

Songs & Albums: '2014 Forest Hills Drive' & '4 Your Eyez Only'

Cole's sophomore album, Born Sinner , had its release date moved numerous times so as not to clash with other big releases. When it eventually came out in June 2013, it was another success. Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent were among the guests, on an album that was warmly, but not ecstatically, received.

With momentum building, 2014 Forest Hills Drive came out in December 2014 and premiered at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, despite a lack of advance singles or marketing. It won several awards, including Billboard Rap Album of the Year, and was later certified double platinum. This was impressive for an album that had no guest appearances, although some critics felt his political stances in real life were not reflected on an album that often strayed into sex rhymes. “It’s time for the Cole who marches in the streets to start showing up on record,” said Rolling Stone , referring to Cole’s visit to Ferguson in August 2014 to meet those protesting the shooting of Michael Brown.

His fourth studio album , 4 Your Eyez Only , came out just before Christmas 2016 and also went to No. 1. Despite a minor controversy over what some saw as lyrical barbs directed at Kanye West and Drake, it was another guest-free set that found favor. The New York Times suggested that by freeing himself of the shackles of big-name guest stars, Cole could take his own artistic path, noting that the album “feels as if it were made without the slightest concession to what’s happening elsewhere in the genre.”

Making History with 'KOD'

The rapper's audience eagerly welcomed the April 2018 release of his fifth studio album, KOD , which shattered Spotify's opening-day streaming record en route to the Billboard top spot. Days later, it was announced that Cole had become the first artist to debut three simultaneous singles on the Billboard Hot 100, with "Kevin's Heart," "ATM" and KOD 's title track all surfacing on the chart.

Establishing His Own Label, Nonprofit Work

He runs the Dreamville Records label with his former St. John's University classmate Ibrahim Hamad, releasing music by up-and-coming artists including Omen, Bas and Cozz.

The label shares a name with his Dreamville Foundation, a non-profit Cole established in his hometown. Set up to “bridge the gap between the worlds of opportunity and the urban youth of Fayetteville, NC,” it runs a series of events and programs, including a reading club and essay contests.

Personal Life

Cole is married to Melissa Heholt, with whom he has a child. He recently purchased the childhood home after which he named his 2014 Forest Hills Drive album, with the intention of developing it into temporary rent-free accommodation for single mothers.

It's actions like this that have made him a rapper that even presidents can praise. Cole was invited to the White House to meet with Barack Obama in spring 2016, something he rapped about on the track "High for Hours." Obama later commented: “This is the benefit of having teenage daughters, I actually keep up… I love J. Cole.” Endorsements don’t come much bigger.

QUICK FACTS

• Birth Year: 1985
• Birth date: January 28, 1985
• Birth City: Frankfurt
• Birth Country: Germany
• Best Known For: J. Cole is a rapper and producer who signed on with Jay Z's Roc Nation in 2009 and has produced for artists like Kendrick Lamar and Janet Jackson.
• Astrological Sign: Aquarius
• St. John's University
• Interesting Facts
• J. Cole is the first rapper in 25 years to have an album go platinum without any big guest collaborators.
• Cole's musical influences include Tupac, Eminem, Canibus and Nas.
• Outside of rapping, Cole plays the guitar and violin.

Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us !

• I've always been an underdog. I feel like I beat the odds.
• I'm half-Black, half-white, so I basically put it like this: I can fit in anywhere. That's why I write so many stories from so many different perspectives, because I've seen so many.

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J. Cole Announces The Off-Season Tour

With 21 Savage and Special Guest Morray On Select Dates

Tickets on sale starting friday, june 25th at 10am local time at dreamville.com.

WHO : J. Cole with 21 Savage and special guest Morray

WHAT : J. Cole with 21 Savage: The Off-Season Tour

Produced by Live Nation, the 17-city tour kicks off on September 24th at FTX Arena in Miami, FL making stops across the U.S. in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Chicago, Oakland and more before wrapping up in Los Angeles, CA at The Forum on October 21st.

TICKETS:  Tickets go on sale beginning Friday, June 25th at 10AM local time at dreamville.com .  

THE OFF-SEASON TOUR DATES:

* With 21 Savage |  ^ With Special Guest Morray

Fri Sep 24 – Miami, FL – FTX Arena*^

Sat Sep 25 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center*^

Mon Sep 27 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena^

Tue Sep 28 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum Complex*^

Wed Sep 29 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center*^

Fri Oct 01 – Boston, MA – TD Garden*^

Sat Oct 02 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center*^

Mon Oct 04 – Washington DC – Capital One Arena*^

Tue Oct 05 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena*^

Thu Oct 07 – Chicago, IL – United Center*^

Sun Oct 10 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center*^

Mon Oct 11 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Arena*^

Thu Oct 14 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena*^

Sat Oct 16 – Las Vegas – MGM Grand Garden Arena*^

Sun Oct 17 – Phoenix, AZ – Phoenix Suns Arena*^

Wed Oct 20 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena*^

Thu Oct 21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum*^

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com .

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Cara Donatto | [email protected]

Courtney Lowery | [email protected]

Janelle Gibbs |  [email protected]

Derek Sherron | [email protected]

Chantz Brewer | [email protected]

Live Nation Concerts

Monique Sowinski | [email protected]

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J. Cole  

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Born Jermaine Lamarr Cole on 28 January 1985, but known by his musical alias J. Cole, this hip-hop artist grew up in North Carolina. He has a German mother and African-American father.

Cole was interested in music at the tender age of 12 and began working on his rapping skills during his teen hood. He moved to New York City to study at St. John’s University just so he could find more opportunities to grow his music career. He released several mixtapes following graduation: “The Come Up” in 2007 and “The Warm Up” in June 2009. Cole persistently sought the attention of hip hop artist and producer Jay-Z and his efforts were rewarded soon after.

J. Cole collaborated with several high profile hip hop artists in the next years including Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, and B.o.B. After gaining some experience and cementing a deal with Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation, J.Cole dropped his single “Who Dat” in 2010. The single was a prequel to his third mixtape entitled “Friday Night Lights” which debuted the same year. J.Cole began supporting hip hop superstars Rihanna and Drake on tour, which helped to increase his fanbase.

Roc Nation produced J.Cole’s debut album “Cole World: The Sideline Story” and it dropped on 27 September 2011 to rave reviews. The album jumped to the top of the Billboard 200 and features big names like Drake, Missy Elliott, Trey Songz, and of course Jay-Z. His success led to a nomination for “Best New Artist at the 2012 Grammy Awards.

J.Cole’s sophomore album “Born Sinner” followed in the footsteps of his first album. It was released in 2013 and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The album features guest artists TLC, Miguel, and Kendrick Lamar. J. Cole has since established his own label called Dreamville Records.

J.Cole cites Canibus and Eminem as his musical inspirations. He also grew up listening to his father’s favorite artists 2Pac and Ice Cube and his mother’s favorite genres: folk and rock.

Live reviews

J. Cole is sometimes an underappreciated artist and I believe that the astuteness of his lyrics are not given enough credit. As a huge fan, I knew I couldn’t miss his live performance in London (December 2013) as soon as I heard of it. At the Hammersmith Apollo, the anxiety of the fans was notorious. After jamming to hot hip-hop tracks with Tim Westwood in the pre-show, it was nice to see another Dreamville member doing his thing as Bas stepped on stage. For a rap artist, Cole made quite a big entrance, which included great lighting and some amazing background singers. In this concert, he sang most of the “Born Sinner” tracks (“Crooked Smile,” “Power Trip,” “She Knows" and “Forbidden Fruit” – to name a few,) his latest album at the time of the event, which was expected by the fans. But that was far from being his setlist. He managed to include hits from his first album as well as songs from his mixtapes, which were even better received from the audience. Although some rappers tend to not sing the whole tracks or skip the chorus vocals, Cole gave it all and sang every verse, keeping the energy high. One of the most memorable moments was when he started singing “Light Please” in a very calm ambient, giving room for the fans who followed him from the start to sing along. But what really marked me in his show was not only his honest and down-to-earth talks in between songs, but the fact he gave the fans a chance to choose extra songs. As a result, he sang a few unexpected tracks like “Back to the Topic” from a mixtape and also “Is She Gon Pop” from the latest album. In sum, J. Cole didn’t disappoint at all and totally made my trip worthwhile. In fact, he made me want to keep following his work and be attentive to future shows.

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J Cole was absolutely insane at O2!! I had the time of my life listening to my favourite artist live! As corny as it sounds, I could feel like the music in my whole body and could feel the emotion in every lyric he sang. If you're a Cole fan, I definitely recommend going to see him live because it will multiply the love you have for him because he's just so fucking incredible at connecting with the audience! His narrative and general stage presence is so intense there were so many moments I felt completely surreal jumping and singing to his voice. Such a memorable and perfect night I can't even properly word it!! The supporting acts (Ari Lennox and Earthgang - J.I.D was also there but I missed him I think) were also brilliant. Having the crowd chant 'Fuck Donald Trump!' really got me pumped (Earthgang), and overall, J Cole managed to keep everyone in the audience jumping, shouting, dancing and sweating till the very last second. I didn't know what and how much I was missing out on before I went to this concert, and every time he confirms a tour, I'll be the first to book tickets because he's a fucking legend who can sing, rap and write the most awe-inspiring songs!

Jermaine Lamarr Cole, better known by his stage name of J. Cole is an elusive visitor to the British isles yet when he does happen to appear, his devoted fan base flock to see this talented artist perform live. An intelligent lyricist and a sincere live performer, as the house lights fall on the hushed chatter of the crowd, Cole appears in humble manner leading on his band and backing singers.

The sound is near perfect in the venue and you can hear every single word perfectly annunciated during opener 'Trouble'. The crowd has clearly been waiting a while to see Jermaine perform as they sing back the lyrics with such force and dedication. Cole thanks them profusely for this before moving on to other fan favourites such as 'Nobody's Perfect', his collaboration with Mary J. Blige.

The speed in which Cole can freestyle keeps the audience cheering along yet it is early singles 'Who Dat' and 'Can't Get Enough' that send them into frenzy. Clearly enjoying himself onstage, J. Cole performs huge versions of these tracks before thanking the crowd for enjoying a show they will not be forgetting anytime soon.

J. Cole last night was amazing. Bringing his dreamville team he had Bas, Cozz and Omen warm up the crowd with beats that got us all searching em up on our way home from the venue.

Soon J.Cole walks on stage and the crowd is screaming, cheering for 5 min straight, everybody in the venue is standing up, jumping with excitement. And the excitement is getting more and more real as he preforms every song from his new "forest hills drive" album along with some old joints from his album "The Sideline Story" like "work out" and "lights please".

The vibe is intimate and turnt at the same time in the little venue sentrum scene in Oslo is. He takes time to appreciate everybody that came out to see him and deliver an amazing music experience with his rhymes and presence.

Thank YOU Cole.

The whole lineup was phenomenal! He really inspired and made it very personal. That is what an artist is suppose to do. He performed the whole album and a few from his previous albums. I have been a J. Cole fan since day one. When my boyfriend and I were just best friends singing "Best Friend" and that being my ringtone to "just like a star" and just growing with his music. My boyfriend is an aspiring rapper and honestly this concert gave him the motivation, while listening to J.Cole I watch my boyfriends eyes light up while the hair stood up on his arms. J.Cole please come back again. We will always be a fan!

You put on a great show Big Sean, great, Jeremih, awesome and YG we want more music you had the crowd going!

Best concert I've been to in a while!

I saw J cole last night in Dublin, it was the most amazing experience of my life,

He truly is an amazing person and He showed us his past and let us see what each song was about, which I thought was a great add to the concert and made it more personal. If I could, I would repeat last night over and over again, and I would never get sick of it, j cole is a MUST SEE, also such a kind man Aswel, have huge respect for him and his opinions. Also- as he told us last night he has a bit of Irish in him as his grandmother went on the boat from ireland to America, and his grandmother gave birth to his mother, and his mother gave birth to J Cole. How amazing is that !!!!

One of the best shows I've ever had the pleasure of attending. At first, I was pissed that I couldn't find a date, despite getting the tickets months in advance. However, before long, Cole made me forget all about my dismal love life, and reminded me of why I do my social activism. If we don't demand change, we'll keep getting a red, white, blue dildo jammed up our rear ends. To put it another way, change is inevitable. Will it be ultimately for the better or worst, is the question though. Also, what will we tell our children's children when they ask us what did we honestly do to make the world a better place for them?

Hooooly shit was that good! This man knows how to put on a show, I tell you hwat! Even though the band wasn't featured, we knew they were there, and the musicianship was stellar. The man who was featured delivered the goods. He didn't just stand there, hiding behind a fancy coat, sunglasses and a crap-ton of bling. He brought energy and feeling to his set that made his openers' sets feel lackluster. When he spoke, I believed him. I felt his heart. One of the best shows I've ever seen.

Oh, and kudos to Honda Center and the soundsystem. Really good sound isn't always easy to come by in an arena, and they killed it!

Beyond my expectations! J Cole is so humble, speaks the truth and really wants to resonate his energy, thoughts, beliefs, and opinions with his audience! Not only did he play songs from his current hit album, 4 Your Eyes Only but hit it back to 2014, Forest Hill Drive and if you were digging him from the beginning with songs such as Nobody's Perfect etc. It was an amazing concert and I'm glad I went. It's all about investment. You either are willing to spend a certain amount of money, in them good seats and see and hear J Cole, or you couldn't be bothered. For me, the investment was worthwhile!

The best concert ever Jermaine (j.cole) is truly an amazing soul he performed for 2 hours nonstop ! Interacted with his supporters you can't really say that about other rappers who just perform for 30 minutes and go about their day , also in the show j.cole explained his songs from the album and also picked a fan to sing with him it was an amazing experience I was on the big screen twice & and he acknowledged my poster this was my first time seeing him but it won't be my last ! I love you Jermaine Lamarr Cole Thank you so much for last night .

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The festival serves as Dreamville’s signature annual event for its fans worldwide bringing together local residents and travelers alike to gather together and enjoy incredible music performances in one of America’s most beautiful and historic public parks, Dorothea Dix Park – Raleigh’s largest city park with over 300 acres of sprawling greenspace.

As one of the most anticipated annual events in the state of North Carolina, the festival acts as a perfect complement to the existing event landscape and cultural fabric of the city of Raleigh.

If you’ve never been, i magine a large-scale multi-stage festival featuring performances from some of the biggest names in music merged with a family-style cookout where everyone feels welcome and has a seat at the table. ALL are welcome at Dreamville Festival!

In this same spirit, J. Cole regularly invites his favorite musical artists and collaborators from across the world to perform in his home state of North Carolina – some of whom are performing for their first time ever in Raleigh – while the festival plays host to dozens of local independently-owned businesses, as well as artisans, muralists, merchants, and community organizations to offer attendees a true taste of the good life in Raleigh.

Notable past performers to have graced the festival’s main stages include the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B, with a mix of established touring acts, rare on-stage reunions, and exciting up-and-comers.

The festival marks an annual reunion for Dreamville Records as J. Cole taps the entire roster to perform at the fest including Ari Lennox, Bas, J.I.D, EarthGang, Cozz, and Omen, plus Lute who hails from nearby Charlotte. With performances that highlight their latest chart-topping projects, plus old-school throwbacks and unreleased music, this festival is truly a DREAM come true for any day-one Dreamville fans.

Since launching in 2018, Dreamville Festival has become one of the largest annual events in the state of North Carolina as well as one of today’s most popular artist-led music festivals in the world, with guests regularly traveling from across the globe and all 50 U.S. states to attend this one-of-a-kind music experience.

Dreamville Festival today generates millions of dollars each year for the local and North Carolina economy, while providing a positive and substantial cultural impact on Raleigh and the surrounding areas that lasts long after the festival wraps up each spring.

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J. Cole Announces KOD Tour With Young Thug as His Special Guest

J. Cole announces KOD Tour with Young Thug serving as his special guest.

By Carl Lamarre

Carl Lamarre

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After returning back to his element on the performance side with JMBLYA Fest last weekend, J. Cole announced his KOD Tour via Instagram  on Tuesday morning (May 8).

The 34-date tour will kick off in Miami Aug. 9 with Young Thug serving as his special guest throughout the summer trek. Along the way, Cole World will cruise through several notable markets including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York and more, before concluding Oct. 10 in Boston. In between his multi-city jaunt, Cole will launch his inaugural Dreamville Festival in his home state of North Carolina on Sept. 15. 

See latest videos, charts and news

J. Cole Makes Record Vault to No. 1 on Billboard Artist 100 Chart

General public will have the opportunity to purchase tickets May 12 at 10 a.m. local time at Dreamville.com and LiveNation.com. This weekend, both Cole and Thug will get to polish off any rust with headlining performances at Rolling Loud in Miami. 

Take a look at Cole’s KOD Tour dates below. 

  KOD Tour. @thuggerthugger1 pre sale tomorrow. Tix on sale Saturday. Choose Wisely. — A post shared by realcoleworld (@realcoleworld) on May 8, 2018 at 7:10am PDT

KOD Tour Dates Featuring Young Thug

8/9 Miami, FL @ AmericanAirlines Arena 8/11 – Tampa, FL @ Amelia Arena 8/12 – Atlanta, GA @ Infinite Energy Center* 8/13 – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center 8/14 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center 8/17 – San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center 8/18  – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center 8/21 – Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Arena* 8/22   – San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl SDSU 8/24 – Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center 8/29 – Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena 9/2- Boise, ID @ Taco Bell Arena 9/4 – Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center 9/5 – Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center 9/7 – Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena 9/8 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Vivint Smart Home Arena 9/10 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center 9/12 – Little Rock, AR @ Verizon Arena* 9/13 – Birmingham, AL @ Legacy Arena at The BJCC 9/17 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena 9/18 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center 9/19 – Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center 9/21 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesar’s Arena 9/22 – Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena 9/23 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center 9/25 – Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center 9/26 – Hartford, CT @ XL Center 9/28 – University Park, PA @ Bryce Jordan Center 10/1 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden* 10/4 – Toronto @ Air Canada Centre 10/5 – Montreal @ Bell Centre 10/6- Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center 10/8 – Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena* 10/10 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden

*Dates with asterik means Young Thug will not be performing that night

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The Origins of Drill Music

Dun language, dj kool herc (clive campbell).

Now Reading: J. Cole’s Odyssey: From Fayetteville to Fame and Beyond

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J. Cole’s Odyssey: From Fayetteville to Fame and Beyond

Jermaine Lamarr Cole, known as J. Cole, was born in 1985 on a military base in Germany and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His upbringing in a diverse environment shaped his musical and personal perspective, infusing a unique blend of insights into his lyrics.

Musical Beginnings and Rise to Fame

J. Cole’s journey began with his debut mixtape “The Come Up,” catching the attention of Jay-Z and leading to his signing with Roc Nation. His early works showcased his storytelling prowess and set the foundation for his distinctive style in the hip-hop industry.

Critical Acclaim and Commercial Success

Cole’s albums, such as “Cole World: The Sideline Story” and “2014 Forest Hills Drive,” received widespread acclaim for their introspective lyrics and social commentary. These works established him as a significant figure in the music industry, both for their artistic depth and commercial success.

Contributions Beyond Music

Beyond performing, Cole’s impact includes his role as a record producer and founder of Dreamville Records. His influence extends to nurturing new talent and shaping the future of hip-hop music.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

J. Cole is also recognized for his philanthropic efforts, focusing on community development and youth empowerment. His contributions highlight his commitment to social causes and community upliftment.

Exploration in Professional Basketball

Displaying his multifaceted talents, Cole ventured into professional basketball, reflecting his passion for the sport and his dedication to pursuing diverse interests outside of music.

Legacy and Influence

J. Cole’s legacy in the music industry is marked by his profound influence on contemporary hip-hop, his ability to weave complex narratives, and his dedication to authenticity. His journey inspires aspiring artists and underscores the power of resilience and creativity.

https://www.biography.com/musicians/j-cole https://www.discogs.com/artist/750828-J-Cole https://www.complex.com/music/a/complex/j-cole-talks-roc-nation-meeting-jay-z-the-warm-up-mixtape https://www.michigandaily.com/uncategorized/j-cole-cole-world-sideline-story/

https://www.mtv.com/news/i56f2c/j-cole-2014-forest-hills-drive-album   https://www.allmusic.com/artist/j-cole-mn0001089515#biography https://www.xxlmag.com/j-cole-interview-dreamville-music-next-dynasty/

https://thegrio.com/2023/06/13/j-cole-walks-the-walk-of-activism-and-charity/

https://www.si.com/nba/2023/06/16/j-cole-eric-church-involved-in-new-hornets-ownership-group-michael-jordan-sale https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/18/was-j-coles-move-from-hip-hop-to-pro-basketball-a-mere-marketing-stunt

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The tour kicks off September 24 in Miami.

Published on

J. Cole has announced a U.S. tour in support of his new album, The Off-Season. The 17-date trek will launch September 24 at the FTX Arena in Miami and wrap October 21 at the Forum in Los Angeles. 21 Savage will provide support throughout the tour, as will Morray. Tickets for all shows will go on sale June 25 at 10 a.m. local time

The Off-Season has received near unanimous acclaim from critics and fans alike. The project is 12 tracks long, and features guest verses from 21 Savage, Morray, Bas, 6LACK, and Lil Baby .

The record debuted at the No.1 position on the Billboard Album 200 charts. Selling over 228,000 album units, all songs from the album entered in the Top 40 of the Hot 100 while four of the 12 tracks―“m y . l i f e,” “a m a r i,” “p r i d e . i s . t h e . d e v i l,” and “9 5 . s o u t h”―charted in the Top 10 list simultaneously. J.Cole joins Juice WRLD , Lil Wayne , and Drake as the only artists in history to do so.

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The Off-Season marks J. Cole’s sixth studio effort and follows his 2018 album, KOD , as well as the 2019 Dreamville Records compilation, Revenge of the Dreamers III .

Prior to releasing The Off-Season , J. Cole shared a short documentary, Applying Pressure , which offered additional insight into his mindset as he made the new album. He also took a stab at professional basketball , playing a few games for the Rwanda Patriots of the Basketball Africa League.

For ticket options and other information, visit J. Cole’s Dreamville website Friday June 25.

J. Cole Tour Dates :

September 24 – Miami, FL @ FTX Arena September 25 – Orlando, FL @ Amway Center September 27 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena (without 21 Savage) September 28 – Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum Complex September 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center October 1 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden October 2 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center October 4 – Washington DC @ Capital One Arena October 5 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena October 7 – Chicago, IL @ United Center October 10 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center October 11 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Arena October 14 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena October 16 – Las Vegas @ MGM Grand Garden Arena October 17 – Phoenix, AZ @ Phoenix Suns Arena October 20 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena October 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum

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Drake and J. Cole Announce Joint Tour

By Jazz Monroe

Drake has expanded his It’s All a Blur Tour with a new batch of 2024 dates alongside J. Cole . Subtitled Big as the What?, the joint tour kicks off in January and wraps two months later after traversing the United States. They’ll be joined by Boi-1da and DJ Prince for those shows.

The run includes rescheduled dates in New Orleans, Nashville, and Columbus that had originally been set to feature Her Loss collaborator 21 Savage , with whom Drake began the tour. Check out the new dates, which include multiple Drake shows without J. Cole, below. Tickets go on sale on November 17, with a Cash App pre-sale beginning on November 15.

Drake finally released For All the Dogs last month, with J. Cole featuring on “First Person Shooter.” The pair headlined Cole’s Dreamville Festival in April.

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Drake & J. Cole:

01-18 Denver, CO - Ball Arena 01-19 Denver, CO - Ball Arena 01-22 San Antonio, TX - Frost Bank Center 01-23 San Antonio, TX - Frost Bank Center 01-25 Oklahoma City, OK - Paycom Center 01-29 New Orleans, LA - Smoothie King Center 01-30 New Orleans, LA - Smoothie King Center 02-02 Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena 02-04 Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena 02-07 Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena 02-08 Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena 02-12 St. Louis, MO - Enterprise Center 02-13 St. Louis, MO - Enterprise Center 02-16 Pittsburgh, PA - PPG Paints Arena 02-17 Pittsburgh, PA - PPG Paints Arena 02-20 Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center 02-21 Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center 02-24 Cleveland, OH - Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 02-25 Cleveland, OH - Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 02-27 Buffalo, NY - KeyBank Center 02-28 Buffalo, NY - KeyBank Center 03-02 Kansas City, MO - T-Mobile Center 03-03 Kansas City, MO - T-Mobile Center 03-05 Memphis, TN - FedExForum 03-10 Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena 03-14 Elmont, NY - UBS Arena ~ 03-15 Elmont, NY - UBS Arena ~ 03-18 State College, PA - Bryce Jordan Center ~ 03-23 Sunrise, FL - Amerant Bank Arena ~ 03-24 Sunrise, FL - Amerant Bank Arena ~ 03-27 Birmingham, AL - The Legacy Arena at BJCC ~

~ without J. Cole

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Is J. Cole's ‘Might Delete Later' Debut a Win or a Loss for the Conflicted Rapper?

It's been an interesting couple of weeks for J. Cole .

He was roped into the most buzzed-about beef in recent rap history last month when fellow superstar Kendrick Lamar sent apparent shots at him and collaborator Drake in his own Billboard Hot 100 -topping Future and Metro Boomin teamup, "Like That." Two Fridays ago (Apr. 5), he responded with his new mixtape Might Delete Later and its climactic answer diss, "7 Minute Drill" - before publicly backing off the rejoinder at his own Dreamville Festival the following Sunday, explaining that feuding with Lamar didn't sit right with him, and announcing his intent to remove the response cut from streaming.

The backlash from the internet and the larger hip-hop community was swift, with fans first dismissing "Drill" as lukewarm and uncommitted , and then largely mocking Cole for bowing out of the beef rather than standing behind his response. Nonetheless, Might Delete Later debuts at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 this week with 115,000 units - down from Cole's usual first-week totals for new albums, but still a strong showing by most other artists' standards, particularly for a mixtape - while "Drill" bows at No. 6 on the Hot 100, though Cole made good on his promise to take the song off streaming on Friday (Apr. 12), following the end of its first full tracking week.

What should we take away from Cole's Might Delete Later showing? And will the sour taste this era has left in many rap fans' mouths end up following Cole to his long-anticipated The Fall Off release? Billboard staffers answer these questions and more below.

1. J. Cole debuts at No. 2 this week with 115,000 units for  Might Delete Later . On a scale of 1-10, if you're J. Cole, how satisfied are you with that first-week performance?

Kyle Denis : If I'm J. Cole and I really am orchestrating all of this as an elaborate roll out for The Fall Off , 10. If I'm J. Cole and this has nothing to do with The Fall Off at all, probably around a 6. A six-figure opening week units total in 2024 is never anything to scoff at, but after six consecutive studio albums hitting No. 1 and debuting with over 200,000 units, these numbers certainly leave more to be desired. Of course, Beyoncé is Beyoncé, but the fact that Cowboy Carter's second week pulled ahead of Delete's first - despite the latter initially leading predictions – speaks to how quickly consumers decided Cole's latest offering wasn't worth their time. 

Angel Diaz : If I'm Cole, I'll be at a 10. The second spot on the 200 isn't too shabby for a mixtape that was overshadowed by an unfortunate apology amid one of the more intriguing rap feuds in recent memory. 

Carl Lamarre : A 5. If I were Cole, half of me would be proud that I cracked six figures with little to no promotion. Based on my surprise drop, I can't be upset if I lost to Beyonce. The other half is sick because the rap community is bullying me over  that  one record.

Jason Lipshutz : An 8. Might Delete Later was a surprise release arriving in an absolutely stacked portion of the release calendar, amidst a hip-hop superstar civil war outshining a lot of the actual music, and headlined by a diss track that was regretted and removed from streaming services… and it still did six figures in its first week. This project didn't receive a traditional rollout and has been defined more by where it fits into a Larger Beef Narrative than Cole's greater discography, so its final total should be a sign that he's still a commercial force.

Andrew Unterberger : Maybe a 4. Yes, it's just a mixtape, surprise release, whatever: If hip-hop fans were genuinely excited about this release (and "Drill" in particular) it would've still done big business. Cole coming in second for a full-length project, with well under half of the first-week units for 2021's The Off Season - with all the eyes and ears of the hip-hop world set upon him - is a disappointment by his standards, straight up.

2. Cole seems to have hedged expectations with just about everything regarding this set, from calling it a mixtape to repeatedly referencing it as the prelude to his upcoming  The Fall Off  project to titling it something non-committal to *actually deleting* one of its tracks from streaming this weekend. Given all of this, do you think it's still fair to judge it as a proper J. Cole body of work, or do you kinda give it an asterisk there?  

Kyle Denis : I think all those caveats warrant an asterisk. Nonetheless, Delete is still an 11-track set released under the J. Cole moniker – it's undoubtedly a body of work, just far from his best. 

Angel Diaz : I'm going to take it for what it is: a mixtape, a body of work, whatever you want to call it these days. Even if he decides to delete the entire tape eventually, the Internet is forever, and it'll be floating around somewhere. He should throw it up on Dat Piff and really bring the feeling back. 

Carl Lamarre : It's a body of work in which he was demonstrative about his rap standing and had no shame talking s–t. If you subtract the Dipset-flip for "Ready 24," this was all original music with some creative touches. Even if it wasn't up to Cole's standards,  Might Delete Later  was packaged like an ordinary rap album. 

Jason Lipshutz : An asterisk, for sure, which makes its No. 2 debut on the Billboard 200 so impressive. If this is the prelude to a major new Cole project, based on its 115,000 unit start, I'd expect The Fall Off to score one of the biggest debuts of the year. And yes, if you're literally deleting songs from a project once it's released, chances are you don't want that project to function as a defining work.

Andrew Unterberger : There's a bit of an asterisk, sure, but not one nearly as big or as definitive as Cole's hoping for.

3. "7 Minute Drill" debuts at No. 6 this week, and will most likely only get the one week in the top 10 after Cole removed it from streaming services on Friday. Do you think the lone week in the top 10 - particularly as "Like That" enjoys its third week at No. 1 - is more than the song deserves, less, or about right?  

Kyle Denis : Instinctively, I want to say it deserves less because of how limp of a response it is. But part of me thinks this is exactly what "7 Minute Drill" deserves. A single week in the top 10 is emblematic of the initial curiosity the song courted, and plummeting from that region as quickly as it got there is the perfect parallel to the lukewarm reception the song received once those first listens were complete. 

Angel Diaz : I'm not sure what's going on with this track because it still shows up in my Apple Music downloads on my phone but isn't available on Spotify or the desktop version of Apple Music. I think it makes sense that it would creep into the top 10 when you factor in all the drama surrounding it. Cole must really be apologetic because he's leaving some money on the table, so I guess it's about right. 

Carl Lamarre : Out of sheer anticipation, this is right where it should be. Cole isn't a battle rapper - as proven by his swift exit from the ongoing rap civil war - but because of his high-level MC status, grit, and charisma, there was hope that Cole would at least try to even the score against Kendrick. Sure, scrubbing the record from streaming cleanses your spiritual energy - and waiting as long as he did to do it ensures it will still be forever deemed a top 10 record - but we all know the chatter that's going on in hip-hop circles about that song and apology.

Jason Lipshutz : Sounds about right to me. Even if Cole hadn't hastily removed "7 Minute Drill" from streaming services, I'd expect the track to attain an explosive chart debut and quick drop-off, since most listeners stopped by to hear the Kendrick disses without absorbing the actual song. While "Like That" stands on its own as a scorching-hot single surrounding Kendrick Lamar's guest spot, "7 Minute Drill" sounds haphazardly constructed as a platform for a lukewarm takedown. It was always going to pique curiosities upon its release, and never going to last after that.

Andrew Unterberger : It's about right. I was more positive on "Drill" that most - I feel it got some decent digs in there, and to be honest, I respect that he kept his attacks kinda practical and not that hyperbolic. But is it as good a song as "Like That"? Of course not. Even without the rapper Deleting Later, it probably would've fallen off the Hot 100 in a few weeks once the curiosity listens died down, and almost certainly would've spent just the one week in its top tier. That's fine.

4. While "Drill" and its subsequent Cole about-face will likely make up the majority of the  Might Delete Later  legacy, is there anything elsewhere on the mixtape that you think is particularly notable/memorable/interesting for this Cole period?  

Kyle Denis : None of the music on Delete is interesting or impressive enough to rise out of the shadow of Cole's decisions during this period – and that's perfectly okay. I think his exit from the "Big Three" battle will easily stand as the most notable component of the Delete era for better and for worse. We'll definitely look back on this entire back-and-forth – and Cole's role and performance, in particular – as a key inflection point for the evolution of mainstream rap beef post-Hip-Hop 50. 

If anything, most of the mixtape's collaborations were welcome, but unnecessary, reminders of how great the chemistry is between Dreamville artists.

Angel Diaz : J. Cole blacked on a couple of these records, man, that's what makes his apology so frustrating and I'm not even the biggest Cole fan. "Huntin' Wabbitz," going bar-for-bar with Killa on "Ready ‘24," and getting his lyrical miracle on with battle rap veteran Daylyt and TDE's Ab Soul on "Pi" show that he belongs in the Big 3 conversation. For a surprise mixtape, Might Delete Later is a solid offering from a solid rapper.  

Carl Lamarre : I can't lie; the erasure of "Drill" and his Dreamville Fest apology killed my listening experience post-release. Ironically, I wasn't even a fan of "Drill" and thought "Trae The Truth in Ibiza" could have served as the project's ideal send-off. But after he dismissed "Drill," I tried listening again, and it hurt me because Cole spent the tape boasting about his lyrical prowess - most notably on "Ready 24." I can't even play that record back, because some of Cole's first words are: "Ain't no n-a better than me in this f–kin' planet, I swear to God. "  The about-face at Dreamville Fest killed any positive motion I had for his project, and I'm a devout fan.

Jason Lipshutz : The Central Cee team-up on "H.Y.B." is intriguing, and my '00s hip-hop-loving heart was overjoyed to hear both Cam'ron (!) and Young Duo (!!!) on this project. But the most interesting moment on Might Delete Later was "7 Minute Drill," as well as how Cole handled the song following its release. We'll see how calling an audible on the diss track affects his artistic perspective moving forward, but the move will define Might Delete Later , even though the song itself no longer exists on the project.

Andrew Unterberger : The collabs are good! I've never heard Cole sounding this versatile, meeting collaborators as wide-ranging as Cam'Ron, Central Cee and Ab-Soul mostly on their home terrain, without ever sounding like he's stretching too far outside his own lane. I truly cannot remember the last time I've advocated for a rapper to take on MORE name guests on their album, but for the Patron Saint of Platinum With No Features, maybe the switch-up could help keep things a little fresh for him on The Fall Off .

5. Cole has taken a near-unanimous L in general debate and on social media for "7 Minute Drill" and his subsequent Dreamville apology. Do you think it will actually affect perception and/or reception for Cole on future projects, or will this all become yesterday's news for him and his fanbase pretty quickly?  

Kyle Denis : Both. And that's the exact reason why this "beef" will have no verifiable victor. Cole's fans already decided that they were rocking with him through thick and thin back in 2011, if not earlier. They survived the Noname battle and other controversies; this is not going to substantially shift the mindset of his fanbase. When it comes to those outside of Cole World, however, Cole's exit and apology have blown up the once-solidified "Big Three" of the blog era. Like Drake and Lamar, reception for Cole's projects have always had a built-in sheen because of how he's revered in hip-hop circles. Based on the varied reception to his "Red Leather" verse, that's already started to change a little bit. Ultimately, I think Cole will be just fine – but he should probably prepare himself for The Fall Off to be his most meticulously analyzed and critiqued album yet.  

Angel Diaz : I think this has already negatively affected his career. Fans will eventually forgive and forget, but for now he's basically Switzerland as a band of American rappers clique up to take down the behemoth in the North. He had to stand 10 toes down after this song dropped because, like I said earlier, the Internet is forever. The disses weren't even that personal and he's rapped too many slick lines about being the best for too many years. His biggest mistake was dedicating a track to Kendrick, when Dot just sent a couple subs his way, while taking direct aim at Drake.

I understand his sentiments, but I wonder if he feels like he's missing out on the history being made right now. The Fall Off most definitely needs to be a unanimous classic or at least close to it for borderline fans such as myself to take him seriously again. He put himself in a hole for absolutely no reason. I don't think his career is over, but the convo about him being the best rapper in the game is over for now. 

Jason Lipshutz : Depending on how this genre-encompassing diss parade plays out, Cole releasing "7 Minute Drill," pulling a "whoopsie" and bowing out of the contest altogether… might have been the best thing for him. For better or worse, we now know where he stands on this matter, and now he can view the fracas from afar while moving on to his next projects. Cole already released The Sideline Story more than a decade ago, and maybe it's best that that's where he'll be during this free-for-all.

Andrew Unterberger : I think the folks who are calling Cole "finished" are on an altogether different planet, but could it have a residual long-term effect? Not impossible, but considering all the "rap is a competitive sport" takes that have surrounded hip-hop discourse lately, folks would do well to remember that in rap, as in pro sports, fans have short memories. Joel Embiid had an embarrassing playoff showing last year against the Celtics, but if he leads the Sixers past Boston and to the finals this year, most people will forget about 2023 real quick. Same thing with Cole - at least, if his next album is as good as he's hyping it to be.

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