J. Cole is ready to drop his highly-anticipated album, The Fall Off. The rap sensation recently offered a glimpse into the project’s inspiration during a candid discussion on Lil Yachty’s A Safe Place podcast. Cole revealed the creative challenges he faced after the success of his 2014 album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, and how it influenced his artistic process.
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J. Cole is gearing up to release his highly anticipated album, The Fall Off, and recently shared some insight into the inspiration behind the project.
During a candid conversation on Atlanta rapper Lil Yachty’s A Safe Place podcast, Cole discussed the challenges he faced after the success of his 2014 album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, and how it impacted his creative process.
Reflecting on the aftermath of 2014 Forest Hills Drive, the “She Knows” rapper spoke about feeling too comfortable in his personal life, which affected his ability to write impactful verses. He admitted to watching TV series excessively instead of focusing on his craft:
“I got home, I was comfortable. I’m watching full [television] series. I never did that sh*t. Every day I open my laptop up, try to make a beat and then I try to write and when I start writing I’d be like ‘man this sh*t kinda ass if I’m being honest with myself’,” Cole said. He also said he told himself “Oh you hella comfortable.” He felt that he lost a step in his writing with that realization.
Cole’s self-awareness led him to realize that being comfortable had caused him to lose a step in his writing. Determined to push himself creatively, Cole considered The Fall Off as an opportunity to close a chapter in his career and showcase the highest level of achievement and skill he has ever reached:
“If I go out and close the chapter, not saying I will, but If I do, I want to do it at the highest level of achievement and skills that I’ve ever been in my life.”
Cole described his recent collaborations and features as “exercises” to challenge himself and improve. These experiences served as a warm-up for The Fall Off, where he aims to prove something to himself and his fans.
His dedication and growth resonated with fans on X, who eagerly expressed their anticipation for the album.
One user commented, “ Bro said he’s been doing exercises and warming up, Can’t genuinely wait for The Fall Off.” Another user commented, “The fall off is going to be nuts.”
The Fall Off will mark J. Cole’s seventh studio album and his first since The Off Season, which was released in May 2021. The album does not have a confirmed release date.
In other J. Cole news, he teamed up with Lil Yachty on the single “The Secret Recipe” in September 2023. Yachty previously said he wasn’t interested in Cole’s music in 2016, but they still collaborated and made a rap video with the setting being an empty auditorium.
Coincidentally, another rapper who recently shared insights into his upcoming album is Busta Rhymes. Inspired by his interactions with legendary producers Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, and Pharrell Williams while vacationing on a yacht. Busta announced his album Blockbusta, set to release on November 24.
