J. Cole has announced the release date for his “years-in-the-making” album, The Off-Season.
The 36-year-old chart-topper surprised his fans this week by confirming the hotly awaited record will arrive on May 14, 2021.
Cole teased his first project since 2018’s KOD by posting the artwork on social media.
About three years ago, when he captioned the promo for “Album Of The Year (Freestyle)” on YouTube: “The Off Season coming soon…,” it was thought that his next album would be called The Fall Off. The Fall Off can be reached by any route.”
However, Cole confirmed in December that The Fall Off is not his next studio album and will be released after The Off-Season.
Meanwhile, the singer of “Crooked Smile” revealed last summer that he was considering retirement, but his immediate attention was on finishing his forthcoming album.
Cole, who also announced that he and his wife have two sons, said: “[I have a] long-term plan of becoming the best rapper I could possibly be before hanging up my jersey, leaving nothing on the table when all was said and done.”
But he still has a few things to tick off his “career bucket list” yet.
He said: “The fire that was once dying out has returned, and for that I’m grateful.
“On my career bucket list, there remain a few more items to check off before I give myself permission to enter whatever the next chapter of my life may be.”
However, the award-winning star thinks he’ll eventually lose his motivation.
He explained: “As I approach the summit of this mountain, I still find myself staring at that other one in the distance, wondering if I can climb.”
