Fans across the country rushed with excitement after spotting J. Cole on college campuses, at shopping malls, and even inside local businesses and restaurants.
The Fayetteville native kicked off a surprise trunk-sale tour the day after releasing his latest album, The Fall-Off, on February 6. His first stop was The Sip Room, a popular winery hangout in his hometown of Fayetteville, where he was warmly welcomed by hometown fans eager to support the project.
Cole, whose real name is Jermaine Cole, surprised fans by announcing the trunk-sale tour on social media with little advance notice. From there, he made his way to the Raleigh-Durham area, appearing on the campus of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh.
J. Cole sits on the hood of a red truck in front of his childhood home in Fayetteville, NC; Courtesy of @JColeVillle/X
He later stopped at North Carolina A&T State University, where videos of his visit quickly went viral. The moments paid homage to his early grind when he sold mixtapes directly from the trunk of his car while chasing his rap dreams.
The “Two-Six” rapper continued making appearances in cities including Greenville, South Carolina and Atlanta, with campus stops at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Hampton University, Norfolk State University, and Howard University. He was also spotted in Silver Spring, Maryland and at St. John’s University in New York City.
Each trunk-tour stop created viral moments as fans captured selfies, quick conversations, and once-in-a-lifetime interactions. The intimate setting allowed Cole to create a personalized and authentic connection, turning ordinary days for fans into unforgettable highlights.
The trunk sale was both a creative and strategic business move for the 41-year-old North Carolina rapper – one rarely, if ever, seen from an artist of his stature. By returning to the grassroots hustle that launched his career, Cole blended nostalgia with innovation. The tour recreated the raw energy of his early mixtape days while strengthening his bond with supporters and introducing younger fans to a pre-streaming era when artists relied on CDs, word of mouth, and direct fan engagement.
J. Cole’s college run ultimately became a powerful full-circle moment. For students and longtime fans alike, witnessing an artist reconnect with his roots, proving that even at the highest level of success, the grind still matters.
