When it comes to Fayetteville, N.C., rapper and producer J. Cole, his fans know exactly what to expect. Cole has studied and applied hip hop culture in a manner that stays true to the genre’s origins. From releasing his final album, “The Fall-Off,” to promoting it via his Trunk Sale tour, both in February, Cole thrives on connecting with fans in person. His latest release is his own hip hop magazine and, of course, a world tour to support it all.
Cole’s “The Fall-Off Tour” superpower is performing for two hours on stage without theatrics. He wears comfortable hoodies, shirts, and long baggy shorts, minus any outfit changes. Because of the strong connection with his audience, they aren’t expecting more. Cole’s NYC Homecoming included two shows at the Barclays Center, two shows at Madison Square Garden, and one at UBS Arena. All five were sold out. He refers to New York City as his second home and thanked the city for always embracing him.
“As I’m looking around, I can already see it’s a few people that know these ‘Fall-Off’ songs word for word,” Cole said to the Tuesday, Aug. 4, MSG crowd. “I don’t take it lightly — why? Because these are not no ABCs jingles. These are hard [lyrics] to learn.” Cole acknowledged fans who knew every single song, and those who only knew one. “If you made your way in this building tonight, I don’t [care] if you just like one song — New York City, I appreciate ya’ll, I got love for you, thank you so much!”
Cole resonates well with New Yorkers, particularly as a St. John’s University alumnus. He strategized the acceptance that moved him to NYC in pursuing a hip hop career. His relatability, notably still riding around in his old Honda Civic and now having the car as a stage prop, provides an authentic connection with his fanbase.
“Fall-Off” magazine, founded by J. Cole, pays homage to and continues hip hop culture beyond Cole’s own album. 
J. Cole performing “2Face,” one of his favorite songs from his 2010 mixtape “Friday Night Lights,” that he rarely performs. 
J. Cole’s Fall-Off Tour on August 4 at MSG’s Night 2 of his four out of five NYC area sold-out shows. 
Jordan Rose, journalist and music content producer for “Complex” magazine, and AmNews writer Brenika Banks at Madison Square Garden for J. Cole’s Fall-Off Tour. (Brenika Banks photo)
Cole makes his audience feel special through performing live. One of his featured verses on Benny the Butcher’s “Johnny P’s Caddy” gives a lucky fan at every show the experience of a lifetime: rapping bar for bar with Cole. Alanna Lauter understood this unique opportunity when she was selected by Cole himself.
“It was really nice to have that experience,” Lauter said. As a big Cole fan, the Brooklyn Public Library “Bars & Books” creator is also a credited writer for Cole’s magazine. “If you look at the credits, there’s a lot of people on there who are from Source magazine or from XXL, and journalists,” said Lauter. “These are real people doing real work.” She praised the magazine’s team for curating the publication. This complements Cole’s tour and album well for exploring different spaces and eras of hip hop on “The Fall-Off.” Volume One added to Cole’s credibility as a true student of hip hop while continuing to document its culture. He also controls his career’s trajectory by choosing to end it on his terms via “The Fall-Off.”
J. Cole performed one of his newer tracks, “Bombs in the Ville/Hit the Gas,” at MSG. The song’s ending concludes with hands of a clock in reverse, using pictures of Cole moving backward from the present day to his mainstream “2014 Forest Hills Drive” album era. Simultaneously, the production and song display an important message: “Life is a film that cannot be rewound.”
“The Fall-Off World Tour” concludes in December 2026 in South Africa.
