J. Cole is rolling out The Fall-Off and he’s inviting fans inside its world, one chapter at a time. With the release of the official music video for “Two Six,” the proper opener of the album’s first disc, Cole delivers a grounded, deeply personal visual that reinforces what has always defined his artistry: loyalty to home, purpose, and truth.
Cole has never been shy about what he loves—hip-hop, his family, his friends—but at the center of it all sits Fayetteville, North Carolina. “Two Six” serves as a tribute to that identity, a proud defense of roots that have shaped both the man and the music. Before the song even begins, the video is briefly highlighted by another Disc29 standout, “The Let Out,” setting a reflective tone that eases viewers into the emotional gravity of what follows.
Grit, Memory, and Motion
Once “Two Six” takes center stage, the visuals unfold as a series of gritty, carefully framed collages spotlighting Fayetteville’s streets, spaces, and spirit. Cole appears in familiar, unguarded environments. Walking along train tracks, riding his bike with wired headphones, moving through the Ville as both observer and participant. It’s not flashy. It’s intentional.
The color treatment is rich yet restrained, allowing the imagery to breathe while grounding the video in realism. Every frame feels lived-in, reinforcing the idea that this is not just a backdrop, but it’s a blueprint.
Though Cole carries “Two Six” entirely on his own sonically, the video is populated by friends, peers, and everyday people, each adding texture and authenticity. Together, they transform the visual into a communal portrait of the Ville. One that feels personal without ever becoming insular.
A Project Heavy With Meaning
As fans continue dissecting The Fall-Off, “Two Six” stands out as an entry point into the album’s larger themes: reflection, growth, and reckoning. The project has been widely rumored to be J. Cole’s final album, a possibility that only heightens the weight of each release. While many fans hope that isn’t the case, if The Fall-Off does mark the end of his studio album run, “Two Six” feels like a fitting opening statement. Humble, honest, and rooted in purpose.
A Cast of Voices, A Spectrum Of Ideas
The Fall-Off balances introspection with collaboration, featuring a carefully curated list of contributors. Future appears twice on “Run A Train” and “Bunce Road Blues,” the latter also featuring Tems. Fellow North Carolina icon Petey Pablo brings regional legacy to “Old Dog,” while Burna Boy adds global perspective on “Only You”. Morray joins Cole on “What If,” one of the album’s most conceptually ambitious tracks.
“What If” imagines verses from the perspectives of The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur, envisioning a world where the two legends reconciled their differences. It’s a bold creative swing—one that speaks to Cole’s willingness to engage hip-hop history with both reverence and imagination.
A Beginning That Feels Like A Full Circle Moment
Whether The Fall-Off is truly the last chapter or simply the close of one era, “Two Six” proves that J. Cole is moving with intention. The video doesn’t chase trends. In fact, it documents a man at peace with where he comes from and aware of where he stands.
If this is the opening note of the end, it’s a powerful one. And if more visuals follow, “Two Six” has already set the standard of honest, grounded, and unmistakably the Ville.
