A live music photograph of hip-hop artist J. Cole performing on stage at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on August 11, 2018. Framed from the chest up, the musician leans in to sing into a microphone mounted on a straight stand, with their other hand resting flat against their chest. They have long braided hair and a beard, and are wearing a plain, light-colored short-sleeve t-shirt. The background features dynamic, vibrant blue stage lighting with striking, intersecting diagonal white light beams crossing behind the performer.J. Cole plays Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on August 11, 2018. Credit: Gabby Santos / Creative Loafing Tampa Bay

The Fall-Off is supposed to be J. Cole’s final album. While the 41-year-old won’t pursue playing pro basketball in China (citing visa issues, he quit after playing just one game with the Nanjing Monkey Kings in the Chinese Basketball Association), Cole did take a halfcourt shot with a double-LP that’s drawn mixed reviews.

The notoriously-grumpy Pitchfork said the North Carolina rapper “lacks the ability to keep the record moving with fresh ideas,” while Rolling Stone called the outing an “opus that’s dense, sometimes frustrating, and beautifully human.”

Never braggadocious, Cole will get plenty of love in Tampa for what could be his final tour for a while.

Tickets to see J. Cole play Benchmark International Arena in Tampa on Wednesday, July 15 are still available on the resale market for $150.65 & up.

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This article appears in July 09 – 15, 2026.

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Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief…
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