After Three Year Hiatus, J Cole Returns With The Off-Season

J Cole released his sixth studio album, The Off-Season, on May 14.

It’s been three years since Cole released KOD, and though the rapper was featured on the Grammy-nominated compilation album Revenge of the Dreamers III in 2019 and he released three singles in 2020, it’s fair to say The Off-Season has been eagerly anticipated by fans.

Cole first teased the album back in Aug. 2018, when he released a freestyle titled Album of the Year. In both SoundCloud and a music video description, Cole wrote, “The Off Season coming soon…”

Co-produced by Ibrahim Hamad, T-Minus and Cole, The Off-Season, pairs Cole with a host of collaborators, including 21 Savage, Timbaland, and Boi-1-Da, who supply some of the beats.

The album is named after the common sports term, “off-season,” which is when an athlete has a break from the regular season but is still honing their skills and improving their game. 

In the album, he tackles the trappings of fame in true Cole fashion delivering passionate verses.

The twelve-track album starts off with 9 5. s o u t h. Cam’ron opens the track, to hype up listeners, as Cole raps about his success as a multi-hit and multi platinum artist. The song closes with a sample of Lil Jon’s vocals from Put Yo Hood Up.

m y. l i f e features 21 Savage and Morray alongside Cole. They discuss the struggles of their respective come-ups and the benefits of their perseverance. 

They also talk about what their lives could have been like if they hadn’t fought to make it out.

In  a p p l y i n g. p r e s s u r e Cole exposes broke rappers for flaunting wealth they don’t have. Something Cole has been known to do in his past work like in KOD’s 1984 where he warns up-and-coming rappers about the realities of the rap game and advises them on how to maintain success. 

p r I d e. I s. t h e. d e v i l addresses one of the seven deadly sins and how it affects people’s behavior. He also recognizes his good fortune in becoming popular and living longer than many of his peers.

t h e . c l i m b . b a c k, explores the nature of gun violence in America.

c l o s e features samples of MF DOOM’s “Valerian Root.” On this track Cole remembers a friend who turned to gang violence and drug habits which ultimately led to his death.  

h u n g e r. o n. h i l l s i d e, explains how Cole can remain the same person no matter how successful he becomes. He realizes that the only way to preserve his identity is to remain true to himself.

The Off-Season is the epitome of true artistry. In it, Cole examines who he has turned into as a result of the environment he grew up in.

Cole isn’t afraid to deliver relevant messages. As a result, the rawness in his music is what will never put him out of touch with his fans.