The rapper, who grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, came back to the HBCU that played a role in his earliest steps as an independent artist. Long before sold-out arenas and chart-topping albums, North Carolina A&T was one of the first places where people believed enough to buy his music.
According to reports, J. Cole visited the Greensboro campus on February 7. His return was not random. Years ago, during the school’s famous homecoming celebration, he sold copies of his first project directly to students from his car. That moment stayed with him.
Ahead of the visit, the artist shared the memory online, explaining why the stop mattered to him. He wrote:
“NCA&T. First time I ever sold a physical version of my own full project was on your campus during Homecoming. We sold The Come Up for $1 out the trunk of this car. I’m bout to drive to Greensboro right now to see if I can sell a couple copies of The Fall-Off tonight. Full circle !!!”
When J. Cole arrived, word spread fast. Large crowds of students gathered on campus just to see him. There was no stage show or major announcement, just an artist connecting with a community that once supported him before fame.
As he shared copies of his latest album, The Fall Off, he also took time to encourage students, reminding them that big dreams can grow from small beginnings. For many in attendance, the moment felt personal and inspiring.
The connection between J. Cole and North Carolina A&T also appears in his music. On his new double album, he mentions the university in the song “Safety,” a quiet but meaningful nod to the place that helped shape his journey.
Fans and critics have suggested that The Fall Off could be the final album of his career. Whether or not that proves true, his visit to the HBCU marked a clear moment of reflection one that highlighted gratitude, roots, and coming back home.